Turn the Tide 2024

From 7–9 June 2024, Turn the Tide returned bigger than ever with its third edition, expanded into a three-day celebration of oceans, climate action and community spirit.

The festival opened on Friday night with the premiere of 'Whose Wild World?', a playful environmentally-themed theatre show from Troubadour Theatre that set the tone for a creative and thought-provoking weekend.

Saturday coincided with World Oceans Day and the launch of Great Big Green Week, filling the Lawn with environmental stalls, circus skills, art, and the spectacular sight of an 18-metre inflatable whale. Visitors explored the Mossy Carpet installation by the Art and Energy Collective, joined talks from marine biologists and conservation groups, enjoyed the Repair Café, and discovered entries in The Joy of Wild Swimming photo exhibition. Music came from local favourites including Cask, Sasha & Gaz, Back Beach Boyz, Celtic Dawn and Melosa, before the evening marquee turned into a dance floor with Piratitude and Jonah’s Lift.

Sunday was dedicated to Dawlish Action – celebrating wellbeing, creativity and community activity. From vintage cycles and a fancy dress parade to stalls, local crafts and music from Combustion, Holly Ebony, Wrecked Again, Celtic Dawn, Isambard Gasket Rats and Drum Devon, the day brought people of all ages together. The festival closed with another sell-out fundraiser, as Studio 54 returned to get Dawlish dancing once again.