Bournemouth Reggae Weekender
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender (BRW) is a three-day, high-energy cultural celebration that brings the vibrant spirit of African Caribbean heritage to the heart of the UK’s south coast. Launched in July 2020 and run by Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC — a community interest company established in 2012 — BRW has quickly grown from 1,500 attendees per day in its first year to over 10,000 total visitors across the weekend.
Our unique community-driven ethos, shaped by extensive public consultations and attendee surveys, ensures that the festival reflects the cultural, social, and entertainment needs of our audience. A family-friendly USP — Under-18s attend free — fosters inclusivity and intergenerational engagement.
Our Audience (Based on 2025 BRW Attendee Survey – 167 respondents)
Diverse and engaged: 59% White, 20% Black, 16% Mixed heritage.
Predominantly female (81%) with strong representation from ages 45–64 (62% combined).
Committed festival-goers: 68% attend all weekend, 52% stay over six hours a day.
High economic impact: Over half travel into Bournemouth and stay in hotels, guesthouses, or Airbnbs.
Highly satisfied: Average 9.1/10 community impact rating, with over 70% giving a perfect 10.
Target Audience
Sponsorship Commitment: Ideally confirmed by April 2026 to allow for full integration into marketing campaigns, PR, and on-site branding.
Activation Duration:
Pre-event: Minimum of 3 months brand exposure via social media, website, press releases, and ticketing channels.
During event: Three full days of high-visibility branding and audience engagement.
Post-event: Continued exposure through event highlight reels, media coverage, and community engagement activities (2–4 weeks after).
Extended Opportunities: Inclusion in off-season winter events and year-round activities run by Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC.
Who BRW Appeals To – Audience Profile
Core Age Range: Predominantly 45–64 years old (62% combined), with strong representation in the 35–44 bracket (24%), and active engagement from younger adults and families (18–34).
Gender Split: 81% female, 18.6% male, 0% non-binary/other (2025 survey).
Ethnic Diversity:
White: 59.3%
Black: 20.4%
Mixed heritage: 16.2%
Asian & Other: 4.2% combined
Geographic Mix:
Strong local base within Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) area.
Significant number of visitors from other parts of the UK, with over 50% staying overnight in hotels, guesthouses, or Airbnbs.
Cultural Connection: Festival strongly resonates with African Caribbean heritage enthusiasts, reggae music fans, cultural explorers, and family audiences.
Economic Impact:
41.6% spend over £100 at the festival.
High weeke
Key Dates and Timings
Event Dates & Sponsorship Timeline
Festival Dates: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th July 2026
Specific Opportunity Details
What It Is
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender (BRW) is a three-day open-air festival that transforms Bournemouth into a vibrant celebration of African Caribbean culture through live music, DJ sets, dance, food, art, and family-friendly activities. Since its launch in July 2020, BRW has become a signature summer event for the region, recognised as Best Festival of the Year at the Beacon Music Awards.
Where It Happens
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset – one of the UK’s most popular seaside destinations, attracting both local residents and national visitors.
Setting: Outdoor festival grounds designed for maximum audience engagement, with dedicated main stage, food village, cultural market, VIP zones, and experiential areas for sponsors.
Timing: Annual July weekend, with additional winter and off-season events planned from 2026 to maintain year-round brand visibility.
Audience Size & Reach
On-site attendance: Over 10,000 visitors across the weekend (3,000 per day, starting from 1,500/day in 2020).
Survey engagement: BRW 2025 survey captured 1670 attendee responses providing deep audience insight.
Weekend commitment: 67.7% attend all three days, with 51.5% staying over six hours per day.
Digital & Social Media Presence
Primary channels: Facebook & Instagram (responsible for 56.9% of audience awareness in 2025).
Estimated social reach: Growing year-on-year with high engagement on music, cultural, and community-focused content.
Web presence: Dedicated event website hosting lineup announcements, cultural features, and ticketing — regularly attracting pre-event and post-event traffic spikes.
Community engagement: Ongoing connection through Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC’s online broadcasts and local activities, creating brand touchpoints beyond the festival.
Why a Potential Partner Should Get Involved
Award-winning brand with strong cultural authenticity and proven audience loyalty.
Highly targeted demographic: Predominantly female (81%), diverse ethnicity mix, strong representation in 45–64 age bracket — valuable for lifestyle, travel, health, and premium consumer brands.
Tourism & local spend driver: Over 50% of attendees travel in, stay locally, and spend £76–£100+ during the event.
Multi-platform exposure: On-site branding, social media integration, and activation opportunities in high-traffic festival zones.
Community credibility: Event shaped by attendee surveys and public consultations, scoring 9.1/10 in local impact ratings.
Year-round visibility: Not limited to one summer weekend — off-season events and Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC activities keep your brand in the public eye.
Available Partnership Opportunities (Customisable to your objectives)
Title Sponsor – naming rights, primary branding, and top-tier visibility across all platforms.
Stage Sponsor – exclusive branding of the main music stage or cultural performance areas.
VIP & Hospitality Partner – activation and branding in premium guest areas.
Family Zone Sponsor – align with our Under-18s Free entry USP in a dedicated family activity space.
Food & Beverage Partner – opportunities for sampling, activation, and product sales integration.
Digital Content Partner – co-branded content across social and web platforms pre, during, and post-event.
Features and Benefits
As a valued sponsor of Bournemouth Reggae Weekender, your brand will benefit from a high-visibility, high-engagement platform that combines live cultural experiences with multi-channel promotional reach. Packages can be tailored to meet your marketing objectives, but typically include:
1. Branding & Visibility
On-site branding across festival signage, stage backdrops, entrance gates, fencing, and programme materials.
Logo placement on all marketing collateral — posters, flyers, press releases, social media graphics, website, and event merchandise.
Main stage branding opportunities for headline sponsors, ensuring maximum audience exposure.
2. Advertising & Media Exposure
Inclusion in digital marketing campaigns (Facebook, Instagram, email newsletters, and website).
Featured in event press releases and partner media coverage.
Opportunities for radio mentions via Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC, both pre-event and during the festival.
3. Hospitality & VIP Access
Complimentary hospitality/VIP tickets for client entertainment, staff rewards, or competitions.
Access to exclusive sponsor lounge areas with premium viewing points.
Priority parking and fast-track entry for sponsor guests.
4. Promotional & Experiential Opportunities
Product sampling and giveaways in high-footfall festival zones.
Opportunities to host interactive brand activations (photo booths, games, demos, tasting experiences).
Branded pop-up stalls or displays to engage directly with attendees.
5. Community & Year-Round Engagement
Inclusion in winter and off-season events for extended brand presence beyond the July festival.
Opportunities to participate in community outreach activities aligned with BRW’s cultural and social values.
Other Partners
Turtle Bay, Carib, VP Records, Duppy Rum, V Rum,Bournemouth Water, BCP Council, Dorset Police, Travis Perkins , Tesco, Pink Ribbon Foundation
Investment
Investment Level & Support Types
We offer tiered sponsorship packages designed to suit a range of budgets and marketing objectives.
Cash Investment:
Our primary focus is securing financial sponsorship to support operational delivery, talent booking, production costs, and community engagement initiatives. Depending on the partnership tier, packages typically range from £5,000 to £25,000+, with bespoke options available for title or presenting sponsors.
Contra / In-Kind Support:
We welcome contra arrangements where your products or services directly enhance the festival experience. This could include:
Equipment supply (staging, sound, lighting)
Accommodation or travel services for performers and crew
Media and advertising space
Volunteer support or event staffing
Product / Promotional Support:
Brands can provide products for sampling, giveaways, or merchandise integration. This includes food and beverage activations, branded goods, or experiential installations aligned with the festival’s theme and audience.
We are committed to creating a mutually beneficial sponsorship arrangement, ensuring your brand receives tailored visibility, measurable engagement, and alignment with Bournemouth Reggae Weekender’s African Caribbean cultural heritage and community values.
Other Info
Cultural Significance: Bournemouth Reggae Weekender is the South Coast’s leading celebration of African Caribbean culture, combining live music, authentic cuisine, and community-led programming. Founded in 2020, the event has grown from 1,500 to 3,000 attendees per day, attracting over 10,000 visitors across the weekend.
Award Recognition: Winner – Best Festival of the Year at the Beacon Music Awards, highlighting the festival’s quality, cultural impact, and industry reputation.
Community-Driven: Programming and improvements are guided by public surveys and consultations, ensuring the festival remains relevant, inclusive, and responsive to its audience.
Family-Friendly USP: Under-18s attend free, encouraging multi-generational participation and broadening sponsor exposure to diverse age groups.
Year-Round Engagement: Operated by Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC since 2012, the organisation has a continuous presence through community radio, cultural projects, and seasonal events — giving sponsors extended brand exposure beyond the main festival.
High Audience Loyalty: 67.7% of attendees stay for the full weekend, with more than 50% spending over £75 at the festival, making them a valuable, engaged consumer base for on-site activations and sampling.
Sustainable Growth Model: Forecasted to increase both attendance and revenue steadily over the next five years through capacity expansion, strategic pricing, and the introduction of complementary winter events.