With thousands of local live music fans expected to attend, Poole and Bournemouth's biggest and best family live music weekend is ready to return this summer.

And with savings of up to £30 available in a special launch offer, tickets are already being snapped up well in advance.

Building on the success of last year's festival, the star-studded line up is headed by rock legends Razorlight alongside the re-energised indie outfit The Coral and 90s hit makers Reef. Also billed are The South - former members of The Beautiful South – 90s indie legends Toploader, the return of Southampton's UK garage duo Artful Dodger, folk punk rabble-rousers Ferocious Dog and festival favourites Dr Meaker.

"Last year's festival was the best yet in terms of line up and the feedback we received was really positive - we're definitely putting Poole Harbour Festival on the map," says festival organiser Ben Dyas.

"Last year we had so many last minute ticket buyers we did have some queues, but we’ve learned a lot from that and as well as our best ever line up, this year we'll have more and bigger bars, many extra toilets, easier entry and more staff and security across the site and with better signage for things like water points and toilets.

"It's going to be a brilliant weekend!"

In the dance tent, a strong DJ bill is topped by Lisa Lashes with top ten chart regulars Ultrabeat, cut-n-paste king Jaguar Skills and Global Underground mixer Seb Fontaine; while the popular tributes include shows dedicated to Queen, Madness, Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and. For the first time, Fleetwood Mac.

As ever, with a staggering 50 acts across four stages, the festival also features the cream of music talent from the BCP region the always popular party starters Mother Ukers, Americana quartet Sixteen String Jack, formidable Celtic punk band Blackwater County and festival favourites such as folk singer songwriter Gaz Brookfield.

Add to that the festival's famous family-friendly atmosphere - there are free circus shows on Saturday and Sunday as well as daily kids' entertainers, dinosaur shows and activities - as well as a pocket-friendly pricing structure and once again Poole Harbour Festival delivers all ingredients to kick start a fabulous summer by the sea.

"We're so grateful our amazing regulars keep coming back year after year and they're joined by more and more music fans attracted by the star names on the bill - it's the party weekend that Poole is now famous for!" adds Ben.

"You can help make the event even better by taking advantage of the much cheaper launch offer tickets – this helps us plan and book the facilities needed."

Poole Harbour Festival opens at 5pm on Friday, noon on Saturday and 11am on Sunday, closing at 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 7pm on Sunday.

Tickets available now at www.pooleharbourfestival.com. 

POOLE HARBOUR FESTIVAL

Friday 26, Saturday 27, Sunday 28 July

Baiter Park, Poole, BH15 1UY

Weekend tickets from £8 child, £27 adult, £47 family
Launch offer ends 25 February
Day tickets available

www.pooleharbourfestival.com

www.facebook.com/pooleharbourfestival/