UPDATE - EVENT CANCELLED
We have continued to compare various weather forecasts until making a final decision this morning to regrettably CANCEL this year’s event.
Winds gusting over 30mph from the southwest and a high likelihood of rain means that stalls on the riverwalk would not be safe to erect and not worthwhile for operators given the expected heavily reduced level of footfall and the risk of weather damaging their goods. The forecast has also led many of the key afloat display participants to withdraw for safety reasons.
The Waterfront Festival is one of the town’s most beloved annual events so this decision has been a difficult one. We would like to pass on a big thank you to all our event participants for their support in the extensive planning and to Arun District Council for their grant in support of expanding this year’s event. Stallholder refunds will be issued shortly.
After reviewing tide times and participant availability for next summer, we look forward to releasing details of 2024’s event. Fingers crossed for another glorious weekend like 2022’s next year!
Littlehampton Lifeboat Station’s Open Day will go ahead indoors at the lifeboat station from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. The Maritime Volunteer Service’s motor launch East Sussex 1 will also be on the visitors pontoon throughout the weekend.
What's it all about?
Each year the harbour plays host to an event celebrating all things nautical. We aim to showcase as many of the different activities that take place on the river as possible – including dinghy sailing, yachts, workboats, powerboats, paddleboarding, angling, RNLI lifeboats, jetskis, flyboards, and hovercraft to name a few. Several exciting visiting and resident vessels will also be open for tours on Town Quay.
In addition to the activities on the water, local clubs, businesses and organizations are showcased along the riverfront.
The 2023 event will be held across two afternoons on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July 2023.
Apply to be a riverfront stall holder.
We would love to showcase your club, society, or business at this year’s festival. You can attend for just one day, or for both, as you prefer. We do ask that those attending for both days pack away their stall on Saturday and set up again on Sunday morning.
If you would like to apply, please complete the form below indicating how many pitches you would like and for which days. We also ask please that you upload a copy of your Public Liability Insurance certificate.
Places will be allocated to those applications received by 1st April 2023, but the process will remain open beyond that date for a place on the reserve list.
We will endeavour to provide you with the number of pitches requested, though we do reserve the right to alter your allocation depending on availability.