Will Renny from Beach Cteative introduces you to this years festival:
Get ready for a wave of wit, colour, and creativity as the Herne Bay Cartoon Festival returns to the Kent coast for its 12th edition. This year’s theme — “Sun, Sea, Celebrations!” — sets the tone for a joyful and vibrant two-week celebration of the best in British cartooning.
The festival is an annual celebration of cartooning hosted by Beach Creative in the seaside town of Herne Bay in Kent, featuring an exhibition of over 20 top political cartoonists, live drawing events, interactive workshops, and a chance to meet the people behind the punchlines. It is the only regular UK festival focusing on cartooning as an art form.
1–14 August 2025
Beach Creative, Herne Bay, Kent
Free Entry | All Ages Welcome
Last year’s Cartoon Festival, 2024, at Beach Creative
Whether you’re a lifelong cartoon fan or simply looking for a fun and original summer outing, the Herne Bay Cartoon Festival 2025 promises big laughs and creative sparks — all just a stone’s throw from the sea.
Another photo from last year’s festival
This year’s line-up includes over 20 artists from the Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation, such as:
Clive Goddard – Festival poster designer and award-winning gag cartoonist
Martin Rowson – The Guardian and New Statesman political cartoonist (and patron of Beach Creative)
Jeremy Banx – Daily Financial Times contributor
Des Buckley, Royston Robertson, Andrew Birch, Dave Brown, Chris Burke, Glenn MarshAI, Kathryn Lamb, The Surreal McCoy, and many more.
The full cartoonist roster can be found at beachcreative.org/cartoon-festival-cartoonists
Key Dates & Events
1–14 August – Exhibition Open
Explore the full exhibition at Beach Creative throughout the fortnight. Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00-16:00
Friday 1 August – Exhibition Preview
18:00 – 20:00 Beach Creative
. Raise a glass with cartoonists at the opening night and get a first look at this year’s exhibition, filled with sharp satire, seaside scenes, and plenty of sun-soaked silliness.
Saturday 2 August – Free Cartoon Workshops
14:00 – 16:00 Beach Creative
. Hands-on cartoon fun for all ages with two creative workshops running side by side. Spaces are free but limited – booking essentialemial: beachcreativeinfo@gmail.com
or phone: 07890 065 046
Sunday 3 August – Live Drawing Event
From 12:00 outside Beach Creative
. Watch professional cartoonists create large-scale artworks live, sketch seaside caricatures, and bring humour to the streets of Herne Bay in real time.
Venue & Visitor Details
Beach Creative
Beach House, Beach Street, Herne Bay CT6 5PT
Open Mon–Sun 10:00–16:00
Free entry to all festival events but booking is needed.
Booking & Info
Email: beachcreativeinfo@gmail.com
Tel: 07890 065 046