Don’t Miss: One Ocean 2026
Everything You Need To Know About The Ocean Summit in Margate
One Ocean takes place 20 - 21 June at the Turner in Margate
The sea is such an integral part of living in Margate.
Seeing it everyday, the changing colours, changing mood, the changing horizon, slowly aligning with the tides for swims, walks and picnics. Especially in the Old Town where the sea comes right up to our toes.
Which is exactly why Turner feels like the right place, the only place, really, to be hosting One Ocean 2026.
This year they’ve planned a free weekend of talks, film screenings, workshops and outdoor events happening on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, shining a light on the important work of ocean conservation and art-related activism. Following a dedicated schools day on the 19 June, shining a light on the important work of ocean conservation and art-related activism.
With World Oceans Day on 8 June and coastal erosion visibly reshaping the Kent shoreline year on year, this isn't abstract environmental chat. It's happening here, on our doorstep. So let’s learn about what we can do and how we can support the important work to look after our horizon.
What is One Ocean 2026?
Supported by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, One Ocean brings together marine biologists, artists, climate campaigners, filmmakers and local community leaders for a packed two-day public programme and it's all completely free.
Best of all it brings together local, national and international experts on ocean conservation, art and activism and showcases their work, passions and knowledge, right next to the sea.
Participants include: marine biologist and writer Helen Scales, environmental technologist Joycelyn Longdon, policy specialists and environmental experts Nicholas Hardman-Mountford, Randa Kachef and Phil Hubbard; artists Poulomi Basu, Suzanne Dhaliwal, Embassy of the North Sea, Andy Hughes and Christopher Tipping; campaigners Fatima Ibrahim (Green New Deal Rising UK), Louisa Casson (Greenpeace), Alexandra Kristofovicova (Our Youth 4 The Climate) and Olivia Mandle; and local leaders Dom Bridges (Dulcie), Polly Brannan (Open School East) and Dan Thompson (Marine Studios).
The idea is to take genuinely complex environmental issues and make them feel human and accessible.
So let’s have a look at what’s on the programme. Attendance registration is requested to help with planning.
Saturday 20 June
Here’s what’s happening on the first day of One Ocean.
Flints Family Workshop / 10.30am –12.30pm
The day opens with a drop-in session for coastal crafting, marine observation and seasonal song, no booking needed and it’s great for kids.
What the Wild Sea Can Be / 12pm –12.45pm
Marine biologist and author Helen Scales delivers the keynote and if you've read any of her books you'll know she's brilliant at making the ocean feel both wondrous and urgent without tipping into doom. It’s free but book it now to not miss out.
Margate's Coastal Identity / 1pm – 2pm
This panel looks at the town's relationship with the sea from being a Victorian seaside resort to the creative scene it's become with Polly Brannan, Artistic Director, Open School East , Dan Thompson, Margate based artist and historian and Phil Hubbard, Professor of Urban Studies, Kings College London.
Ocean Health and Human Health / 3pm – 4pm
This second panel unpacks the science behind why a thriving ocean matters for us, not just marine life. With Andy Hughes, Artist and Surfers Against Sewage collaborator , Nicholas Hardman-Mountford, Ocean leader and policy specialist and Randa Kachef, Research Affiliate, Kings College London.
One Ocean 2026: Artists' Film Screenings / 5.30pm - 7pm
Artist films exploring oceanic themes, including ecology, climate crisis, world building and human connection to the ocean curated and introduced by Daisy Gould.
Screenings on the Terrace / 4pm - 6pm & 7pm - 9pm
Don’t miss this. Turner are screening incredible ocean related documentaries on the terrace, including Ocean with David Attenborough and Seaweed Stories. No booking, all ages, bring a blanket.
Sunday 21 June
Don’t miss the conservation and activism focused day of talks.
Seaweed and Their Secrets / 9.30am – 11.30am
Thanet Coast Project and the Natural History Museum leads what promises to be an absolute deep dive (sorry) into the history, properties and potential of seaweed. I'm obsessed with this one. Free, no booking needed.
Speaking with the Ocean / 12pm –1pm
This is the more philosophical session of the weekend drawing on ancient and modern thinking to explore entirely different ways of relating to the sea. Worth going in open-minded and thinking about a different approach. Turner’s curator Emma Lewis will discuss this with Christiane Bosman, European Programme Director, Embassy of the North Sea and Joycelyn Longdon, the Environmental technologist and climate campaigner.
Artists and Ocean Justice / 2pm – 3pm
This panel brings together artist-activists to talk about how creative practice intersects with environmental campaigns and ocean equity. Journalist Iman Amrani will speak with Poulomi Basu, Artist and Activist and Suzanne Dhaliwal, Artist, Campaigner, Trainer in Creative Strategies for Decolonisation.
Youth for the Ocean / 3.30pm – 4.30pm
This special panel brings together young climate leaders taking the stage sharing their incredible experiences. Really inspiring. Panellists include Alexandra Kristofovicova, Director of Curriculum, Our Youth 4 the Climate, Louisa Casson, Global campaigns, Greenpeace and Olivia Mandle, Environmental and animal rights activist.
Screenings on the Terrace / 4pm - 9pm
A second night of ocean-related documentaries will close out the festival.
A community-led public programme The Margate We’re Dreaming Of will run alongside One Ocean 2026, inviting residents of Margate to explore ways to improve everyday life, through creative workshops, events and a community garden.
One Ocean will provide a platform for local ideas to help shape The Margate We’re Dreaming Of.
Why this matters for Margate
It's easy to take the sea for granted when you live next to it.
One Ocean is a good reminder not to. The fact that it's happening here, in a town that knows coastal change firsthand, makes it feel like more than a festival programme and more like a conversation more of us need to be having.
One Ocean 2026 runs 20–21 June at Turner, Margate. All events are free; booking is advised for talks.
