The 2017 Arts by the Sea festival gets underway today with a jam-packed schedule of sight and sounds to take in across the town.

The seventh week-long celebration includes a wealth of artists and performances.

We've picked out just a handful you might want to take a look at over the weekend.

  • Hydromania, Bournemouth Town Hall, Saturday and Sunday

​The headline event for this year's showcase is this family friendly show which combines water, light, dance and music. The town hall will be illuminated, with every part made use of including balconies, windows and the roof for this spectacle. Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 7.30pm. Free.

  • Lumiphonica, Lower Gardens, Picnic Park Deli

​Visitors are invited to the Lower Gardens to become lost in the magic of making music, where light becomes sound. Taking place on Saturday from midday. Free

  • The Sea Sphere, Show Globe, Bournemouth Square​

A real life mermaid will be encased in a huge magical Sea Sphere, for this interactive display including sound effects and a blaze of bubbles. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday at various points throughout the day. Free

  • Lifeboat, Bournemouth Square

​Taking place on Sunday, this participatory installation allows visitors to relax and take a seat on the Lifeboat of Hammocks which will be anchored in Bournemouth Square. Free

  • The Wandering Lionfish, Lower Gardens

​Lionel and Leona the Lionfish will be wandering through the Gardens on Saturday and Sunday to entertain people. You may also spot Lobsters riding in carts, being pulled by human servants on Saturday and a merman and mermaid carried on the shoulders of short sighted fisherman. Free.

  • Hello Buoys, Bournemouth Lower Gardens

​Company Kitsch and Sync have taken inspiration from vintage postcards and summer seaside pastimes for their sense of nostalgia and nautical naughtiness. Hello Buoys will be performed on Saturday at midday, 2.45pm, 3.45pm and 5pm and Topiary Traumas on Sunday at 12.40pm, 2.15pm and 4.40pm.

  • The Umbrella Project, Lower Gardens and Waterfront...

Cirque Bijou will present the Umbrella Project, a moving art installation, which will create a kaleidoscope of moving lights, illuminating the landscape. This will take place on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 6.40pm.

  • ...what else?

​ - A mechanical heart, Lower Gardens

- The Umbrella Tree, Lower Gardens

- Funky Little Choir, Bandstand

- The Mother Ukers, Bandstand

For more details, click here