Gullfest is the world’s premier gull arts festival. It is put together by a “gullective” of volunteer artists and creatives, generously supported by Plymouth-connected artists who have been contributing their work and talent. It is hosted by 37 Looe Street, a small independent art space on the Barbican, with support from Almanac Café. The gullective includes Sefryn Penrose, Angela Piccini, Terah Walkup, Núria Bonet, Thaïs Lenkiewicz, Mo Bottomley and Adam Coley.
The arts festival is based on the mysterious tradition of the Gull Wassail – we reckon it is 1000 years old. We may not be able to find evidence of this ancient ritual, but as the Gullective pointed out, there is no evidence that it hasn’t existed either. Wassailing is a well-documented folk tradition usually related to the harvest of apples and warding off of spirits to protect the harvest. These traditions are lost in urban areas, so Plymouth is lucky to have our very own tradition of Gullfest.
I have re-discovered the official Gulltune from an ancient manuscript and even its morris dance!
The first “re-discovered” Gullfest took place on 31 May – 2 June 2024. Gullfest 2 took place on 30 May – 1 June 2025. Gullfest 3 took place on 6-7 June 2026.
Gullfest has been featured in the media:
The Daily Star – Psycho seagulls get own party in Britain’s first festival celebrating winged menaces
Channel 5 – The answer to a quiz question on a daytime TV show
Plymouth Herald – Plymouth is hosting a festival dedicated to seagulls
Plymouth Herald – Plymouth to celebrate its ‘majestic’ seagull population
Plymouth Herald – Huge party in Plymouth for the world’s most polarising bird