At the regular City Council meeting held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the Seabrook City Council voted unanimously not to fund the 2025 Celebration Seabrook festival. The decision followed a detailed discussion regarding staffing capacity, funding priorities, and the overall impact of the event.

Originally scheduled for October 11, 2025, Celebration Seabrook has been a City-hosted music and arts festival since 2015. The proposed budget for the 2025 event included $45,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Fund in addition to other sponsorships. The total projected cost of the event was approximately $108,000.

Council members acknowledged the historical significance of Celebration Seabrook and commended staff for their dedication over the past decade. However, several members noted the need to reassess the festival’s future and explore new or reimagined community events that are both impactful and sustainable.

Mayor and Council expressed a desire to revisit the concept of a city festival in the future, possibly in a different format or location, such as Main Street, and with a renewed focus on boosting local business and tourism.

Staff will not proceed with planning for the 2025 event. Future proposals may be considered by the City Council as part of long-term strategic event planning efforts.