Playgoers started its Annual Play Festival in 1949 and the Full Length Festival ran from 1966 to 2005. In 2006 we re-introduced One Act Plays on one of the six nights.

Over the years Skegness Playgoers have tried to foster an interest in the theatre for young people by encouraging them to take part in readings, pantomimes and productions. This interest, plus the healthy growth of youth sections in many of our competing teams, prompted the introduction in the 50th Festival of a Youth One Act Play Festival. This took off in its own right as the October Youth Festival, and, as there were in 2006, there are usually six entries in the two-night Festival.