Four Southport events you can’t miss this summer

The sky is the limit in Southport this summer – and we don’t just mean the Air Show taking off again in 2025!

There are loads of huge events because, as Visit Southport says: “From flowers to fireworks, we love a big show!”

There is always something to enjoy in Southport. Here are four fantastic events not to be missed!

Southport Flower Show – August 14-17

The annual attraction is the largest independent flower show in the UK and this year is promising to be bigger and better than ever.

As always, there will be show gardens, stunning floral displays and expert gardening advice to fire your floral passions, along with live cookery demonstrations, delicious food, live music and a whole host of entertainment that makes a fantastic day out for everyone. 

Special guests for 2025 include former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher and wife Liz, singer Toyah Wilcox, This Morning chef Phil Vickery and The Potting Shed’s Martin and Jill Fish – and CBeebies star Justin Fletcher will be there to keep the kids happy too! 

Entry starts at £27 for a one-day pass – and don’t forget, kids under 16 go free. You can get details and book tickets on Ticket Quarter HERE.

or by phoning the Flower Show box office Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on 0344 3350 466.

The four-day event in Victoria Park usually attracts an audience of 55,000 visitors and we bet you will be ‘growing’ back for more!

Visit the Southport Flower Show website HERE. 

Southport Air Show – August 30-31

Southport Air Show returns for 2025 as thrilling as ever as the skies fill with jaw-dropping aerobatics! 

British Open Aerobatics Unlimited Champion and five-times French champion Mélanie Astles will be there alongside the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers and RAF with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Trio including the Lancaster. 

But it’s not all up in the air! There is plenty of action to enjoy on the ground with flight simulators, static aircraft, military vehicles and lots of activities for children! 

Tickets are priced from just £12 (plus booking fee) 

Book your tickets here, and you can purchase on the day at booths located at event entrances. Under 16s go free. Parking is available for £10.

Visit the Southport Air Show website HERE.

British Musical Fireworks Championship – September 27-28

Music, fireworks and breathtaking fun across two spectacular nights at Victoria Park. What’s not to love?! 

Head to Southport as pyrotechnical competitors from across the UK battle it out in this breath-taking contest, creating mesmerising displays choreographed to music as a panel of expert judges crown the ultimate winner! 

Tickets are only available in advance with no gate sales at the event. They cost £12 per person, with under 5s free. Seated tickets are £25 each and car parking is £8.

You can book your tickets for British Musical Fireworks Championships HERE.

Southport Comedy Festival – October 3-19

A host of comedy greats and rising stars are bringing 17 days of fun and laughter to Southport! 

The 2025 edition of the Southport Comedy Festival is bursting at the seams with talent waiting to entertain you in Victoria Park marquee. 

The line-up includes literary phenomenon and ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry’ Dr John Cooper Clarke, high-energy festival favourite Jason Byrne, observational joke-master Jimeoin, American comedy legend Rich Hall, multi-award-winning comedian and broadcaster Mark Steel, Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon, Persian powerhouse and silver screen star Omid Djalili, comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland, Irish comedy queen Deirdre O’Kane, Phoenix Nights’ Clinton Baptiste, and UK comedy icon Mick Miller.

But it’s not just big names. The festival champions new talent with the Southport New Comedian of the Year award, and if you fancy something a little different, look out for the return of Comedy Bingo and Back to the 80s Disco Bingo – all in support of local charities.

Ticket prices vary but are available on the comedy festival website!

Book your tickets for Southport Comedy Festival HERE.

While you’re there, what about grabbing a bite to eat?

There are loads of amazing food venues in Southport offering something for everyone!

Southport Market

If casual dining and cool street food is your thing, then Southport Market is where you need to be. Inside the spectacular Victorian old market is a selection of food stalls serving everything from American burgers to the perfect pizza and marvellous Mexican fayre – ideal for families and big groups to choose something different but still sit and eat together.

Sirocco At The Grand

A spot of elegant fine dining? Sirocco At The Grand is the place for you to sit down and savour delicious dishes and maybe a cocktail or two in the beautiful Grade II Listed building. This landmark destination blends historic elegance with modern luxury and is home to Sirocco which serves amazing Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a delightful afternoon tea.

Hickory’s Smokehouse

Rolling out its famous Southern hospitality, Hickory’s has a menu bursting with all those smokehouse classics and barbecue favourites, from 16-hour smoked Texas Style Brisket to Memphis Style Baby Back Ribs. But that’s not all! For the ‘non-smokers’ there’s mouthwatering mac ‘n’ cheese dishes, watermelon and spiced rice salad or cedar plank roasted salmon. If you’re braced for brunch, try the fluffy homemade pancakes and classic chicken fried waffles! The Hickory’s bar has everything from beers, refreshing homemade Freakshakes, sodas and lemonades, and frozen cocktails and spritzes! 

Waterfront Marina Restaurant

From breakfast to dinner – and afternoon tea in between – the Waterfront Marina Restaurant has you covered with a delicious menu created by its talented chefs (the Waterfront Burger is a must with two 4oz beef patties, mature cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, sliced tomato, little gem, secret sauce, pink onions, brioche bun & fries) and one of the best views in town. If the sun is out, its bar and rooftop terrace is definitely the place to sit back, relax and enjoy the coastal air with a cocktail!

It’s so easy to get to Southport! 

By train

Northern Rail operates regular services to Southport from Manchester Airport, Manchester (Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria stations), Bolton and Wigan. Connecting services to/from the North East and Yorkshire are available at Manchester Piccadilly and from the North, Scotland and the South at Wigan. See www.northernrailway.co.uk

Merseyrail runs frequent services between Liverpool and Southport and from Wirral and Chester.

By bus/coach

You can get frequent buses to Southport with Arriva and Stagecoach.

And National Express coaches serve Southport from all major UK towns and cities: www.nationalexpress.com

To find out more about what’s on in Southport and all its amazing attractions, go to Visit Southport’s website HERE.

Get the latest news and updates for Southport on The Guide Liverpool HERE.