7 reasons to visit Southport this autumn

It’s that time of year to get wrapped up and head out! In Autumn, Southport comes into its own with indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.

If you want ideas for a day or night out, here are 7 reasons to visit Southport this Autumn … 

Day of the Dead Mexican Festival at Adventure Coast Southport

Inspired by Mexico’s incredible Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead Festival at Adventure Coast Southport is a fabulous spectacle of energetic live music featuring Batala drummers, stage shows and entertainment from fire performers, stilt walkers and more, all topped off with a dazzling firework finale. It’s on two dates, Saturday November 1 and Saturday November 8, from 4.30pm to 9pm each evening. 

Find out more here.

Halloween events at Southport Market 

There’s always plenty happening at Southport Market and this October it’s got a super-spooky line-up with something for the whole family! For little ones who love getting messy and creative, there are 45-minute Halloween Slime Workshops all day on Wednesday October 29. It’s party time for kids on Thursday October 30 when Starkidz host themed events including a Halloween Boo Party with music, dancing and bubbles, Halloween Pop Demons, Halloween Villains and a Hocus Pocus vs Nightmare Before Christmas Party. Then on Friday October 31, get ready for a night of terrifying tunes and creepy cocktails at Halloween Disco Bingo, from 7pm-10pm.

Find out more here.

Pumpkin picking at Windmill Animal Farm and Farmer Teds

You can’t beat carving a pumpkin you’ve picked yourself, and kids especially love going through a field finding the perfect ones (OK, maybe not just kids!). Farmer Ted’s annual Pumpkin Festival, from October 5, combines the family-friendly thrills of Halloween with pumpkins and dinosaurs. There’s a Jurassic Halloween Tedventure, with state-of-the-art animatronic dinosaurs, the Dead Scary Maize Maze plus a Pumpkin Carving Zone and Purple Pumpkin Hunt, fancy dress competitions, spooky ghost stories and lots more. Between October 11 and 31, The Famous Pumpkin Picking Adventure returns to Windmill Animal Farm so you can head into the field where over 20,000 pumpkins have been planted and are ready to be picked as well as enjoying activities and meeting the animals. Wheelbarrows are provided for big Halloween hauls!

Oktoberfest

Dust off your lederhosen because Oktoberfest is coming to Southport’s Victoria Park on Friday and Saturday October 24 & 25 for a festival of all things Bavarian. You can celebrate Germany’s favourite date of the year with frothy two-pint steins of German beer and lager, bratwursts, currywursts, pretzels and other tasty authentic food, oompah bands, performers and DJs. There are two evening sessions, on Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 10pm, plus an afternoon time on the Saturday between 1pm and 5pm.

Find out more here.

Discover Ancient Egypt at The Atkinson

The lives, rituals and beliefs of Ancient Egypt are fascinating and you can find out all about them in a free to see exhibition at The Atkinson. Discover Ancient Egypt takes visitors back in time to learn all about what life was like at the time of the pharaohs for the rich and poor. You can see artefacts such as an intricately decorated coffin lid, a real Mummy, a wooden Ba-bird and rare paddle dolls, and there are interactive displays including the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony, X-raying an Ibis mummy and a hieroglyphic jigsaw wall. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Find out more here.

Get there with ease using Merseyrail

Whether you’re having a day or night out in Southport, it makes sense to leave the car at home and let the train get you there! It’s not only really convenient – no need to decide who’s driving or where to park – it’s also a money-saver because a Family Ticket for a family of up to 5 costs just £14 and you’ll get unlimited off-peak travel. Head to Merseyrail’s website to plan your journey and book tickets in advance so you won’t even need to queue.

Find out more here.

Great food to enjoy and shopping too! 

Apart from the events, one of the best things about a visit to Southport is the wide variety of choice you’ll find if you’re eating out or going shopping. There’s everything from classic French to lovely home-cooked Italian comfort food, proper traditional pub grub, Texan steaks and gourmet burgers. And if you can’t decide? That’s no problem because Southport Market is home to 10 different traders, so they’ve got all kinds of cravings covered. You’ll find big high street names as well as boutique shopping in Wayfarers Arcade and lots of brilliant independent businesses including local makers and designers.

Find more great days out in Southport on our website.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.