Salt and Tar Music Weekender to take place in temporary new home for 2026

Bootle’s popular Salt and Tar Music Weekender is set to return in August 2026 in a temporary new home.

Lock & Quay, Bootle’s much-loved, community-owned pub and canalside venue, will host the 2026 Music Weekender. This short-term relocation is due to the current work to regenerate the Bootle Strand area, which includes an expansion of the permanent Salt and Tar venue.

Known for its commitment to reinvesting all profits back into the local area, Lock & Quay is the region’s only community pub. It has a large garden and green space adjoining the canal, which will be transformed into a vibrant festival site for next year.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:

“Salt and Tar’s Music Weekender has become a key asset for Bootle, attracting visitors from across Merseyside and beyond. It’s supporting the town’s regeneration and also delivering real economic and social benefits.

“With the Strand transformation progressing well, Lock & Quay is the perfect temporary venue to host the festival in 2026 while we continue to make the permanent site bigger and better for future events.

“The 2026 Salt and Tar Music Weekender will be an event on the same scale with the same capacity, the same great atmosphere, the same friendly staff and the same number of tasty food vendors that have become so popular in previous years.

“We can’t wait to take Salt and Tar on tour for the 2026 Music Festival and bring back the good time Salt and Tar vibes to Bootle’s canalside.”

Brian Dawe, CEO of SAFE Regeneration, the organisation behind Lock & Quay said:

“We’re genuinely excited about what’s happening on Bootle’s canal-side. The partnership between Salt & Tar and Lock & Quay is all about working together, bringing amazing artists, live performances, and a real sense of community to the area.

“By joining forces, we’re not just putting Bootle on the map for music and culture; we’re building something special for everyone who lives here. 2026 is going to be a big year, and I can’t wait to see how our collective efforts shape a brighter, more connected future for Bootle.”

Almost 12,000 people visited Bootle for the 2025 Salt and Tar Music Weekender, which featured headliners Billy Ocean, The Sugababes, The K’s and Ocean Colour Scene. The event generated an estimated £980,928 for the local economy.

Many artists appeared over the 2025 Weekender, including a number of up and coming local artists such as Keyside, The Solaas and Megan Wyn, who had the chance to showcase their music to a large festival audience.

The ongoing regeneration works at Bootle Strand, including the completion of demolition and upcoming construction of a revitalised Mons Square. Salt and Tar venue is being expanded as part of the transformation. These improvements are the reason the Music Weekender will be ‘on tour’ for 2026.