12 incredible events you can experience in Southport in 2026

Southport is set for another bumper year in 2026 with a whole host of shows and festivals taking place in the seaside town throughout 2026.

Spanning 22 miles of coastline, Southport and the surrounding area offers a cavalcade of wonderful experiences. 

Whether it is the walking and cycling trails, 100 iron life-size statues in Crosby, kite surfing in Ainsdale, sand dunes, red squirrels, beautiful pine woods at the National Trust protected site in Formby, there is so much natural beauty to soak up.

And if that wasn’t enough this year, it has one of its biggest and most diverse events programmes to date.

Boasting a calendar packed full of events – many absolutely free – that will bring colour, creativity and big crowds to the town month after month.

And alongside returning favourites, several brand-new events are set to make their debut, adding fresh energy to an already busy programme.

Here Visit Southport picks out just some of the must-see events to put in your diary and make it a year to remember…

Lightport (14 – 16 February)

Lord Street | Free

Southport kicks off the year in spectacular style as Lightport transforms the town after dark.

Created by international artists Lucid Creates, this immersive light and sound experience turns familiar streets into a glowing, walk-through canvas.

Expect bold projections, large-scale installations and an atmospheric festival feel across key locations. Free, family-friendly and designed to be enjoyed at your own pace, Lightport is set to be one of the standout moments of the year.

Cristal Palace (3 – 4 April)

Lord Street | Free

Lord Street becomes the stage for a striking open-air spectacle as world-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express brings Cristal Palace to Southport.

A 15-metre-wide flying chandelier suspended above the street will be accompanied by live music, aerial performance, and choreographed movement, transforming the iconic boulevard into a dramatic ballroom.

Big Top Festival (2 – 3 May)

Town centre locations | Free and ticketed events

Modern circus takes over Southport as the Big Top Festival returns with performances from some of the world’s leading companies, including Circa and Gandini Juggling.

Across open-air stages and pop-up venues, visitors can enjoy breathtaking acrobatics, live music and hands-on workshops. With Southport’s long links to circus heritage, the festival feels right at home in the town centre.

Southport Beer Week (20 – 25 May)

Town centre venues | Free entry

Cheers to a good year! New for 2026, Southport Beer Week launches as a town-wide celebration of real ale and great beer.

Organised by Southport BID, pubs and bars across the town centre will host tastings, special events and promotions over four days, giving locals and visitors plenty of reasons to explore Southport’s independent venues.

Southport Food and Drink Festival (29 – 31 May)

Victoria Park | Free entry

A firm favourite on the events calendar, the Southport Food and Drink Festival returns with a tempting mix of street food traders, producers and live entertainment.

From gourmet burgers and hot wings to paella, crepes and churros, visitors can sample flavours from around the world in a relaxed, family-friendly setting in Victoria Park.

The 154^th Open Championship (12 – 19 July)

Royal Birkdale Golf Club | Ticketed

Southport will be firmly in the global spotlight in July as Royal Birkdale hosts The Open Championship for the 11^th time.

Championship play runs from Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July, with thousands of visitors expected in the town making it one of the biggest moments of the year for the resort.

Southport Flower Show (20 – 23 August)

Victoria Park | Ticketed

The UK’s largest independent flower show, welcoming more than 55,000 visitors each year, returns for four days in August.

The 2026 show will feature stunning floral displays, show gardens, celebrity guests, shopping, food and drink, plus a full programme of entertainment, cementing its place as a highlight of Southport’s summer season.

Southport Air Show (29 – 30 August)

Southport seafront | £12 (under 16s free)

A much-loved summer event, the Southport Air Show returns with two days of thrilling aerial displays.

Aviation fans from across the region flock to the town each year, with spectacular performances set against the backdrop of Southport’s coastline.

British Musical Fireworks Championship (26 – 27 September)

Victoria Park | £13 (Under 5s free)

Tonnes of explosives equals tonnes of fun! Music, colour and pyrotechnics combine at one of Southport’s most-loved events.

Known for its dramatic finales and crowd-pleasing performances, the British Musical Fireworks Championship lights up Victoria Park with two nights of carefully choreographed displays.

Southport Comedy Festival (2 – 18 October)

Victoria Park | Ticketed

They say laughter is the best medicine, so Southport is serving up another big dose of hilarity. Now in its 15th year, the Southport Comedy Festival returns to Victoria Park for 17 days of live comedy, welcoming performers from across the UK.

The festival, which attracted more than 6,000 people last year, will once again take place in a massive luxury heated and seated marquee, and big names already confirmed include

Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Scott Bennett and rapidly rising comedy and TV star Laura Smyth.

More exciting names to be announced soon.

Keep an eye on the festival website or join the mailing list to find out first who will be making Southport Smile in 2026.

Books Alive! (24 – 31 October)

Various town centre venues | Free and ticketed events

Running throughout October half-term, this reimagined literature festival has been created especially for families and young readers.

Storytelling installations, live performances, and author-led workshops will turn Southport into a living storybook, bringing stories to life across the town.

The Atkinson (throughout the year)

Lord Street |Free entry to exhibitions, with some ticketed events

Southport’s cultural hub has a packed programme planned for 2026, with exhibitions, theatre, comedy, music and family shows running throughout the year.

Highlights include the continuation of The Atkinson’s 150th Anniversary Exhibition, featuring works by L. S. Lowry, Laura Knight, and Walter Sickert; the popular Sefton Open celebrating local artists; and a major ARTIST ROOMS exhibition showcasing works by Gilbert & George, drawn from the Tate and National Galleries of Scotland collections.

Alongside exhibitions, audiences can also expect touring theatre, live comedy and music across the year.

Southport’s cultural hub will deliver a packed year of exhibitions, theatre, comedy, music, and family shows in 2026. 

Find out more at Visit Southport and Southport 2026. 

Find out what else is on across Southport on our calendar.

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.