Local children star as Festive Fun Day takes over Southport

Hundreds of local children were the stars of the show as the Southport Festive Fun Day took place on Saturday. 

The event, organised by Southport BID and Sefton Council, saw families beaming with pride as youngsters from 14 dance schools and local theatre groups took to the stage in Southport town centre alongside stars including Gemma Collins, Lemar and Toploader. 

Crowds took a sneak peek at three upcoming pantomimes, sang along with Princess Popstar and Frozen character shows, and danced with TikTok superstars TwoJay2. Spiderman, The Grinch, Christmas Elves, Gingerbread characters and Laurel and Hardy lookalikes were walking around town interacting with the crowds. It was a real team effort in bringing Southport together. 

Volunteers from Southport Royal British Legion assisted with planning and management and  Southport Pleasureland brought thrilling fairground rides. Moonlight Events operated the stage management while venues including The Pavilion, The Vincent, and Britannia Hotels provided hospitality. 

The centre of Lord Street was closed to traffic to allow the crowds to enjoy all the entertainment on offer. Other venues added to the fun. Wayfarers Shopping Arcade opened Santa’s Grotto while The Engine Room inside the arcade organised a Heritage Holiday Fete. 

Cambridge Arcade hosted festive stalls, while The Atkinson held a Christmas Makers Market and book signings by local historian David Walshe and artist Ruth Ryder. The Fool welcomed people to a Festive Fayre after-party with live music from The Fools House Band and The Gondolas; The Vincent Hotel organised their Santa’s Grotto; while Southport Market held a meet-and-greet with Starkidz elves. 

There was more fun to be had at the event too with face painting, bauble decorating, elf door crafts, a Christmas photobooth, LFC Foundation coaches, an Everton In The Community ‘keepy up challenge and an appearance by Southport Lifeboat. Visitors to Southport were able to take part in Southport BID’s Gingerbread Trail, discovering 10 gingerbread figures placed in shops, restaurants and attractions throughout the town centre. 

They could also take pictures with the 18 metre high Christmas tree with 30,000 light pixels in the Town Hall Gardens; plus the return of the illuminated Bear and Reindeer figures; the canopy of lights on Scarisbrick Avenue; and the 300,000 lights installed by the BID along both sides of Lord Street. 

The afternoon saw The Only Way Is Essex and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here reality star Gemma Collins join hosts Kelly Bond and Alex Toal to introduce some exciting live music.

The one and only Lemar took to the stage to perform his bestselling hits and Alex Toal of Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool entertained with a fun-filled festive DJ set.

Toploader, famous for their smash hit Dancing in the Moonlight, closed the festivities in style.

Find more information on the Visit Southport website.

Find out what’s on across Southport this Christmas here.