Southport Flower Show is putting families at the heart of this year’s event with a packed programme featuring the Red Devils, Liverpool FC Foundation, children’s TV favourites, animals, activities and a returning free children’s trail.
The four-day festival, sponsored by Ramsay Health Care, takes place at Victoria Park from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23.
More than 50,000 visitors are expected at the UK’s largest independent flower show, with children under 16 admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
One of the biggest spectacles will come on the opening day when the world-famous Red Devils Parachute Display Team descends into Victoria Park at 12pm on Thursday.
The team will land in a designated area next to the Southport Flower Show showground before spending around two hours on site meeting visitors, answering questions and posing for photographs.
Liverpool FC Foundation, the official charity of Liverpool Football Club, will also be at the show throughout all four days.
Its attractions will include an 8ft LFC Foundation flowerpot installation, free seed packet giveaways, golf and tennis activities, memorabilia prize draws and mystery boxes.
Visitors will also have the chance to take photographs with the UEFA Champions League Trophy, while interactive sports sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday.
The popular free children’s trail, introduced last year, is returning following positive feedback and has been expanded with more activities.
Trail maps will be available at the entrance gates and information stands across Victoria Park.
Family attractions include the returning Natterjack Alpacas from Ormskirk, a doodle wall, Squirrel the Shetland Pony on Friday and Sunday, a beehive and honey marquee, tennis skills with Sam Jalloh and Forest School activities supported by Gang Of Elk.
There will also be a Scarecrow Maze sponsored by Waterstones, The Kids’ Potting Shed supported by Rotary Eco Group and arena displays featuring dogs, birds of prey and horses.
A new addition for 2026 is The Lakeside Reset, a wellbeing and mindfulness area designed to provide visitors with a peaceful place to relax during the show.
Hosted by Sharon Stock of Dairy Holistic Hub and supported by WildThang, the huge teepee will host yoga for beginners, Kidz Fun Fitness with Kinetics, meditation, sound baths and other wellbeing sessions for adults and children.
Young visitors can also see some familiar faces from television.
Children’s presenter Andy Day brings Andy’s Dino Raps to the Garden Theatre on Saturday, August 22, with performances at 1pm and 4pm.
The interactive family show combines music and raps with one of Andy’s best-known subjects – dinosaurs.
Justin Fletcher returns to Southport Flower Show on Sunday, August 23, with performances in the Garden Theatre at 11am and 1pm.
He will be followed by children’s gardening educator Lee Connelly, who will present a new high-energy show combining gardening, entertainment and hands-on participation at 12pm and 2pm.
Mr Motivator, Derrick Evans MBE, will appear at The Lakeside Reset at 12.45pm on Sunday.
The television fitness star continues to encourage people of all ages to stay active and is also founder of Mr Motivator’s Bed Bank, a charity helping children and families affected by bed poverty.
Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show, commented:
“Southport Flower Show is for everyone, young and old alike – we love nothing more than seeing generations offamilies come along and share the experience.
“In the same way we highlight that there is so much more to the festival than flowers alone, it’s equally important that we showcase how much is available for youngsters and families – entertainment, animals, wellbeing, a maze, art, and sports.
“We received so much positive feedback last year with the launch of the children’s trail, that we have built on its success by making it even bigger for 2026. We are confident this will once again be a fantastic attraction and a fun way to make your way round the show.
“We strive to make Southport Flower Show as family friendly and accessible as possible, by welcoming childrenunder 16 to visit free with a paying adult.”
Other special guests appearing during the four days include Anton Du Beke, Iolo Williams, Megan McCubbin, Su Pollard and Rob Rinder.
Garden personalities Adam Frost, Arit Anderson, Joe Swift and Lee Burkhill will also attend, alongside television chefs Phil Vickery, Briony May Williams and Candice Brown.
The wider programme includes celebrity Q&A sessions in the Garden Theatre hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside’s Kevin Duala, live demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre and music on the Piazza Stage.
Southport Flower Show runs from 10am to 6pm from Thursday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
Early bird tickets remain available in advance until Wednesday, August 19 and can be used on any one of the four days.
Southport Flower Show is a registered charity, with profits reinvested into maintaining Victoria Park throughout the year.
Full details are available from the Southport Flower Show website.
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