The team behind Victoria Park in Southport has announced a full events programme taking place in the seaside resort throughout 2026.
Located in the heart of the town, the 34-acre park is a primary green asset for the Sefton community, and this year’s schedule promises to be busier than ever before.
Combined, the scheduled festivals and shows are expected to attract approximately 160,000 visitors to the park between March and October.
Victoria Park is most famous for being the home of the Southport Flower Show, which this year celebrates its 102nd anniversary.
As the UK’s largest independent flower show, the four-day August event typically attracts 50,000 visitors.
However, the 2026 calendar proves the park is a versatile year-round venue, hosting everything from the British Musical Fireworks Championships to the Southport Comedy Festival and a traditional German beer festival.
Spring and Summer Festival Highlights
The season gains momentum in April with the return of the KC Artisan Market, featuring local crafts and handmade goods.
This is quickly followed by the Southport Sausage & Cider Festival on 18 April, offering Bavarian-themed entertainment and live oompah music.
Car enthusiasts are also well-catered for, with the Extreme BHP Car & Family Festival on 24 May showcasing a wide array of drift, track, and classic American vehicles.
One of the most anticipated free events is the Southport Food & Drink Festival, running from 29 May to 31 May.
This three-day celebration features a vast range of gourmet traders, from paella to hot wings, accompanied by a vibrant entertainment arena.
As midsummer approaches, the park will host the Summer Solstice Music Festival on 20 June, an eight-hour dance event featuring a sun terrace and street food village.
The centrepiece of the year remains the Southport Flower Show, running from 20 August to 23 August.
This year’s guest list features high-profile personalities, including Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke, TV chefs Phil Vickery and Briony May Williams, and gardening experts Adam Frost and Arit Anderson.
Beyond the spectacular show gardens and floral marquees, the event has expanded its family offering to include alpacas, a Lakeside Reset wellbeing zone, and tennis skills workshops.
Autumn Spectacles and Community Impact
As the season moves into September and October, the focus shifts to pyrotechnics and performance.
The Great British Motor Show returns on 13 September, followed by the British Musical Fireworks Championship on 26-27 September.
This unique pyro-musical competition sees displays perfectly choreographed to music, offering a fusion of tradition and innovation.
The 15th annual Southport Comedy Festival will take over a luxury heated marquee from 2 October to 18 October.
Following a record-breaking year, the 2026 line-up includes Jason Manford, Paul Merton, and Henning Wehn.
The season concludes with a traditional Oktoberfest celebration on 23-24 October, featuring the Bavarian Stompers and authentic steins.
Victoria Park is leased from Sefton Council by the Southport Flower Show, a registered charity.
Alan Adams, General Manager, said:
“The cost to maintain, continually improve and enhance Victoria Park are considerable.
“We generate income to make this all possible by hiring out the park for events and festivals. We are incredibly proud and privileged to be custodians of Victoria Park.
“The 34-acre showground is the jewel in the crown of Southport.”
All profits generated from these events are reinvested directly into the park’s year-round maintenance and the continued development of the flower show.
While the park must occasionally close to the public to ensure these events remain safe and secure, the management team aims to keep these windows to a minimum to ensure the town’s residents can enjoy the green space throughout the year.
