THE gates will open at 10am tomorrow (Thursday, 20 August 2026) for the Southport Flower Show 2026.

Sponsored by Ramsay Health Care, the show sees the town’s 34-acre Victoria Park transformed into a horticultural haven bursting with colour, celebrities, live entertainment, a children’s trail, food and drink, and shopping.

The 4-day event runs from:- Thursday 20 August to Sunday 23 August 2026.

Southport Flower Show is the UK’s largest independent flower show, and organisers are gearing up to welcome more than 50,000 visitors.

Show times are 10am to 6pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Victoria Park has wide walkways and a level surface, providing excellent access to all parts of the show. A large part of the show is undercover, designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather.

Seating is located across the showground, with food and drink available. Well behaved dogs on leads are allowed.

Southport Flower Show is a registered charity. Any profit generated is reinvested into Victoria Park to pay for its maintenance all year round.

Celebrity horticultural guests include Adam Frost, Joe Swift and Arit Anderson from BBC Gardeners’ World; Lee Burkhill from Garden Ninja and BBC Garden Rescue; BBC Springwatch’s Iolo Williams and Megan McCubbin; and gardening experts Martin and Jill Fish.

Visitors will also be entertained by Strictly’s Anton Du Beke; This Morning TV chef Phil Vickery; TV personalities Rob Rinder, Su Pollard, and Mr Motivator (Derrick Evans MBE); and Candice Brown, winner of Great British Bake Off.

Live entertainment for youngsters includes children’s TV presenters Andy Day, Justin Fletcher, and Lee Connelly.

Celebrity guests will also meet visitors at signing sessions hosted by Waterstones Pop-Up Book Festival – a welcome return after a successful 1st visit in 2025.

A packed programme features celebrity guest Q&A sessions in the Garden Theatre hosted by Kevin Duala from BBC Radio Merseyside; live demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre hosted by Briony May Williams from Great British Bake Off and Escape To The Country; and live music performances on the Piazza Stage; and an outdoor show arena hosting dog display teams, birds of prey, and horse shows.

This year’s headline sponsor is Ramsay Health Care. Travel partner Merseyrail, and show sponsor Smooth Radio. The Cookery Theatre is sponsored by Nationwide Produce and Viners.

Leanne Lucas from the Let’s Be Blunt campaign will be joining television chef Phil Vickery during his demonstration at 2pm on:- Friday, 21 August by. Leanne founded Let’s Be Blunt to raise awareness of knife crime, and campaign for safer knife design and change. Phil will be using rounded-tip knives sponsored by Viners. Viners will also be providing all chefs demonstrating with a set of new blunt-end knives.

Local chefs and venues hosting live cookery demonstrations in the cookery theatre include Bacchus-UK and Churchtown Deli, Boho Baker Debby Donnelly-Addison, Cake Corner, Dishoom Permit Room, Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Farmhouse Kitchen, Hayley Tully, JT Akshaya, Lagom Bakery, Municipal Hotel, Penelope’s, Southport College, The Lansdowne Bistro, Tik Taco, Volare, and Wild Root.

Horticultural highlights include spectacular award-winning show gardens, grand floral marquee, amateur grower and plant society exhibitors, floral art and raised bed displays, and displays from local schools and charities. 

The world-famous Red Devils Parachute Display Team will perform a spectacular display at 12pm on the first day of the show (Thursday). The team will descend into Victoria Park, landing on a designated area adjacent to the Southport Flower Show showground (weather permitting).

The Red Devils will then remain at the show for approximately two hours, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the parachutists and take photographs.

The LFC Foundation, official charity of Liverpool Football Club, is attending all four days of the show hosting a striking 8ft LFC Foundation flowerpot installation complete with free LFC Foundation seed packet giveaways; sports activities including golf and tennis; and LFC memorabilia prize draws and mystery boxes.

The LFC Foundation will also be offering exclusive photo opportunities with the UEFA Champions League Trophy. Interactive sports activities with the team will take place on Thursday and Friday only (20 August and 21 August 2026).

A new free children’s trail was launched last year – and it makes a welcome return for 2026 featuring more activities. Trail maps are available at the entrance gates or from the information stands located across Victoria Park.

Highlights in the trail include Natterjack Alpacas from Ormskirk; doodle wall; meet Squirrel the Shetland Pony (Friday and Sunday only); beehive and honey marquee; tennis skills with Sam Jalloh; Forest School supported by Gang Of Elk; Scarecrow Maze sponsored by Waterstones; and The Kids’ Potting Shed supported by Rotary Eco Group.

Another new additional for 2026 is The Lakeside Reset, a wellbeing and mindfulness zone to support anyone needing a peaceful space to relax and recharge.

Located in a huge teepee, The Lakeside Reset is hosted by Sharon Stock of Dairy Holistic Hub and supported by Wild Thang. A full programme of sessions for all ages features yoga for beginners, Kidz Fun Fitness with Kinetics, meditation, and sound baths.

Mr Motivator will be at The Lakeside Reset at:- 12.45pm on:- Sunday (23 August 2026). Derrick Evans MBE built a loyal following through his energetic television fitness routines over 30 years ago – and he continues to inspire audiences through his trademark positivity, resilience, and belief that it is never too late to move, change, and feel good.

Derrick is the founder of Mr Motivator’s Bed Bank, a charity tackling bed poverty and supporting children and families who do not have access to a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

Speak Their Name Memorial Quilt is a poignant display at Southport Flower Show. The quilts are a moving tribute to the lives of over 800 people lost to suicide. Every specially made square has been lovingly created by family and friends to celebrate a life. The exhibition aims to encourage reflection, compassion, and open conversations around suicide and bereavement. The quilt is currently touring the country.

The Buskers’ Corner Stage is another new addition for 2026. Talented musicians were invited to come forward and apply for a slot. Moonlight Events is supporting the new stage, encouraging the next generation of talent with a platform to showcase their talents.

Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show, commented:- “Southport Flower Show 2026 has arrived – and we cannot wait to throw open the gates and welcome everyone to this year’s show. We strive to improve and build on the success of every year, and we’re incredibly excited and very proud of what we have in store for our thousands of visitors across 4 days. Spectacular show gardens, huge floral displays, cookery displays, celebrity guests, impressive programme of live entertainment, extensive free children’s trail, food and drink, and hundreds of retail stands – the show really does cater for everyone. This is one of the busiest weeks throughout the year in Southport, and the town always works so hard to offer visitors a warm welcome and memorable experience.”

The celebrity guest programme includes:-

Thursday, 20 August 2026 – Adam Frost, Iolo Williams, Megan McCubbin, Lee Burkhill, Briony May Williams, Martin and Jill Fish.

Friday, 21 August 2026 – Arit Anderson, Rob Rinder, Su Pollard, Phil Vickery, Briony May Williams, Martin and Jill Fish.

Saturday, 22 August 2026 –. Anton Du Beke, Joe Swift, Candice Brown, Andy Day, Briony May Williams, Martin and Jill Fish.

Sunday, 23 August 2026 – Joe Swift, Mr Motivator, Lee Connelly, Justin Fletcher, Briony May Williams, Martin and Jill Fish.

Visitors travelling to the show by train can make a saving – discounted tickets are available at any Merseyrail ticket office.

Full details can be found at their official website.