SOUTHPORT is set to sparkle when The Grand Christmas Lights Switch On launches the festive season in style! 

Over 4,000 new sparking lights have now been installed around the outside of the landmark venue on Lord Street. 

There is a magical afternoon and evening of entertainment planned, with some exciting surprises to look forward to! 

Make sure you’re there from:- 4pm on:- Saturday, 7 November 2026, with plenty for children and families to enjoy. 

Regally Royal Parties will be performing outside The Grand with a stage show, Father Christmas, and some cheeky elves. 

It’s free to attend, with lots of live music, a comedian, a Christmas choir, and children's face painting. 

You can look forward to the return of the outdoor festive village, with festive huts serving warming hot chocolate with all the trimmings, hot Vimto and more, along with a food trailer and an outside bar. 

Southport Wellbeing Choir will be back, performing favourite Christmas songs for everyone to join in with. 

The giant Christmas tree is being installed inside Chloe’s Brasserie soon, all ready for the big moment when Father Christrmas and a special guest start the countdown and officially switch on the lights! 

The new MC for the Christmas Lights Switch this year will be Liverpool comedian and entertainer Jack Ryan, whose cheeky style, immaculate timing and quick-fire wit will keep audiences entertained. 

As soon as the lights are switched on, the music will come on straight away and the evening entertainment will begin. 

Local singer Jenny Wren is bringing along The Yee-Haws, a country style 6-piece band who will be performing Christmas songs in their own unique style. 

A DJ will keep the vibes going with a mix of classics and party favourites to keep you on the dancefloor, with special festive cocktails available from the bar. 

Chloe Jade will be singing in Harry’s Bar, while there will be live music in Punch Tarmey’s Irish Bar. 

Lots of families have already reserved their places for Festive Afternoon Tea indoors in The Grand Brasserie, with at least 24 hours’ notice required, as everything is hand-made. 

You can book in for Christmas Lunch, until 4pm, when the temperature raises with lots of entertainment planned. 

You can take a 1st look at the spectacular Grand Christmas Tree and festive decorations - the perfect backdrop for your pictures. 

This year The Grand is unveiling a brand new range of perfumes and other products which will be available to buy for the 1st time, via a stall at the event. 

They celebrate The Grand’s remarkable heritage, with the stunning art deco landmark building 1st opening its doors in 1923 as 1 of the early car showrooms, before later becoming a cinema, a bingo hall and a casino. 

The products include a 1923 Candle with its own unique scent and other gifts. 

From 7pm, in The Princess Grace Suite, be wowed by a live performance from the sensational Wack Pack, brought to life by a multi-talented all-star cast, with tickets available here. 

Asa Murphy, Steve Charles, and Joe Speare pay tribute to the legendary Rat Pack in their own unique way, delivering incredible vocals, charisma, and timeless classics that will have you singing along all night, along with a 1-course gala dinner. 

Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group Cluster Manager James Bretnall-Bennett said:- “The start of the Christmas season in Southport is just a few days away! The Grand Christmas Lights Switch On gets bigger and more spectacular each year, and we have some exciting surprises which we know families will love. There will be lots of free festive entertainment to thrill children and families outside The Grand from 4pm, with plenty of entertainment, Christmas characters, singing and more. Thousands of new festive lights are now up outside The Grand - ready for Father Christmas to switch on, while our Christmas tree and decorations are coming soon. We’re delighted to welcome Jack Ryan as our MC this year who will keep the party going! "

They continued:- “The Grand and our sister venue The Bold are the go-to places in Southport every Christmas, with a packed line-up of festive events, Christmas party nights and more throughout November and December. Check out our website for more details. Bookings are available for people who’d like to stay over at the Lord Street Hotel or The Bold Hotel and make a night of it. Last year’s Christmas Lights Switch On at The Grand was fantastic, and we’re keen to make it even more  eye-catching this year. Come and join us on:- Saturday, 7 November and let’s welcome in the Christmas season in style!” 

About The Grand

The 1st phase of The Grand opened on:- 15 July 2022, following a £4 million transformation by Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group. It saw the creation of 60 local jobs.

Guests can enjoy The Grand Brasserie and Chloe’s Bar on the ground floor.

The 250-seater Princess Grace function room and wedding suite on the first floor has become the premier events and function room in Southport, catering for events, weddings, celebrations and conferences.

Above that is Harry’s Bar with its sun terrace, the place to sit back and enjoy cocktails.

The stunning art deco building was created in 1923 as a car showroom and garage designed by Richard Woodhead, and celebrated its 100th anniversary three years ago.

In 1938 it was repurposed and largely rebuilt as The Grand Cinema, designed by George Edward Tonge and screened its final movies in 1966. It later became The Grand Casino.

For more details about what’s on at The Grand Southport please visit this link.