GIANT Chandeliers, world class circus performers and never-ending rainbows will all be on show in Southport next year as part of a hugely ambitious programme of new cultural events. 

As 1 of the UK’s most historic seaside destinations, Southport has long drawn generations of visitors with its elegant boulevards, Victorian architecture and flamboyant history. 

For over 2 centuries, it’s been a place of performance, spectacle and eccentric entertainment with visitors from Napoleon III to Judy Garland revelling in Venetian Gondolas taking over the water, Elephants parading on Lord Street, Camel Races on the beach and famous street entertainers diving from the pier. 

Now, that spirit is set to return on a grand scale as the town transforms for Southport 2026 :- Elegantly Eccentric  - a year-round stage for art, performance, music and imagination with a range of cultural events and activities taking over the town next year and making Southport a must visit destination.

The calendar of events for the Southport 2026 programme – a joint creative venture between Sefton Council, Visit Southport and Culture Liverpool and supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership - include:-

Lightport – February 
A breathtaking immersive light and sound installation from leading international artists Lucid Creates that will turn the town into a walk-through rainbow of colour and creativity. 

Cristal Palace – April 
World-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express brings its spectacular show Cristal Palace to Lord Street with a 15-metre-wide flying chandelier, transforming the street into an open air ballroom with live music, aerial performance and dance, a dazzling fusion of art and theatre set to be one of the year’s defining moments. 

Big Top Festival - May 
Big Top Festival will take over the town with the best of modern circus including shows from world renowned companies including Circa and Gandini Juggling coming to one of the artforms spiritual homes. Across open-air stages, audiences can expect breathtaking acts, live music and hands-on workshops for all ages. 

Southport Originals – summer
Throughout the summer, Southport’s much-loved calendar favourites return in style, the Southport Flower Show, Food and Drink Festival, Southport Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championship, celebrating the town’s proud traditions while drawing visitors from across the UK. 

Books Alive! - October 
Books Alive! Is a reimagined literature festival designed for families and young readers. Running through half-term, the event will fill the town with storytelling installations, live performances and author-led workshops, turning Southport into a living storybook.  

To mark the launch of Southport 2026, a new image by celebrated photographer Julia Fullerton Batten has been produced — a modern recreation of the 1936 painting “Southport for a Holiday in Wintertime” by Fortunino Matania. 

Featuring local business owners from the creative and entertainment sectors, the striking image symbolises both the town’s aspirational past and its vibrant, creative future. A print of the work will be displayed alongside the original painting at The Atkinson in 2026. 

The new image has been created using a cast of people who live and work in the town and was taken in the exact location – outside the Garrick Theatre – where the original was set. The image is being used to launch the programme, but a print will also be shown during 2026 at The Atkinson, alongside the original artwork. 

Julia is a fine-art photographer renowned for her highly cinematic visual story-telling and her large-scale projects often use unusual locations, highly creative settings, street-cast models and cinematic lighting. She has a permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery, London; Musee de l’Elysee, Lausanne and the Parliamentary Art Collection, Houses of Parliament. 

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council said:- “Southport has a rich and celebrated history of fantastic entertainment for all the family across generations. We are proud to be working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Culture Liverpool to give Southport its well deserved spotlight with a year of amazing activities and free events. 2026 and beyond is an exciting time for the town with the regeneration of the Town Hall Gardens, the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre and more all coming in quick succession. I hope everyone takes this festive time to rest up because next year will be 1 that just doesn’t stop! We can’t wait to welcome visitors for this packed series of incredible events in this wonderful town.” 

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region said:- “Southport is 1 of the jewels in our Region’s crown – a place that holds a special spot in people’s hearts, both here at home and far beyond. But what makes it special isn’t just the buildings or the beach – it’s the people, their creativity and their pride in the place they call home. That sense of pride and creativity runs right across the Liverpool City Region. Culture is a huge part of who we are; it’s what brings us together and sets us apart. Southport 2026 will bring all of that together and celebrate everything that makes Southport what  it is today and everything it is becoming for the future.” 

Claire McColgan CBE, Associate Director of Culture for Liverpool City Region said:- “Southport 2026 is rooted in the rich history of the town. It was an epicentre for entertainment and  fun for generations and now we want visitors from near and far to come and rediscover what this jewel  on the coast has to offer. As 1 of the 1st major projects we have delivered through the City Regions  new Destination Partnership, this event programme will give people the reason to visit, but it is the  offer of the town itself that will make them want to stay.” 

Full details on the programme can be found at this website.