ON Good Friday, 3 April 2026, Southport was due to host the very 1st night of the:- Crystal Palace Event. A few thousand people turned out to see what should have been a fantastic event. So much effort had been put into arranging and setting up this event, but at the last hour, the wind forced the organisers to cancel most of the event.
In a statement issued by Sefton Council, they said:- "Due to gusting winds speeds in excess of safe operating standards at crane height, we are unable to safely prepare the acrobatic Chandelier as part of tonight’s Cristal Palace showcase. This is an integral part of the experience promised to our audience and weather conditions are now worse than previously forecast. As a result, we have had no choice but to cancel this evening’s show. The safety of our performers and guests will always be our utmost priority. However 20 local young performers from three dance schools across Southport who have spent weeks getting ready for tonight’s show will still perform and we are incredibly grateful for their amazing efforts. 14 volunteer dancers and actors who have been working to produce a flashmob finale to this evening will also still have the opportunity to share their talents. They are Central Dance & Talent, Wrights Performing Arts and the Dance Place. Extensive event safety briefings have taken place throughout today. Changing weather conditions were closely monitored as part of those briefings and, despite attempts to delay show start times to mitigate the weather conditions, a decision has been taken in line with strict health and safety protocols. We understand this is very disappointing and we would like to thank everyone who turned out this evening. We wish you a safe journey home."
