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What's On in Southport - May 2026

Check out our comprehensive guide to what's on and things to do in Southport in May 2026.

Whether you want to know what's on in Southport today, this weekend, or in the month ahead, our guide will give you the lowdown on the best things do when you are visiting the town centre in March 2026.

We've highlighted over 50 events and activities taking place throughout May, including family-friendly fun, live music, arts and culture, and plenty more.

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Featured Events

Big Top Festival

Southport Town Centre | Sat 2 - Sun 3 May

Clown around, stilt walk and juggle alongside world-class circuit acts when Southport hosts a spectacular two-day Big Top Festival this May Bank Holiday.

Suitable for all ages and completely free, the festival will transform the town centre into a circus, as a line-up of renowned acts from across the globe put on spectacular shows and performances.

Find out more

Big Top SOUTHPORT OOH WOLF

Star Trekk 2026

Adventure Coast Southport | Fri 8 May

A 10k sponsored night walk around Southport raising funds for Queenscourt Hospice. Join thousands of walkers for a fun, community-filled evening supporting local hospice care.

Find out more

Star Trekk

Southport Beer Week

Southport Town Centre | 20 - 25 May

Enjoy a town-wide beer festival that celebrates the great beer served by the pubs and bars of Southport town centre.  Take on the Beer Week 'real ale trail' and get a gang together to join in on some of the great events and activities taking place.

Find out more

Beer Week 2026 4

Food and Drink Festival

Victoria Park | 29 - 31 May

Each year, people flock to Victoria Park for Southport’s annual food and drink festival, where local and national vendors serve up everything from curries to crepes and cocktails.

Locals love to spend a relaxing day at the Festival; sampling a mixture of dishes before heading back into town for further refreshments.

Find out more

Food and Drink 7

Events and activities

Jpeg optimizer Triathlon
(c) Mick Hall Photos

Fun and Entertainment 😍

Southport Artisan Market
Southport Market | Sat 2 May
The vibrant outdoor market returns, featuring 50+ stalls of local crafts, gifts, food and drink, plus live entertainment and a lively atmosphere for all ages.

Record and CD Fair
Cambridge Walks | Sat 2 May
The next Southport Record Sale at Cambridge Walks Arcade featuring a variety of records, CDs, and memorabilia.  Organized by Lakes Record & CD Fair.

Southport Triathlon & Multisport
Waterside Lodge | Sun 17 May
A multi-discipline endurance event featuring triathlon, duathlon, and aquathlon races around Marine Lake, welcoming all abilities in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere.

Now Comedy Bingo Does the 90s
Southport Market | Fri 22 May
A hilarious bingo night with a 90s twist, packed with comedy, music hits from the decade, audience games, and nostalgic party vibes for a fun night out.

ExtremeBHP Southport Car & Family Festival
Victoria Park | Sun 24 May
A huge family-friendly car show featuring hundreds of vehicles, drift and show cars, live DJs, food stalls, traders, and entertainment for all ages in a full-day festival atmosphere.

Zog Freckle Productions Set Ups 18 Feb26 Jess Shurte 120 scaled

Great for kids 🚸

Story & Rhyme Time
The Atkinson | Each Wednesday
Free weekly drop‑in session for babies & under‑fives with songs, rhymes and stories to boost language and social fun

Zog
The Atkinson | 1 – 2 May
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children.  Multiple show times.

Make It! Craft Workshop
The Atkinson | Thurs 28 May
Free family arts & crafts drop‑in with all materials supplied — get creative any time between 11:00–15:00 in the Art Box.

Utterly Revolting Science Show
The Atkinson | Sat 30 May
A hilarious, explosive science show packed with disgusting experiments, burp biology, fart physics, and wild interactive fun for kids aged 5+.

Ice Age Adventure Live
The Atkinson | Fri 29 May
A fun family theatre adventure set in the Ice Age, featuring prehistoric animals, comedy, and interactive storytelling as explorers save the woolly mammoth.

Atkinson Summer Exhibition
150th Anniversary Exhibition, The Atkinson

Arts, Culture, and Heritage 🖼️

Sefton Open 2026
The Atkinson | 2 April – 13 June
An open exhibition showcasing diverse artworks from local and regional artists across painting, sculpture, print and mixed media in a vibrant gallery display.

Silcock Leisure Experience Talk
The Atkinson | Wed 13 May
Join Serena Silcock‑Prince and Justin as they delve into the rich heritage of Silcock Leisure Group and Southport's seaside history.

Learning Stars
Arthouse Southport | 26 May - 13 June
A new exhibition at Arthouse Southport.  More details TBA

Theatre and Stage 🎭

Gary Delaney: Gary On Laughing
The Atkinson | Fri 1 May
A razor-sharp stand-up show packed with fast-paced one-liners and dark humour. Expect clever, relentless gags from one of the UK’s top comedy writers and performers.

The Railway Children
Southport Little Theatre | 8 – 16 May
A heart-warming adaptation of E. Nesbit’s classic, following three siblings discovering adventure, friendship, and railway magic in this nostalgic, family-friendly stage production.

The Phil Shotton Big Band
Little Theatre | Sun 17 May
An evening of classic swing and big band favourites, featuring music from legends like Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. Enjoy timeless jazz, smooth vocals, and nostalgic melodies in this lively live performance.

Come From Away
Little Theatre | Sat 23 – Sat 30 May
A heartwarming true story musical about 7,000 stranded passengers welcomed by a small Newfoundland town after 9/11. A moving celebration of kindness, community, and human connection.

Cinema 🎬

B Beside The Seaside Festival
Southport Bijou Cinema | 9 - 10 May
A B-movie film festival for lovers of horror, sci-fi, action, martial arts, and cult cinema, celebrating the wildest, bloodiest, strangest and most entertaining independent cinema from around the world.

Screen Club
Southport Bijou | Each Tuesday
This is the Bijou Cinema’s unique film school and film fan forum, with weekly screening session hosted by an expert with industry experience.

Southport Bijou Cinema Highlights
Hamnet | Wed 6 May | 17:00
School of Rock | Sat 23 May 14:30
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You | Wed 27 May 17:30

Vue Cinema Southport new releases
The Devil Wears Prada 2 | From 1 May
The Sheep Detectives | From 8 May
Star Wars The Mandalorian and Grogu | From 22 May

The Atkinson Studio Grateful Fred 13 resized

Party Nights and Celebrations 🪩

90s Day Party
Banff | Sat 2 May
A feel-good 90s celebration packed with classic pop, RnB, dance anthems throwback tunes, big singalongs, and an upbeat party atmosphere all afternoon.

Ska Day Party
Banff | Sat 16 May
A high-energy ska day party featuring classics from The Specials, Madness, and Toots & The Maytals. Expect nonstop skanking, brass, 2-Tone vibes, and feel-good music.

Sunset Sessions
Harry's Sky Bar @ The Grand | Sat 23 May
A rooftop party experience with live DJs, sunset views, and high-energy house music. Expect cocktails, vibrant атмосphère, and an exclusive open-air setting as day turns to night.

80’s Themed Bottomless Brunch
The Bold Hotel | Sat 23 May
A retro brunch party with 80s music, themed entertainment, food, and bottomless drinks. Expect nostalgic hits, lively vibes, and a fun daytime celebration with friends.

Live Music 🎶

The Atkinson
A mix of touring musicians and local acts perform regularly at The Atkinson.  Booking in advance is required.

The Auld Dubliner
Busy Irish pub with solo artists and acoustic guitarists every Friday and Saturday

Avenue Southport
Central nightlife spot with live music from acoustic acts each Friday and Saturday.

Banff
The Canadian-themed nightclub regularly hosts local and celebrated DJ's, as well as unmissable one-off events.

Christ Church
Weekly midweek church concerts showcasing talented local musicians and youth groups from local schools and colleges.

ChopHouse Rock Bar
Live rock bands play each Friday and Saturday night at this popular late-night spot

Coopers Bar
Family-run independent venue specialising in jazz and rock.  Live music each Friday and Saturday.  Jazz and open mic on Sunday.

Connolly's Irish Pub
Solo artists, performers, and karaoke entertain each Friday and Saturday at Connolly's.

The Guesthouse
Traditional pub hosting regular music nights on Friday and Saturday featuring local acts such as Raw Deal and Neville Grundy.

Kokomo
Neighbourhood bar with live music Thursday-Sunday each week, including open mic nights and karaoke.

Ship and Anchor
Popular old-school rock pub with bands playing each Friday and Saturday night.

Southport Bijou Cinema
Monthly gigs from local bands in the community cinema's event space.

The Windmill
Live music at this popular neighbourhood pub each Saturday night.  Often from local rock bands and performers.

Check out the Southport Live Music page for tips on weekly gigs in Southport town centre.
 

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