Southport Sausage & Cider Festival 2026 — Afternoon or Evening Session?

The Sausage & Cider Festival at Victoria Park runs on 18 April 2026 in two separate ticketed sessions. Afternoon: 1pm to 5pm. Evening: 5pm to 10pm. The two sessions have a different character and the right choice depends on who you're going with and what you want from it.

The Afternoon Session (1pm–5pm)

Better for food. More relaxed pace — you can actually browse the stalls without queueing as much, taste things properly, and have a conversation over a stein without shouting. Better for families or anyone who wants to actually eat well rather than drink heavily. The oompah bands dominate the afternoon programme. Ends at 5pm, which leaves the evening completely free.

The Evening Session (5pm–10pm)

Livelier. The DJ takes over more as the evening progresses. On-stage challenges and crowd participation. The atmosphere in the late evening is closer to a proper party than a food festival. If you're going with people who want to drink and dance more than eat artisan sausages, this is the session. Runs until 10pm.

What's Actually There

A traditional beer and cider tent with craft beers, seasonal brews, and artisan ciders. German-style food — bratwurst, schnitzel, oversized pretzels, cider-infused sausages from local producers. Live oompah bands and Bavarian folk dancers. It's billed as Oktoberfest in spring and that's an accurate description. Bavarian charm in a park in Lancashire in April.

Honest caveat: it's festival food. The quality is generally good but you're not getting a restaurant experience. The cider selection tends to be the strongest part of the offer — regional producers you won't find in a supermarket. April weather is also unpredictable. Bring a jacket.