Southport Food and Drink Festival 2026 — Bank Holiday weekend town centre event

29–31 May 2026Town Centre · Free Entry · Bank Holiday

Southport Food& Drink Festival

100+ food and drink traders across Southport town centre. Three days over the Bank Holiday weekend. Free entry, live entertainment.

What's There Hotels & Parking

29–31 May

When

Bank Holiday weekend

Town Centre

Where

Lord Street & surrounding

3 Days

Duration

Fri, Sat, Sun

Free

Entry

No admission charge

Terry's Take

The Best Weekend to Visit Southport in 2026

The late May Bank Holiday is when Southport is at its best. The Food and Drink Festival turns the town centre into something genuinely worth visiting. 100+ traders, the town buzzing, weather that has a reasonable chance of cooperating. The combination of the festival and a Bank Holiday weekend makes it worth travelling for.

The quality of the food traders varies, as it does at any festival of this size. The better producers tend to be the local and regional ones rather than the national festival circuit operators. Worth arriving early on Saturday when it is quieter and the choice is better.

One warning: accommodation sells out. If you are thinking about staying over for this weekend, book now. This is not a drill. The Bank Holiday weekend with the Food Festival plus the final weekend of Beer Week means every hotel in town has been pre-booked for months.

What to Expect

What's at the Festival

🍽️

100+ Food Traders

Street food, artisan food producers, local restaurant pop-ups, and international cuisine. The range is broad, you will find something worth eating regardless of preference.

🍺

Drinks Specialists

Craft beer, artisan gin, local spirits, and wine traders. The drinks element is strong, expect both local producers and specialist importers.

🎵

Live Entertainment

Live music and entertainment across the three days alongside the food traders. The festival has a programme beyond just eating.

🛍️

Artisan Producers

Local food producers selling direct, cheese, preserves, bread, charcuterie. These tend to be the best value and most interesting part of the food offer.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family Friendly

Open outdoor festival suitable for all ages. The scale of the event means there is plenty of space to move around with children.

📅

Three Days

Friday 29, Saturday 30, and Sunday 31 May. Saturday typically the busiest. Friday afternoon and Sunday morning quieter and more relaxed for browsing.

Planning Your Visit

Hotels, Parking & Getting There

Book Accommodation Now

The late May Bank Holiday is Southport's busiest weekend. With the Food Festival and Beer Week simultaneously, hotels book out months in advance. If you are considering staying overnight, check availability now and book immediately. Lord Street hotels are most convenient. Bold Hotel, Vincent Hotel, Premier Inn on the Promenade.

Parking on Festival Weekend

Town centre car parks fill early on Bank Holiday Saturday

Arrive before 10am for the easiest parking

Tulketh Street multi-storey PR8 1EW, most central

Alternatively: train from Liverpool, walk from station (10 min)

Marine Drive fills by 9am on Bank Holiday weekends

Common Questions

Food & Drink Festival. FAQs

When is the Southport Food and Drink Festival 2026?

The Southport Food and Drink Festival 2026 runs from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May 2026, the Bank Holiday weekend. This is one of the busiest weekends in Southport's events calendar.

Is the Southport Food and Drink Festival free?

Entry to the Food and Drink Festival is free. There is no charge to attend. You pay for food and drink from the traders.

How many traders are at the Southport Food and Drink Festival?

The festival typically features 100+ food and drink traders. The mix includes street food, artisan food producers, local restaurants serving festival portions, international cuisine, and drinks specialists.

Where is the Southport Food and Drink Festival?

The festival takes place in Southport town centre, typically across Lord Street, the town square, and surrounding streets. The exact layout varies each year. The whole area is given over to the festival for the three days.

Is the Southport Food and Drink Festival family friendly?

Yes. The festival is a family event, there is live entertainment alongside the food traders, and the open outdoor setting is good for families. There is also live music and other entertainment across the three days.

Can I stay overnight for the Southport Food and Drink Festival?

Yes, but book early. The Bank Holiday weekend of 29–31 May is one of Southport's busiest weekends, with the Food and Drink Festival plus the final days of Beer Week (20–25 May). Hotels fill up. Book accommodation as far in advance as possible.

What else is on in Southport at the same time as the Food Festival?

Beer Week runs from 20–25 May, so the early part overlaps with the Food and Drink Festival weekend. The Big Top Festival is 2–3 May. May is Southport's busiest month for events in 2026.

Food & Drink Festival · 29–31 May 2026