September is here – and Southport has some superb events to keep you entertained this month!
From classic car shows to comedy festivals to musical fireworks and more, there is lots to enjoy for everyone.
Here are 10 of the scintillating Southport events you won’t want to miss:
1 – Southport Comedy Festival
The 13th annual Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI takes place in a heated and seated marquee at Victoria Park in Southport from 27th September to 13th October 2024 for 17 fun filled days of laughter.
The star studded line-up includes the undisputed godfather of modern stand-Up Ben Elton, TV superstar Jason Manford, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn, American Comedy Legend Rich Hall, Festival favourites Jason Byrne and Jimeoin, Political Comedian Mark Thomas, Star of ITV’S The Chase Paul Sinha ‘The Sinnerman’, comedy stars of TV Jo Caulfield, Hal Cruttenden, Ria Lina, Patrick Monahan, Comedy Circuit favourites The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Rising local star Katie Tracey, host of smash hit podcast ‘Have a Word’, Dan Nightingale and one of the UKs most treasured entertainers Mick Miller.
The festival is also supporting the stars of tomorrow with the return of the Southport New Comedian of the Year Competition, sponsored for a third year by Dragon Soop.
Visit: Southport Comedy Festival website
2 – Southport Classic and Speed
Families can look forward to the return of Southport Classic and Speed this September.
The two day event, organised by Aintree Circuit Club, celebrates the seaside town’s impressive motoring and motorsport heritage.
The popular annual event is back even bigger and better this year.
Southport Classic and Speed, presented by Cataclean and supported by Ocean Plaza Leisure, will take place on Saturday 14th September 2024 and Sunday 15th September 2024, with vintage, classic and modern cars of all styles, eras and speeds for the whole family to enjoy.
Saturday will see Southport Sprint Revival take place along Marine Drive while Sunday will see a classic car show at Victoria Park and a grand parade of cars through town.
Classic car enthusiast who would like to take part can contact: [email protected] or visit: www.southportclassicandspeed.com
3 – British Musical Fireworks Championship
The British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport place on 20th-21st September 2024.
The popular annual event will see six of the UK’s top fireworks competitors battle it out through spectacular pyrotechnic displays set to music in the skies above Victoria Park in Southport.
This year’s event will see three competitors compete on each night:
Friday 20th September 2024
8.00pm – Electrify Pyrotechnics
8.30pm – Bright Sparks Fireworks
9.00pm – Xplosive Fireworks
Saturday 21st September 2024
8.00pm – Dynamite Fireworks
8.30pm – The Art of Sparks
9.00pm – Fully Fused Fireworks
Tickets are available here: https://www.seetickets.com/…/british-musical-fireworks…
4 – Royle visit by Ricky Tomlinson
Join Asa Murphy as he sits down with one of the country’s most popular actors Ricky Tomlinson at the Bold on Lord Street in Southport. With a look back at his early life and his political life then his amazing rise to fame playing some of the most iconic characters in movies such as Mike Bassett, England manager, and of course Jim Royle from the Royle Family. Finish the night with the fantastic vocals of Asa Murphy.
Tickets £20. Visit: https://www.boldhotel.com/events/an-evening-with-asa-murphy-ricky-tomlinson/
5 – Ukraine International Day of Peace
Families can enjoy a special day of Ukrainian culture at Wayfarers Shopping Arcade in Southport town centre this September.
Come and support Southport’s Ukrainian community at the historic arcade, on Lord Street, on International Peace Day: Saturday, 21st September between 11am and 4pm.
Visitors can enjoy choirs, workshops, singing, theatre performances, a painting workshop, guitar playing, Ukrainian souvenirs and music.
You can taste some delicious samples of Ukrainian food.
This is an excellent opportunity to call into Wayfarers and join our Ukrainian community for fun and entertainment.
6 – The Old Time Sailors return to Southport
Ahoy there, Southport!
Following a fabulous sell out event at The Grand on Lord Street in May, brace yourselves for the return of an extraordinary event that promises to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before. On Saturday 28th of September, the stage will be conquered by a remarkable crew of 17 talented musicians known as The Old Time Sailors.
Immerse yourself in the most authentic experience possible as The Old Time Sailors play their instruments unplugged. Their exceptional musicianship serves as the anchor, providing a captivating atmosphere that will transport you back in time.
Tickets are £20 each and are available at: https://www.thegrand.co.uk/events/the-old-time-sailors-2/
7 – The Haunting of Blaine Manor
The Haunting of Blaine Manor is at The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, on Saturday 7th September 2024.
England, 1953. Renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums, is invited to attend a seance in Blaine Manor, said to be the most haunted building in England.
However, Earle’s arrival awakes something horrific within the manor’s walls. As a raging storm closes them off from the outside world, Earle and his companions find that what is waiting within the manor is not nearly as horrific as what has entered with them.
In the spirit of M R James, England’s most accomplished ghost story writer (‘Casting the Runes’, ‘Whistle and I’ll Come To You My Lad’, ‘The Haunted Doll’s House’) and with a nod to the classic black and white film classics of Columbia Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayor, Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox.
O’Byrne’s award winning production is a love letter to both the Golden Age of Hollywood and the Hammer Horror era. An appreciation of the fabulous characters played by the likes of Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Bette Davis, Peter Lorre and more. It’s a thrilling haunted house chiller set in a manor with a twisted history of madness, witchcraft, tragedy and death, it’s the new ‘The Woman in Black’.
Tickets £22 / £18 concessions / £70 family of 4 , Visit: The Haunting of Blaine Manor – The AtkinsonThe Atkinson
8 – Roald Dahl Day
Step into the Whimsical World of Roald Dahl on Saturday 14th September!
Join a splendiferous celebration as Gambolling Arena brings Roald Dahl’s kooky characters to life! Talented actors are ready to whisk you away into the marvellously madcap universes of Mr. Dahl’s creation.
Showtimes: 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
Cost: Absolutely FREE!
Bring your own fabulous drawings and fantastical stories of Mr. & Mrs. Twit and the Gambolling Arena team will be over the moon to showcase your quirky creations during their tours.
9 – ‘Allo ‘Allo
‘Allo ‘Allo 2 – The Camembert caper – is at Southport Dramatic Club, Hoghton Street, Southport, from 13th September to 21st September 2024.
A Comedy Drama production by the SDC – Directed by Margaret Mann
It is 19 years since the SDC performed ‘Allo ‘Allo, based on the BBC TV comedy. Like its predecessor, this sequel is written especially for the stage, and contains all the familiar characters – The hapless Renee, his wife Edith, Herr Flick, Helga and Constable Crabtree – in a mad sequel which is just as funny as the first.
Visit: ‘Allo ‘Allo 2 – The Camembert Caper – Southport Dramatic Club – Little Theatre Southport
10 – Oliver!
Oliver!, a musical production by BOS Musical Theatre Company is at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport, 28th September – 5th October 2024
Bringing Charles Dickens’ beloved ‘Oliver Twist’ novel from 1838 to life, Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’ is a timeless classic that has enjoyed record-breaking runs in the West End and on Broadway, and is a beloved production widely hailed as a theatrical masterpiece. Oliver! Follows the story of the young orphaned Oliver Twist, as he makes his way from being a child worker in a dreadful workhouse to an apprentice at an undertaker, before escaping to the paved streets of Victorian London in his search of love, family and a place to call home.
Visit: Oliver! – BOS Musical Theatre Company – Little Theatre Southport
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