8 incredible Southport events you must see in 2021

Southport has some superb events to look forward to in 2021!

Visitors are sure to flock back to popular favourites such as Southport Comedy Festival, the British Musical Fireworks Championship and Southport Food and Drink Festival.

But we also have some brand new events to look forward to in Southport in 2021, including UB40 and The Dualers at Victoria Park; Comedy In The Park; the Save The Rave Festival; and Southport Whisky Festival!

Popular favourites including Southport Flower Show and Southport Air Show have been postponed until next year, but here we still have plenty of reasons to visit Southport and enjoy a fantastic time as the Covid lockdown eases.

Here are some of the events you can enjoy – please let us know of any others! For more details about visiting Southport, please head to: VisitSouthport.com

1 – Save The Rave Festival 

An open air 90s festival takes place at Victoria Park in Southport on Saturday, 26 June. 

The bill includes Livin’ Joy, 2Funky2, Shades of Rhythm, Baby D, Angie Brown, N-Trance and more.

A Save The Rave spokesperson said: “Remember when rhythm was a dancer and groove was in the heart? When tie-dye and centre partings were acceptable? It was when the Ibiza scene exploded.

“The decade’s biggest floor fillers include tracks from Fatboy Slim, Ultra Nate, Faithless, Baby D, Livin’ Joy, The Chemical Brothers and tons more! 

“Social distancing is over! Raving returns.. we can’t wait to bring our outdoor 90s festival to Southport! The interest & support for this event has been out of this world! This event will sell out in advance, we advise purchasing your tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

Please visit: victoriaparkevents.co.uk

2 – Lookalike Tribute Festival 

Enjoy the music of The Beatles, Abba, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Queen, Amy Winehouse, Elton John and the Rolling Stones at Victoria Park in Southport on Sunday, 27 June at an open air music festival.

Organisers are bringing together the UK’s finest tribute bands for a huge all day festival in the park to celebrate a whole era of music and culture. 

For more details please visit: victoriaparkevents.co.uk

3 – UB40 and The Dualers at Victoria Park 

Reggae legends UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro bring their unique blend of reggae and pop hits to Victoria Park in Southport on 16th July 2021 supported by Ska & Reggae legends The Dualers.

Fronted by founding members Ali Campbell and Astro, and backed by their formidable 7-piece band, UB40 are building on a legacy that dates back over four decades.

James Penny, from M&B who is promoting the show said “We are so excited to be bringing UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro to Victoria Park. After the year we’ve all had what could be better than a day of reggae under the sun. UB40 will take you on a musical journey with hit after hit. So get ready to come and dance, laugh and enjoy a full day of good vibes. Let’s celebrate finally getting our freedom back, this will be an epic party in Southport!”

Alan Adams, General Manager, Victoria Park said, “We are delighted to host and support this fantastic event at Victoria Park, home of the famous Southport Flower Show. This is just what we need to kickstart the return of amazing music events to our wonderful town!”

UB40 are one of the UK’s most treasured British music institutions, achieving three UK Number Ones – Red, Red Wine, I Got You Babe (ft. Chrissie Hynde) and I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You – not to mention 17 Top 10 singles. The band sold 70 million records as they took their smooth reggae and pop blend to all corners of the globe bringing hits such as ‘Cherry Oh Baby’, ‘Kingston Town’ and ‘Come Back Darling’.

Among the accolades, the band was nominated for the BRIT Award for Best British Group in 1984 and the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times between 1987 and 2006.

The band’s success is however not limited to the past with their last album 2018’s A Real Labour of Love peaked at number 2 in the UK charts.

For tickets please visit:  www.easyticketing.co.uk

4 – Comedy In The Park 

Comedy In The Park, an exciting all-day comedy extravaganza, will take place at Victoria Park in Southport on Saturday 17th July 2021.

John Bishop headlines the event with support from Katherine Ryan, Jason Manford, Al Murray, Paul Chowdhry and host Judi Love.

Home of world-class comedy, Comedy in the Park will feature spectacular stand-up stars and cutting-edge talent.

Operations Director James Penny said: “With Comedy in the Park our aim is to bring live comedy back in a big way.  You will be guaranteed a night of side-splitting laughter, with six of the world’s best comedians providing a night of entertainment in an open-air theatre style setting. We will turn Victoria Park into an incredible arena for the evening.

“Now more than ever, people need something to look forward to. It’s been a tough year for live comedy but it’s coming back with a bang!”

Visit:  www.comedyinthepark.co.uk

5 – Southport Whisky Festival 

The first Southport Whisky Festival takes place from 1pm on Saturday 31st July 2021.

The £10 charge includes the Treasure Trail Map and complimentary drams from the whisky companies at The Guest House pub on Union Street and Remedy on Lord Street.

Southport Whisky travels around (Scotland mostly) finding whisky that they like; and bring it to Southport. They especially like: Distillery Exclusives; Single Cask Bottlings and Limited Editions.

The organisation also host tastings, mainly through the Southport Whisky Club and also for private groups.

For more details please visit: www.southportwhisky.co.uk

6 – Southport Food and Drink Festival 

If you love food then make a date with the Southport Food and Drink Festival – a ‘foodies’ paradise with a little something for everyone to enjoy!

Stimulate your senses and try food from different cultures – you can enjoy crepes, gourmet burgers, hot wings, churros, spiral potatoes, paella and curry from the Street Food stalls.

Tantalise the taste buds by sampling the different produce around the event – handmade cheeses, sausages, sweet and savoury pies, chutneys and pickles are just a few of the delights that can be taken home.

Traditional British food is celebrated throughout the street food and producers with homemade pies, chutneys, local sausages, hog roast, and ice cream from a local dairy.

Southport Food and Drink Festival was originally due to take place in June 2021 but has been delayed until later this year, please keep an eye on StandUpForSouthport for announcements and updates.

Visit: www.visitsouthport.com/whats-on/southport-food-and-drink-festival-p150071

7 – Southport Comedy Festival 

Southport Comedy Festival 2021 will now go ahead after securing vital backing from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

It means that some of the top names in UK comedy will be heading to Victoria Park in Southport for some much-needed laughter this October.

The shows will be held in a large marquee provided by Elite Marquees with lots of ventilation and social distancing in place.

Festival Director Brendan Riley said: “The Southport Comedy Festival is a go-go for 2021!

“It’s big news for us, and big news for Southport!

“Of all the things we need and don’t need this year, we all need a really good laugh!

“We are thrilled to announce that we have received funding thanks to the government’s Culture Recovery Fund so that we can continue to be here for you and Here For Culture.

“We are already talking with the Southport Flower Show team, Elite Marquees Ltd and Sefton Council Tourism to bring you much needed laughs again this October.

“It is great to see the town really pulling together. Up the Port!”

For more details visit: Southport Comedy Festival

8 – British Musical Fireworks Championship 

The British Musical Fireworks Championship is a firework competition across three nights (24-26 September 2021), where competitors battle it out to be crowned the ultimate winner.

Set in the beautiful Victoria Park, the British Musical Fireworks Championship presents firework displays like no other. Over three nights prepare for breath-taking displays, an array of light and a mixture of music which will have you dancing away.

The British Musical Fireworks Championship is a pyro musical competition. This means that the fireworks are synchronised to with the music and the entire show is choreographed to give you, the audience, some of the most spectacular fireworks you will ever see.

Over three nights, there will be seven 15-minute displays. Starting on Friday, 7 competitors will host jaw dropping pyro wizardry, with a panel of professional judges marking each display after the event, before announcing the winner on the Sunday evening in a closed ceremony.

Visit: www.visitsouthport.com/whats-on/british-musical-fireworks-championship-p169661

 

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com