Southport BID feature by Andrew Brown Stand up For Southport
Southport businesses came together to start Christmas in style on Saturday! (18th November 2023).
At the centre of it all was the Southport BID Festive Fun Day, which saw thousands of people enjoy a range of performances on the Lord Street Bandstand.
It was the first weekend too where families could come out and admire the Southport BID’s giant new illuminated figures in the Town hall gardens, in the shape of an 18 ft tall Bear and a 13 ft tall Reindeer, making them perfect for taking pictures with family members.
The Southport BID’s illuminated Bear in the Town Hall Gardens. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
They sit next to the sparkling 60 ft tall illuminated Christmas tree, which wows visitors with its LED colour-changing patterns.
Throughout the day, other local venues and businesses hosted their events, from Christmas fairs to craft markets to Christmas lights switch on, to bring people into Southport town centre.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “What a fantastic way to kick off the Christmas Season in Southport!
People enjoyed the Southport Festive Fun Day organised by Southport BID. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“Thanks to everyone who was involved and to all who attended, we hope you had an amazing day.”
The Southport BID Festive Fayre featured a great cast of local performers and arts groups. Performances included character shows, dance groups, pantomimes, live music and Christmas carols.
It opened with ‘The Pied Piper’ Bitesize Pantomime from Southport Dramatic Club.
People enjoyed the Southport Festive Fun Day organised by Southport BID. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Crowds then enjoyed displays from Wright’s Performing Arts, Express Performing Arts Academy, a Frozen Singalong Show from StarKidz, Magic Movers, PQA Southport, and DBA School of Dance.
Next they enjoyed a ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’ Bitesize Pantomime (The Atkinson), Central Dance Studios, live music from Sherie Hartill, Gabriel Amundsen and Kyle Shaw.
Families then sang along to Christmas Carols from The Atkinson Wellbeing Choir, All Souls Choir, and SONG.
People enjoyed the Southport Festive Fun Day organised by Southport BID. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The event was hosted by Dune Radio, while the cheeky StarKidz elves entertained the crowds throughout the day!
Elsewhere in Southport, people visited events including: a Christmas Fair at Cambridge Walks; an Arts and Crafts Market at the Atkinson; a Winter Christmas Artisan Market at Southport Market; a Festive Make it! Craft Workshop at The Atkinson; Father Christmas, Mother Christmas and panto characters at Wayfarers Arcade; Santa’s grotto and a Christmas lights switch on at The Vincent Hotel; Santa’s Letter Service and Happyland Santa visits at The Entertainer; first birthday celebrations at Southport Coaster; and an outdoor barbecue at The Pavilion.
People enjoyed the Southport Festive Fun Day organised by Southport BID. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
On the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group, Joyce Hilton said: “We watched the Frozen show and it was first class, very professional. We also visited the Art Box craft room in the Atkinson which was also very well organised and my three year old granddaughter loved all the activities, so well done to all involved in the whole day.”
Chris Brotherton said: “Hands down the best experience I’ve shared with my family in Southport.”
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