Every confirmed trader revealed as Southport Food and Drink Festival returns for 2026

THE Southport Food and Drink Festival is gearing up for another spectacular year as it returns to:- Victoria Park, Southport, Merseyside, for a mouth watering 3 days packed with:- flavour, entertainment, and family fun.

The hugely popular event will run from:- Friday, 29 May to Sunday, 31 May 2026, welcoming more than:- 100 food, drink and artisan traders, to whet the appetites of more than:- 40,000 visitors.

With street food from around the world, local producers, live music and a dedicated family zone, the 2026 festival is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

Festival goers can look forward to an impressive spread of global cuisine, from Asian street food to Caribbean classics, churros, crepes, gourmet burgers, paella, curries and more.

New trader Exotic Munch is bringing vibrant Caribbean flavours to Southport with dishes such as:- jerk chicken and curry goat, while Oishi Nori House marks a 1st for the Food and Drink Festival by serving fresh sushi.

Artisan producers will once again showcase:- handmade cheeses, breads, charcuterie, pies, chutneys, pickles and sweet treats.

The festival's drinks offering continues to grow, with:- specialist traders serving craft beer, artisan gin, local spirits and international wines.

Cocktail bars, mocktail stands and coffee vendors will also be dotted throughout the park, ensuring there�s something for every taste.

Across the 3 days, visitors can enjoy a full programme of live music from local bands and performers in the dedicated entertainment marquee, promising a vibrant backdrop to the food and drink experience.

Families will find plenty to keep children entertained, with the festival�s dedicated Children�s Festival area offering:- face painting, jewellery making, inflatables and more.

Alongside food and drink traders, community groups and local organisations will be present throughout the weekend, sharing information, activities and opportunities to get involved in local initiatives.

Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton, said:- "The Food and Drink Festival is always a special weekend in Southport and 2026 will be no exception!. I'm looking forward to seeing Victoria Park packed out with families enjoying themselves, discovering new dishes, and vitally supporting local and regional businesses. This event is a real boost for Southport and Sefton. Our local shops, cafes and restaurants benefit from the footfall, and many small independent traders have the opportunity to reach thousands of new customers.�

The festival is on daily:- 10am to 6pm, and is free to enter.

FULL LIST OF TRADERS AND EXHIBITORS...

Street Food:-

600 Degrees Pizza
7 Star Flag Ltd
Abbey Ice Cream
Bar Crumble
Caf� Cannoli
Cake Corner
Chipstix
CM Catering - Grilled Cheese Co
Continental Catering
Crepe Lucette
Dobra Kitchen
Duo Catering - Hot Dogs
Eatdutchlekker
Elevens of Birkdale
Enjoy Desserts
Exotic Munch
Funtime Amusements
Great Himalayas Nepalese Restaurant and Bar
Greek Traditional Souvlaki
Grills & Chills
Halloumination
Jason Jamies Oriental Charcoal Grill - Noodles
JB Event Catering
JJ's Caribbean Kitchen
JT Akshaya
Just Wings
King Floss
La Puerta Roja
Lennys
Love is Churros
M&C Leisure - That's So Corny
Mon Pesh
Nanny Pearls (Carribean)
Nationwide Catering
North West Game
Oishi Kitchen
Piggie Smalls
Pitamu
Pizza Peddlars
Ready Steady Chef - Hog Roast
RhokCrepes
Senor Paella
Spuds & Bros Ltd
Sui Mai Bar
Super Bao
The Bus Yard
The Butchers Kitchen
The Dude Food Guys
The Lids Catering
The Nutella Donut Van
Tik Taco
Wild Street Kitchen
Xanders

Bars:-

Black Dog Wine Agency
Reggae Rum Shack
JJ's Caribbean Kitchen and Bar Limited
Magic Dragon Brewing
Mobay Shack
Neptune Brewery
Sacrebleu
Vintage Bubbles
Bar 47 (Beer Inn/ Beer HQ)
Bartenders on Tour
The Special Cider Company
Wrexham Lager Beer Co
Boston Shakers
Elite Bars
Lucky Number 13
The Bus Yard

Producers:-

Beau Pens
Bee Natural Wraps
Bexton Cheese
Birkdale Cheese Co
Bowes Dairy
Cactus Parlour
Celtic Spirit
Continental Bakery
Continental Cottage Ltd
Daddy Cools Chilli Sauce
Daisy Louise Jewellery
Farmhouse Fudge
Flavour Art Coffee
Heritage Kitchen Range of Preserves Ltd
Hive & Honey
HM Pasties
Its Black Dog
Janes Bakes
Jethros Marinades
Jinger Drinks
Juiced the Tip
Lancashire Mead Company Limited
Little Sutton Spice Co
Malvavisco Marshmallows
Mama Soods
Mr Fitzpatricks Ltd
My Gourmet Mushrooms Ltd
My Sweet Retreat
Nuttalls/ Williams Handbaked
Pistachio & Moore
Preston's Eggnog Ltd
Pure Indulgence Soaps
SA Sauces
Sawley Kitchen
Souperman Wigan
Spirit of Garstang
The Doughnuteers
The Farmhouse Kitchen
The Finest Fudge Co
The Gourmet Scotch Egg Co
The Real Thai Pie Co
The Victorian Candle Co
The Wilde Bakery

Exhibitors:-

Bee Strongher
Butternut Box
Charles Taylor Trading
Costco
Hickorys
Julia Margaret
Liverpool John Moores University
Lost Members Club
North West Air Ambulance
Nowhere Else Creations
Rich Green Fashion
Ruslyn Wood
Southport Flower Show
Untamed Cat Food Limited

Coffee and drinks:-

Clouds in my Coffee
Kirkby Coffee
Thanks a Latte
Up on the Roof
Wiracocha
Bartwenty20
Freshly Squeezed Fruits
Freshly Squeezed Fruits (GR8 Kitchenware)
Lemon Shakers

Children's entertainment:-

Funtime Amusements
Pebbles & Treasures
Mr Stix
Rock & Rose
The Glitter Dreambox
Facepainting by Charlotte
Tiny Treasures
Ken Atherton

Live entertainment:-

Katy Bryson
Olly Neash
Gabriel Roberts
Carlos Grassot
Express PA
Wellbeing Choir / Memories R Made
Ron Sanders
Yooks!
Zanobini Academy of Performing Arts
The Coast
Ukelele Buddies
Southport U3A Choir
Olivia Armstrong
Madukes - Ukelele
Gemma Doyle
Rock Choir
Incahoots
Callum McMorran

Please note - this list is subject to change...

To keep up to date with the latest information, follow the event on:- Facebook, and on:- Instagram, visit:- VisitSouthport.Com. To see what it was loke last year, please see our coverage on Southport Reporter by clicking

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2026/27 Season

THE UK's oldest symphony orchestra presents its:- 2026/27 Season, continuing to shape Liverpool's identity as England's only UNESCO City of Music through new commissions, emerging artists and international collaboration

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the UK's oldest symphony orchestra, has announced its:- 2026/27 Season, a programme designed to reinforce Liverpool's identity as England's only UNESCO City of Music. Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan enters his 6th season with an ambitious schedule that balances core symphonic works with South American and French influences, alongside 6 major new commissions and a significant focus on international collaboration.

A central pillar of the new season is the Beethoven Festival in January 2027, which marks 200 years since the composer's death. Hindoyan will lead a complete cycle of Beethoven's symphonies across 5 concerts over 2 weeks, culminating in a performance of the:- 9th Symphony featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Reflecting on the breadth of the upcoming year, Chief Conductor, Domingo Hindoyan says:- "I am delighted to welcome you to our bold new 2026/27 season, celebrating landmark composers while championing the voices of today. From opening with Mahler's Second Symphony to presenting a complete cycle of Beethoven's symphonies, this season is a deeply personal journey of passion and ambition. Together with our artists and community, we look forward to sharing music that inspires, connects and resonates with all."

The orchestra also continues to champion contemporary voices by appointing GRAMMY Award winning composer Caroline Shaw as its 1st Composer in Focus. Shaw's genre crossing works, including:- 'The Observatory' and 'Blueprint,' will be woven throughout the season to showcase her unique musical language.

Highlighting the importance of this partnership, Composer in Focus, Caroline Shaw says:- "I'm always interested in how music brings people together; how it connects us to language, to history, and to each other. It's a real joy to be working with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and to share these pieces with audiences in a City with such a strong musical identity."

The autumn schedule includes:- several notable debuts and returns, such as:- the appearance of soprano Sarah Brady, on:- 5 November 2026, performing Strauss' 4 Last Songs under the baton of guest conductor Karel Deseure, who also leads Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade that same evening. On 13 November 2026, the:- "Made in Merseyside" series will spotlight local talent with Liverpool born vocalist MT Jones, who will perform music from his debut album, Joy, alongside orchestra musicians. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to regional artists, which also includes a 15th Anniversary celebration of Bill Ryder-Jones's album:- 'If�' and collaborations with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD).

The 2026/27 season further expands the orchestra's popular culture repertoire through its Film Music, Video Game Music, and Live to Picture series. Highlights include:- live to picture screenings of:- 'How to Train Your Dragon' on:- 25 September and 26 September 2026, and the return of the:- 'Game On' programme on:- 6 June 2027, featuring symphonic arrangements from titles such as:- 'The Witcher 3' and 'World of Warcraft.' Fans of John Williams can also attend the:- 'May the Fourth Be With You Star Wars Concert' on:- 4 May 2027.

Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic says:- "This season reflects everything that defines the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic today - exceptional musical talent, a commitment to new music, and a deep connection to our City and communities. From major international collaborations to celebrating local talent, we are proud to present a programme that speaks to Liverpool's identity as 1 of the World's Great Music Cities."

Additional programming includes:- a celebration of Benjamin Britten's 50th Anniversary, featuring a performance of his Cello Symphony by Guy Johnston and a visit to the BBC Proms on 4 September 2026. The contemporary ensemble Liverpool Philharmonic's 10:10 will also mark 10 years since its debut performance of Steve Reich's Different Trains. General booking for the entire season opens at:- 10am, on:- Wednesday 3 June 2026, with the orchestra continuing its mission to provide accessible, world class musical experiences for audiences of all ages.

Priority booking is now open and general booking opens at:- 10am, on:- Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

The digital programme containing all the season events is available to read here.

For more information about The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and for tickets, please visit:- LiverpoolPhil.Com.

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

News reports located on this page = 2.

Every confirmed trader revealed as Southport Food and Drink Festival returns for 2026

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2026/27 Season