Southport Flower Show Opens in Southport 2026

Key Points

• Southport Flower Show 2026 is now underway at Victoria Park and continues until Sunday, August 23rd from Thursday, August 20th.
• Over 50,000 visitors are expected at the biggest independent flower show in the UK.
• The 34-acre grounds feature show gardens, floral exhibits, catering facilities, shopping, entertainments and family fun.
• Amongst the celebrities that will be attending include Anton Du Beke, Adam Frost, Su Pollard, Rob Rinder, Mr Motivator, Iolo Williams, Megan McCubbin, Phil Vickery, Candice Brown, Justin Fletcher and Andy Day.
• A display from the British Army’s Red Devils parachutists is expected to take place midday on Thursday.
• The event has begun in wet weather with a yellow weather warning issued until 1pm on Thursday.
• The Met Office has forecast a brighter outlook by afternoon of Thursday followed by dry and sunny periods on Friday.
• Visitors have been urged to dress appropriately and wear suitable shoes as some areas are waterlogged.
• Opening times are from 10am to 6pm Thursday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm Sunday.
• Flexible ticketing, discounts for local residents and entry free for children under 16 years old are available according to the event organisers’ conditions.
• Roads around Victoria Park are closed during the duration of

Southport (Liverpool standard) August 20, 2026 – Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the opening day of Southport Flower Show 2026 as the four-day event gets under way at Victoria Park.

The annual event, described by organisers as the UK’s largest independent flower show, is taking place from Thursday, August 20, until Sunday, August 23. More than 50,000 visitors are expected to attend across the four days.

Victoria Park has been transformed into a large showground featuring horticultural displays, entertainment, food and drink, shopping areas and family attractions. The site covers 34 acres and is hosting activities designed to appeal to gardening enthusiasts, families and visitors interested in live performances.

The opening comes after a wet start to Thursday. The Liverpool Echo reported that a yellow weather warning was in place until 1pm, with showery rain expected to move southwards across the region. The forecast included the possibility of heavy rain, thunder and hail before conditions gradually improved.

According to the Met Office outlook reported by the Liverpool Echo, the rain was expected to clear during the afternoon, leaving brighter conditions and a smaller number of lighter showers. The maximum temperature forecast for Southport was 18°C, with a cool northerly breeze.

The Southport Flower Show shared advice with visitors on social media. In an Instagram post, the organisers said some areas were wet and that sections of grass were saturated, while paved footpaths remained available. Visitors were advised to bring a jacket and suitable footwear.

What attractions are available at the event?

The show includes a programme of garden displays, demonstrations, performances and family activities.

Horticultural attractions include award-winning show gardens, a grand floral marquee, exhibits from amateur growers and plant societies, floral art displays, raised beds, a bees and honey marquee, and displays created by local schools and charities.

Visitors can also attend celebrity question-and-answer sessions in the Garden Theatre. The sessions are hosted by Kevin Duala of BBC Radio Merseyside.

The Cookery Theatre is hosting live demonstrations involving television chefs and food personalities. Live music is scheduled for the Piazza Stage, while the outdoor show arena includes dog display teams, birds of prey and horse shows.

Family attractions returning to the event include alpacas, a children’s trail, a doodle wall, children’s yoga and tennis skills activities. A Lakeside Reset zone, described by organisers as a wellbeing and mindfulness area, is also new for 2026.

The BBC reported that the event will also feature an opportunity for football supporters to take photographs with the UEFA Champions League Trophy through an activity organised by the LFC Foundation.

Which celebrities are appearing?

Southport Flower Show 2026 has a wide line-up of television personalities, gardening experts, chefs and children’s entertainers.

The official event announcement lists Iolo Williams, Megan McCubbin, Su Pollard, Rob Rinder and Mr Motivator among the special guests. Gardening personalities include Adam Frost, Arit Anderson, Joe Swift and Lee Burkhill.

Television chefs attending the event include Phil Vickery, Briony May Williams and Candice Brown. Children’s entertainment is being provided by Andy Day and Justin Fletcher, who is widely known for his Mr Tumble character.

Anton Du Beke is scheduled to appear on Saturday, August 22. According to a press release issued on behalf of the Southport Flower Show, the Strictly Come Dancing judge will take part in question-and-answer sessions in the Garden Theatre at noon and 3pm.

In the statement attributed to Anton Du Beke, he said he was looking forward to returning to the show and recalled attending as the event’s opener in 2014. He described the previous visit as having a family-friendly atmosphere and said he expected the 2026 event to be an enjoyable day out.

The show’s line-up reflects its wider programme, which combines gardening with cooking, entertainment, family activities and celebrity appearances.

When will the Red Devils parachute team perform?

The British Army’s Red Devils parachute team is scheduled to perform on Thursday, August 20.

The BBC reported that the display is expected to take place at about midday. The team is due to land in Victoria Park before spending time meeting visitors and taking photographs.

Organisers have encouraged spectators who want a clear view of the display to arrive early. The performance is intended to provide one of the main opening-day attractions for both families and aviation enthusiasts.

Southport Flower Show General Manager Alan Adams told the BBC that arranging the display around midday would allow more visitors to watch the parachute team.

What is the weather forecast for the weekend?

Thursday began with wet and unsettled conditions across Southport, but the forecast suggested an improvement later in the day.

The Liverpool Echo reported the Met Office forecast as showing a wet start, with rain that could be heavy and accompanied by thunder and hail. The rain was expected to move southwards before gradually clearing and giving way to brighter weather.

For Friday, the Met Office forecast mostly dry conditions at the start of the day, with a good number of sunny spells. A few showers were expected to develop later, although these were forecast to be lighter and more isolated than those on Thursday. The predicted maximum temperature was 19°C.

The outlook for the weekend was described as becoming more settled, with an increasing number of sunny spells. However, temperatures were expected to remain below the average normally associated with August.

The weather may affect how visitors use the showground, particularly the grassed areas. The organisers’ advice to wear suitable footwear is relevant because saturated ground could make some areas muddy or difficult to cross.

Visitors should check the latest forecast before travelling, particularly if they plan to spend several hours outdoors.

What are the opening times and ticket arrangements?

The show is open from 10am to 6pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the gates close at 5pm.

The official event information states that advance early-bird tickets were available for £28 plus fees until Wednesday, August 19. Tickets purchased at the gate are priced at £32, while late-entry tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are available at £20 after 3pm.

Children under 16 can enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. Residents with PR8 or PR9 postcodes can access discounted tickets priced at £20, subject to the stated conditions.

Tickets are flexible and can be used on any one of the four show days. Some hospitality packages and afternoon tea tickets remain available, while Ladies Day tickets and VIP packages have sold out, according to the organisers’ announcement.

Merseyrail is offering discounted travel arrangements for people travelling by train. The BBC reported that return journeys to Southport from other stations within the Merseyrail network would cost £2 on event days when purchased through participating ticket offices.

A shuttle bus service is also operating between Southport and the showground. The BBC reported that Arriva is running the service at 15-minute intervals, with charges applying.

Which roads are affected by restrictions?

Road closures and temporary parking restrictions have been authorised around Victoria Park for the duration of the show.

The BBC reported that Rotten Row would be closed from 8am on the opening day until 7pm on the final day. Temporary parking restrictions are also affecting roads and areas around the park, including Esplan, Palace, West Road, Lulworth Road, Duke Street and Victoria Way.

Motorists travelling to Southport have been advised to follow temporary signs and check restrictions before parking. Visitors who are able to travel by rail or use public transport may wish to consider those options because the event is expected to attract tens of thousands of people.

The show’s address is Victoria Park, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RX.

Why is the event important to Southport?

Southport Flower Show is not limited to a single exhibition area. It occupies a substantial part of Victoria Park and brings together gardening displays, entertainment, retail stalls, catering and family activities.

The event is also operated as a registered charity. The organisers state that profits are reinvested into Victoria Park to support its maintenance throughout the year.

Alan Adams, the show’s general manager, said in the organisers’ press release that the event helped bring the local community together. He described Victoria Park as an important Southport venue and said the show involved entertainment personalities, culinary figures and horticultural experts.

The event therefore has both a visitor appeal and a local community role. It provides a large annual attraction for Southport while supporting activity in and around the town during the four-day period.

Background to Southport Flower Show 2026

Southport Flower Show 2026 is taking place at Victoria Park from August 20 to August 23. The event is promoted as the UK’s largest independent flower show and is expected to welcome more than 50,000 people.

The 2026 programme was announced in stages, with the official event information confirming appearances by gardening experts, chefs, television personalities and children’s entertainers. The organisers also confirmed the return of family activities introduced previously, including alpacas, a children’s trail and tennis activities.

The show includes a mixture of professional and amateur horticultural displays. It also features live theatre sessions, cooking demonstrations, music, outdoor animal displays, shopping and food stalls.

The 2026 event is sponsored by Ramsay Health Care, with Merseyrail named as the travel partner and Smooth Radio as a show sponsor. Nationwide Produce and Viners are sponsoring the Cookery Theatre.

How could the development affect visitors?

Southport Flower Show 2026 is likely to bring large crowds to Victoria Park, creating a busy atmosphere for visitors, transport operators and nearby roads.

People attending on Thursday may encounter wet ground and showers, particularly during the opening part of the day. Suitable footwear, waterproof clothing and attention to weather updates could help visitors manage the conditions.

The forecast suggests that conditions may improve after Thursday morning, with brighter spells later in the day and a generally more settled outlook over the weekend. However, temperatures are expected to be cooler than the typical August average.

Visitors should allow extra time for travel because road closures, parking restrictions and heavy demand are expected around the showground. Those using public transport may benefit from the reported Merseyrail fare arrangement and the shuttle bus service.

For families, the return of the children’s attractions and the presence of performers such as Justin Fletcher and Andy Day provide additional reasons to attend beyond the horticultural displays. Gardening enthusiasts can expect access to specialist exhibits, show gardens and expert demonstrations, while celebrity appearances and live performances broaden the event’s appeal.