Major summer showcase returns to Victoria Park
The annual Southport Flower Show is set to open in Victoria Park next week, bringing a four-day mix of horticulture, family attractions and high-profile performances to the town centre. Organisers expect roughly 50,000 visitors across the event, which runs from 20 to 23 August.
The 34-acre site will be laid out with show gardens, a large floral marquee, stalls from plant societies and charities, and spaces for amateur growers and schools to exhibit. Alongside the gardening focus there will be live cookery demonstrations, music, and outdoor displays featuring dog teams, birds of prey and horses.
Headline display and celebrity appearances
One of the headline attractions will be a parachute display by the British Army’s Red Devils, scheduled to land in Victoria Park at about 12:00 BST on the opening day. The team is expected to spend around two hours meeting visitors afterwards.
"Scheduling the display at midday means even more visitors will be able to enjoy this incredible experience, and we're looking forward to welcoming families and aviation enthusiasts alike to witness one of the UK's premier parachute display teams in action."
The show will also feature celebrity guests, including Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke, and a display by the LFC Foundation that will allow football fans to take pictures with the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Family-friendly attractions and returning features
Organisers have confirmed that several family attractions introduced in the previous year are returning. These include:
- Alpacas on site for visitors to see
- a children's trail to engage younger visitors
- tennis activities designed for families and casual players
Coupled with the regular horticultural displays and gardening demonstrations, the mix aims to make the show appealing to a broad local audience as well as day-trippers and horticulture enthusiasts from further afield.
Opening times and practical information
Gates will open to the public at 10:00 BST each day. Victoria Park will remain open until 18:00 on the first three days of the show and will close at 17:00 on Sunday.
| Date | Opening time | Park closing time | Notable event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug (Thu) | 10:00 | 18:00 | Red Devils display, c.12:00 |
| 21 Aug (Fri) | 10:00 | 18:00 | Celebrity and horticulture programmes |
| 22 Aug (Sat) | 10:00 | 18:00 | Family activities and live demos |
| 23 Aug (Sun) | 10:00 | 17:00 | Final day events and exhibits |
Visitors travelling by train or using public transport are being advised to plan journeys in advance. The scale of the event typically means increased footfall in the town centre; local businesses and services are likely to feel the impact across the weekend.
What this means for Southport
For Southport, the Flower Show is more than a festival of plants. It brings a large influx of visitors to the town at a time when local retailers, cafés and accommodation benefit from the additional trade. Community groups and charities often use the event to raise their profile, while horticultural societies and local schools get an opportunity to showcase work to a wider audience.
As ever, residents should expect busier streets and possible travel disruption on the opening day when the Red Devils parachute display is due. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early to watch the midday display and to make time for the wide array of exhibits across the park.
The Southport Flower Show remains one of the town’s largest annual events, combining civic pride with commercial boost and community participation. For many in the town it marks the end of the summer season — and this year’s programme aims to do that with some memorable moments.
