SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 40th ANNIVERSARY
2027 marks an unbelievable 40 years since it all began in 1987
It’s an incredible achievement to have evolved with the times, kept things fresh, and continued to grow from strength to strength. If anything, it feels stronger now than ever before and, as the many attendees over the years will tell you, it truly is “The World’s Friendliest Party”
That means the world to us!
And we can promise you this — to celebrate such a special milestone, we’ll be going the extra mile to make 2027 even more unforgettable.
Every year, over six thousand members of the worldwide Southport family spend three unforgettable days at the UK’s most important black music event. Our passionate Weekender team transforms Butlin’s Holiday Resort in Bognor into multiple arenas hosting a world class line up of artists and DJs covering the whole spectrum of classic and contemporary soulful sounds. Having evolved from its beginnings as a soul music weekender, the 40 year old event now stands as the most musically diverse weekender in the UK festival calendar.
An intimate crowd of dedicated dancers and discerning music lovers will be your companions at the event, featuring six purpose built arenas featuring state of the art production and sound, each covering a different strand of music.
ACCOMMODATION
General
Yes, this event is for 18s and over.
Yes, each person may bring up to 12 x 440ml cans of lager, beer or cider or 6L of lager or cider in plastic bottles or a 3L box of wine per person or one (maximum 700ml) bottle of spirit per person. You may bring this with you on arrival to the weekend only; there is no re-entry with alcohol.
For the safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of all of our guests, we do not allow guests to bring excessive quantities of alcohol onto our resort. We are committed to responsible drinking and will confiscate any excessive alcohol at the resort entrance or from your accommodation during your break and give it back to you at the end of the weekend. You may bring up to 12 x 440ml cans of lager, beer or cider or 6L of lager or cider in plastic bottles or a 3L box of wine per person or one (maximum 700ml) bottle of spirit per person. You may bring this with you on arrival to the weekend only; there is no re-entry with alcohol. Where repeated attempts to breach this condition are made, Butlin’s reserves the right to terminate the contract without notice and without refund of monies paid. Please be aware that for licensing reasons only drinks bought in our venue bars may be consumed in our venues. Also, you cannot take drinks from one venue to another. We have a zero tolerance policy on drugs. Anyone found taking illegal drugs or any other illegal substance will be asked to leave our resort and will not receive a refund for any part of their break.
To ensure that a safe and secure environment is provided for all of our guests and team, we ask that you please show consideration to others and treat people and our facilities with respect at all times.
Offensive, illegal, or any form of anti social behaviour including any form of abuse to fellow guests or staff or any excessive noise will not be tolerated. If guests fail to comply with these rules at any point throughout their break, or Butlins or Southport Weekender reasonably suspects that they may fail to do so, their contract it will be terminated. They and their party will have their booking cancelled prior to arrival and/or during their stay whilst on resort, without refund.
These are standards that we expect from our guests from the moment they contact us, throughout their Weekender and during any post Weekender communications.
If you suffer from any verbal or physical abuse please report it immediately to a member of security staff or resort safety team so that it can be dealt with immediately.
We reserve the right to charge guests up to £200 to cover additional cleaning, damages, or breaches of the below conditions, including but not limited to:
- Excessive mess or damage requiring deep cleaning (e.g. heavily soiled rooms, spills, substances on surfaces)
- Smoking inside rooms or prohibited areas
- Late check-outs beyond the agreed departure time
- Any behaviour that results in additional costs to the venue or event organisers
Please note:
- Deep cleaning charges may be applied where rooms are left in a condition unsuitable for incoming guests, particularly where enhanced sanitation is required.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited. Evidence of smoking (including smells or residue) may result in charges even if not witnessed at the time.
- Late departures may incur additional fees per room.
In cases of serious misconduct or repeated breaches, we reserve the right to:
- Request immediate payment of charges
- Remove guests from the resort without refund
- Refuse or ban future bookings
Failure to settle any charges may result in guests being prohibited from attending future events.
By attending the event, you agree to these terms and accept responsibility for any charges incurred.
For security reasons, all Southport Weekender ticket holders will be subject to searches at entry to the event. Please be patient if there are queues, and please cooperate with any security requests and all searches.
We have put in place all necessary measures to maximise public safety, working closely with the authorities. You can also play your part in keeping Southport Weekender Festival safe and secure by reading the following text on restrictions and prohibited items.
Restrictions and prohibited items:
In order to facilitate the security, safety and comfort of all patrons, Southport Weekender reserves the right in its reasonable discretion to conduct security searches of persons, clothing, bags, cars and all other items on entry and exit, and to confiscate items which may cause danger or disruption to the event with no refunds (please note that we are not responsible for any prohibited items or other items that we deem inappropriate or unsafe that are confiscated).
– Anything illegal or offensive.
– Illegal Substances and New Psychoactive Substances (Legal Highs) Southport Weekender takes any drug use very seriously, including the use of nitrous oxide inside or outside the event, and anyone found in possession of drugs may face prosecution.
– Large sound systems.
– Tents and gazebos, tables, BBQs, stoves and gas canisters.
– Animals, with the exception of assistance dogs, are not permitted at any time within any areas of the site.
– Dangerous or hazardous items g. knives, scissors, flares, fireworks, lighter fuel, aerosols, spray cans, air horns, klaxons or similar, laser pens.
– Chinese lanterns and Fireworks.
– Bicycles, skateboards and scooters.
– Any other items not included in the above list that we consider to be unsafe or pose a risk to public safety and/or security.
You are allowed to bring prescribed medication on site when accompanied by a doctor’s note or valid medical certificate.
Yes, the Ocean Spa is taking bookings for both use of the spa and for treatments.
If you’d like any more information just call 01243 845211. Alternatively you
can email us at oceanspa@butlins.com or pop in and see us.
Guest details should be submitted by 31st January. Shortly after this guest detail changes will be locked in your Easol account while we transfer guest detail over to the Butlins system.
A name change form will be available after 31st January which has a charge of £30 for late changes. You will need to fill out a form before Wednesday 3rd March 2027 at 6pm.
Any name changes after Wednesday 3rd would need to be done at check-in, in the presence of the Lead Booker where there will be a £30 charge. This can only be done at the main check-in on Friday 13th March until 8pm. After that no name changes are possible at all.
Travel & Transport
Yes, although we really want people to consider car sharing as much as possible. If everyone drives their own car without sharing – there will not be enough parking on site. Please do what you can to share cars as much as possible.
BY CAR It’s easy to get to Bognor Regis by car, with the resort just over an hour away from the M25 London orbital motorway and London Gatwick International Airport. We urge as many people as possible to car-share with others coming to the event. This is a sold out event and we want try to make sure everyone can park on site.
BY TRAIN Bognor Regis is roughly an hour away from London Victoria to Bognor Regis train Station. Some services require that you change at Barnham, so be sure to check with National Rail for times and fares. Bognor Regis Railway Station is very close to the town centre, and taxis can be hired from within Bognor Regis Train Station, they cost less than £5.
If arriving by train, please enter the Butlins site via the pedestrian gate at this postcode: PO21 1NU
BY BUS The local bus service Stagecoach, run regular services from most towns and places surrounding the Bognor Regis area, you can view timetables and fares online here.
BY COACH National Express run services that stop at our resort entrance, for more information from their website click here.
BY FERRY The closest ferry port to Bognor Regis is Portsmouth Harbour which is around 24 miles away, with the next closest port at Newhaven, approximately 42 miles away from resort.
BY PLANE Gatwick Airport is the nearest international airport, which is about an hour’s drive from Bognor Regis, and has a regular train service that runs from the airport to Bognor Regis. Next closest airports are Bournemouth Airport at around 67 miles away from Bognor Regis and Southampton Airport which is only 38 miles away. Also Visit Southampton Airport Guide for comprehensive travel information.
Accommodation
All hotel rooms have chillers and hotel apartments have fridges. All self catering apartments have fridges. Room only apartments do not have fridges or chillers.
There are 10 self catering apartments which are accessible and 30 hotel rooms. Please confirm you need a wheelchair accessible accommodation when sending your guest details in early 2026.
All Gold and above self catering apartments and hotel rooms come with towels. No Room Only or Silver bookings include towels. Towels can also be hired on site from Guest Services.
Venues and Location
Butlins Bognor Regis
Upper Bognor Rd, Bognor Regis PO21 1JJ
Bookings
Please contact: admin@southportweekender.co.uk
Can I resell my booking?
Yes. Southport Weekender has partnered with Tixel as the official booking exchange platform. If you can no longer attend, you can sell your booking to someone else safely and securely through Tixel at face value. The exchange will open on September 10th.
Can I list my booking if I'm still on a payment plan?
No. Your booking must be fully paid before it can be listed. Final payment plan installments are due by 5th September.
How does the Tixel booking exchange work?
Simply forward your Easol booking confirmation email via the Tixel sell page and your booking will be listed for sale.
Do I need a PDF or physical ticket to list my booking?
No. There are no physical tickets for Southport Weekender - your Easol booking confirmation email is all you need.
Can I sell for more than I paid? No. All bookings are exchanged at face value only.
How do I buy a booking?
Register on the Tixel waitlist and you'll be notified when a booking becomes available or set up an auto-purchase to automatically buy one as soon as it’s listed.
What happens after I buy a booking?
The booking will be transferred to your name within the Easol system. You will need to submit your full guest details by 31st January 2027 as per the T&Cs.
When does the exchange close? All exchanges must be completed by 15th January 2027.
Unfortunately not. It is a licensing condition that you must be a resident Butlins to enjoy the entertainment. When you make a booking it includes your accommodation and the weekend’s entertainment.
Yes, Accommodation is charged at its full occupancy rate, not the amount of people necessarily staying in it. So if you book a 4 berth accommodation, the price will be for 4 people whether you have 1 or 4 people in there.
This is fine. Initially all you need to do is add your details. All other information needs to be supplied early in 2026.
As this is a group booking and in line with Butlins normal conditions, Personal Assistant tickets are not available.
Yes – photo ID is required when you check in for every guest on the booking and must match – we must emphasise that without photo ID matching the guest details on the booking, wristbands will not be issued. We ask for passports as there is an international audience at this event and passports are universally recognised. Driving licenses are also accepted forms of photo ID as are PASS registered cards on the Governments scheme or international photo ID cards.
All guests travelling to our resorts aged 18 or over are required to provide identification on arrival. Failure to provide identification (as specified above), if asked will lead to refusal of entry to our resorts. In addition, for every guest on the booking we must have the full name, date of birth, full postal address including post code, contact telephone number and with your consent, an email address so that we can keep all parties informed of our pre-arrival guides, this is inclusive of up to date entertainment information about your break and future offers. The above information is also required to ensure we know the identity of all guests ensuring that we help to provide an environment that is safe and secure for all. This information MUST be provided within 48 hours of making a booking online or over the telephone. If this information is not provided by this date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking.
If you do not have a driving license or passport to bring with you, you’ll need to sort out another form of photo ID card. We would suggest a PASS scheme card which could include Photo cards (must be card and not digital version) from: LUCIDITI or CITIZENCARD who both run a priority delivery service.
Yes, we’ll be issuing you with wristbands on your arrival at check-in. It is your responsibility to ensure that you look after and wear your wristband at all times whilst at the event. Wristbands are issues to guests individually on presentation of valid photo ID. Guests without wristbands will be refused entry to venues and may be required to leave the resort without refund. If your wristband breaks, bring the broken wristband to us and we will replace it free of charge. If you lose your wristband, you will be charged £100 for a new one.
Unfortunately not. All guests must be present when checking in so that photo ID can be checked. Party Leaders cannot collect wristbands for their guests.
This is a big no no. Anyone found to be offering the resale of wristbands prior or during the break will lead to the booking being cancelled for both the individual involved and anyone associated to the booking, if identified whilst on resort you will be asked to leave, with no offer of a refund for any time missed on resort. Likewise anyone offering individual tickets for the event will not be allowed to attend and or asked to leave with no refund. There are no tickets for this event, all bookings are made in advance with guests registered to their accommodations.
Check-in is from 2pm on Friday the 5th March 2027 and access to accommodation is from 4pm. Between these times you will have access to bars and restaurants on site. Last entry on to site is at Midnight.
All rooms must be vacated and checked out of, by 10am on Monday 8th March.
Guest details should be submitted by 31st January. Shortly after this guest detail changes will be locked in your Easol account while we transfer guest detail over to the Butlins system.
There will be a Name Change Form available which has a charge of £30 for late changes. You will need to fill out a form before Wednesday 3rd March at 6pm.
Any name changes after Wednesday 3rd would need to be done at check-in, in the presence of the Lead Booker where there will be a £30 charge. This can only be done at the main check-in on Friday 5th March until 8pm. After that no name changes are possible at all.
Booking and Payment Info
Deposits and any other payments are non refundable. Please be sure you want to make the booking before making deposit payments or subsequent payments. Full details on refunds are available in the event’s T&C’s AVAILABLE HERE
Booking fees are set at around £10 per person for all bookings based on the accommodation occupancy level, not the amount of people staying in it.
If you book for 8 or 12 or any other multiple of room sizes, we would allocate you adjoining apartments or rooms if and when this is possible. Customers wanting different room types would need to be made on separate bookings. The Maximum number of people on any one booking is 20. Any more than 20 need to be done on separate bookings.