Lightport

Lightport 14 - 16 February 2026

Lightport is a brand-new, free immersive light and sound experience produced by leading international artists Lucid Creates, that will turn Lord Street into a walk-through rainbow of colour and creativity.

Taking place along Lord Street from Saturday 14 - Monday 16 February 2026, 5pm to 9pm, Lightport will see families, friends and visitors of all ages explore a vibrant world of colour, sound and movement.

Starting off at Mermaid Gardens and stretching across a 400-metre route in the heart of our town, the experience will transform Lord Street into a playful, walk-through trail of interactive light installations inspired by the beauty and joy of rainbows, creating magical visuals for all to enjoy.

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Explore Lightport

Zone 1 - Mermaid Gardens

Inside The Rainbow transforms the gardens into an immersive, illuminated landscape. Mirrored LEDs, towering light bars, rainbow-lit water, lasers and prismatic installations create an ethereal, interconnected world, culminating in a magical “End of the Rainbow” moment, an enchanting and…

Zone 2 - London Square

London Square hosts a number of experiences, including GRADIENTS: a luminous installation of layered, permeable light sheets forming a horizontal rainbow. Visitors move through shifting planes of colour as gradients morph and flow, transforming light into a tangible, navigable space that blurs…

Zone 3 – Church Gardens

ELEMENTAL - A water projection rises above the pond behind the monument, hovering, twisting and gently shape-shifting in mid-air within a veil of fine mist to create a spectral hologram. Water droplets produce a delicate, ephemeral canvas on which a surreal, three-dimensional display floats and…

Image shows Lightport installation a large scale rainbow archway with a person standing underneath the centre of the archway

Zone 4 – Town Hall Gardens

ARC - A jaw-dropping, dreamlike vision rises from the ground at the heart of Town Hall Gardens. A complete, luminous rainbow that can be entered and experienced from within. The momentary, untouchable nature of the rainbow is replaced with a tangible depiction of this universal symbol of optimism…

View the Lightport Map

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lightport?

Lightport is a breathtaking immersive light and sound experience produced by leading international artists Lucid Creates, that will turn Lord Street into a walk-through rainbow of colour and creativity

When is Lightport?

Lightport is open to public from Saturday 14 - Monday 16 February 2026, 5pm to 9pm each evening.

Where will the event take place?

We advise starting your journey via Mermaid Gardens to get the full experience.

The installations will be in four locations:

Mermaid Gardens (outside Sainsbury’s, PR9 0AF)
Monument Square
Christ Church Gardens
Town Hall Gardens (outside The Atkinson)

View the Lightport Map here

Do I need a ticket?

No, the experience is self-guided and no booking or tickets are required.

How much is it to attend?

Lightport is a free event, with no booking or tickets required.

Is the event accessible?

Yes, Lightport has accessible entrances and exits between each of the four locations with signposting. Those with access requirements should refer to the Accessibility Guide linked below.

View Accessibility Guide here.

How long is the Lightport route?

Lightport is a unique sound and light installation that will take over a 400m long stretch of Lord Street in the centre of Southport.

There is no time limit, but we expect most visitors to spend 30-60 mins in the experience.

Where can I find out more on the artworks?

Visit southport2026.com/lightport for full details on each zone and installations.

Southport 2026: A year of spectacular events

Lightport marks the first event of the Southport 2026 programme, a year-long celebration of the town’s Elegantly Eccentric past, present and future. Using cutting-edge lighting technology and immersive audio, Lightport sets the tone for a year packed with culture, creativity and unforgettable experiences.

This year as well as our annual iconic events we're bringing a spectacular of giant chandeliers, world class circus performers and never ending rainbows - as part of a hugely ambitious programme of new cultural events for Southport 2026.

Southport 2026 is produced by Sefton Council with Creative support from Culture Liverpool.

The programme is funded by Sefton Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.