25 May 2026
The city’s Business Improvement District, GO! Southampton, will be sponsoring the Bedford Place Summer Festival once again to help celebrate all the things that make Southampton an exciting and vibrant place to visit.
Taking place on Sunday 28th June from 11am – 8pm, the free-to-attend festival promises to deliver an ultimate summer street party, bringing Bedford Place and Carlton Place to life with street food, market stalls and live entertainment.
This year the event’s footprint is set to expand into Vernon Walk as well as going on until a later time of 8pm, with live music on Lower Banister Street and Carlton Place going into the evening.
Visitors can expect everything from circus workshops, street performers, Morris dancers, choirs, show songs, Eric’s Vinyl, Five Boroughs Pizza, Woosabi, Jude’s Ice Cream, One Planet Bakery, You Need Art stalls to name a few.
Music in the City will be returning for a second year, providing an extended programme of music from local acts on Lower Banister Street by The Social. Zoielogic Dance Theatre will also be returning with their spectacular show ‘Ride’ to the closed carpark on Wilton Avenue/Bedford Place.
New entertainments for 2026 includes Morris Dancers, Stilt Walkers, Fire Shows, SOS Presents Oklahoma and new traders such as Eric’s Vinyl and LUSH will be bringing their interactive stall selling fresh handmade cosmetics.
Each year, the festival gives the very best independent traders across the Bedford and Carlton Place areas the chance to shine and encourage footfall at one of the city’s most vibrant hotspots.
GO! Southampton’s is supporting the festival via its Event Sponsorship Scheme which aims to help events of all sizes grow and flourish whilst boosting the local economy.
Executive Director at GO! Southampton Stephen Manion said: “Bedford Place and Carlton Place have so much to offer the city’s residents and visitors. The festival celebrates our talented independent traders, supporting the local economy and bringing communities together. It’s an event we’re always proud to get involved with and we love seeing just how much of a buzz it brings to the city!”
Matt Sanger, Event Organiser said: “Our festival is free to attend and makes for a fantastic family day out. Each year, we see visitors from far and wide flock to Bedford Place to celebrate local music talent, discover some fantastic independent businesses on their doorstep and soak up the sunshine. It’s the perfect way to make the most of city life this summer.”
