17 June 2026
There’s just one week to go until this year’s ultimate street party returns to Southampton next weekend.
On Sunday 28th June from 11am – 8pm, the free-to-attend Bedford Place Summer Festival will bring Bedford Place and Carlton Place to life with street food, market stalls and live entertainment.
Sponsored by the city’s Business Improvement District, GO! Southampton, the popular festival will stretch even further this year as it expands into Vernon Walk by CRIB, and further down Bedford Place behind The Lion. The celebrations will also go 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. There will be Storm in a Teacup circus performances and activity to join in with, Art workshops by John Hansard Gallery and face painters.
There are over 40 fantastic raffle prizes up for grabs where lucky winners can get their hands on an array of prizes gifted by W.J. French & Sons, South Coast Chiropractors, Shenanigans, Jack Rabbits, Mamacitas and more!
Raffle tickets can be bought right now from Overdraft, The Cricketers, Raven and Bine, The Social, Shenanigans and more as well as online here. Tickets can also be bought on the day at the festival with all proceeds going towards running of the event.
Also returning for another year will be the much-loved Music in the City stage, providing a 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, 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.
John Cooney, owner of the Cricketers Arms in Bedford Place, said: “The festival always brings the area to life. As an independent business, we’re pleased to see more people enjoying the local venues that Southampton has to offer and events like these are a great way to encourage more people to come out and sample some more of the city.”
GO! Southampton 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: “We were keen to get behind this festival as it supports our amazing businesses and traders that make Southampton such a great place to visit. The Bedford Place festival really isn’t to be missed and there is something for everyone, families, residents and visitors alike.”
Matt Sanger, Event Organiser said: “There is just one week to go until the festival kicks off for another year and we cannot wait to celebrate another year in the city centre, hopefully, soaking up the sunshine!”
