Books Alive! comes to Southport from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October 2026. This free October half-term festival turns the town centre into a place for stories, with a Jolly Postman Trail, author and illustrator events, creative workshops and activities hosted by local venues.
Planning a family break around it? We currently have availability across our Southport properties. Kings Central puts you close to the town-centre programme, while Birkdale Links Lodge gives larger families and groups more room to spread out. Check your exact dates and guest numbers for live availability and prices.
Books Alive! 2026 at a glance
- Dates: 24–31 October 2026, during October half term.
- Location: Southport town centre and participating venues.
- Cost: Festival activities are free; reserve a free place for Festival of Stories sessions where required.
- Best for: Primary-school-age children and their families, with activities that other book lovers can enjoy too.
- Official information: Visit Southport’s Books Alive! page.
There are three main ways to join in: follow the outdoor story trail, book a Festival of Stories session, and explore the book-themed Fringe Festival. The official programme is the best place to check any changes before you travel.
Follow The Jolly Postman Trail
Inspired by Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s much-loved book, the trail brings nine large-scale story installations to Southport town centre. Visit Southport lists them as open 10am–4pm each day, 24–31 October. You can discover the installations in any order, which makes the trail easy to fit around meals, naps and other half-term plans.
See the official trail page for the latest locations and practical details.
Festival of Stories: 29–30 October
On Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October, The Atkinson and Southport Library host author and illustrator sessions, storytelling, performances and hands-on activities. The sessions are free, but Visit Southport recommends booking ahead because places are limited. Browse the official Festival of Stories programme to find sessions suited to your children and reserve places.
If your family wants to attend a particular session, choose that first and plan the rest of the day around it. The trail and other town-centre activities can fill the time before or after your booking.
Explore the Fringe Festival
Local businesses and venues are joining the celebration with book-themed activities and experiences across the town. The line-up may grow as October approaches, so use the official Books Alive! hub for the current programme.
Where to stay for Books Alive! in Southport
A self-catering base makes it easier to build a half-term break around the festival: head into town for the activities you choose, then return to your own kitchen and living space. These are our two featured choices for families visiting Books Alive!:
Kings Central: stay close to the town-centre programme
Kings Central is a three-bedroom apartment sleeping up to six. Its central location puts Southport Market, Lord Street and The Atkinson within an easy walk. A full kitchen, Wi-Fi, free off-street parking and private outdoor terrace make it a practical base for a family half-term stay.
Birkdale Links Lodge: room for a larger family or group
Birkdale Links Lodge is a three-bedroom holiday home sleeping up to eight, with two bathrooms, a spacious kitchen and living area, an additional lounge, a garden and off-road parking. It is near Birkdale Village, with Southport’s town-centre festival venues a short drive away.
Looking for a different size or location? Browse all five Southport properties and search your preferred arrival date, departure date and guest count. Availability and prices may change before a booking is completed.
A simple half-term plan
- Pick your festival dates. The Jolly Postman Trail runs across the week; Festival of Stories sessions are on 29–30 October.
- If you want an author, illustrator or workshop session, reserve your free place through Visit Southport.
- Check live accommodation for the same dates, allowing enough time to enjoy the town beyond your booked session.
- Recheck the official programme and travel information shortly before setting off.
Books Alive! questions
When is Books Alive! Southport 2026?
The festival runs from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October 2026. Festival of Stories sessions take place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October.
Is Books Alive! free?
Yes. Visit Southport says Books Alive! activities are free. Festival of Stories sessions are also free, but advance booking is recommended because places are limited.
Do we need to stay in the town centre?
No. Kings Central is an easy town-centre choice for walking to festival venues. Birkdale Links Lodge is a roomier option for families who prefer a house and are happy to travel into Southport for the activities.
Festival information checked against Visit Southport on 30 September 2026. The organiser may change programme details. Accommodation availability and prices are confirmed during booking. This is an independent Southport Airbnb guide, not an official festival publication. Article by Steve — Southport Airbnb Editorial Team.