A strong weekend for anyone who does not want to spend much. Four of the picks below are free, including one that only happens once a year and one that involves racehorses standing in the middle of Liverpool ONE.
Every date, time and price here was checked against the organiser on 18 August 2026. Availability moves, so book direct where a ticket is needed.
The short version
- Southport Flower Show finishes its run on Sunday. Gate price £32, but under-16s go free and the train from any Merseyrail station is £2 return.
- Free racehorses at Liverpool ONE on Saturday, as part of National Racehorse Week.
- The Slavery Remembrance Day Walk on Sunday, from Williamson Square to the waterfront. Free, and the most significant thing happening in the city this weekend.
- YAWN Fest at Future Yard on Saturday, Swim Deep headlining, £22.50.
- Liverpool are away at Newcastle on Sunday at 4.30pm, so town will fill up around then.
Southport Flower Show: the last weekend
Southport Flower Show runs 20 to 23 August at Victoria Park, so this weekend is the end of it. Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm.
The gate price is £32. Two things make that land differently than it first reads:
- Children under 16 go free with a paying adult.
- A late entry ticket after 3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is £20.
The show also does something sensible about travel: on show dates you can get to Southport station from any other Merseyrail station for £2 return. Worth knowing before you drive, and the organisers warn that if you are paying more than £10 to park, it is not an official show car park.
Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 1RX. If you want one proper day out rather than something to fill two hours, this is the pick.
Meet racehorses at Liverpool ONE, free
A pop-up racing yard arrives at Liverpool ONE on Saturday 22 August for National Racehorse Week.
You can meet the horses, look round a racehorse's wardrobe and see how they are cared for day to day. It is free, and it is the sort of thing you can drop into for twenty minutes rather than building a day around.
One caveat: the Liverpool ONE listing confirms the date but does not publish start and finish times. Check the page again on the morning if you are making a special trip.
The Slavery Remembrance Day Walk
The most important thing happening in Liverpool this weekend, and it is free.
The Walk of Remembrance and Libation takes place on Sunday 23 August, moving through the city and finishing at the waterfront. Published timings, all approximate:
| Time | Where |
|---|---|
| 12pm | Event begins |
| 12.15pm | Williamson Square |
| 12.35pm | Clayton Square |
| 1.05pm | Bluecoat |
| 1.30pm | Liverpool ONE, Sugar House Steps |
| 2.20pm | Masquerade and libation, Piermaster's House grass |
Slavery Remembrance Day is marked on 23 August, and Liverpool has held it annually since 1999. This year's programme runs while the International Slavery Museum is closed for redevelopment, which makes the walk the main public act of remembrance in the city.
You can join at any point along the route. If you follow it through to the end, our waterfront area guide covers what is around the Pier Head.
YAWN Fest at Future Yard
The strongest music pick of the weekend is across the water. YAWN Fest takes over Future Yard in Birkenhead on Saturday, curated by Bill Ryder-Jones.
Swim Deep headline, with The Slow Country, Wojtek the Bear and Amy Scott Samuel also on the bill.
Doors 4pm. £22.50 advance plus booking fee. 75 Argyle Street, Birkenhead. Under-16s must be with an adult, and the venue is clear that it cannot refund under-16s who turn up unaccompanied.
Four bands on one ticket for £22.50 is good value, and Future Yard is one of the easier Wirral venues to reach without a car.
