The 10th Blackpool International Soul Festival heads to Winter Gardens Blackpool on June 19th 2026

The Blackpool International Soul Festival celebrates its 10^th anniversary in 2026 with 3-days of wonderful soul music at the Winter Gardens Blackpool from June 19^th-21^st.

Since June 2016 the event has attracted lovers of soul music from all over the UK and beyond and has been headlined by iconic acts including: Little Anthony, The Impressions, Bettye Lavette, Brenda Holloway, Betty Harris, Eddie Holman, Dee Dee Sharp, Bobby Hutton, Nolan Porter, Gerri Granger, Jean Carne, Ronnie McNeir, Eloise Laws, Patti Austin, Ann Sexton, Randy Brown, Jimmie Delph and Margie Joseph all superbly backed by the excellent house band, Snake Davis and The Suspicions.

Q+A sessions with Mickey Stevenson, one of Motown Records’ driving forces in the mid-60s and superstar soul music producers H B Barnum and George Kerr have also delighted Soul Festival audiences.

For the 10th anniversary event, The Soul Festival is delighted to welcome the Mod & 60s Soul vocalist P.P. Arnold who will celebrate her 60^th anniversary as a solo artist. Arnold will perform a one-off, never-to-be-repeated show including all her hit songs such as ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’ and ‘Angel Of The Morning’ plus a specially selected, exclusive to Blackpool set with a distinct Northern Soul flavour!

The Blackpool International Soul Festival will once again recognise and salute the deep heritage of soul music venues in the North-West of England with reunion sessions for Manchester’s Twisted Wheel, The Highland Room at Blackpool Mecca, and the Manchester Ritz Jazz-Funk All Dayers.

Promoter Richard Searling is extremely proud of the event, saying: “From the moment our guests step through into the dome at the Winter Gardens and walk through the Floral Hall, they know that they are part of something very special.

“With sweet melodies flowing from the Old Victoria, the sound of those Mod grooves coming from the Pavilion and the awe-inspiring Empress Ballroom, which is the home of classic Northern Soul, the Soul weekend never fails to delight. With the addition of The Arena, our new home for Modern Soul anthems we are looking to ensure the festival offers something for everyone.

“The special traders’ area - The Northern Soul Department store - will also be returning for 2026 offering everything from official merchandise and vintage clothing to collectibles.

“We are so lucky to have a world-famous venue like the Winter Gardens Blackpool to present this unique festival for all lovers of soul music from all around the UK and Europe. It’s also encouraging to see how many younger music lovers are now attending this festival, which can only be a good thing for the future of this very special music.” 

Advance 3-day tickets are now available from £59 each (plus fees) at: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/blackpool-soul-festival-9