A popular Victorian steampunk festival has been given a boost ahead of its pirate-themed event in Morecambe.
A Splendid Day Out returns to Morecambe from June 5 to 7 with this year’s theme ‘Pirates of Mermaid Bay’.
Morecambe Town Council has awarded the festival a £7,000 grant as organisers prepare for their biggest event since it returned after the Covid pandemic.
Steampunk is a fantasy genre based on Victorian times with a modern twist.
Run by The League of Splendid, the event returned to Morecambe in 2024 for the first time in five years and last year's theme was 'The Age of Dragons'.
This year, 'buccaneers of all ages’ are invited to enjoy ‘swashbuckling entertainment, roaming performers, live music, storytelling, workshops, games, and plenty of pirate‑themed surprises'.
The star attraction will see professional mermaid performers bringing Mermaid Bay to life outside the Platform.
Inside, visitors can enjoy live music while discovering handcrafted gifts, unique creations, local artwork, treats, and nautical‑themed treasures at the themed artisan market.
New for 2026, the festival is expanding to include the Midland Hotel.
Events there will include live music, a line dancing class, a classic car display, a talk from Jason Salkey – Rifleman Harris from 'Sharpe' – and a steampunk fashion show showcasing some of the weekend’s best pirate, mermaid and steampunk costumes.
Other highlights include the return of quirky steampunk sports such as tea duelling, teapot racing, and parasol duelling, while the Grand Parade down Morecambe Promenade provides a spectacle quite unlike any other.
Steampunks outside the Platform at the 2025 'A Splendid Day Out'
Most daytime events and the market are free to attend, with small pay-on-entry fees for the dancing class and fashion show, and separate tickets on sale for the evening entertainment at The King’s Arms on Friday and Saturday night.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring A Splendid Day Out back to Morecambe for what promises to be our biggest and most ambitious festival since returning in 2024," said Rose Roberts, co-founder of A Splendid Day Out.
"The ‘Pirates of Mermaid Bay’ theme has inspired a fantastic programme packed with creativity, costumes, music and entertainment for all ages.
“The support from Morecambe Town Council has played a huge role in helping us grow the event and keep so many activities free to attend. We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to Morecambe for another wonderfully eccentric weekend.”
Councillor Lee Bradbury, Chairperson of Morecambe Town Council’s Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Committee, said: “A Splendid Day Out is unlike any other event in Morecambe and has become a fantastic way to kick off our summer festival season. It brings thousands of visitors into the town centre while offering something for all ages to enjoy free of charge, and we’re delighted to continue our support for this key event.”
A Splendid Day Out co-founders Rose and Ian Roberts receiving a cheque for £7,000, presented by Morecambe Town Councillors John Livermore, Claire Cozler, and Lee Bradbury.
Full programme details, ticket information and event updates are available HERE.
Each year Morecambe Town Council awards grants in support of local festivals and events via its Festivals and Events Fund, with £65,000 set aside for this purpose in 2026/27.
Past recipients include Morecambe Poetry Festival, Morecambe Armed Forces Day, Morecambe Pride, A Splendid Day Out Victorian Steampunk Festival, the West End Winter Lantern Festival, and many more.
The town council has supported A Splendid Day Out with £20,000 in total funding since the festival returned in 2024.
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