Picture credit Southampton Pride/Brooke Linnet.
Running until Sunday, Shirley Fringe is a community event that showcases talented local performers, while raising vital funds for charities.
This year young people’s charity No Limits, which offers free advice, support and help to children and young people under 26 is benefiting from fundraising at the festival.
The aim of the festival is to ‘bring unity and joy to Shirley, Southampton, through the performing arts, including music, comedy, dance and circus’.
Local bars, community centres, restaurants, churches and public spaces come together to host the event to entertain the people of Shirley and beyond, whilst celebrating the diversity of talent in the local area.
The festival features both drop in and ticketed events, including Hamilton Brown Big Band followed by comedy spoken word from PG Tripps at Clockwork tonight (3/9/26), One Man and his Sax at Utilita tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 2pm (4/9/26), indie/folk from Dan O’Farrell at What a Pizza!, folk music from Brian Hooper at Cozy Seven, comedy at Shirley: You’re Having a Laugh at Maskers and more tomorrow evening (4/9/26).
On Saturday, entertainment includes a singing workshop for all with Shirley Community Singers at Freemantle and Shirley Community Centre, funk from Andrew Buchanan at Russo’s Cafe Lounge, juggler Simon at various locations, poetry showcase Write a Note at Maskers, roots americana from The Reverend Sam (pictured top) at What a Pizza!, country music from Dave Goodwood at Coop Craft Bar, a comedy musical from Ricky Tart at Maskers and modern rock from Flying Hearts at Clockwork.
Sunday sees Fringe in the Park come to Freemantle Lake Park from 11am to 4pm with free admission, live music, a crepe truck, craft stalls, a tabletop sale, hula hooping, juggling and more. Artists include The Reverend Sam, Keith Pugh, Southampton Rock Choir, MB Twirlstars and more. There will also be entertainment at venues across Shirley, with soul and r n b from Serkha and the Bear bringing the evening and the festival to a close at Clockwork on Sunday evening.
For more information about Shirley Fringe, including a full line up, map, raffle details and more, visit the website: shirleyfringe.co.uk
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