More than 15,000 people attend 2026 Salt and Tar Festival in Bootle
More than 15,000 people attended the 2026 Salt and Tar Music Festival in Bootle, according to organisers.
The five-day festival ran from Thursday 13 to Monday 17 August at The Lock & Quay while work continues on the transformation of Bootle Strand. It attracted visitors from across the Liverpool City Region and the UK, and organisers said some international visitors also travelled to Bootle for the event.
The line-up included headline performances from Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Billy Ocean, The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors. The Festival Village also featured grassroots artists, local businesses and food and drink traders from Sefton.
Scrapyard Studios CIC hosted a grassroots music stage and busking spots. Students gained production experience and supported headline artists behind the scenes, while Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts students worked on event delivery and artist liaison.
Volunteers from Sefton CVS helped welcome visitors. Organisers said the festival provided social and economic benefits for the town.
Councillor Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said:
“Welcoming more than 15,000 people to Bootle is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates just how far Salt and Tar has come. We saw visitors travelling from across the country, and even from overseas, to experience what Bootle has to offer.”
The festival not only brought world-class live music to the town but also created opportunities for local artists, students, businesses and volunteers, delivering real benefits for our communities. Events like this are helping put Bootle firmly on the map as a destination for culture, leisure and entertainment.
One festival-goer said:
“WOW. What an absolutely brilliant night! You completely smashed it. The atmosphere was fantastic, Nile Rodgers and CHIC were incredible, and I'm fairly sure my legs are now filing an official complaint after far too much dancing.“It's brilliant to see events like this happening in Bootle and bringing so many people together. A massive well done to everyone involved in organising it. You should be really proud of what you pulled off.”
Kim Nealon, a LIPA student involved in the festival, added:
“It's been a great experience to see the event come together and to be involved in an event of this scale is so valuable to my learning. The team have been very supportive, and I will take a lot from this experience.”
Salt and Tar is expected to return to its permanent Bootle Strand site in 2027, once the current regeneration work is complete.
