The 30th Luxury Soul Weekender | January 9th – 11th, 2026

 
30th Luxury Soul Weekender to Celebrate Landmark Anniversary in Blackpool. Friday 9th,  Sunday 11th January 2026 | The Grand Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool
 
The UK’s most prestigious winter soul event, the Luxury Soul Weekender, returns to Blackpool in January 2026 for a milestone double celebration. From Friday 9th to Sunday 11th January, the 30th edition of the festival will take over the Grand Hotel, North Promenade, marking 30 years of unforgettable weekends and 40 years of Expansion Records, the pioneering soul label behind the event.
 
Headlining this landmark year will be soul legend Ann Nesby and rising US star Ashley Scott, making this the most significant Weekender yet.
 
An Historic Double Celebration
Since its launch, the Luxury Soul Weekender has brought together soul fans from across the UK and beyond. The 2026 edition will not only commemorate its 30th event, but also 40 years of Expansion Records, the independent label founded in 1986 that has been central to championing soul in the UK.
 

 
Ann Nesby, former lead vocalist of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness (Optimistic, In The Spirit), will headline on Saturday night. Known for her powerhouse vocals and uplifting performances, Nesby will perform classics alongside her acclaimed solo work.
 

 
Ashley Scott, flying in from Philadelphia for his UK debut, brings a modern soul sound shaped by both tradition and innovation. The nephew of Helen Scott of The Three Degrees, Scott represents the next generation of soul artistry.
 
Ralph Tee at Expansion Records adds: “”Ann Nesby is soul music royalty, one of the few big voices of the genre still performing and we are very lucky for her to agree to travel so far from the USA when she is in constant demand at home. Especially when our event is in the North West of England in winter.”
 
More Than a Concert,  A Soul Community
The Weekender is famed for its unique atmosphere, transforming Blackpool’s Grand Hotel into a hub of non-stop music and connection. Across three days, fans can enjoy:
 
Live concerts from global soul artists
 

• DJ-led rooms dedicated to Motown, Northern Soul, modern grooves,
• R&B and jazz-influenced sets
• Dancefloors alive with generations of fans, from vinyl collectors to newcomers discovering the genre

 
This blend of legacy and fresh talent creates an unmatched sense of community,  one of the reasons so many return year after year.
 
The Venue,  Blackpool’s Grand Hotel