Butlins Weekender Skegness Guide
Lincolnshire Coast • Butlin's Original Resort • Est. 1936
Butlin's Skegness Big Weekender Guide 2026
The original Butlin's resort. The biggest pool complex. A 2026 calendar with brand new events including Soul Power Weekender and the return of Shiiine On. Your complete guide to every Skegness Big Weekender — what's on, what to wear, and how to arrive ready.
Butlin's Skegness is where it all started — the very first Butlin's resort, opened in 1936 on the Lincolnshire coast. Nearly 90 years later it's still the home of the Big Weekenders, with one of the largest indoor pool complexes in the UK at nearly 3,000 square metres, a full entertainment programme across multiple stages, and a 2026 calendar that kicks off in January with the brand-new Soul Power Weekender. Whether you're coming for the Ultimate 80s, 90s Reloaded, Shiiine On, DJ Spoony's House of Garage, or the We Love the 70s weekender, this guide covers every confirmed Skegness event for 2026, what to wear for each theme, and how to get your squad outfits sorted before you arrive.
Skegness 2026 Event Calendar
Every confirmed Butlin's Skegness Big Weekender event for 2026 — with the dress-up angle for each one.
| Date | Event | Fancy Dress Angle |
|---|---|---|
| 16 January | Soul Power Weekender New | Neo soul & early 90s RnB — 90s streetwear, silk shirts, velour tracksuits |
| 27 February | Replay Weekender | Tribute act energy — dress as your favourite band or artist |
| 13 March | We Love the 70s | Flares, disco suits, sequins, afro wigs, platform boots |
| 13 March | Back to the 2000s | Juicy Couture, Von Dutch, low-rise looks, early pop star outfits |
| 20 March | 90s Reloaded | Spice Girls, Baywatch, Saved by the Bell, tracksuits, sportswear |
| 27 March | Shiiine On Weekender | Indie & Britpop — Oasis, Blur, Stone Roses, Suede looks |
| April dates | Ultimate 80s Weekender | Shell suits, neon, big hair, band tees, leg warmers |
| May dates | DJ Spoony — A House Full of Garage | Late 90s/early 00s UK garage — puffer jackets, bucket hats, bling |
| June dates | Ultimate 80s / 90s Reloaded / Back to the 2000s / Replay | Decade fancy dress — pick your era and commit fully |
| September dates | 90s Reloaded / We Love the 70s / Soul Weekender / Ultimate 80s | Peak fancy dress season — all themes welcome across all events |
| 9 October | We Love the 70s | Full 70s disco — sequins, flares, funky shirts, glitter wigs |
| October dates | Back to the 2000s / Replay / DJ Spoony — A House Full of Garage | Noughties and garage looks — bucket hats, tracksuits, rave gear |
Exact dates for April–September events are confirmed closer to the season. Check butlins.com/bigweekenders for full availability and to book.
What to Wear — By Event Theme
Skegness 2026 covers more decades and genres than any other Butlin's resort this year. Here's what works for each theme — with real products and guides you can use right now.
Ultimate 80s Weekender
The Skegness crowd goes hard for the 80s. Shell suits, neon leg warmers, power suits, perms, and band tees. Matching personalised 80s tees are the easiest group move — everyone gets their own name and you're done.
Shop 80s Personalised Apparel →90s Reloaded
Spice Girls, Baywatch, Saved by the Bell, tracksuits — anything from the golden decade. Our dedicated 90s event page has the outfit guide and personalised tees built specifically for 90s Reloaded nights.
See the 90s Reloaded Event Page →We Love the 70s
Two We Love the 70s events at Skegness this year — March and October. Flares, sequin shirts, afro wigs, disco suits, and platform boots. Our dedicated event page has the full outfit guide for the Skegness March date.
See the We Love the 70s Event Page →Back to the 2000s
Von Dutch caps, Juicy Couture tracksuits, low-rise jeans, and early pop star looks. The noughties aesthetic is peak nostalgia right now. Browse our dedicated 2000s personalised apparel range.
Shop 2000s Personalised Apparel →Shiiine On Weekender
Indie, shoegaze, and Britpop — Oasis, Blur, Stone Roses, Suede, and Pulp. The Shiiine On crowd goes for band looks above all else. Parkas, mod cuts, and 90s indie casualwear are all fair game.
Browse All Fancy Dress →Soul Power & Soul Weekender
Brand new for 2026 — Soul Power transports you back to the neo soul era of the early 90s. Think silk shirts, velour tracksuits, wide-leg trousers, and serious RnB energy. The Soul Weekender in September shares the same vibe.
Browse All Fancy Dress →DJ Spoony — House of Garage
Late 90s and early 00s UK garage. Puffer jackets, bucket hats, chunky trainers, bling, and anything that would have made it onto a Twice as Nice flyer. Goes well with matching personalised crew tees underneath.
Browse All Fancy Dress →Replay — Tribute Act Weekender
Replay is a tribute act event — which means your fancy dress is basically built in. Pick your artist, dress as them, and find your doubles in the crowd. Works brilliantly for groups where everyone picks a different act.
Browse All Fancy Dress →Wigs, Accessories & Finishing Touches
The fastest way to transform any base outfit. Afro wigs for the 70s, big hair for the 80s, glitter disco wigs for Soul nights — plus face paint, cosmetics, and accessories for the full send.
Shop Cosmetics & Disguises →Not Sure What to Wear?
Read our complete guide on what to wear to a Butlin's Big Weekender — covers every theme, group formats, and a packing checklist that'll save your weekend.
Skegness Weekender Survival Guide
What to Pack
- Layers — The Lincolnshire coast in January, March, or October is cold. A hoodie over your fancy dress is essential.
- Safety Pins — Costumes fall apart by Saturday afternoon. Non-negotiable.
- Trainers — Flat, comfortable shoes. You'll cover miles across the resort all weekend.
- Power Bank — For the group chats, the videos, and finding your missing mates.
- Backup Tee — A clean personalised tee for Day 2 when the costume has done its job.
- Paracetamol & Electrolytes — For Sunday morning. You already know why.
Pro Tips
- Agree a Meeting Point — The resort is huge. Pick a landmark before you split up on Friday night.
- Fancy Dress from Day One — Friday check-in is when the energy starts. Don't save the costume for Saturday.
- Train to Skegness — Direct trains run from Nottingham and Sheffield. Pre-book your return — they fill up fast on Sunday evenings.
- Book Accommodation Early — Popular Skegness weekenders like Shiiine On and 90s Reloaded sell out months in advance.
- Use the Pool Complex — Nearly 3,000 sq metres of waterslides and pools included in your stay. Go Saturday morning before the afternoon session.
Butlin's Skegness Weekender — FAQs
What Big Weekender events are at Butlin's Skegness in 2026?
Butlin's Skegness hosts a full programme of Big Weekender events in 2026 including the brand-new Soul Power Weekender (16 January), Replay (27 February), We Love the 70s (13 March), Back to the 2000s (13 March), 90s Reloaded (20 March), Shiiine On Weekender (27 March), Ultimate 80s (April), DJ Spoony's House of Garage (May), and further 80s, 90s, 70s, Soul, 2000s, and Garage events through summer, September, and October.
What is the new Soul Power Weekender at Skegness?
Soul Power is a brand-new event for 2026 at Butlin's Skegness, taking place on 16 January. It celebrates the neo soul era of the early 90s — think artists like D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and Mary J. Blige. The dress code leans into early 90s RnB and soul — silk shirts, velour tracksuits, wide-leg trousers, and smooth evening wear.
What should I wear to the Butlin's Skegness 90s Reloaded Weekender?
For 90s Reloaded at Skegness, the most popular group looks are Spice Girls (one character each), Baywatch lifeguards, Saved by the Bell characters, and matching 90s sportswear. Personalised 90s tees with your own nickname on the back are the easiest group option — see our dedicated 90s Reloaded Skegness event page for the full outfit guide.
How do I get to Butlin's Skegness?
By car, Skegness is approximately 2.5 hours from London via the A1 — free on-site parking is available. By train, direct services run from Nottingham and Sheffield into Skegness station, which is a short taxi ride from the resort. Pre-book your return train on Sunday as services fill up quickly on Big Weekender checkout days.
Where can I buy fancy dress for Butlin's Skegness events?
DRESS LOUD stocks the full official Smiffys fancy dress range alongside personalised apparel built for every Butlin's Big Weekender theme — 80s, 90s, 70s, 2000s, and more. We also have dedicated event pages for Skegness-specific events including 90s Reloaded and We Love the 70s. Order at least 2 weeks before your event to guarantee delivery.
Ready for Skegness?
Fancy dress, personalised squad tees, wigs, and accessories for every Skegness Big Weekender theme — all in one place.