COMMON People Festival organisers have announced The Great Solent Gin Festival will come to Southampton in May.

A brand new gin experience for Southampton it will be set within its own garden space at Common People this coming spring bank holiday, May 26- 27, on Southampton Common.

Curator Rob da Bank said: “I have a confession to make. I love gin… and it's no secret that many of us are a bit partial to a tot of Mother’s Ruin of an evening, afternoon or sometimes even morning! This year Common People is really blossoming as a festival into a proper family-friendly music, food and culture fest and we’re very proud to add The Great Solent Gin Festival to that offering.

“We’ve had the onerous task of hand picking and tasting over 50 gins and have come up with an incredible array from UK home-grown flavours like Bathtub, Conker and Bulldog to American high-spirited gin, Aviation, and the amazing Malfy from Italy, and some cracking local gins. All this writing has got me a bit thirsty so I’m off to sample some more while you buy yourself a ticket and gin flight. What are you waiting for?!”

Presenting more than 50 gins, The Great Solent Gin Festival will feature a tempting collection of flavour profiles from citrus and herbaceous to fruity and floral, featuring delicious homegrown botanicals, global favourites and the finest selection of local handcrafted gins from the Isle of Wight Distillery and the Winchester Distillery.

Occupying its own special area within Common People, featuring a luxuriantly dressed traditional pole tent with ample seating and dedicated garden area, for just £45 for a day ticket, gin festival attendees will receive a gin flight of three expertly matched gin & tonics and full access to Common People festival including three stages of music, a new and improved kids garden, and a host of attractions.

The Great Solent Gin Festival will also feature masterclasses including a World Gin Day tasting with World Gin Day ambassador Emma Stokes aka Gin Monkey, a discussion and gin tasting with Xavier Baker from the Isle of Wight Distillery, and a gin tasting experience with Winchester Distillery, giving you the fantastic opportunity to learn the history of the UK’s favourite tipple from the real experts.

Plus, there will be an artisan food market featuring the most flavoursome locally sourced goods and entertainment from the Saints Brass and Rob da Bank, all located within the gin festival’s own garden setting.

As previously announced, the “First Family of Soul” The Jacksons are headlining this year. The iconic Motown act will close out the festival’s Disco Day on Sunday May 27, while Lily Allen and James will headline the Common stage on Saturday, May 26.

Rounding out the ‘singalong Saturday special’ are sets from All Saints, The Sherlocks, Jaguar Skills, The Cuban Brothers, Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana and Plastic Mermaids.

And on Sunday revellers can bask in the dazzling reflection of the world’s largest disco ball and dance to sets from The New Power Generation, Sparks, Boney M, Snap!, FooR, Jungle Brothers and Hak Baker.