Schools out for summer and we’ve picked out 10 things to do in the Liverpool city region in August. From art exhibitions and theatre performances to music festivals and creative workshops, there’s plenty to get excited about this August. Highlights include Brickworks at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, where the humble brick is celebrated in a captivating display, and the poignant play I Am Steven Gerrard comes to the Royal Court Liverpool.
Art enthusiasts can explore Into The Wyld at Williamson Art Gallery, while Liverpool Cathedral hosts the groundbreaking exhibition Anish Kapoor: Monadic Singularity.
For those looking to get hands-on, Bluecoat and the Museum of Liverpool offer a range of creative workshops. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about bee conservation with Andrea Ku, or catch Pokey LaFarge’s live performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room. The month wraps up with the lively Future Now Festival in Birkenhead and a family-friendly adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin at The Atkinson.
1. Brickworks, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North (31 July – 12 Jan ’25)
The humble brick becomes the hero in Brickworks, a new display featuring works from the Tate collection at the gallery space at RIBA North, showcasing the transformative power of bricks in art.
Additionally, running alongside the Brickworks exhibition there will be free hands-on creative workshops for families of all ages with Arty-Texture. Explore the ‘Brickworks Den’ where you can fun constructing, building, cutting, gluing, tracing, stamping your own brick-inspired creations.
2. I Am Steven Gerrard, Royal Court Liverpool (1 – 3 August)
I Am Steven Gerrard is a story of football, aspiration, music, Steven Gerrard, loneliness, reality television, love, religion, friends, loss, passion, enemies, Davina McCall, politics, ambition, family, virginity, past generations – and the impact they leave behind.
3. Into The Wyld, Williamson Art Gallery (2 August – 21 December)
Material Matters presents Into the Wyld: a festival of contemporary art at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum exploring the continuing legacy of the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and its unique connection to the Wirral. Into the Wyld also features work from over 20 invited artists across the region, plus an associated five month programme of performance art, poetry readings, children’s workshops, film screenings and a symposium.
4. Anish Kapoor: Monadic Singularity, Liverpool Cathedral (10 August – 15 September)
To celebrate its, Liverpool Cathedral will present an exciting, UK-first exhibition by the internationally acclaimed British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor. Kapoor is renowned for his iconic works, such as Cloud Gate in Chicago and the Orbit Tower at the Olympic Stadium in London. Monadic Singularity contemplates key moments in life: birth, marriage, and death, with the exhibition taking visitors on a journey through the Cathedral’s spaces, including a large-scale installation in the Well, a stunning reminder of our existence on Earth.
5. Creative Workshops At Bluecoat (Throughout August)
Unleash your creative side and try something new this summer with Bluecoat’s creative workshops covering a variety of sessions with Summer Botanical Cyanotype Workshop (3 Aug), Introduction to Copper Sulphate Etching (10 Aug), Introduction to UV Screen Printing (17 Aug), Back To School Print Party (31 Aug) and Complete Monoprinting (31 Aug).
6. Craft At The Museum, Museum of Liverpool (9 – 15 August)
Museum of Liverpool will host two Craft at The Museum sessions this August with Liverpool Album Covers (9 – 11 Aug), where families can find out about famous record album covers from Liverpool musicians and create your own. In their second session children can learn about and make their own Victorian toy Victorian Toys (13 -15 Aug).
7. Save the bees! But which bees need saving? Find out with Andrea Ku! (17 August)
Discover the fascinating world of bees with local artist and beekeeper Andrea Ku in this informative session. Learn about the over 270 bee species in Britain, from honey bees to bumblebees and solitary bees, and find out which bees need saving.
Andrea will bring an observational hive from her Liverpool apiary, providing a unique opportunity to see a bee colony in action and learn to identify different castes. Gain insights into beekeeping and potential careers in the field. This free event, primarily for ages 16-24, welcomes all visitors on a first-come basis.
8. Pokey LaFarge, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room (20 August)
Join Illinois native Pokey LaFarge as he debuts his latest album, Rhumba Country, a vibrant fusion inspired by the soul of Californian shores and distant locales like Africa and Latin America. Since his 2006 independent debut Marmalade, LaFarge has carved a niche in the blues and folk scene, with his journey taking him from Nashville to Los Angeles, and finally to Mid-Coast Maine. Rhumba Country reflects his newfound creativity, blending mambo, tropicália, rocksteady, and mid-century American rock-and-roll. Experience this kaleidoscopic sound live in an intimate show celebrating life and love.
9. Future Now Festival, Birkenhead (24 – 25 August)
Future Now Festival will take over Birkenhead on the bank holiday weekend, with 60 bands and artists performing on five stages across four venues around the Hamilton Square area. Alt-experimental pop/rock band Everything Everything will headline Birkenhead Town Hall on Saturday night with Nadine Shah closing the show headlining the Town Hall on Sunday. Nubiyan Twist return to Future Yard to headline the Garden stage on Saturday and Birkenhead’s-own She Drew The Gun headlines outdoor on Sunday. Weekend and day tickets are available now.
10. Rumpelstiltskin, The Atkinson (31 August)
Altru Drama present this new adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin – perfect for the whole family. Betsy and her dad the Miller are struggling to make ends meet, but a chance meeting with the foolish and greedy King Jacob thrusts them into a world of weaving, spinning and gold. Can Betsy spin the gold and save herself? Of course not! But Rumpelstiltskin can! Suitable for children aged 3-11 and their families.
To discover even more events happening in August check out our What’s On Listings.