October in Liverpool and the city region promises an exciting lineup of cultural events. Whether you’re drawn to literature, art, or live performances, there’s plenty of things to do in Liverpool and the region this month.
From celebrating Black History Month to the immersive River of Light and spine-chilling Halloween productions, the city comes alive with creativity. Iconic music, dazzling light displays, and theatre performances are just a few of the unmissable highlights. Don’t miss out on these 10 exciting events happening across the Liverpool city region this October.
Things To Do In Liverpool & The City Region This October
1. Black History Month with Writing On The Wall (Throughout October)
Reclaiming Narratives, the national theme for Black History Month, highlights the ongoing need to offer a platform for black and ethnic minority writers, artists and communities, and celebrates their contribution to British cultural, social and political life. The Writing On The Wall festival aims to offer a contrast to the insular world view of far right groups and populist politicians.
Black History Month events are held across Liverpool City Centre and L8. Highlights for 2024 include: a Dorothy Kuya Walking Tour – exploring the impact of her anti-racism activism, Stories of the Blues: A Celebration of Liverpool’s Sound System Culture and a film screening of The Rise and Rise of 2-Tone, the 1980s music phenomenon and record label.
2. Liverpool Literary Festival (4 – 6 October)
The Liverpool Literary Festival is returning for its 9th year this October, with events being held at Liverpool University’s Eleanor Rathbone Building.This annual celebration brings together writers, poets, and storytellers for a weekend of engaging discussions, thought-provoking readings, and a shared love of literature in the heart of Liverpool.
Events this year include: an in-conversation with The Essex Serpent author Sarah Perry, an evening with Liverpool performer and writer Levi Tafari, plus Booker Prize winner Alan Hollinghurst discusses his latest novel Our Evenings.
3. Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence (Until 2 March 2025)
Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence is an installation by British Trinidadian artist Karen McLean.The display, at Walker Art Gallery, explores Liverpool’s colonial legacies, looking at the city’s role as a major UK port during the 19th century.
The city’s wealth was made from the profits of the transatlantic slave trade, its associated economies and the forced labour of enslaved African people. The display uses African fabrics and traditional quilting techniques to reflect on the cotton trade drawing connections between Liverpool, Africa and the Americas. Through the act of stitching and sewing, McLean creates a platform for healing through dialogue, reflection and recovery.
The Walker Art Gallery also have their Conversations exhibition (19 October – 9 March) opening this month. The ambitious exhibition brings together work by nearly 40 leading Black women and non-binary artists who are transforming contemporary British art today.
4. Birdsong (8 – 12 October)
Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss at Liverpool Playhouse, Birdsong, returns to the stage marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel.
The critically acclaimed show returns in a brand-new production for 2024. Telling the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War. The show stars award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the role of Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, James Esler (Litvinenko) and Charlie Russell ( BBC’s And Then There Were None).
5. Celebrating Irish Makers (10 October – 2 November)
Bluecoat Display Centre hosts Celebrating Irish Makers for Liverpool Irish Festival 2024, a retrospective of previously showcased artisans, including more that are seen through their annual portfolio of creatives.
With silver, ceramics, glass, paintings, textiles and more besides, there is something to suit every budding creative, interest and price point. Whether you’re just looking for the sheer fun of it or searching for a unique gift, this is an exceptional display of contemporary talent in one of the longest serving display centres in the country.
6. Ian Prowse & Amsterdam (18 October)
Raised on the rallying cry of protest songs and influenced by the celtic sounds that make Liverpool so unique, Ian Prowse & Amsterdam play a special show at Southport’s Atkinson Gallery. The singer/songwriter, who is renowned for his incendiary live shows, has cemented his cult following over twenty five years with indie bands Pele and Amsterdam.
Prowse’s ability to wow a live crowd is legendary, he has previously rocked national tours with Elvis Costello, The Pogues, and The Wonderstuff. Earlier this decade, he also released a career-spanning retrospective, The Story of Ian Prowse, with Soho-based label, Kitchen Disco Records.
7. River of Light (24 October – 5 November)
River of Light is an annual free event that provides an outdoor illuminated gallery on Liverpool Waterfront, a loop, featuring light and sound from local, national and international artists.
This year, 12 large scale installations will be presented by some of the best light artists in the world, all inspired by the theme of ‘Play’. Some of the works will help turn the waterfront into a playground, while others offer a deeper question around play and what it can mean for individuals, communities and the city as a whole.
8. Book of Horror Volume II
4AM Productions are back with another edition of their Halloween spectacular after the huge success of the show last year. Join the Curator and his faithful minion at Hope Street Theatre, as he reads more from his fabled Book of Horror Volume II.
Six terrifying short plays in one spooky evening, with thrills and chills for all. There will be scares aplenty so the question is, dare you enter and join them?
Plays written and directed by: Sab Muthusamy, Phil Halfpenny, Luke Bennet & Rachel Louise Clark.
9. PVTV Fringe Flicks: Viy (1967) and Short Films (18 October)
Get ready for a spine-chilling evening with Fringe Flicks! They’re presenting Viy (1967) at DoES Liverpool. The film is a Soviet horror classic based on Nikolai Gogol’s eerie novella. Known for its groundbreaking visual effects and atmospheric storytelling, Viy is a must-see for fans of supernatural cinema.
In addition to their feature film, they’ve curated a line-up of stunning short films from around the world that will take you on a journey through the bizarre, the unsettling, and the thought-provoking. Expect a mix of genres and styles, all with that unique Fringe Flicks twist.
10. The Planets (26 October)
At this Philharmonic Hall concert of Holst’s The Planets, you’ll hear so much more than the famous suite Jupiter, as Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze takes the Orchestra on a voyage to infinity and beyond.
They’ll join William Walton in a Spitfire over wartime London, and soloist Guy Johnston will take on Bliss’ Cello Concerto. The concert will also travel to 1939 New York, where the young British firebrand Arthur Bliss brings the house down with a volcano of a piano concerto played by Mark Bebbington.
To find even more events happening in October and beyond check out our What’s On Listings.