2026 in Liverpool and the City Region is already shaping up to be an unmissable year, packed with unforgettable experiences. From groundbreaking theatre and must-see musicals to thought-provoking exhibitions and electrifying concerts, there are countless events to look forward to in Liverpool and the City Region. To help you plan ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest highlights announced so far — and be sure to stay tuned to Uncover Liverpool as even more exciting events are revealed throughout the year.
1. Queer Book Club, The Bookstop, St Helens (1st Tuesday of every month)
If you’re looking for an inclusive space to share your love of literature, Queer Book Club is a reading group open to anyone from St Helens to come together to read and discuss LGBTQIA+ literature. Founded by local queer artists, producers and book-lovers, Queer Book Club is a space to share a love of queer novels, memoirs and writing.
In February they’ll be reading Sense of Self, by James Lefebure which is a queer body horror and relatable tale of the desire to be accepted, sometimes by any means necessary.
Queer Book Club is drop-in, meaning you don’t have to have been before to take part, but they encourage you to read the book ahead of the session.
2. Can Meeple Escape the Neurophoria?, FACT Liverpool (6 February – 26 April)
Curated by FACT’s 2025 Curator-in-Residence Milia Xin Bi, Can Meeple Escape the Neurophoria? is an interactive exhibition taking inspiration from tabletop games. It invites the audience to become the “meeple” whose choices shape the narrative. Through playful yet thought-provoking works by Vytas Jankauskas, Jan Zuiderveld and Joseph Wilk, the exhibition explores the entanglement of technology, humanity and power, asking how our decisions today might influence the technological futures we are building.
3. Contemporary American artist Ed Ruscha, Tate Liverpool (12 February – 14 June)
Tate Liverpool will be staging a display by the influential contemporary American artist Ed Ruscha from the 12 February – 14 June at the Tate Liverpool + RIBA North space on Mann Island.
Ruscha is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important artists and this display will follow his drive through the vast open space and urban landscape of the USA. Taking his engagement with petrol stations as a starting point, it will invite visitors to join the artist in looking at his surroundings.
4. Milap’s Spring 2026 Programme (February – April)
Milap have announced their Spring 2026 programme following their successful return of their Indika Festival earlier this year. Some of the most acclaimed names in contemporary Indian music will be coming to the North West next year.
In partnership with the Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2026, Milap will be spotlighting some of the UK’s leading Indo-Jazz pioneers, such as Zoe Rahman & Arun Ghosh who will be performing on Saturday the 28 February.
Also in the Spring season will be Sarathy Korwar who will be performing at Future Yard on Saturday the 28 March as part of his highly-anticipated UK Tour for his fourth studio album, ‘There Is Beauty, There Already’.
5. Courtney Pine: House of Legends, The Tung Auditorium (14 March)
Courtney Pine returns to The Tung Auditorium with this award-winning show, House of Legends. This show brings together musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Europe to tell tales of life from a multicultural viewpoint. Audiences should expect a mix of merengue, ska, mento and calypso, so don’t miss this chance to see Courtney Pine on top form.
6. Gorillaz, M&S Bank Arena (29 March)
Gorillaz are touring their brand-new ninth studio album The Mountain in Spring 2026 and will be bringing the party to Liverpool on the 29 March. Releasing on 20 March, fans in Liverpool will be some of the first to experience The Mountain live, and it is set to be Gorillaz’ most ambitious project yet. So get ready to see Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D live on stage for an evening of genre-bending sounds and an extraordinary cast of collaborators.
7. Waiting for Godot, Everyman Theatre (17 March – 4 April)
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett’s classic play at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre. Set in a shifting, timeless landscape, Waiting for Godot follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait for someone who may never come. This production directed by Dominic Hill is darkly comic and deeply moving- a profound exploration of what it means to be human – even when the waiting never ends.
8. Miles Hunt of the Wonder Stuff, The Tung Auditorium (10 Apri)
Miles Hunt of the Wonder Stuff will be touring the UK next spring and will be coming to the Tung Auditorium on the 10th of April. He will be playing songs from his huge catalogue, and telling stories from his 40 year career in music.
9. Comic Con Liverpool, Exhibition Centre (2 & 3 May)
Comic Con Liverpool, one of Europe’s largest pop culture conventions returns to the ACC Liverpool campus this spring, bringing tens of thousands of fans together for a weekend of fandom celebration. Expect celebrity guests (including Gillian Anderson, William Shatner, Taylor Schilling & many more) from film, TV, gaming and more, autograph and photo opportunities, immersive cosplay showcases, retro and modern gaming zones, and a huge show floor packed with independent traders and artists. Whether you’re into comics, sci‑fi, fantasy or anime, it’s a must‑visit event for fans of all ages.
10. The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, Everyman Theatre (2 – 23 May)
Based on the short story by Hilary Mantel, the acclaimed writer of Wolf Hall, is the darkly funny and dangerously tense The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher written by Alexandra Wood. The world premiere of this production is directed by John Young and will be at the Everyman Theatre from the 2 – 23 May.
11. Nell Gwynn, Shakespeare North Playhouse (12 June – 4 July)
Set in the world of 1660 London, Nell Gwynn tells the riotous true story of the orange-seller turned trailblazing actress who took the stage — and society — by storm. Bursting with music, mischief and razor-sharp wit, this fiercely feminist comedy celebrates a woman who refused to behave, rewriting the rules of performance and power along the way.
12. NICE! Stories and Rhymes with Michael Rosen, The Atkinson (13 June)
Poetry legend Michael Rosen celebrates his 80th birthday with a joyful new live show, featuring much-loved classics alongside brand-new poems from Peas On Your Knees. NICE! is a warm, funny and inclusive celebration of poetry for audiences of all ages.
13. Africa Oyé, Sefton Park (20 & 21 June)
The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, Africa Oyé returns this summer after a fallow year in 2025. The highlight of summer festivities will be a ticketed event in 2026, with organisers committed to making it as affordable as possible for its audience.
With previous headliners such as Julian Marley, Fuse ODG and Baaba Maal, this much-loved event is sure to have more similar and exciting artists gracing the stage this year as Africa Oyé 2026 takes place in Sefton Park, Liverpool on 20 and 21 June.
14. Nile Rodgers and Chic, Salt & Tar (16 & 17 August)
Nile Rodgers and Chic bring their unmistakable groove and disco-funk anthems to Sefton this summer as headline stars of the Salt & Tar Music Weekender in Bootle on Sunday 16 & Monday 17 August 2026, promising a feel-good night of timeless hits and electrifying live performance. Salt and Tar’s Music Festival is going ‘On Tour’ in 2026 and will be located at Lock and Quay, 2 Irlam Rd, Liverpool, Bootle L20 4AH.
15. Letter To Brezhnev, Liverpool’s Royal Court (11 September – 17 October)
Set in 1985 Kirkby, this brand-new stage adaptation of Frank Clarke’s beloved film Letter To Brezhnev follows Teresa and Elaine as they seek love, romance, and escape, while Sergei and Peter revel in life away from the Soviet Union. A Liverpool love story full of desire, dreams, and one unforgettable night – don’t miss this instant classic.
16. Mean Girls the Musical, Liverpool Empire (19 – 31 October)
Direct from the West End, the award-winning Mean Girls is the hilarious smash-hit musical comedy that is not one to be missed. From writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), this incredible creative team have used the iconic characters to create a show full of razor-sharp wit and killer songs.
17. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Liverpool Empire (3 – 7 November)
The National Theatre’s smash-hit production of The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time is returning to Liverpool! When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, suspicion falls on Christopher Boone. In order to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes a detective, but discovers more complex mysteries with every clue he uncovers. Be sure not to miss this incredible story at one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues.
18. Oh My God! It’s The Church, Future Yard (6 November)
Future Yard are welcoming back the one-and-only Oh my God! It’s The Church. The band turn every show into a raucous, all-singing, all-dancing “party church service.” Fronted by the charismatic Right Reverend Michael Alabama Jackson and backed by soulful funk, disco and rock tunes, their irreverent blend of music, comedy and theatre has wowed festival crowds from Glastonbury to Boomtown and built a fiercely devoted following.
Find out what’s happening in the Liverpool city region throughout the year via our What’s on listings.