Three years on from Liverpool’s landmark hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest, the Liverpool European Festival (LEF) is returning for its fourth year with a vibrant programme of events across Liverpool throughout May and June 2026, with its most ambitious and expansive programme to date, with more than 40 events, across a wider geography, and with new institutional partnerships.
Organised and led by European communities from across the city, the festival encourages residents and visitors to explore the wonderful cultural diversity that defines Liverpool, through food, music, dance, language, visual art and workshops. This year we look forward to Italian bike rides, Swedish Midsummer celebrations, Ukrainian dance performances and a German Sommerfest. Most events are family friendly and free to attend.
The 2026 festival will launch on Saturday 9th May at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, one of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks, with a community celebration featuring European cultural stalls and a programme of live entertainment including dance and choirs. A European Parade will follow on Sunday 10th May, bringing the streets of Liverpool to life. Community-led events will take place throughout May and June, offering locals and visitors the chance to learn about European traditions, stories, and culture in the city.
Each event is organised and led by European communities themselves, offering authentic experiences for all. From Italian bike rides and Swedish Midsummer celebrations to Ukrainian dance, and German Sommerfest, almost all events are family friendly and there is something for everyone.
A Festival Built on Growth and Recognition
What began as a Eurovision-inspired celebration of Liverpool’s European communities has evolved into an important part of the city’s cultural calendar. This year marks a further milestone: the festival has doubled in size from its inaugural 20 events to more than 40 events, the Liverpool European Partnership has been formally constituted as a Community Interest Company, and LEP has been honoured with the prestigious Empower EU Award, presented by EU Ambassador Pedro Serrano, in recognition of its contribution to European identity and civic engagement in the United Kingdom.
In 2026, the festival extends its reach beyond the city for the first time, with events confirmed outside of Liverpool, and three National Portfolio Organisations (Liverpool Philharmonic, Open Eye Gallery, and National Museums Liverpool) have joined as collaborative partners, bringing additional resource, expertise and audiences to the programme.
European Culture Institutes Join for the First Time
A significant development in this year’s festival is the formal involvement of European Culture Institutes for the first time. The Cyprus Cultural Centre, and the Dante Alighieri Society will contribute to the programme, adding institutional and diplomatic weight to the festival’s mission. A dedicated series of events will mark the Cyprus EU Presidency and take place in June, presented in partnership with these institutes.
Festival Launch: 9th-10th May 2026
The 2026 festival launch event will take place on Saturday 9th May at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, one of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks, with a community celebration bringing together cultural stalls and a programme of live performances, including choirs, dance and music from Liverpool’s European communities. The launch will be followed by a European Parade on Sunday 10th May through Liverpool city centre, a colourful public expression of the city’s European cultural diversity, celebrated through dance, music and traditional costume.
Community-led events will continue throughout May and June, sharing authentic European traditions, stories and culture. Each event is chosen, organised and delivered by the communities themselves, ensuring a genuine and participatory experience for all who attend.
Gosia McKane, Liverpool European Partnership said “The Liverpool European Festival is a powerful example of what can be achieved when communities, cultural organisations and partners come together with a shared purpose. We are incredibly proud to see the festival grow in scale, ambition and impact, and to have built – from the ground up – a partnership that reflects the richness and diversity of European life in our city region.
This work is not only about celebration, but about creating lasting structures that support engagement, collaboration and representation. The recognition we have received is a testament to that vision, and we are excited to continue developing it together with our partners.”
Sarah Fisher, Executive Director of Open Eye Gallery, Chair of The Contemporary Art Network, NW and member of Liverpool City Region Culture Network Strategy group: “We are delighted to be an official partner of the Liverpool European Festival 2026. This collaboration reflects our commitment to connecting the arts with communities and ensuring that culture is accessible, relevant and representative.
Through this partnership, we are able to connect artistic practice with grassroots communities, helping to create meaningful opportunities for expression, visibility and engagement.”
Festival Highlights 2026
- Pre-festival Open Eye Gallery Exhibition: Opens 16th April 2026
- Launch celebration at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church: Saturday 9th May
- European Parade through Liverpool city centre: Sunday 10th May
- Polish Heritage Day Family Picnic: Saturday 16th May
- Ukrainian Community Centre Annual Concert: Sunday 17th May
- Parade to celebrate Day of the Bulgarian Culture and the Slavic Alphabet: Sunday 24th May
- Global Liverpool, In Limbo Project & Black Europeans, A vital conversation about diversity, identity, and belonging: Saturday 6th June
All events are open to everyone. Full programme details and ticketing information are available on our portal, and more information about the history of the festival can be found on our website.
Portal: lep-portal.vercel.app/events
Website: liverpooleuropeanfestival.co.uk