Author: Uncover

By Uncover Liverpool

There’s plenty to see and do this January in Liverpool and the City Region, start the year with a curated theatre tour, stand-up comedy show or take in The Smiths’ Mike Joyce Book Tour and a production of Mary Poppins. The Liverpool City Region is full of creativity this winter and there’s no shortage of ways to start 2026 on a high note.

Beat the winter blues and dive into this curated list of must-see events in Liverpool and the city region, there’s something for everyone to brighten up your January.

1. Treasure: Curator tour – Museum of Liverpool (8/10 January)

Join the museum’s curators for a fascinating Treasure: Curator tour of the Treasure: History Unearthed exhibition at Museum of Liverpool. Learn more about the amazing objects on display including weapons, hoards and fabulous jewellery as well as the brilliant work done by archaeologists, metal detectorists and the Portable Antiquities Scheme to uncover and record stories from the past.

In this unparalleled opportunity you will be able to pick the brains of a real expert, ask questions, and get up close with some of the most amazing archaeological finds from the region.

2. Mary Poppins – Liverpool Empire (14 – 31 January)

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins, the story of the world’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is even more magical than ever before, featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs.

The timeless Mary Poppins score includes the classic songs by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman; Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Feed the Birds with new songs and additional music and lyrics by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

3. Mike Joyce: The Drums Book Tour – Future Yard (15 January)

This January, Future Yard is welcoming Mike Joyce, legendary drummer of The Smiths, with a talk to celebrate the release of his long-awaited memoir, The Drums – My Life in The Smiths.

As a founding member of one of the most influential and beloved bands in British music history, Mike offers a fresh and deeply human perspective of the band’s brief but brilliant story. From chart success to legal wrangles, The Smiths’ story is a fascinating tale and exploration of the highs and lows of band life.

4. Bluecoat After Hours: Collage Your Intentions – Bluecoat (15 January)

Set your intentions for the year ahead by creating a collage-based vision board before the New Moon on 18 January, with Bluecoat’s Collage Your Intentions. The New Moon marks the start of the lunar cycle and is associated with new beginnings, renewal, growth, and transformation. It’s considered the best time to reflect, plan, and focus on your intentions.

They’ll provide second-hand materials such as magazines, newspapers, strips of fabric, string, and ribbon. To make your vision board unique to you, bring inspirational imagery suited to your intentions for 2026. This could be in the form of photographs, tickets, or postcards. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others and pin down your hopes and dreams for the future.

5. For the Love – Liverpool Philharmonic (16 January)

Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) Academy presents For The Love – a one-night-only gathering where creativity meets communion and collaboration becomes performance. For this singular evening, five pairs of LIMF Academy alumni unite, blending their voices, visions, and energies to unveil five never-before-seen works created for the love of the craft.

The evening features powerful artist collaborations between: KOJ & Astles, Tee & Michael Aldag, Ni Maxine & Immi Dash, Tonia & two blinks, i love you plus Amber Jay & Bethane. Don’t miss this inspiring display of local creativity!

6. Royal Court Heritage Tour – Liverpool Royal Court (19 January – 27 April)

The fascinating Royal Court Heritage Tours last around two hours and will be led by an experienced guide, highlighting the immense history of the venue. The cost of the tickets for the tours also goes towards the restoration of the building.

The Royal Court is a Grade II listed building, a magnificent example of one of the best theatres built in the Art Deco style. The Royal Court Liverpool Trust is also part way through an £11m scheme to renovate the venue. The theatre is one of Liverpool’s most enduring and iconic buildings and has a rich history to be discovered, including several ghosts!

7. Sober Scribbles Scratch Night – Unity Theatre (21 January)

Head along for a fantastic night of new writing brought to you by Sober Scribbles Scratch Night! Formed by Helen Jeffery in 2024, Sober Scribbles is a safe and supportive community for sober and sober-curious writers to come together in Liverpool and be able to create and share work in alcohol free spaces.

Since the first in-person workshops, several online playwriting courses have run under the banner of ‘Sober Scribbles’ – they are excited to present extracts of work from the emerging playwrights who have attended the sessions.

8. Mike Wozniak: The Bench – Everyman Playhouse (23 January)

A brand new stand-up show, The Bench, from comedian Mike Wozniak, in which a story about a bench will be prominent. Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required! Let Mike worry about that. The legendary comedian has been described by The Times as ‘A comic of adorably skewwhiff charm’.

Mike Wozniak has appeared on the tv shows Taskmaster, Man Down and Junior Taskmaster, as well as hosting the popular Three Bean Salad podcast.

9. move / 007 – FACT (26 January)

Renee Charles and Iesha Palmer host a special presentation of five short films, move/007, that explore Black and queer nightlife. Narrated by the voices shaping contemporary British electronic music culture today and produced by leading independent curation collective fynn studio, move/007 is a series of art films that centre the role of women and non-binary people at the heart of rave culture.

The event features films originally commissioned by Tate, with move/007 aiming to encourage a conversation about rave culture in Liverpool and the future of nightlife,

10. Arrival: The Hits of ABBA – The Atkinson (30 January)

Fifty years since ABBA’s iconic Arrival album first lit up the charts, the multi-award-winning show that shares the same name, Arrival: The Hits of ABBA, is back with a brand-new production!

This year, the show is more immersive than ever. Alongside even more songs from the landmark Arrival album and the addition of interactive video projection, you can sing along to the lyrics on screen at the top of your lungs and become part of the performance. It certainly promises to be a show that livens up your January!

To find even more events happening in the Liverpool City Region during January take a look at our What’s On Listings

By Ade Blackburn

Bluecoat Liverpool is the city’s oldest building and one of its most impressive creative hubs. Sitting right in the heart of the city centre, this Grade I listed arts space blends history, creativity, and community — offering exhibitions, performances, workshops, and a peaceful hidden garden that’s open all year round.

They’re also home to several independent retailers and creative businesses, including Bluecoat Display Centre, who specialise in unique, hand-crafted work by independent artists.

Bluecoat’s History

Bluecoat’s striking building is the oldest in Liverpool city centre. Built over 300 years ago as a charity school for poor children, it has been an arts centre for the past century, continually evolving while retaining its historic charm.

A beautiful example of Queen Anne architecture (though built during George I’s reign), its distinctive features include Liverpool’s earliest Liver Birds, a one-handed clock, cherubs’ heads above the windows, and elegant oval windows overlooking the cobbled courtyard.

In 1907, the Sandon Studios Society — a group of pioneering young artists — moved into the disused school, securing the building’s future. They established the UK’s first arts centre in 1927, under the custodianship of Bluecoat Society of Arts creating spaces for exhibitions, performances and studios. Over the years, Bluecoat welcomed cultural greats including Stravinsky, George Bernard Shaw and dancers from the Ballets Russes.

During the Liverpool Blitz in 1941, the building suffered severe bomb damage, losing its South Wing and grand concert hall. Restored in the 1950s, Bluecoat continued to thrive, and by 2008 a new contemporary arts wing and landscaped garden were unveiled — reopening just in time for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.

Events and Exhibitions

Bluecoat is a space where creativity and community come together. The team works closely with artists over many years, nurturing their practice and helping them to develop their careers.

Over the decades, Bluecoat has showcased acclaimed artists including Sumuyya Khader, sculptors Henry Moore and Marion Coutts, and the legendary musician and artist Captain Beefheart. Artist Emily Motto was the first recipient of Bluecoat’s Studio Bursary, developed in partnership with New Contemporaries, offering a year-long residency with a free studio, mentorship and tailored support.

The venue has also hosted some unforgettable live performances, from Rhys Chatham and Sun Ra’s Cosmic Love Arkestra to poet Levi Tafari and Liverpool experimental collective a.P.A.t.T.

Projects

Over the years, Bluecoat has delivered a wide range of inspiring and socially engaged projects. Blue Room Moves is their inclusive dance initiative, supporting learning-disabled and neurodivergent adults to explore movement, performance and self-expression.

Echoes and Origins delved into Bluecoat’s mercantile and maritime history, working with young people to examine Liverpool’s colonial legacies, while Where The Arts Belong brought creative experiences into specialist dementia care villages across the North West — a truly ground-breaking project in arts and wellbeing.

Since 2009, Bluecoat has also celebrated the life and work of Wirral-born author Malcolm Lowry, creator of the modernist classic Under the Volcano, through exhibitions, performances, commissions, and community events.

You can also explore a range of  inspiring Digital Projects online, offering fresh ways to engage with Bluecoat’s creative work wherever you are.

Workshops

From artist talks and creative sessions to the popular Baby Book Club led by artist Roger Hill, Bluecoat’s workshops offer something for every age and interest.

Previous sessions have included family screen printing, filmmaking for creatives, and Birds, Bugs & Botanicals of the Bluecoat: A Nature Spotter Challenge, where artists explored the rich biodiversity of Bluecoat’s city-centre garden — a true hidden oasis.

Bluecoat also collaborates with local and national arts organisations, hosting workshops with dot-art, DaDa, and the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, creating opportunities for people to learn, connect and be inspired.

Bluecoat Garden

Tucked away behind Bluecoat’s historic façade lies a leafy, enclosed quadrangle that has evolved many times over the past three centuries. It has served as everything from a forecourt opening onto College Lane and a school playground to a herb garden and, in the early 20th century, an open-air venue for the lively parties of the Sandon Studios Society — the artistic community at the heart of Bluecoat’s story.

During one of these gatherings, the group even built a makeshift pond. Later, during the Second World War, the space housed air raid shelters and later became a working yard for the sculptors based in the surrounding studios.

The garden’s modern incarnation began when sculptor Herbert Tyson Smith began to landscape it, earning the affectionate nickname “Capability Smith.” Today, it’s a tranquil spot to unwind, host performances and workshops, or simply enjoy outdoor sculpture in one of Liverpool’s most peaceful hidden corners.

Independent retailers at Bluecoat

Bluecoat is also home to a vibrant community of independent retailers, offering a diverse mix of beautifully crafted, handmade and one-of-a-kind products.

Among them is the Bluecoat Display Centre, a contemporary craft gallery recognised nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s leading spaces for contemporary applied arts.

You’ll also find the legendary Probe Records, the distinctive Aldous Books, and Root Houseplants, specialists in exotic and unusual greenery — making Bluecoat a must-visit destination for anyone who loves creativity, design and local independents.

To find out currently What’s On at Bluecoat, visit thebluecoat.org.uk/whatson.

Make the most of October half-term in Liverpool with a fantastic line-up of family-friendly fun! Go behind the scenes at World Museum’s aquarium, enjoy a Carnatic concert at Liverpool Philharmonic, or meet life-sized dinosaurs at The Atkinson. Plus, there’s crafts and workshops, it’s the perfect week for discovering something new together.

The Gruffalo’s Child – Liverpool Playhouse (28 October – 1 November)

Follow The Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters many mysterious creatures.

Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged 3 to 103.

A Carnatic Quartet: A Concert for Children and Families – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (29 October)

An exciting introduction to the magic of South Indian classical music. Join Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for a special concert designed just for children and families, featuring the dynamic Carnatic Quartet.

This interactive performance is a joyful, high-energy introduction to the fascinating world of Carnatic music. Expect stunning sounds, fun rhythm games, and plenty of chances to get involved – whether it’s clapping along to the beat or discovering how these powerful instruments work together.

Dino Tales – The Atkinson (30 October)

Put on your safari hats and get ready for some ranger danger and roarsome routines with Dino Tales! There’s a baby Ankylosaurus lost in the forest who needs your help and you must find her before the Evil Zookeeper Scientist does…

Flapping frills and dino thrills await as you set off on the ultimate wild rescue mission with state-of-the-art walking dinosaurs, some of which have never been seen on a stage before. You’ll encounter Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the Spinosaurus and Bruce the mighty T-Rex.

Aquarium Story Workshop – World Museum (30 October)

Have you ever thought about what life is like for the endangered species on Earth? In this Aquarium Story Workshop, suitable for both adults and children 11 and above, they will introduce you to some residents from behind the scenes of the World Museum.

You will learn the stories of natural history objects who are endangered, extinct and who defy our expectations! As part of the workshop you will engage with the living creatures of the aquarium and bug house to use as inspiration to create your own stories!

Picturing Freedom: Photography with Freedom Objects – Bluecoat (30 October)

Join photographers Yaqeen Amir, Anoosh Ariamehr for Picturing Freedom: Photography with Freedom Landmarks, to have a free portrait taken with an object or picture which, for you, represents freedom. Families and children are invited to bring an object, drawing, or photo that feels connected to the idea of freedom; maybe something from home, a favourite toy, a family keepsake, or even just a symbol of something you dream about.

Together with Anoosh, these personal items will become part of your portrait through light, projection, or collage, showing that freedom can live in our everyday lives as well as our memories and hopes.

Katumba Halloween Carnival 2025 – Starts Bold Street, City Centre (31 October)

Every October, Liverpool drumming and movement troupe, Katumba transforms Liverpool City Centre into a playground of imagination. Their performances inspire, and engage audiences by creating big, bold, visual shows through a spectacle of drums, fire, lights, dance, theatre and more. This year, Katumba Halloween Carnival reclaims deeper roots. Their theme for 2025 is Ancestral Spirits, Ritual Fire, weaving together the diasporic origins of carnival with the ancient pagan traditions of Samhain.

Born from rituals of remembrance, resistance, and renewal, carnival is a living space where communities gather to drum, dance, and light the darkness with rhythm and spirit. By fusing Afro-diasporic beats with the fire and folklore of Halloween, the procession becomes both a homage and a reinvention.

ArtsGroupie: Grow Together, Kids Puppet Crafternoon – Norris Green Library (1 November)

Join Liverpool’s ArtsGroupie for a crafternoon of creative fun and make your very own shadow puppet in Grow Together. Make a wildflower, butterfly or other garden creature to take home. Ideal for a family half-term activity and a chance to let the children’s imaginations run riot!

The free craft session is part of Green Libraries Week.

Viking takeover day – Museum of Liverpool (1 – 2 November)

Join the Museum of Liverpool‘s atrium as they are joined by living history reenactors from Wirhalh Skip Felagr, who will be bringing the Viking Age back to life in Viking takeover day. Find out what life was like in this region more than a thousand years ago, see authentic Viking Age crafts and take your opportunity to ask questions as history comes to life.

While you are in the museum, you can also take the opportunity to visit their latest exhibition Treasure: History Unearthed to see more wonders from the Viking Age.

To find even more events happening in the Liverpool City Region take a look at our What’s On Listings

Halloween is creeping closer, and Liverpool City Region is ready to deliver a frightfully good time. From family-friendly fun to spine-tingling nights out, there’s plenty of exciting Halloween events in Liverpool and the city region this year.

Step back in time to explore the origins of Halloween at The Atkinson, experience a concert of eerie orchestral favourites at the Liverpool Philharmonic, or revel in a ghoulishly glamorous burlesque at the Everyman Theatre — plus plenty more!

Here are some of the best Halloween events in Liverpool and across the city region for 2025.

Ghosts and Spirits – Downstairs at the Everyman Theatre (25 October)

Join the team downstairs at the Everyman Theatre this Hallow season for Ghosts & Spirits; three cocktails and three stories of the spooky kind.

Your ticket includes a sharing of stories read by their Ghost Hosts, which will include extracts from The Judge’s House (Bram Stoker), Signal Man (Charles Dickens) and Lost Hearts (M R James) plus a cocktail to complement each story.

It’s a triple scream show!

Family Concert: Spooktacular! – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (26 October)

Witches, vampires, ghosts and ghouls – they’re all at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this Halloween! In this fabulous Family Concert: Spooktacular, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra take on the spooky and the spine-chilling, performing haunting music from your favourite films and television, as well as creepy classics by Mussorgsky, Saint-Saëns, Leroy Anderson and more.

So head along in your most devilish disguise and settle in for a journey of musical mystery, it’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Family concerts are designed for 5-10 year olds, but all the family are welcome!

Little Liverpool Halloween Special – Museum of Liverpool (28 – 31 October)

Join Winnie the Spider and some of her friends for a fiendishly good time in the Little Liverpool Halloween Special at Museum of Liverpool. Head along and explore their dedicated children’s gallery with some added Halloween themed fun.

Little Liverpool spooky specials are for visitors aged up to age 6 and their parents/carers. The sessions are held over several days this year, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join in with the scary antics.

Spooky Tales – Unity Theatre (29 October)

Perfect for brave children aged 9+ and their families. From the Team that brought you When Another Dragon Roars. Do you enjoy stories about ghosts, witches, and things that go bump in the night? Then join Edward and Martha Creep as they share terrifying Spooky Tales that will make you gasp, gawp, and grin.

Featuring Altered Scale Theatre’s outstanding puppetry and Petite Ullaloom’s unique storytelling, Spooky Tales is a Halloween treat!

The Spare Rib: Scared Shirtless – Downstairs at the Everyman Theatre (30 October)

Join Spare Rib this Halloween-Eve for Scared Shirtless, a performance of spine-tingling sexiness! A night of frighteningly hot, terrifying delightful and weirdly funny burlesque that may leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about sexuality. There will be British Sign Language interpretation throughout and lyrics will be signed using a mix of BSL & SSE.

Once More… With Screaming – Liverpool Royal Court Theatre (31 October – 1 November)

The People’s Players present Once More… With Screaming, head along and join them for a spooktacular show from Liverpool Royal Court’s very own acting group.

This brand new comedy from writer Sarah O’Hara takes Hammer House Of Horror and hams it up to another level. Ghosts, secrets and murderous intent combine to put the willies up a willing audience who will be left screaming with laughter!

Tender Claws and Friends, Halloween Special – Future Yard (31 October)

With a voice that shifts from velvet sonorous tones to banshee-like wails, Tender Claws lures you into her haunting world of alt rock songs inspired by gothic fiction and the darker sides of nature and the human condition.

Her fuzz-heavy, 90s-reminiscent sound comprises powerful grunge-influenced outbursts and softer episodes, scattered with serrated guitar and synth elements. Following the release of her most recent single, Disappear; and shows this year supporting Dog Race, Rosegarden Funeral Party and Bonnie Trash, she eagerly awaits her suitably spooky Halloween show at Future Yard.

Isaac Hart: Halloween Through the Ages – The Atkinson (31 October)

Writer and Ghost in the Museum podcaster, Isaac Hart, returns to The Atkinson on Halloween Night to discuss the deep origins of the spooky season, with Isaac Hart: Halloween Through the Ages.

From ancient pagan traditions to modern panics over trick or treating, Halloween has always been the time of year that we welcome the weird and the uncanny into our lives rather than pushing it away, with often strange and surprising results…

Spooky Sudley – Sudley House (31 October)

Join the team at Sudley House this Halloween for some ghostly goings on at Spooky Sudley. Halloween at Sudley House will be family friendly but they do recommend that their very youngest visitors might like to be pre-warned that the theme of the event will be a bit spooky. Don’t say they didn’t warn you!

Whether you’re after ghostly tales, live music or family fun, these Halloween events in Liverpool and the city region promise plenty of thrills and chills this spooky season.

To find even more events happening in the Liverpool City Region take a look at our What’s On Listings

Liverpool Irish Festival is all about bringing Liverpool and Ireland closer together through arts and culture. The festival opens the door to Irish culture in fun, accessible and creative ways – from performances and workshops to tours and events across the city.

At its heart, the festival is about sparking conversations through cultural storytelling, blending tradition with contemporary creativity. It’s a celebration of Ireland’s many sides, proudly challenging assumptions along the way.

This year’s theme is ‘arrivals’, shining a light on the contributions of Liverpool’s Irish community.

Here are just a few highlights from the 2025 programme:

Reveal: Book and Documentary Launch – Boxpark (13 October)

This special preview to launch the festival also presents the exclusive first screening of their new documentary and the debut of their long-awaited book, Reveal. Three years in the making, this evening marks a milestone moment for Liverpool Irish Festival.

Documenting the 2024 Walk of the Bronze Shoes — a pilgrimage from Strokestown, Ireland to Liverpool — and the creation of the Global Irish Famine Way, this book and film capture countless hours of research, endurance and dedication from our remarkable walkers and researchers.

#LIF2025 Launch – Liverpool Irish Centre (16 October)

Meet the Festival team and artists at the #LIF2025 Launch, hear about the programme and meet with friends. The Centre, the spiritual home of the Irish community in Liverpool, provides a convivial space in which to toast ‘fáilte’ (welcome) to all those who join them, have helped them and will be there for festivals ahead.

You can also be among the first to claim your free Brave Maeve treasure map and meet Stu Harrison — the illustrator and storyteller that brought Liverpool’s real life Brave Maeve to 2D.

In The Window: Meet The Maker: Corinne Price – Bluecoat Display Centre (17 October)

The Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival’s 2025 In The Window: Meet The Maker is artist Corinne Price. This event provides visitors with the chance to speak with the artist directly, about their work, general practice, ambitions and achievements.

Centred on Corinne’s ceramics, which layer pigment into the clay itself, visitors will benefit from a guided question and answer session, being able to ask additional questions.

Queer Arrivals – Unity Theatre (17 October)

Queer Arrivals, staged at Unity Theatre, is a deeply personal, music-filled journey by Irish singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt, exploring what it means to come into queerness – and into oneself – later in life. With original songs and intimate storytelling, Gráinne shares her experience of falling in love with a woman in her 40s and how that has transformed her understanding of identity, artistry and belonging.

Incorporating Gráinne’s partner Jules Stewart on drums and vocals, Queer Arrivals is a tender, honest, and powerful celebration of love, growth, and self-acceptance debuting at the Liverpool Irish Festival.

The Great Hunger 2 Hour Tour – Starts Pilotage Building, near Museum of Liverpool (19 October)

Join Liverpool Irish Festival‘s John Maguire (also of ArtsGroupie) on an expanded The Great Hunger 2 Hour Tour of several Liverpool Irish Famine Trail sites, including Clarence Dock – the entry way for over 1.8m+ Irish Famine poor – and others in the town centre.

Spectators will hear how The Great Hunger changed Liverpool’s streets, learning how locations were used for sanctuary, nourishment and safety. Along the route, sites of Irish influence will also be marked helping to show the geographic memory of these times. Walkers will also hear about the benevolence of Liverpool’s people and on-going effects on the city today.

The Druids – Liverpool Irish Centre (19 October)

Irish folk band The Druids are back with another master show, featuring captivating new blends of traditional Irish folk music and storytelling. This type of performance highlights the band’s rich musical heritage, weaving together timeless Irish ballad songs with the powerful narratives that have been passed down through generations.

The combination of music and stories gives audiences a deep dive into Ireland’s cultural history, offering a mix of lively jigs, heartfelt ballads and tales that reflect the country’s folklore, struggles, and triumphs. Irish folk bands often use this format to connect with their audiences on a more emotional level, while also providing an immersive, entertaining experience.

Did I Ever Tell Ya – Liverpool Royal Court (22 October)

Join award-winning Irish playwright and actor David Gilna for Did I Ever Tell Ya, an unforgettable evening of storytelling at Liverpool’s Royal Court, as he delves into the laughter and heartbreak that shape our lives.

Through themes of grief, nostalgia, and the enduring power of humour, David asks the ultimate question: why do we tell the stories we do? A deeply moving and wildly entertaining night that will leave you laughing, crying, and craving more.

Welcome Home / Failte Abhaile – Sefton Park Palm House (23 October)

Irish people have made homes all over the world and Liverpool is no exception, being known as East Dublin, East Belfast and the 33rd county! Taking this year’s theme of ‘arrivals’, the George Ferguson Irish Dance School and Merseyside’s Melody Makers have collaborated to produce a Welcome Home / Failte Abhaile programme, celebrating what it is to arrive. Whether home is new or old, arriving there can be full of anticipation, expectation and nostalgia.

This engaging two-hour programme features over 50 musicians and dancers from across Merseyside. The performance takes place in one of Liverpool’s most emerald spaces: the ever-magnificent Sefton Park Palm House.

Family Day – Museum of Liverpool (25 October)

A festival-staple and must-see, at Family Day you’re invited to pop by or spend the day at the Museum of Liverpool. There’s plenty of activities to entertain kids (and adults) of all ages. The Armagh Rhymers return with their (exclusive to the Festival) Liver Bird story helping to understand how the First Nations people of North America helped the Irish during The Great Hunger.

The Bolger-Cunningham Dance School will give it their all in the morning, before the George Ferguson School for Irish Dance produce junior and senior dance sets, whilst Melody Makers and Comhaltas will bring their intergenerational group to play in the space. You’ll also be able to collect a Brave Maeve Tír Na nÓg map.

View the full Liverpool Irish Festival 2025 programme for more information.

For even more things to do in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.

From local legends to global sounds, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Room is celebrating 10 years of bringing you closer to grassroots music, their birthday celebrations will be held from 28 September to 13 October. 

Over the past decade, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’s Music Room has done it all. They’ve brought you incredible shows spanning the whole spectrum of musical genres, plus intimate chamber concerts, musical adventures for their youngest audiences and inspiring community music workshops too. They’ve welcomed a vast array of artists, nurtured new talent, and collaborated with partners to present a programme that’s exciting, diverse and truly unique.  

Now, they’re marking this special occasion with a huge celebration of all the Music Room does. So head along, join the party and help celebrate a decade of the Music Room – a real treasure of Liverpool’s music scene.  

Discover their Music Room 10 programme below…

Cerddoriaeth Cymru: 9Bach, Cerys Hafana and VRi (3 October)

In every corner of Britain, there are tales to be told – and great folk artists ready to tell them through song. In the Music Room, they have a proud folk music tradition, and so as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations they’re shining a spotlight on folk musicians from across the home nations, celebrating their countries and their music.

First up at Cerddoriaeth Cymru, they welcome three captivating Welsh artists, VRï, Cerys Hafana and 9Bach, back to the Music Room.

Liverpool’s waterfront will once again be transformed into a spectacular outdoor art gallery this autumn, as River of Light returns with a brand-new theme: The Science of Light.

Running from Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November, the much-loved, free festival will showcase ten large-scale artworks, each inspired by science, technology, or the natural world. Now in its 8th edition, River of Light continues to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, combining cutting-edge creativity with world-class locations.

This year, organisers have worked closely with Liverpool’s thriving science and innovation community to create an inspiring 3km trail stretching across the Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head, Exchange Flags and Liverpool ONE.

River of Light 2025 Installations

Blueprint by Studio Vertigo

Blueprint is a large-scale immersive artwork inspired by the form of a double helix, the physical structure of DNA. It is a parametric design, 20m long and 5.5m high, comprising of 180 x 360º tube LEDs that follow an outer spiral and are brought together at a fixed central point with sweeping curves. This is highlighted with a sequence of high-resolution lighting effects, representing the four bases of DNA slowly flowing through the artwork.

The edges are also highlighted with a dynamic lighting program to show the DNA backbone. The sculpture appears to be in a state of constant transformation, its free-flow of curves are set within a functional and orderly working of lines. DNA is often called the blueprint of life because it contains the instructions for development, growth and survival. life.

Location: Strand, in front of Salthouse Dock – Opposite Canning Place. L3 4AN

Cycle by Serge Maheu

Cycle is an urban star, shining bright. Created by Serge Maheu, Cycle is an interactive installation inspired by the revolutions of the sun and the moon, that illuminates open spaces.

Composed of a series of modules equipped with several light animation sequences, Cycle delights with its variations in intensity and colour. Diffusing brightness from its core, it evokes the halo effect of an eclipse. In a maestria of light and sound, Cycle comes to life at the rhythm of bystanders’ interactions. By moving to the beat of the ambient music, the young and the young at heart transmit their energy to Cycle, transforming it into a larger-than-life musical sequencer.

Location: The Strand, Liverpool, L1 8LT (Outside Cunard Building)

Dandelion by Amigo & Amigo

Close your eyes, make a wish, and behold, Dandelion comes to life! Inspired by the wind-blown petals of the dandelion — a plant as symbolic as it is scientifically fascinating — this installation reimagines a delicate natural form through engineering, optics, and motion. Revered for its medicinal properties and aerodynamic seed dispersal, the dandelion becomes a living sculpture that blends biology with technology.

Every five minutes, Dandelion transforms into a dynamic spectacle, combining programmed LED light animations with immersive sound design to mimic the fluid dynamics of wind and the natural rhythm of seed release. The work not only celebrates the aesthetic beauty of the plant but also explores the principles behind its structure, movement, and resilience. By bridging natural science with sensory experience, Dandelion invites audiences into a realm where curiosity meets wonder — where light becomes a language for discovery, and art becomes an expression of the unseen forces that shape our world.

Location: Mann Island – in front of Museum of Liverpool (L3 1DG)

Embrace by Beamhacker

Experience the science of connection with Beamhacker’s interactive light and sound installation Embrace. First commissioned for Vivid Sydney 2024, Embrace is a circle of 15 life-sized illuminated silhouettes inspired by the nostalgic human paper chain. When people join hands between the figures, their bodies complete an electrical circuit, allowing a flow of energy that triggers ripples of light and sound.

This simple act of touch – proven to release oxytocin, lower stress, and strengthen bonds – becomes a living demonstration of bioelectricity and the transfer of energy between people. Each connection transforms the installation, with light patterns refracting and harmonies layering in response, making the science of interaction visible and audible.

As more people collaborate, the colours grow richer, the movements more dynamic, and the soundscape more intricate. When the full circle is joined, Embrace reaches a spectacular crescendo, symbolising the synergy of human connection, the flow of energy, and the beauty of achieving a shared goal.

Location: Exchange Flags, L2 3PF

FACE VALUE by Emma Brass and Venya Krutikov

“Face Value” is an immersive experience where audience members unexpectedly become part of a fantasy gameshow, as an AI-powered robotic artist selects and transforms their images in real time. The experience highlights themes of technology and control, prompting participants to wonder what ultimately happens to their digital selves.

The installation combines novel technologies, including artificial intelligence and robotics, to create a constantly evolving spectacle. A CCTV-style network of cameras captures images of the crowd, from which pictures of current audience members are selected at random. This ensures that every cycle of the installation is entirely unique.

Location: Mann Island Atrium, L3 1BP

Neuron by Juan Fuentes Studio

Neuron draws inspiration from the fascinating world of neurons and brain connectivity. The light installation “Neuron” simulates neural networks, bridging art and science by visually representing the functioning of the human brain and the connections that enable us to learn and perceive the world.

The piece reflects how neurons transmit information through electrical impulses, which are fundamental to human communication and creativity. At the same time, “Neuron” evokes the functioning of real neurons in solving complex problems. The installation transforms a fundamental scientific concept into a sensory experience, connecting audiences to the wonder of science through light.

Location: The Strand outside Royal Liver Building, George’s Dock Gates, L2 0RG

Optik by The Urban Conga

An interactive installation by The Urban Conga, Optik reflects on our ability to play with our surroundings while giving the opportunity for brand new point of views on our daily environment. The essence of Optik lies in the captivating phenomena of reflection and refraction, where light and sound becomes a medium of discovery and interaction, inviting users to manipulate it and playfully reimagine their world.

The ten 6 feet (1,8 meters) gyroscope-like forms with, at the centre, a dichroic film, offer new ever- changing opportunities that reflect any ray of lights during the day while refracting the inner rings lighting at dusk. As the audience rotates each unit, they create their own endless cascade of colors. The experience is raised to another level as sound joins us on the rhythmical effort, turning each unit into a different musical instrument.

Location: Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool ONE, L1 8LW.

SPICA by Juan Fuentes Studio

A star of lights that shines with the energy of the universe. This luminous installation, with moving LEDs, not only dazzles visually but also brings to life a fascinating scientific concept: why do stars shine? The answer lies in Einstein’s equation E=mc², which explains how nuclear fusion at the core of the Sun and other stars converts mass into an explosion of energy and light.

As a tribute to Einstein’s groundbreaking work and his most famous theory—the theory of relativity—this star transforms science into art, representing the constant flow of energy that lights up our universe. The installation connects spectators to the wonder of space, reminding us that, at the end of the day, we are all made of stardust.

Location: Outside Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building (Hartley Quay, Salthouse Quay, Royal Albert Dock, L3 4AX)

Pendulum by Amigo & Amigo

Pendulum is a giant interactive artwork that blends science, art, and play into an immersive experience. Inspired by the simple beauty of a gravity pendulum, this illuminated installation brings motion to life through dynamic waves of light and sound. Suspended above the audience, a glowing geometric structure appears to sway back and forth, mimicking the rhythm of a pendulum.

On either side, interactive light spheres invite people to engage – when pushed, they activate the artwork, sending energy across the space. The light animations follow the pendulum’s natural movement, creating the illusion of continuous motion, as if the entire structure is swinging through the air. By transforming the forces of gravity into shifting patterns of light and sound, Pendulum turns a fundamental scientific principle into a mesmerising, playful, and immersive experience.

Location: Pier Head – North (L3 1BY)

Within Water by Yellow Studio

Within Water is a site-specific installation inspired by the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence in marine life. Located within Liverpool’s Pier Head canal link, the piece explores the dynamic relationship between water, light, and human interaction. Through a grid of programmable lights embedded beneath the water’s surface, the installation mimics the gentle glow and movement of bioluminescent algae, creating an illuminated current that shifts in colour and intensity.

The central sculptural element, a human hand, serves as a symbolic trigger, sparking a physical disturbance that activates the bioluminescent light in response to human touch, emphasising connection and interaction between people and their environment. Within Water invites viewers to experience the vibrance, layers, and fluidity of light as it dances through water, blending natural phenomena with innovative technology. The installation celebrates water’s role as a driving force in Liverpool’s identity while engaging themes of transformation and community.

Location: Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1HT (South End Canal Basin)

The full line-up, locations, opening times, and FAQs can be found via the Visit Liverpool website, with updates shared via @visitliverpool (X, Facebook, TikTok) and @visitliverpool_ (Instagram).

BlackFest is grassroots, homegrown, award-winning Black arts organisation based in Liverpool City Region. They showcase music, theatre, film, visual arts, spoken word, and poetry across both community and mainstream venues. Their aim is to bridge the gap between institutions and the marginalised communities they represent.

Their annual festival was created to amplify and celebrate Black artistic expression, the theme for BlackFest 2025 is Masculinity and Masculine energy, exploring and celebrating the diverse aspects of masculinity.

Here’s a selection of highlights from this year’s line-up:

Diversity Dialogues with Malik Al Nasir – Sefton Park Palm House (23 September)

Come together for an inspiring Diversity Dialogues session with author, educator, artist, activist Malik Al Nasir hosted by Dr Rebecca Loy as he shares reflections on identity and heritage his second published book, Searching for my Slave Roots.

Malik Al Nasir was born in Liverpool to mixed parentage, with a white mother and a black father. Bemused by memories of racist shouts for him to ‘go back to where you came from’ he began to look into his ancestry. His resulting book charts the twists and turns of his journey into the past and explores an untold chapter in both Black and British history.

With uplifting performances featuring Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir.

Remée – The Tung Auditorium (24 September)

Part of the Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series, join BlackFest in partnership with The Tung Auditorium in celebrating local Liverpool artist Remée.

Remée is an alternative artist who draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and genres with immersive lyrical storytelling and stunning visuals. She is also known for her love of steampunk fashion and Victorian-era aesthetics, which she incorporates into her music. The local singer/songwriter blends electronics with heavy bass in a captivating show.

Rhythms Night – District (25 September)

A dynamic showcase blending rock-punk with soulful singer-songwriters, Rhythms Night features headliner Third Kulture alongside KingFast, Mina and Rafaela. Third Kulture’s unique sound draws from all corners of their diverse cultural influence, blending mesmerising R&B vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and the cutting-edge influences of grime and modern rap with flavours of UK rave music, dancehall and trip-hop.

Formed in Manchester, the dynamic trio are loud and unapologetically themselves, embodying the essence of diversity, innovation, and cultural fusion.

Spoken Word Poetry Night – The Capstone Theatre (3 October)

Head along and enjoy poets and wordsmiths bringing their views and experiences to life, featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya and Janoma Omena. The experimental Spoken Word Poetry Night has always been such a well-loved segment of the festival from audiences and artists alike.

BlackFest have shortlisted the talented and passionate artists to develop their work over a series of professionally facilitated workshops and rehearsals. The comedy veers from breaking intergenerational curses to dark and witty humour, covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity.

Visual Arts Workshop: Curtis Watt – Granby Winter Garden (8 October) 

Curtis Watt is an established local Liverpool multidisciplinary artist. His practice is in sketch, mixed media and surrealist dream translations in pencil, pastels and ink. His work has also included rap, music production, theatre development and performance coaching. 

The Visual Arts Workshop explores creative writing, storytelling, poetry and spoken word, followed by sketching your own creative response.

Celebrating 150 Years Coleridge Taylor Day – The Capstone Theatre / Hope Creative Campus (11 October)

2025 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Tayo Aluko & Friends CIC in partnership with BlackFest and Liverpool Hope University are holding a Celebrating Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day at Hope University’s creative campus.

The day will include some of Coleridge-Taylor’s works featuring singers and instrumentalists singing and playing the composer’s music. , and Tayo Aluko’s play, Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown at The Captone Theatre.

BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over – Shakespeare North Playhouse (14 October)

Join the BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over as artists Shak, Chelsey, Resila and BluBoy bring exciting experimental new works using their disciplines and theatre to bring their stories to life.

Some of the artists use their writing and directing skills, some their own performance and poetry skills and some a combination of singing performing and writing. They are also creating open mic slots for after the artists have performed, you can sign up before the event at andi.herring@blackfest.co.uk.

The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase – Liverpool Royal Court Studios (25 October)

The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase is hosted by Che Burnley, hailing from Oldham and an honorary Scouser. In the last few years Che has established his own showcase show in Edinburgh and Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country. Join the festival comedy showcase for Che and some excellent supporting acts from Liverpool and beyond.

For more details and to buy tickets, visit their website www.blackfest.co.uk

To discover even more events across the Liverpool city region check out our What’s On Listings.