Author: Uncover

By Uncover Liverpool

Wonder Arts, in partnership with St Helens Arts In Libraries, returns with its much-loved annual celebration of storytelling — and this year, StoryFest is bigger and better than ever. Running from 14–21 February, the festival brings a vibrant programme of family shows, BSL-interpreted performances, free workshops and activities, alongside much-loved Read & Rhyme Time sessions.

Driven by a belief that magical artistic experiences can truly change lives, Wonder Arts has welcomed more than 15,000 children, families and young people to its inspiring events over the past five years.

From imaginative theatre to interactive storytelling, here are some of the family-friendly highlights from StoryFest 2026.

Last Unicorn Airways, Newton-le-Willows Library (14 February)

Join two whimsical baggage handlers as they recreate a fantastical round-the-world adventure aboard the final flight of Last Unicorn Airways, opening suitcases brimming with trinkets, fine clothes, alluring smells and exciting tales.

Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless story, the show uses playful storytelling to remind us to see everyday life as an adventure and to cherish our world and each other. It’s a heartwarming reflection on courage, connection and resilience – perfect for families and children, including those with complex needs and disabilities.

After the show, step into a sensory immersive installation, offering a unique, interactive experience for every audience member.

A Square World, Moss Bank Library (16 February)

A Square World is a story of friends who enjoy the same routine day after day, each day is the same until an unexpected change is forced upon just one of them. This endearing and funny performance looks at the unfairness of being left out in a world designed for everyone else but yourself.

From the mind of Daryl Beeton,  A Square World is an honest, touching and bizarrely quirky piece of theatre for young audiences. This non verbal story, set to an original commissioned soundtrack uses clean-cut simple design, object manipulation and elements of surprise to create an ever evolving and imaginative world. A place where we discover anything can happen once we think differently and rip up the rule book.

Brave Bettie, Chester Lane Library (17 February)

Written by Tatenda Naomi Matsvai (Hot Orange), Brave Bettie is a lyrical and magical woodland adventure, brought to life with poetry, songs, live music and stories that explore their home heritage in Zimbabwe. This playful yet powerful production looks at resilience, self-belief, social activism and the environment, offering an urgent message for young audiences.

Co-produced by Half Moon and Z-arts, this exciting partnership unites two of the UK’s leading children’s theatre companies to create an unforgettable experience for young audiences and families. Previous co-productions include award-winning productions of Dust and Grandad Anansi.

The Quest For Planet P, Newton-le-Willows Library (18 February)

The Quest for Planet P is a brand new, rhyming story presented by Knotted Hawk Productions. Follow Ozmo and Orbi, two brave little aliens, as they set off on an amazing journey to find the perfect planet! A heartfelt and inspiring story about fighting for the planet we love and showing how even the smallest voices can have a BIG impact.

Using projection, dance and storytelling, children interact with the performers throughout the show and take part in an engaging workshop exploring belonging, friendship and our world. This fun, interactive dance theatre show is perfect for children under 10 and their grown-ups.

Storytime with Mama G, Eccleston Library (19 February)

Mama G will be sharing original stories and songs, and some of the best picture books on the market, in an uplifting story time for the whole family. There’ll be dancing and giggles galore as Storytime with Mama G shares the power of being who you want and loving who you are!

Described as ‘Everyone’s favourite pantomime dame’ by Metro, Mama G has been telling stories since 2018. In that time she has been a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, performed her show Off-Broadway, and performed at libraries, festivals, prides, museums and theatres all over the UK. Her delightfully inspiring book ‘Oh Yes I Am!’ was published in 2024.

Make Some Noise, St Helens Library at World of Glass / Thatto Heath Library (20 February)

Noise can be gentle, quiet, loud, lots of fun and full of feelings. In Make Some Noise, Dommy B shares a surprising story about growing up, finding a brilliant, but naughty, imaginary friend, becoming ‘Junk the Punk’ and joining a great school band, Whizzkid and the Veggie Burgers!

There’ll be rhymes, jokes, and lots of opportunity to make some noise in a celebration of the power of sound and friendship. There are two showtimes and venues, 11am, St Helens Library at The World of Glass and 2pm, Thatto Heath Library.

The Wizard and the Mechanic, St Helens Library at The World of Glass (21 February)

An exciting adventure for families and brave young explorers, aged 5–10! Hold onto your hats and tighten those boots, it’s time for an epic, outdoor tale of magic, mayhem, and unlikely friendship. The Wizard and the Mechanic – where friendship is the greatest spell of all!

This joyful, high-energy show is bursting with: Audience participation (you’ll wear masks and become part of the story!), original, live music and singing, puppetry, clowning and glorious silliness plus big themes like facing your fears, sharing, and finding friendship in unexpected places. So grab your gear, gather your grown-ups, and get ready for a magical-mechanical adventure like no other…

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

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.