Author: Uncover

Liverpool and the city region is preparing to celebrate Lunar New Year in spectacular fashion, with a packed programme of colourful events and cultural activities taking place across the city centre to mark the Year of the Horse.

The main Chinese New Year celebrations will take place on Sunday 22 February, centred in and around Liverpool’s Chinatown, which is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe. A smaller, quieter programme of events will also run on Saturday 21 February, giving visitors two days of festivities to enjoy.

Bluecoat Family Day: Lunar New Year Celebration (20 February)

Bluecoat’s popular Family Day returns to celebrate Lunar New Year with a fun-filled afternoon of dance, movement and creative activities for all ages.

Families can take part in an interactive Dance & Movement Workshop led by Pei Yee Tong alongside artists from Movema, inspired by the Year of the Horse. The sessions explore movement and rhythm through playful, accessible activities designed for children and adults to enjoy together.

Workshop session times: 1-1.45pm & 3-3.45pm

Suitable for all ages. Children must be supervised at all times.
Free – booking required

Alongside the workshops, visitors can drop into the Gallery between 1–4pm for free Lunar New Year creative activities, offering a relaxed, hands-on way to celebrate the festival as a family.

Liverpool Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebrations (21 & 22 February)

Saturday 21 February
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Location: Great George Square

Programme highlights include: Traditional and fusion Chinese music, Chinese dance performances, Youth orchestras, Martial arts rehearsals and Circus workshops (12pm–2pm): juggling, hula hooping, plate spinning and family activities with Bring the Fire Project.

Sunday 22 February
Time: 11:30am – 5pm
Location: Great George Square

Programme highlights include: Tai Chi demonstrations, Firecracker display, Dragon, Unicorn and Lucky Man parades, Traditional Chinese dance and music, Community choirs, Martial arts demonstrations and a Fire finale by Bring the Fire Project.

For full event timings and programme details, visit the Culture Liverpool listings page. Please note, all times are subject to change.

Arts and Crafts Workshops (Family Zone)

Dates: 21 & 22 February
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Nelson Street, Chinatown

A series of outdoor drop-in arts and crafts workshops designed for families, inspired by the Year of the Horse. Children and adults can take part in creative activities and make their own themed artworks as part of the Chinatown celebrations.

Lion Dance Workshop: Lunar New Year, Museum of Liverpool (17 February)

The Museum of Liverpool has partnered with China Spirit UK to celebrate the Year of the Horse with interactive lion dance workshops. Children will learn about the history and traditions of the Chinese lion, alongside practical sessions in lion dancing and puppeteering. There are three 45-minute sessions throughout the day (11am, 1pm and 2pm), suitable for children aged 6 and above.

Lunar New Year at the Lady Lever Art Gallery (28 February)

A full-day celebration exploring the gallery’s Chinese art collection and the Wirral’s Chinese community. Activities across the day include a horse-themed gallery search, dragon mask-making workshops and traditional dance performances.

This guide will be updated as more events are announced, so check back for additional details and visit our What’s On event listings to discover more events happening across the city region.

By Abbie Billington

Love is in the air all around Liverpool, and venues across the region are shaking off that winter frost and warming up with plenty of shows to make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Whether you’re looking for a date idea to celebrate with that special someone, a show you can enjoy with your friends or maybe a solo date as a treat for yourself, we’ve lined up some of the best shows for you to share with the ones you love. 

Art in the Ev: I SEE MUSIC – Liverpool Everyman (20 January – 14 February)

Laura J Harris is a UK-based synaesthetic visual artist working in acrylic and mixed media, and her debut collection is now on show at the Everyman. For most of her life, Harris assumed music could be seen through colours, textures and shapes, not realising that this was an experience known as synaesthesia. 

Now she brings her experiences of synaesthesia to life through her art. In the studio, Harris uses layering, allowing rhythm to shape pace and pressure. She effortlessly expresses how internal experience becomes tangible and how something ephemeral can be given surface, weight and presence. 

The Peaceful Hour 2 – Liverpool’s Royal Court (6 February – 7 March)

Can anyone else hear wedding bells?

Julie and Tim are helping Ange and Carl with their wedding preparations; the hens are helping Ange get her pampering sorted and the stags are celebrating their last night of freedom. But on the night before the wedding, the stag do comes home early with an abundance of chaos in the form of a local gangster with a point to prove. 

Gerry Linford is back with an epic sequel to his smash-hit show that showcased at the Royal Court last spring, and The Peaceful Hour 2 is set to be another stunner. If you want a laugh-a-minute night out this Valentine’s Day, then get down to the Court!

Uptown Girl: The Billy Joel Collection – The Atkinson (11 February)

With six decades of smash-hits to choose from, Uptown Girl: The Billy Joel Collection is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, celebrating the legacy of one of the greatest musicians of all time. 

This two hour staged concert will have you up on your feet with such classics as ‘My Life’, ‘New York State of Mind’ and of course, ‘Uptown Girl’ along with many more. The show will feature a full-band dedicated to bringing you both authenticity and electrifying energy, transporting you back to some of Billy Joel’s most iconic performances.  

Murder Mystery: The Grand Finale Valentine’s Special – Downstairs at the Everyman (12 – 14 February)

DBY Interactive returns to the Everyman with a brand-new crime solving murder mystery show – Valentine’s edition! 

Theodore the Magnificent’s glory days are long behind him, but he does still have one trick up his sleeve… He is offering those who dare a once in a lifetime opportunity to grant their heart’s greatest desire! Are you willing to pay the ultimate price?

Guests are encouraged to dress for a masquerade ball for this one, so don your finest garments and delve into the mysteries of the heart!

We Should Break Up – Unity Theatre (14 February)

It’s safe to say that Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone, so why not celebrate by watching someone else’s relationship crash and burn? And they say romance is dead. 

Two actors explore what happens when we break up, with each painful moment unfolding before the audience. It’s the perfect show to bring that mate who should definitely break up with their partner to. Or maybe it’s a place for broken hearts to find each other?

A Fine Romanarchy – Unity Theatre (14 February)

Join the Merseyside Kings’ first show of 2026 as they celebrate love in all its forms at the Unity Theatre!

They’re inviting you, your besties, your situationships, or gorgeously solo to enjoy a night of the best that north-west drag Kings have to offer. Expect queer joy, gender euphoria, love and a whole lot of big King energy – this is not a night to miss!

Ellen Kent: The Farewell Tour – La Traviata & Carmen – Liverpool Empire (16 & 17 February)

Ellen Kent, renowned for showcasing the best of Eastern European opera and ballet for the past 33 years, brings her farewell tour to Liverpool for two nights only. 

La Traviata is a tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music. Adapted by Verdi from a 19th century love story, it tells of the passionate loves and life of the consumptive courtesan, Violetta. Starring some of the best international soloists, La Traviata is the perfect show for anyone wanting a sophisticated, uplifting and tear-jerking celebration of love. 

The Empire also plays host to a second show from Ellen Kent the following night with Carmen. Described as an evening of passion, sexual jealousy, death and unforgettable arias, this show is not one to miss. Carmen will transport you to Seville and its main square with Roman and Moorish influences, aided by the phenomenal soloists that this show also boasts. 

Romeo & Juliet – Unity Theatre (18 February)

This classic Shakespearean love story is thrown on its head as members of the Rubbish Shakespeare Company attempt to retell its tragedies. 

With nothing but a box of tatty wigs, a worn floral dress, and a burst airbed they found by the bins, this frenetic 60 minute show will feature fourth-wall-breaking, slapstick and mischievous storytelling. The Rubbish Shakespeare Company is known for taking liberties with Shakespearean language, splicing the original text with lots of one-liners and physical comedy. This is one that everyone from 5 to 105 will enjoy!

The Spare Rib Galentine’s Brunch Burlesque Extravaganza! – Downstairs at the Everyman (21 February)

Roses are red, violets are blue… This Burlesque show is for ALL of you! 

The Spare Rib Burlesque & Cabaret are back with another of their fantastic showcases, recognising all things extravagant, inclusive and fun. This month, they’re inviting you down to the Everyman for a special Galentine’s Brunch celebrating power, pleasure and community. With promises of sparkle, laughter, empowerment and an abundance of sweet treats, grab your girls and join the Spare Rib for the best brunch you’ll have all year.

When I tell people there are 100+ Liver Birds in the Liverpool City region, I can see that they doubt me. Some nod and smile, assuming I am referring to the ones branded on the public rubbish bins or the numerous marketing ads in windows, chalk drawings, or murals.

The Liver Bird is inspiring, and everyone seems to write a book, copy a walk, or incorporate the mythical bird into their artwork. This is not a bad thing, for the well is deep, and it is fantastic that the bird, like the people of Liverpool, stands proud and resilient.

The ones most associated with Liverpool are the two that guard our city atop the UK’s first-ever skyscraper, the Royal Liver Building. Completed in 1911, it was a pioneer of modern construction; it was the tallest building in the UK (a title it held until 1961) and the tallest in Europe until 1932. It was one of the first large-scale buildings in the world to be constructed using a reinforced concrete frame. This type of building, with its hidden structural skeleton, would eventually evolve into the bold, exposed aesthetic of Brutalism.

Two birds are permanently nesting on top of the building: one looks over the sailors at sea (perhaps eyeing to see if Tom Hardy will return for filming in the city), while the other protects the land and its residents. This iconic piece of architecture is the natural go-to when we say, ‘Liver Bird.’

This February, Liverpool BID again celebrates Must-See Month for the second year. Originating in New York City in 2017, the concept was created by NYC Tourism + Conventions to encourage exploration of attractions beyond dining and theatre. (We explored the similarities between Liverpool and New York City in a previous Buried Treasure feature).

Running from 13 February to 13 March, this month-long celebration eases the city into Spring by bringing together theatres, art galleries, music venues, and cultural attractions. Organised by the Liverpool Business Improvement District (BID), the schedule is packed with special offers, giveaways, and workshops, with half-term activities designed especially for families.

Highlights include everything from Don’t Believe the Hype at the British Music Experience, going behind the scenes of The Arctic Monkeys’ landmark debut album, to FREE access for kids at Treasure: History Unearthed, the brand-new exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool.

The celebrations take place across the city’s ‘Culture Mile’—a mile-long route from St George’s Hall to the Royal Albert Dock that uses unique wayfinding and light installations to showcase our heritage. As part of this year’s offer, ArtsGroupie and Liverpool BID are delighted to offer FREE FAMILY LIVER BIRD SAFARIS. Our safari and celebrated heritage walk tours (often imitated, never replicated) have been running for five years with a simple mission: making the arts and heritage accessible to all.

Post-Covid, we were looking for a way to raise funds for a new children’s play to be performed in the city’s parks called The Liver Bird. It’s a tale about Charlie J, a boy from Liverpool. ‘Too clever for his own good,’ his dad would say. He is the type of child who would rather escape to his imagination or read a book than play or watch sports. Grandma Bailey encourages his cleverness, teaching him all about the history of his city. He is particularly fascinated by the local folklore about the Liver Birds. When things get difficult at school, and just when he needs it most, Charlie J is visited by a very special creature. What if the Liver Bird really did exist?

The Liver Bird was a contemporary fairy tale adapted for the stage by The Bookworm Players, and it was this creative journey that sparked the dig into the archives. The period of research in the Liverpool Central Library Archives was most enjoyable; we became like archaeologists, seeking out birds hidden in the fabric of the city’s architecture. Nothing beats the moment when local people realise they have walked past a bird for years without ever seeing it.

When your brain stops responding to a stimulus because it has become a constant part of your environment, you are experiencing sensory adaptation. In psychology, this is often called the ‘fading effect,’ where the familiar becomes invisible to the conscious mind. All of our heritage walks are designed to make people aware of the ‘buried treasures’ in our city centre.

You will be surprised by the birds we will encounter – like carrier bags under the sink, you may think there are only a few, but in fact there are loads.

Can you guess where these three birds are located?

EXPLORERS NEEDED.
Join us for a fun, lively walking tour safari around the city centre as we go Liver Bird-spotting. Starting at The Bluecoat, visiting St. George’s Plateau, William Brown Street, and Castle Street, you’ll learn about the history of Liverpool along the way.

Dates: 17th Feb | 19th Feb | 21st Feb | 7th March
Time: 11:00 am
Start: The Bluecoat
Cost: FREE (Supported by Liverpool BID Company)

Book your place on the Safari here.
Places are limited, so please reserve your spot in advance. This two-hour tour finishes near the Waterfront. For enquiries, feel free to send us a message.

Looking for things to do in the February half term in Liverpool and the wider city region? From laugh-out-loud live shows and magical storytelling to hands-on art workshops, family concerts and fascinating exhibitions, there’s no shortage of brilliant activities to keep little ones (and grown-ups) entertained.

Here’s our pick of the best family-friendly events happening this February half term across Liverpool and beyond.

1. Horrible Histories – The Concert, Liverpool Empire (13 – 14 February)

Get ready for a laugh-out-loud family treat with Horrible Histories – The Concert. When William Shakespeare attempts to create the greatest show on earth, chaos erupts thanks to monstrous monarchs including Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria – with appearances from Death, Boudica and Cleopatra too. Featuring the original TV cast, a live band led by song mastermind Richie Webb, and iconic songs like Stupid Deaths and The Monarchs Song, it’s a high-energy, singalong show perfect for February half term.

2. Making Waves, Tate Liverpool (14 – 22 February)

Making Waves Get hands-on art adventure with this family-friendly marine craft activity at Tate Liverpool. Children can create colourful fish, crabs and coral using print stamping, collage and 3D templates, before personalising their sea creatures with recycled materials. Inspired by artworks from Tate’s collection, this relaxed drop-in activity is perfect for ages 4–12, with the Learning Space open daily for families to create, play and unwind together.

3. St Helens StoryFest 2026, St Helens Libraries (14 – 21 February)

St Helens StoryFest returns this February half term with a week-long celebration of storytelling, creativity and imagination. Running from 14–21 February, the festival features a packed programme of family shows, interactive theatre, BSL-interpreted performances, free workshops and much-loved Read & Rhyme Time sessions. Led by Wonder Arts in partnership with St Helens Arts In Libraries, StoryFest is perfect for families looking to spark young imaginations through magical, story-led experiences.

4. A Squash and A Squeeze, Liverpool Playhouse (16 – 21 February)

The popular A Squash and a Squeeze comes to life on the stage for the very first time. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s heart-warming tale follows a little old lady who thinks her house is too small — until a wise old man suggests a rather noisy solution involving farmyard animals. Featuring beautiful puppets, enchanting songs and plenty of laughs, this charming family show is perfect for young theatre fans.

5. Make It! Craft Workshop, The Atkinson (19 February)

Get creative as a family with Make It! Craft Workshop at The Atkinson. Led by Liverpool-based visual artist Linny Venables, the session is inspired by her playful glass exhibition currently on display in the Art Gallery. Taking place in the Art Box, this relaxed drop-in workshop runs from 11am–3pm, with all materials provided and activities suitable for all ages — a perfect hands-on half-term treat.

6. Lunar New Year Family Day: Dance, Create & Celebrate, Bluecoat (20 February)

Celebrate Lunar New Year Family Day: Dance, Create & Celebrate at Bluecoat with an afternoon of joyful dance and hands-on creativity for all ages. Families can take part in interactive dance and movement workshops led by Pei Yee Tong and artists from Movema, inspired by the Year of the Horse, alongside creative activities to enjoy together. This free event (booking required, suggested £5 donation) is a brilliant way to mark Lunar New Year with movement, culture and family fun.

7. Under-5s Concerts: Magic Forest, Liverpool Philharmonic (21 February)

This Under-5s Concert is a gentle and imaginative concert led by presenter Claire Henry and musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Families are invited on a musical journey through an enchanted forest, with plenty of chances for young audiences to join in and help cast a few magical spells along the way. Perfect for first concert experiences, with free tickets available for under-6-month-olds when booked alongside an adult ticket.

8. Ukranian Day 2026, The Atkinson (21 February)

Celebrate culture, creativity and community at Ukranian Day  at The Atkinson in Southport. This free, drop-in event features a welcoming coffee morning, a performance by a local Ukrainian choir, and hands-on craft workshops for all ages inspired by traditional Ukrainian art. Alongside the activities, a community exhibition and traditional dress showcase offer a chance to learn more about Ukrainian heritage, stories and resilience in a warm, family-friendly setting.

9. Treasure: History Unearthed, Museum of Liverpool (Until 29 March)

Travel back 5,000 years this February half term with Treasure: History Unearthed, a new exhibition showcasing incredible archaeological finds from the North West and Wales. From Bronze Age gold and Viking silver to lost jewellery and buried hoards, it’s the largest collection of treasure ever shown in the region, featuring highlights from the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales. Curated by National Museums Liverpool, the exhibition brings together archaeology, history and science to uncover the fascinating stories behind these remarkable objects.

Bonus Event – Romeo & Juliet, Unity Theatre (18 February)

Three gloriously hapless performers attempt to stage a classic Shakespeare tragedy using nothing but rubbish props, ridiculous wigs and chaotic imagination. Packed into a frenetic 60 minutes of slapstick, clowning and fourth-wall-breaking comedy, this is fast, funny, family-friendly theatre that turns the Bard into pure, joyous mayhem. Not boring Shakespeare — brilliantly bonkers, high-energy fun from start to finish.

Find lots more events across the Liverpool city region via our What’s On listings.

From underground cinema to family-friendly festivals, iconic exhibitions and thought-provoking theatre, February is packed with culture across Liverpool and the city region. Whether you’re looking to discover new music, dive into queer literature, get hands-on with making, or plan a brilliant half-term day out, these 10 unmissable events in Liverpool and the city region showcase the breadth, creativity and imagination happening this February.

1. Faetooth, Future Yard (3 February)

Hailing from Los Angeles, Faetooth conjure their own brand of “fairy-doom” — a hypnotic blend of doom metal, sludge and shoegaze that’s as beautiful as it is brutal. From spellbinding melodies to guttural shrieks, their music creates a vast, otherworldly atmosphere that pulls you deep into their shadowy realm. Fresh from the release of the ferociously beautiful single Death of Day and ahead of their sophomore album Labyrinthine, this Future Yard show promises a heavy, immersive experience not to be missed.

2. Queer Book Club, St Helens Book Stop (3 February)

Queer Book Club is a welcoming, inclusive reading group bringing people together to explore LGBTQIA+ literature in all its forms. Founded by local queer artists and book lovers, the club offers a relaxed space to share thoughts on queer novels, memoirs and writing. This month’s pick is Sense of Self by James Lefebure — a gripping queer body-horror exploring belonging, faith and the cost of being loved. Making this edition extra special, Lefebure will join the group in person for a live discussion at The Book Stop. Open to all and drop-in friendly, it’s a thoughtful, community-led event for readers looking to connect through powerful queer storytelling.

3. 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 a playful yet thought-provoking exhibition inspired by tabletop games — where every decision changes the narrative. Visitors become the “meeple”, a human game piece whose choices carry real-world consequences, exploring how our actions shape technological futures. Featuring works by Vytas Jankauskas, Jan Zuiderveld and Joseph Wilk, the exhibition blends participation, politics and machine intelligence, using play as a lens to examine climate, humanity and emerging technologies. Interactive, curious and quietly unsettling, it asks a timely question: in a world driven by intelligent systems, who really gets to make the next move?

4. Fringe Flicks: Uncanny Desires, DoES Liverpool (6 February)

Fringe Flicks returns with Uncanny Desires, a one-night underground short film screening celebrating the strange, funny and unsettling. Hosted at DoES Liverpool, this edition dives into themes of desire, obsession, intimacy and transformation through dark comedy, surreal storytelling and gloriously offbeat visuals. Headlined by the fearless Welsh short The Girl with the Haunted Vagina, the programme blends international films with Liverpool-made work, including a preview developed through PVTV’s Creative Meet-Ups. Pay What You Can and intentionally informal, Fringe Flicks is all about atmosphere, shared experience and adventurous cinema — perfect for anyone curious to watch something a little different.

5. St Helens StoryFest 2026, St Helens Libraries (14 – 21 February)

Wonder Arts returns with StoryFest 2026, a week-long celebration of storytelling for children and families across St Helens. Running from 14–21 February, the festival features an exciting mix of imaginative theatre, interactive performances, BSL-interpreted shows, free workshops and Read & Rhyme Time sessions, all hosted in local libraries. From magical adventures and playful dance theatre to inclusive, sensory-friendly storytelling, StoryFest offers joyful, accessible cultural experiences designed to spark curiosity, creativity and connection for young audiences and their grown-ups.

6. ARTIST ROOMS: Ed Ruscha, Tate Liverpool (12 February – 14 June)

Explore the iconic work of American artist Ed Ruscha in this free ARTIST ROOMS exhibition, inspired by his road trips across the United States. Featuring books, photographs, paintings, drawings and lithographs, the display captures the architecture, geography and everyday imagery of the USA — from gas stations and diners to swimming pools and highways. Highlights include Ruscha’s seminal 1963 book Twentysix Gasoline Stations, works from the Sunset Strip Portfolio, and bold text-based pieces such as OK (State I) and Dance?. A fascinating snapshot of an artist who helped redefine how we see the American landscape.

7. Horrible Histories – The Concert, Liverpool Empire (13 – 14 February)

Horrible Histories leaps from screen to stage in this riotous live concert packed with monstrous monarchs, mayhem and music. When William Shakespeare attempts to create the greatest show on earth, chaos quickly follows — with appearances from Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Cleopatra, Boudica and even Death himself. Featuring the original TV cast performing fan-favourite songs like Stupid Deaths, Charles II and The Monarchs Song, backed by a live band led by Richie Webb, this high-energy show promises singalongs, silliness and seriously horrible fun for the whole family.

8. Make It! Craft Workshop, The Atkinson (19 February)

Join Liverpool-based visual artist Linny Venables for a free, family-friendly Sweet Factory Make It! Craft Workshop at The Atkinson. Inspired by Linny’s playful glass-based exhibition currently on display in the Art Gallery, the drop-in session invites all ages to get creative with hands-on making in a relaxed, welcoming space. Running from 11am–3pm with all materials provided, it’s a perfect opportunity for families to explore art together — no booking required, just curiosity and creativity.

9. Introduction to UV Screen Printing, Bluecoat (21 February)

Get hands-on with the fundamentals of UV screen printing in this one-day introductory course at the Bluecoat. Designed for beginners, the workshop covers materials, processes and techniques, guiding participants through preparing and exposing a screen before printing a small two-colour edition to take home. With all materials included and a focus on environmentally friendly, water-based inks, it’s a practical and creative introduction to printmaking — and a great first step for those looking to use the Bluecoat’s screen printing studios in the future.

10. The Memory of Water, Everyman Theatre (25 February – 14 March)

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Shelagh Stephenson’s Olivier Award-winning comedy The Memory of Water. Set in 1996, three sisters reunite at their childhood home on the eve of their mother’s funeral, unearthing old resentments, shared memories, and plenty of laughter along the way. Hilarious, heartfelt, and full of whisky-fuelled revelations, this play explores family, grief, and the stories we inherit — and forget.

Discover 100+ events happening across the Liverpool city region via our What’s On Listings.

By Gabriel Moran

Liverpool’s cultural identity has long been shaped by its ability to turn the personal into the political. Across performance, film, and open discussion, Homotopia’s recent programme of events demonstrates how queer culture continues to shape the Liverpool City Region’s creative life. From intimate artist conversations to exuberant spectacle and radical history, these events offered a multifaceted portrait of LGBTQ+ culture in Liverpool today.

Rather than existing as isolated moments, Homotopia festival has used various events like: an evening with Dross, Mr Blackpool’s Seaside Spectacular, the Queer Arts North Open Forum, and the Rebel Dykes screening collectively to highlight the importance of visibility and community within the city’s cultural landscape.

An Evening With Dross

Among the festival events, An Evening with Dross offered a reflective introduction. Known for their uncompromising approach to drag and performance, Dross spoke candidly about creativity within queer art spaces. The discussion framed drag not simply as entertainment, but as a process shaped by resistance and lived experience. Using lip synching as their tool, they brought the performance to life with culture references, political speeches and visual extravagances. 

Rather than presenting a polished narrative, Dross emphasised the realities of making work from the margins, resonating strongly with an audience made up of artists and community members alike. The event underscored how queer creativity often exists in tension with institutions that celebrate diversity and how Dross was redefining what drag means within gay culture. 

Mr Blackpool’s Seaside Spectacular 

If the conversation with Dross was intimate, Mr Blackpool’s Seaside Spectacular embraced unapologetic excess. Drawing on the aesthetics of traditional British seaside entertainment, the performance transformed familiar tropes through a queer lens. Glittering costumes, exaggerated humour, and camp musicality created an atmosphere that was deliberately irreverent. 

Beyond the spectacle, the performance functioned as an act of cultural reclamation. By queering a format so closely tied to British working-class leisure, Mr Blackpool, aka Harry Clayon-Wright asserted that LGBTQ+ lives and histories belong firmly within shared cultural memory. The result was entertainment with a subtle political edge, reminding audiences that camp has long been a vehicle for critique as well as celebration.

Queer Arts North Open Forum at Bluecoat 

The Queer Arts North Open Forum shifted the focus from performance to collective conversation. Inviting guest speakers like Dross, they brought together artists, organisers, and audiences. The forum created space to discuss the practical and emotional realities of sustaining queer art in the North of England. Topics ranged from funding precarity and regional underrepresentation to burnout and the importance of mutual support. 

What stood out was the emphasis on collaboration over competition. Speakers highlighted the need for stronger networks that nurture emerging artists while protecting existing queer-led spaces. In a cultural climate marked by uncertainty, the forum reinforced the idea that queer art ecosystems depend as much on care and dialogue as they do on visibility and output.

Rebel Dykes Screening 

The Rebel Dykes screening and after party provided a powerful historical anchor within the Homotopia Festival. The documentary, which explores lesbian activist cultures in 1980s London, foregrounds stories of protest and resistance. Watching the film in a collective setting gave these histories renewed urgency, particularly as many of the issues explored continue to shape queer life today. 

The screening highlighted the importance of intergenerational memory within LGBTQ+ culture. It served as a reminder that the freedoms and spaces enjoyed now were hard won through sustained activism. The after party that followed transformed reflection into celebration, echoing the film’s emphasis on radical joy as a core component of resistance.

Queer Culture equals cultural infrastructure 

Attending these events offered insight into the wider festival and the other events Homotopia had to offer like: Young Homotopia & QuuerCore showcase, No Pride In Genocide film screening, All The Devils performance and Rest as Resistance, an interactive art exhibition. Taken together, these events demonstrate Homotopia’s commitment to presenting queer culture in all its complexity. Audiences were invited to move between vulnerability and spectacle, history and futurity, discussion and celebration. Crucially, these events were rooted in Liverpool itself, drawing on the city’s traditions of collective activism, creativity, and solidarity. 

For Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ communities, Homotopia operates as more than a festival or programme. It functions as cultural infrastructure: creating space for connection at a time when queer lives are increasingly politicised.

While Homotopia 2025 festival has come to an end, the impact continues to resonate across the city. They will return this year, bringing new conversations and performances.

For more information visit homotopia.net.

January is the perfect month to slow down, take stock and dive back into the Liverpool city region’s galleries — but several standout exhibitions won’t be around for much longer. From bold contemporary commissions and immersive installations to major prize shows and powerful stories rooted in the city’s history, these exhibitions are all closing soon, making now the time to plan a last-minute culture fix before they disappear.

Lou Miller We Dream of our Freedom & Just Browsing, Bluecoat (8 February 2026)

Artist and activist Lou Miller collaborates with children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in L1 to explore what freedom means today, transforming their voices into textile banners, clay and print works. Turning the gallery into a community studio, We Dream of Our Freedom invites audiences of all ages to reflect, respond and share their own ideas, connecting contemporary voices with the Bluecoat’s long history of championing creative freedom.

Additionally, Just Browsing will also close on 8 February. This playful group exhibition invites audiences to touch, wear and even buy works of art, blurring the lines between gallery and retail space. Featuring tactile works in textiles, ceramics and scent by a diverse group of artists, the exhibition forms part of Bluecoat’s Felt season, encouraging hands-on engagement and new ways of experiencing art beyond simply looking.

Sweet Factory, The Atkinson (Ends 21 February 2026)

Sweet Factory celebrates the histories of sweet making, working-class food traditions, and seaside culture. Featuring glass artworks by Linny Venables and local workshop participants, alongside objects from local sweet factories, the exhibition invites audiences of all ages to explore joyful experimentation, material transformation, and community storytelling. Through its colourful displays, Sweet Factory offers a hands-on celebration of local history and the pleasures of making.

Nina Davies & Bassam Issa Al-Sabah, FACT Liverpool (End 22 February 2026)

In Meet Me in the Digital Twin, Nina Davies collaborates with young people from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to transform lived experiences of cancer into a speculative, immersive installation. Blending film, podcast storytelling, and interactive environments, the exhibition invites audiences to explore shifting spaces, digital futures, and the line between fact and fiction. It’s a deeply imaginative work that highlights resilience, creativity, and the power of shared stories.

Meanwhile, THE MISSION IS THE END, THE END IS ALL I WANT! immerses visitors in dreamlike environments that explore how digital culture shapes identity, desire, and collective experience. Through sculpture, film, and installation, Bassam invites reflection on the worlds we inhabit, the ideals we chase, and the futures we imagine.

Turner Always Contemporary, Walker Art Gallery (Ends 22 February 2026)

Reframing J.M.W. Turner as a radical artist of his time, Turner Always Contemporary highlights the enduring relevance of his work. Through carefully curated paintings and context, it reveals why Turner continues to influence artists today.

John Moores Painting Prize, Walker Art Gallery (Ends 1 March 2026)

One of the UK’s most prestigious painting competitions features a diverse showcase of contemporary practice. Featuring work from emerging and established artists, this year’s John Moores Painting Prize offers a compelling snapshot of painting today.

Toxteth: Harlem of Europe, Victoria Gallery & Museum (Ends 26 April 2026)

Toxteth: Harlem of Europe celebrates the city’s Black musicians of the 1950s and 60s, whose talent influenced The Beatles and shaped modern British music. Featuring portraits by Ean Flanders of both musicians and their descendants, the exhibition explores a rich legacy of creativity, community, and innovation. Presented with local partners, it tells the powerful story of a generation whose voices still resonate across Liverpool 8 today.

To discover more exhibitions and events check out our What’s On listings.

By John Maguire

In the first edition of Buried Treasure for 2026, John Maguire of ArtsGroupie CIC explores the rituals, superstitions and everyday traditions that shape how we welcome a new year. Drawing on memories from a working-class Liverpool upbringing and customs passed down through generations, John reflects on “living heritage” and why these Old New Year practices still matter. As 2026 is recognised as a year of living heritage in the UK, this piece considers how ritual, memory and shared belief help us navigate change in a fast-paced world.

In my working-class upbringing, superstitions and rituals were woven into everyday life, such as not crossing on the stairs or avoiding walking under a ladder. My mum always kept a rabbit’s foot in her purse for luck, given to her by her grandma. I cannot say why it was lucky; I’d say it hadn’t been particularly lucky for the rabbit!

2026 is a year of “living heritage” in the UK, so I thought in this Buried Treasure, we would dive into some New Year rituals and where they come from. These “Old New Year” traditions feel even more vital in our fast-paced digital world. One tradition I have started is to make not so much New Year’s resolutions as New Year’s wishes: a list of wants for the forthcoming year for my family, my friends, and me. I focus on experiences and how I want to develop. These go into an envelope and are popped away with the decorations, ready to be looked at the end of the year. This act of anamnesis—intentionally recalling these past hopes—allows me to see how I have developed. It is a way to design your own future; to plot your own story, so to speak.

I am of Irish descent, and Liverpool’s customs largely reflect those of the broader British Isles due to migration and cultural exchange. My nan brought a ritual from her Irish ancestors she called “seeing the New Year in”—a tradition involving opening the back door just before midnight to “let the old year out,” and then opening the front door to “welcome the new year in.”

But the threshold isn’t the only place we invite change; my sister looks to the very corners of the home. Performing a thorough spring clean before the New Year is a common custom to ensure a fresh start and ward off evil spirits. However, one of the most prevalent historical customs in Liverpool is “First Footing.” The core idea is that the first person to enter a home after the stroke of midnight brings good luck for the year ahead.

First Footing:

• The Ideal Guest: A tall, dark-haired man was believed to bring the best fortune.
• Unlucky Visitors: Women or fair-haired men were historically considered bad luck, a superstition possibly stemming from Viking invasions.
• Symbolic Gifts: The visitor would bring tokens to ensure the household had all it needed: Coal for warmth, Bread for sustenance, Money (a silver coin) for prosperity, and Greenery for a long life.

These traditions of commensality—the sharing of food and resources—ensure that prosperity is distributed throughout the community. Many “old” customs also involve specific symbolic foods:

• In Italy and South America, lentils are eaten because their shape resembles coins, symbolising future wealth.
• In Brazil, poultry is avoided because chickens scratch backwards, which is believed to cause setbacks.
• In North Macedonia, a coin is baked into bread (called pita or maznik); whoever finds it wins the year’s luck.

I particularly like the Romanian tradition in which people dress as bears and dance to ward off evil spirits, known as the “Jocul Ursului” (Dance of the Bear). I may take this up and head to my nearest woods, Childwall Abbey Woods. Keep an eye on the local papers for any bear sightings!

However you choose to welcome 2026, we hope it is enjoyable and that the year ahead is prosperous. Does your family still practice “First Footing,” or do you have a modern ritual of your own?