Community Post Type: News

Spooky Storytime with Liverpool BID Company and ArtsGroupie CIC

Join them for two days of frightfully fun family storytelling! Enjoy free, 45-minute spooky story sessions filled with imagination and laughter — perfect for all ages.

Fancy dress encouraged!

30th October – Liverpool Libraries and Information Services Liverpool Library, William Brown Street
12:15 | 1:30 | 2:45

31st October – Museum of Liverpool (1st Floor)
12:15 | 1:30 | 2:45

https://liverpoolbidcompany.com/halloween/

Liverpool’s Halloween Carnival returns for 2025, celebrating 10 years of the city’s very own Samba Band, Katumba.

Every autumn, the nights grow longer, the air turns colder, and the line between worlds begins to blur. Halloween has always been about more than just costumes and sweets – it’s a time to honour our ancestors, to gather in ceremony, to transform fear into celebration.

This year, Katumba Halloween Carnival reclaims those deeper roots. Their theme for 2025 – “Ancestral Spirits, Ritual Fire” – weaves 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. A living ritual that connects past to present, ancestry to community, darkness to light.

Every October, Liverpool drumming and movement troupe, Katumba Transforms the Liverpool City Centre into a playground of imagination, with performances inspiring, and engaging audiences by creating big, bold, visual shows through unexpected spectacle of drums, fire, lights, dance, theatre and more.

What began in 2012 as an impromptu, small gathering of drummers springing up in Liverpool City Centre for a dressed up parade on Halloween, has grown into one of Liverpool’s most anticipated annual celebrations — a fusion of carnival, culture, and community spirit.

This year’s Halloween Carnival marks the grand finale of Katumba’s Black History Month celebrations, as participants from their Routes & Roots beginner sessions join the parade.

Starting at Bold Street, making it’s way through Church Street and Lord Street before culminating in an unmissable finale at Liverpool ONE, the carnival will also celebrate 10 years of Katumba – Liverpool’s leading large-scale drumming and movement organisation, renowned for creating inclusive public spectacles and community programmes that blend Afro-Brazilian, contemporary and urban influences. Join them in celebrating an incredible decade of drumming, movement, and community.

This year, there are even more ways to get involved!

Every costume, every rhythm, every flicker of flame in the Katumba Halloween Carnival is created and carried by people from the local area. This year, Katumba are inviting YOU to take part in a host of workshops with a Halloween twist.

Learn to:
 Craft everything you need for a real carnival, inspired by ancestral spirits
 Beat out rhythms that shake the streets alive
 Move, dance, and embody the energy of carnival

…Then step into the procession itself!

Join them at the following FREE workshops:

Saturday 25th of October – Lantern Making
Make your very own lantern (no fire involved!) to light up Katumba Halloween Carnival – ages 5+

Saturday 25th of October – Circus Workshops
A chance to discover the magic of circus with silk ribbons, poi, juggling balls, devil sticks, hula hoop and spinning plate with Bring the Fire Project – ages 7+

Sunday 26th of October – Katumba Drumming
Come along to Liverpool One’s Halloween Party from 12pm and take part in a Katumba Drumming workshop  – under 18’s

PLUS: Sunday 2nd of November – Sounds & Sauna, An Evening of Wellbeing

Music, movement and mindfulness, the best way to wind down and relax after our Halloween carnival with sound bath, mindful movement and a gorgeous wooden sauna to top it all off on the – 18+, ticketed

Book now at https://katumba.co.uk/halloween-carnival-2025/

Feel the drums. Honour the ancestors. Celebrate the spirits.

This Black History Month, International Slavery Museum launches a year-long series of workshops set around themes of transatlantic slavery and its legacies.

The free sessions follow a model of ‘call and response’ to create dynamic and open dialogue. The conversation this inspires will be instrumental in creating a new museum that is relevant to its audiences and effectively represents truth, trauma, and collective memory.

The first call – How do we curate slavery? – which sets the foundation for the rest of the series, will consider the ongoing questions the museum’s multi-disciplinary curatorial team are grappling with while developing new displays. Jean-Francois Manicom, Senior Curator at London Museum Docklands, will be the first guest speaker.

Attendees can answer the call either in person, at 5.30-7.30pm, on 23 October 2025, at University of Liverpool (Rendall Building, Lecture Theatre 8), or online. 

Book tickets here. 

Africa Oyé have announced big changes for their 2026 festival as organisers prepare for an exciting new era for the much-loved event.

The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture returns this summer following a fallow year in 2025 due to rising infrastructure costs, changing legislation, and the increasingly difficult challenge of keeping the event free.

The jewel in Liverpool’s festival crown will return as a ticketed event in 2026 with organisers committed to making it as affordable as possible for its audience.

Paul Duhaney, Artistic Director Africa Oyé spoke about the decision: “We couldn’t let the festival just disappear off the UK’s cultural calendar. The Board, myself, and the team all agreed that a paid event would be a much better alternative to no Oyé at all, and I hope our loyal audience agree with the decision and keep showing us the support they always have. The change will enable us to maintain and build on the quality of the event that people have come to expect and ensure that those attending can do so in safe and relaxed environment.”

The festival began back in 1992 as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre put together by Africa Oyé’s founder, Kenny Murray. It’s growth over the last 33 years has seen it taken in multiple venues including Birkenhead Park, Princes Park, and Concert Square; it has taken place in the picturesque surroundings of Sefton Park since 2002.

Next year’s celebration – taking place on the 20th and 21st June 2026 – will be the first ticketed Oyé in Sefton Park in the festival’s history, as ever delivering an eclectic mix of international live acts, emerging talent, community performances, family friendly workshops, DJs, world cuisine, arts & crafts and much more.

Earlybird prices see local resident tickets start at just £6 with general admission beginning at £11. Children under 12 receive free entry to the event (with a paying adult) and there is a discount when buying for groups of four people.

Paul also explained how local organisations, shops and businesses can get involved next year:”Grassroots festivals rely on the support of the local community and Oyé has always enjoyed great support from the city and region – including additional support pledged by Liverpool City Council for this first year of transition to a ticketed event. We’ll be working with community organisations to distribute free tickets to as many low income people and families as possible. Any local companies that would like to buy a bundle of tickets to contribute to this effort and be recognised as an official supporter of the festival – so that we can pay it forward – would be hugely welcomed so please do get in touch.

We’re still a registered charity and we’ve kept the ticket prices as affordable as we possibly can. The Earlybird prices are limited though so grab them while you can and get the dates in your diary.”

Jen Cleary, Director North West, Arts Council England said: “We know that Africa Oyé is a popular event within both the North West and the music world, so I’m delighted that it will be returning in 2026. I’m sure that local people and visitors alike are looking forward to the relaunched Africa Oyé next year.”

Previous headliners of the festival have included titans of global music with Julian Marley, Oumou Sangaré, Akala, Fuse ODG, Tinariwen, Max Romeo, Baaba Maal, Horace Andy and many more all gracing the Oyé stage.

Africa Oyé 2026 will take place in Sefton Park, Liverpool on 20th and 21st June 2026. Tickets are on sale now via TicketQuarter and africaoye.com.

This Halloween it’s going to be a bone-afide spooktacular introducing The Skeleton Storywalk. Stories and spooks are coming together this October to bring celebrations across Liverpool city centre.

Hidden in windows throughout the city centre are the skeletons in a new bone-tingling trail. Walk through town and discover the spooky skeletons created by artists.

Grab a skelfie with three skeletons along the trail and share with @liverpoolbidcompany for the chance to win a special Halloween bundle.

The ghouls at Arts Groupie will host two spooky story sessions on 30th October at Liverpool Library and on the 31st October at 1st floor at Museum of Liverpool. On each day there will be three 45 minute storytelling sessions which will be free and completely family friendly and fun for all ages.

On Monday 27th October (12-3pm), join the skeletons as they head to Williamson Square to shake their bones and get you feeling a Halloween chill with some spooky performances.

It’s all free. Times and dates are here

Other spooktastic Halloween events include Katumba’s Halloween Carnival Parade starting on Bold Street. Now in its eighth year the biggest outdoor event on the Katumba calendar, the Halloween Carnival Parade works its way through the city centre.

For more ticketed events visit BID’s website, along with special spooky food and drink offers  https://liverpoolbidcompany.com/halloween/

New York, 1990s. Rooftop parties. Yellow taxis. Jazz bars humming till dawn. For a young Liverpool woman hungry for more than her beginnings could offer, the city’s glittering promise feels like everything she has ever wanted. But when dreams sour and illusions crack, what remains of love, ambition, and identity?

Rotten Apple premieres at Unity Theatre this December for a two-night run. Raw, poetic, and unflinching, the play asks a question that haunts us all: what happens when the window of youth slams shut?

Performance Dates:
• Wednesday 3rd December 2025
• Thursday 4th December 2025

Tickets available via Unity Theatre’s website.

Instagram @Watching_Windows_

“A Liverpool girl. A New York dream. And the moment glitter turns to rot.”

The Florrie are excited to announce that The Big Guitar-In returns on Thursday 11 December 2025 at a brand new venue, Mountford Hall.

Join hundreds of guitarists from across the region for a night of music, community, and togetherness. Whether you are a seasoned player or just know a few chords, everyone is welcome. Just bring your acoustic guitar and get ready to strum along.

Its goal is to raise urgent funds to Save The Florrie’s Free Community classes and provide the opportunity for 100s of amazing guitarists to perform together in Mountford Hall, including many young stars of the future. The unique and record-breaking event once more brings everyone together for one incredible night of music, community and celebration and fund-raising. Last year a new record was set with 602 guitarists performing together. This year the target is to beat this by one, with 603 guitarists strumming side by side.

Leading into the Big Guitar-In, The Florrie faces rising utility costs, fewer grants, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and a rapidly growing number of people needing social support has pushed the Community Classes’ availability to the limit. The Florrie’s Community Classes are a vital lifeline for the people of their community and wider region, helping them to learn essential skills, get active, fight social isolation and build new friendships. They also connect people of all backgrounds with wider support from their community.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now

Guitarist tickets are £10 and spectator tickets are also available.

They have released 100 early bird guitarist tickets for just £8, so act fast before they sell out (All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee).

All proceeds go to The Florrie, helping preserve their Grade II listed building and continue supporting their community through culture, creativity, and connection.

👉 Book your ticket here: https://www.skiddle.com/e/41159754

The Bluecoat is pleased to announce that they’ve had £ 24,862.90 from The Health Lottery Foundation that will be used to support the development of Young Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s new inclusive arts programme with learning disabled young people aged 14-25.

The project is based in Liverpool and welcomes the support, which has been given thanks to players of The Health Lottery.

Becky Waite, Blue Room Project Manager, said:

“Young Blue Room is a new programme of specialist creative support with learning disabled young people aged 14-25. With support from the Health Lottery Foundation we will build upon Blue Room, our long running inclusive arts programme with learning disabled and neurodivergent adults, to create new opportunities for young people with support needs. We aim to nurture a new generation of talented young people to find self expression through creativity and become the artists of the future.”

Throughout the year-long project, the Bluecoat will explore new ways of engaging with young people and their families. There will be 2 strands;

Young Blue Print Club
– A monthly creative club for neurodivergent 14-18 year olds exploring skills such as screen printing and supporting young people to make new social connections
– A summer school of 3 full-day creative sessions supporting young people to create their own collection of prints for showcase at the Bluecoat.

Studio Blue Sky
– Creative support for learning disabled young people aged 18-25
– Access to our studio with support from our Studio Facilitator
– Tailored creative support to identify goals, create work and build a portfolio
– Supported opportunities to explore creative career pathways

The Bluecoat will share more information about how to get involved in the project soon. If you or someone you support loves being creative, wants to explore their potential and meet new friends get in touch to find out more.

Email: blueroom@thebluecoat.org.uk
Phone: 07549079500

Visit www.thebluecoat.org.uk/projects/blueroom and follow Blue Room on Instagram to see how the project develops.

The funding is awarded from The Health Lottery Foundation which distributes money raised by players of The Health Lottery. The purpose of The Health Lottery is to raise money to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Britain.

This grant was awarded to the Bluecoat as part of The Health Lottery Foundation’s drive to support the health and wellbeing of young people.

Delva Patman, Chief Executive of The Health Lottery Foundation, explained:

“Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, £757,421 will now be distributed to 45 charities across Britain, making a tangible difference to the health and wellbeing of young people. We are thrilled to be working with this project and look forward to sharing more about their achievements over the next few months.”

Health Lottery players have raised over £135 million for good causes over the past decade.

Visit www.thehealthlotteryfoundation.org.uk to find out more.

Join the Designs Consultation Roadshow. Your chance to influence how we protect creativity in the UK.

The world has changed. Technology is evolving faster than ever. So how do we make sure the system protecting UK designers actually works?

Creative UK, in partnership with the Intellectual Property Office, is delivering an essential online workshop series on the UK Government’s designs consultation, which aims to simplify the rules, strengthen protections and make it easier for designers to enforce their rights. If you are a designer, or have designers in your organisation, they would really value your/their input.

Sign up to any of the online sessions below:

23 October, 10:30am-12:00pm

 4 November, 10:30am-12:00pm

 11 November, 10:30am-12:00pm