February features a host of new exhibitions, shows, films and workshops to discover. From folk festivals at The Atkinson and spring exhibitions at Williamson Art Gallery to The Merchant of Venice at Liverpool Playhouse and Jazz Sabbath at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Room, there’s certainly something for everyone!
1. My Big Brother Sammy / Smiles, Unity Theatre (4 – 5 Feb)
The Unity Theatre presents two insightful and compelling productions for 2025. My Big Brother Sammy follows Jess and her older brother, Sammy, on the night of their Nan’s 70th birthday party. Bold, funny, and thought-provoking, this play dives into the highs and lows of sibling bonds, female empowerment, and complex issues of misogyny.
Smiles follows Makena, a shy and reserved introvert, and Ruby, a loud, unstoppable extrovert who can’t stand being alone. But as life throws unexpected challenges their way, the two opposites form an unlikely friendship that shakes things up—and changes everything.
2. Merchant of Venice 1936, Liverpool Playhouse (4 – 8 Feb)
Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from selling out the RSC and London’s West End. Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Shylock, Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930s Britain in this striking new production. The Telegraph described the production as ‘making theatre history’. The show is adapted by Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman.
Don’t miss this unforgettable, electrifying new production of The Merchant of Venice, a fascinating and timely reminder of a key moment in British history.
3. The Plant That Stowed Away, Tate Liverpool (6 Feb – 11 May)

Through art in the Tate Collection, The Plant that Stowed Away traces the connections between the trading history of cities like Liverpool and the global movements of plants and people. This display is inspired by the Weeds of Wallasey series by Wirral-born photographer Chris Shaw which highlights the battle between nature and the post-industrial landscape of the area where he grew up.
The display includes collage by French modernist Henri Matisse, the Afro-futurist photography of Cristina de Middel, Turner Prize-nominated artist Delaine Le Bas’s textile work and Kader Attia’s caustic film exploring our relationship with oil and sugar.
4. PVTV Fringe Flicks: David Lynch’s The Grand Mother + Short Films, DoES Liverpool (7 Feb)
Join the team for a night of bold and experimental cinema at Fringe Flicks. Immerse yourself in a captivating evening of unconventional films that challenge the norm and spark conversation. The night begins with David Lynch’s The Grandmother (1970), a surreal blend of live-action and animation that delves into themes of trauma, isolation, and connection. This haunting short film offers a glimpse into the early brilliance of one of cinema’s most iconic filmmakers.
The experience continues with a line-up of compelling short films from around the world and Liverpool, celebrating the weird, the subversive, and the imaginative.
5. Jazz Sabbath – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Room (11 Feb)
This tongue-in-cheek show is helmed by pianist Adam Wakeman (Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band since 2004). Jazz Sabbath are a jazz trio from the UK that plays (instrumental) jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath songs, exploring the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal, echoing already present jazz riffs and discovering new ones.
Presenting themselves as a jazz trio formed in 1968 and being the original writers of the tracks, later made famous by Black Sabbath, they released their self-titled debut album in 2020.
6. Farah Al Qasimi: Everybody was Invited to a Party, Bluecoat (11 – 23 Feb)
Following on from Lee Tsai, the Bluecoat will screen Farah Al Qasimi’s Everybody was Invited to a Party, which takes inspiration from ‘Iftah Ya Simsim’, a 1980s Arabic version of Sesame Street, and borrows text from translation books found in London.
The film features hand-sewn puppets, voiced by the artist, and captures moments where language falters and breaks down, but in doing so opens up new avenues of meaning. The slippages in language, mispronunciations and awkward translations build a world of melancholy and humour. Everybody was Invited to a Party also features music composed and performed by Al Qasimi.
7. Williamson Art Gallery Spring 2025 Exhibitions (12 Feb – 20 Dec)
Williamson Art Gallery and Museum will open for 2025 with six brand-new exhibitions. These include new presentations of rarely-seen works from their collections, immersive experiences, and celebrations of contemporary art from across the Liverpool City Region.
The 80th anniversary of the death of Wallasey-trained war artist Albert Richards will be commemorated in an exhibition and you can take an immersive journey into the inner worlds of soil and the subconscious mind in Subterranean Elevator by Di Mainstone.
Two further exhibitions will celebrate contemporary North West artists: Un/Earthed – A Retrospective by Landlines Studio will immerse visitors in the creative process of Angela Stringer and Nicky Perrin plus award-winning photographer Marge Bradshaw has worked with Liverpool Trans and Enby FC, visually documenting participants’ stories of participating in football at the grassroots club.
Also, an extraordinary life will be celebrated in Elizabeth Smolen: Trailblazer. Smolen was a Polish refugee who settled in Birkenhead and became a champion scooter racer and successful businesswoman.
8. Love Folk Fest 2025, The Atkinson (14 – 15 Feb)
Join the team at The Atkinson for the much-loved annual Love Folk Festival 2025; a celebration of traditional, upcoming and alternative folk music. Headliners Alex Hart and Blue Rose Code are joined by Greenman Rising, Suthering, and a host of other artists. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover new folk music and enjoy some of the classics.
In addition to the main stage, Fatea will once again be hosting the Busk Love Folk acoustic stage. Throughout the festival, the Studio and Theatre Bar will be offering refreshments, with guest ales from Southport Brewery.
9. Queer sew and sew embroidery workshop with Nicole Marnell, Museum of Liverpool, (15 Feb)
Join Nicole Marnell at the Museum of Liverpool to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with a fabulous embroidery extravaganza! Unleash your creativity and celebrate diversity at their vibrant embroidery workshop, where you’ll learn the art of stitching and embroider your very own empowering tote bag.
Whether you’re a needlework novice or an embroidery enthusiast, this fun and inclusive workshop is the perfect place to express yourself and make new friends.
10. Creative Pattern Design, dot-art, Victoria Gallery and Museum (15 Feb)
Use the amazing backdrop of the Victoria gallery and museum to inspire your own original patterns for print design. This dot-art Creative pattern design workshop is inspired by the amazing interior treasures of the Victoria Gallery and Museum. Suitable for both newcomers / beginners or those with experience wanting to expand on their skills and knowledge. This workshop is Ideal for anyone who loves print and pattern and who would love to learn how to make their own designs.
The beautiful interior of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery and Museum is a rich Aladdin’s cave of decorative treasures and sure to provide plenty of inspiration.
11. Weird and Wonderful Festival (21 – 23 Feb)
The Weird and Wonderful Festival is a bold new celebration of creativity, bringing together avant-garde artists, pioneers, and innovators, created by The Studio Below. Featuring mesmerising short films, enthralling theatre, captivating puppetry, and powerful spoken word, this festival is a tribute to the arts that push boundaries and challenge norms.
12. FACT’s Exhibitions

FACT presents two solo exhibitions exploring media, technology, and global politics: Safe Zone by Christopher Kulendran Thomas and Free to Choose by Bahar Noorizadeh. Kulendran Thomas, a British artist of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, examines imperialism and Western individualism through AI-driven video works and paintings. Noorizadeh, a UK-based artist and filmmaker, presents her financial sci-fi opera exploring capitalism and neoliberal economics. Both exhibitions mark their UK premieres at FACT.
13. Pulp Idol 2025 Grand Final
The Pulp Idol 2025 Grand Final is set to showcase the best new novelists in the Liverpool City Region. After competing in twelve heats, twelve finalists will battle it out for the title at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre Studio on Friday, 21st February. This long-running competition has launched the careers of several successful authors and continues to uncover fresh literary talent. Join the event to support emerging writers and witness the next big name in fiction!
To discover 150+ events check out our What’s On Listings.