Being one of the thousands of Liverpool students means having an incredible cultural scene right on your doorstep. Alongside museums, galleries and music heritage, you’ll find independent theatres, grassroots venues, creative spaces, festivals, workshops. There’s so much to discover—and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Lots of places are completely free to visit, while others offer affordable tickets and student discounts. Whether you want to discover local artists, catch some live music, get creative yourself or simply find a cheap day out with friends, this guide will help you make the most of what’s on offer.
Free Museums and Art Galleries
The Liverpool City Region is home to an impressive collection of museums and galleries, many of which are free to visit. They’re ideal for an affordable day out, a little creative inspiration or an afternoon away from your studies.
National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool has several major museums and galleries across Liverpool and the wider city region.
Popular places to explore include:
- Museum of Liverpool, where you can learn about the people, industries, music and social history that shaped the city.
- World Museum, home to collections spanning natural history, archaeology, science and world cultures, as well as a planetarium and aquarium.
- Walker Art Gallery, which displays paintings, sculpture and decorative art from the medieval period to the present day.
- Lady Lever Art Gallery, situated in the historic village of Port Sunlight and particularly well known for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings.
- Sudley House, a Victorian home containing paintings, period furniture and decorative art.
General admission is free, although charges may apply to selected exhibitions and activities. Check the National Museums Liverpool website for current opening information before travelling.
Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool brings major modern and contemporary art to the city through exhibitions, installations and events.
While its Royal Albert Dock building undergoes redevelopment, Tate Liverpool continues to present a programme in the city via Riba North at Mann Island. Check the website for exhibitions and opening times before visiting.
Bluecoat
Set inside Liverpool city centre’s oldest surviving building, Bluecoat is a contemporary arts centre presenting visual art, literature, music, dance and live performance.
Its galleries are free to enter and showcase work by both emerging and established artists. Bluecoat also runs talks, workshops and participatory events, while its courtyard and garden offer a peaceful place to escape the bustle of the city centre.
FACT
FACT explores the relationship between art, film, technology and society through free exhibitions and immersive installations.
It’s a particularly interesting venue for students studying, or simply interested in film, gaming, digital culture, media and emerging technology. The building is also home to a Picturehouse cinema, which screens new releases, independent films, documentaries, classics and special events.
Open Eye Gallery
Located on the waterfront, Open Eye Gallery is one of the UK’s leading photography galleries.
Its free exhibitions bring together work by established photographers, emerging artists and local communities. Students interested in photography, journalism, visual culture or social history should also look out for its talks, workshops and opportunities.
Victoria Gallery & Museum
The University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum brings art, history and science together inside a striking Gothic Revival building.
Its collections include paintings, sculpture, ceramics and scientific objects, with exhibits ranging from Victorian medical instruments to contemporary art. Entry is free, and you don’t need to be a University of Liverpool student to visit.
dot-art Gallery
dot-art Gallery is a brilliant place to discover work by artists based in Liverpool and the surrounding area. Its changing exhibitions provide an accessible introduction to the local visual arts scene, while the wider organisation supports artists through exhibitions and creative opportunities. The gallery on Queen Avenue is free to visit.
Explore Culture Beyond Liverpool City Centre
There is much more to the city region’s cultural life than Liverpool city centre. Students can use local rail and bus services to discover museums, galleries, heritage attractions and creative organisations across Wirral, St Helens, Sefton, Knowsley and Halton.
Heart of Glass, St Helens
Heart of Glass works with artists and communities to produce exhibitions, performances, conversations and ambitious public art projects.
Rather than operating as a traditional gallery, its work often appears in public spaces and community settings across St Helens and the city region.
The World of Glass, St Helens
The World of Glass explores the history of St Helens and the borough’s internationally significant glassmaking industry.
Alongside its museum collections, visitors can see live glassblowing demonstrations and explore exhibitions examining local history, creativity and industry. Check current admission prices and concessions when planning your visit.
The Atkinson, Southport
The Atkinson is Southport’s home for art, entertainment, heritage and literature. Inside you’ll find a museum, art galleries, theatre, studio, library and café. Its galleries and museum are free to explore, while its programme includes comedy, music, theatre, talks, film screenings and family activities.
Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn
Norton Priory Museum & Gardens combines medieval ruins, local history, woodland and gardens in Runcorn.
The site has a history stretching back around 900 years and makes a great destination for students looking for a day outside the city. Admission charges apply, so check for current prices and student concessions before visiting.
Live Music Venues
The region has a thriving live scene encompassing classical music, jazz, folk, electronic music, hip-hop, experimental work and emerging local artists. Supporting smaller venues and new performers is also one of the best ways to discover the next generation of Liverpool music.
The Tung Auditorium
Situated inside the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre at the University of Liverpool, The Tung Auditorium is a modern concert venue with a programme spanning classical music, jazz, contemporary music, electronica and spoken word.
University of Liverpool students can access special ticket offers for many events through the venue’s student membership scheme. Students from other institutions should check individual event listings for available concessions.
Future Yard
Future Yard is a grassroots music venue and creative community based in Birkenhead. Its programme includes alternative, independent and emerging artists alongside club nights, festivals and special events. Future Yard also supports musicians through rehearsal rooms, artist development and training programmes, making it worth following if you’re trying to build a career in music.
The Capstone Theatre
Based at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus, The Capstone Theatre presents music, theatre, dance, spoken word and film.
It is especially well known for jazz and hosts the annual Liverpool International Jazz Festival. Check individual listings for student and concessionary ticket options.
M&S Bank Arena
The M&S Bank Arena welcomes some of the biggest names in music, comedy and entertainment to the city. Alongside major international tours, its programme includes live shows, special events and performances spanning a wide range of genres.
Theatre and Performance
Liverpool has an excellent theatre scene, ranging from large touring productions to intimate new writing, experimental work and performances created with local communities.
Student offers vary between productions, so always check the venue’s website before booking and take valid student identification with you.
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse presents locally produced theatre, new writing, touring productions and creative events across its two venues.
Young people should also look at the theatres’ current membership, participation and development opportunities. These can include discounted tickets, workshops, events and ways to become involved in theatre-making.
Liverpool’s Royal Court
Liverpool’s Royal Court is known for producing accessible, entertaining theatre with a distinct Liverpool voice. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in Liverpool life and get to know the city’s sense of humour.
Unity Theatre
Unity Theatre champions new work, emerging artists and performances that explore contemporary issues. Its programme includes theatre, comedy, dance, family work, festivals and artist development opportunities. Student discounts are available for many performances.
The Hope Street Theatre
The Hope Street Theatre hosts independent theatre companies, emerging performers, comedy, musicals, festivals and new writing.
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Liverpool Empire Theatre hosts major touring musicals, drama, dance, comedy and family productions. Student offers and reduced-price tickets are available on selected performances.
20 Stories High
20 Stories High creates bold theatre and music with young people and communities that are often underrepresented on stage. Its work can combine hip-hop, spoken word, live music, puppetry and multimedia performance. Students interested in socially engaged theatre, performance and activism should look out for productions, workshops and participation opportunities.
The Black-E
The Black-E is a pioneering community arts organisation based in a distinctive historic building close to Liverpool’s Chinatown. It has a long history of bringing people together through performance, visual art, workshops, festivals and community events.
Film, Photography and Digital Culture
Film and media students will find plenty to explore across the city region, but you don’t need to be studying a creative subject to get involved.
Alongside FACT and Open Eye Gallery, look out for independent screenings, short-film nights, filmmaker Q&As, community cinema projects and opportunities to have your own work screened.
First Take
First Take works with people and communities to tell stories through film, animation and digital media. Its projects have supported emerging creatives and people whose experiences are not always represented on screen. Aspiring filmmakers should follow First Take for screenings, workshops, training and project opportunities.
Books, Writing and Spoken Word
Liverpool’s literary culture includes festivals, shared reading groups, spoken-word events, workshops, independent bookshops and opportunities for new writers.
Writing on the Wall
Writing on the Wall runs writing projects, workshops, performances, discussions and events throughout the year. They also run the annual WoWFEST, Liverpool’s longest-running writing and literary festival. Its programme brings together acclaimed authors, activists, poets, performers and emerging writers.
Students who want to develop their writing should follow Writing on the Wall for workshops, commissions, competitions and participation opportunities.
The Reader at Calderstones
The Reader uses literature and Shared Reading to bring people together. Its home in Calderstones Park includes the Mansion House, an independent bookshop, café, reading spaces and a programme of groups, workshops and cultural activities.
Festivals and Cultural Events
Some of the city region’s best cultural experiences happen through annual festivals and one-off events rather than permanent venues.
Liverpool Irish Festival
Liverpool Irish Festival celebrates Liverpool’s Irish culture, heritage and contemporary creative connections. Their annual programme includes music, theatre, film, talks, exhibitions, walks and participatory events at venues across the city. The festival normally includes a mixture of free and ticketed activities.
Africa Oyé
Africa Oyé is the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture. Held each summer in Liverpool’s Sefton Park, the festival brings together international artists, DJs, food stalls and independent traders for a vibrant weekend of live music and entertainment.
Student Discounts and Affordable Tickets
Student and concessionary offers can change, but there are several ways to make cultural trips more affordable.
Student Art Pass
A Student Art Pass provides free or reduced-price entry to participating museums, galleries, historic houses and major exhibitions across the UK. It may also include shop and café discounts.
Check the current membership price and participating attractions before joining.
Ask Your University
Universities and students’ unions sometimes arrange free tickets, cultural trips, society visits and discounted transport. Joining a student society connected to music, theatre, filmmaking, photography, literature or visual art can also help you find events and meet people with similar interests.
Find Arts Jobs, Callouts and Opportunities
If you’re hoping to work in the creative industries, don’t wait until graduation to start making connections.
Liverpool City Region’s cultural organisations regularly advertise:
- Part-time and entry-level jobs
- Internships and placements
- Freelance commissions
- Artist development programmes
- Volunteer positions
- Funding opportunities
- Auditions and performance callouts
- Opportunities for writers, filmmakers and photographers
You can find regularly updated opportunities in the Uncover Liverpool community section, alongside news from the local cultural sector.
What’s On in Liverpool City Region?
This guide is only a starting point. Liverpool City Region’s cultural calendar changes every week, with new exhibitions, gigs, performances, workshops, festivals and creative opportunities appearing all the time.
Use Uncover Liverpool to find events across the city region. You can filter listings by date and discover free and low-cost things to do.
You can also join the free weekly Arts Bulletin for a curated selection of events, jobs, commissions, callouts, volunteering roles and other creative opportunities.
Liverpool’s cultural scene belongs to everyone. Explore beyond the familiar places, support independent organisations and local artists, and don’t be afraid to get involved rather than simply watching from the sidelines.