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.