By Ade Blackburn
Looking for things to do in Liverpool and the city region this summer with the family? From creative workshops to exciting performances, there’s something for all ages. Whether you’re after hands-on activities, drama camps, or music events, these fun-filled experiences will help you make the most of the summer holidays.
Here’s our pick of the best things to do with the family this summer across the Liverpool City Region.
Liverpool Biennial and Independents Biennial 2025 – Various venues (until 14 September)
The Liverpol Biennial 2025 festival, this year titled ‘BEDROCK’, takes place until 14 September and is curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. ‘BEDROCK’ draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the people, places and values of Liverpool that ground all of us. There’s some fascinating new exhibitions to discover, including family-friendly showcases. Partners for the festival include Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North and Walker Art Gallery.
Independents Biennial 2025 will also return to Liverpool City Region with 22 new artistic commissions, 64 artists and new work appearing across Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helens. The artist-led festival, which runs concurrently to Liverpool Biennial, is created to showcase the vibrant art and art scene of the city-region.
Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet – Exhibition Centre (15 July – 15 August)
Credit: Andy Teebay
Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet returns to Liverpool this summer after attracting an amazing 60,000 visitors during its UK premiere in the city in 2024. The unmissable multimedia experience will be at the waterfront Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
City art lovers will also become the first in the country to enjoy a stunning new immersive show, Beyond Monet, receiving its UK premiere in Liverpool and which brings the works of the ‘Father of Impressionism’ to life in mesmerising fashion.
Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet will be staged on different days throughout the three-week run at the landmark waterfront venue.
Up Close With Archaeology – Museum of Liverpool (22 and 29 July)
It’s the Festival of Archaeology 2025! Get hands on with the distant past with Up Close With Archaeology, a unique opportunity to handle and find out about more about real objects from the Museum of Liverpool’s archaeology collection.
There is something incredibly powerful about making a connection with something that was made by hand thousands of years ago – maybe even with a thumb print still evident!
Aquarium Keeper Experience – World Museum (22, 23 and 29 July)
In this behind the scenes, immersive Aquarium Keeper Experience session you will get the chance to feed their animals and learn how the team look after the equipment and water chemistry in their aquarium.
Aquarium keepers look after a huge range of animals from clown fish, to terrapins and axolotl to crabs. Discover just what it takes to care for their animals and how exactly you clean a tank full of creatures!
Suitable for children over 8.
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets – The Atkinson (1 August)
Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music, dance, and excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets takes to the stage! Head along and join them at The Atkinson for the ultimate pop concert and celebrate the biggest hits from the hottest artistes of the moment.
Shake it Off to their very own Taylor Swift; sing along to Flowers with Miley Cyrus; dust off all our best dance moves to ‘Vampires’ with Olivia Rodrigo, and the unstoppable Sabrina Carpenter performing all her top hits such as ‘Espresso’. Watch the girls delight the audience in this incredible concert with a huge pop party to finish the show.
Summer Drama Week – Unity Theatre (4 – 8 August)
A chance to spend a fun Summer Drama Week exploring drama at the Unity Theatre, meet new friends and create a show in a week! Enjoy games, creating characters, puppetry and more with brilliant practitioners.
The drama week is an excellent opportunity for children to discover the magic of theatre and performance in a friendly environment. The event is free or pay what you can, all abilities are welcome and sessions are suitable for ages 9 to 12.
The Liver Bird Safari Walking Tour – ArtsGroupie, starts at Bluecoat (9 August – 20 September)
Liverpool is famous for the Liver Bird, a mythical bird which is the symbol of the city. The most famous of which are the birds on the magnificent Royal Liver Building, the first-ever Skyscraper in the UK. What you may not know is that there are in fact over 100 Liver Birds in Liverpool, hidden in the architecture of this fine city.
Join ArtsGroupie for a fun, lively Liver Bird Walking Tour Safari around the city centre, as they go Liver Bird-spotting. Starting at The Bluecoat, visiting St. George’s Plateau, William Brown Street, and Castle Street; learn about the history of Liverpool along the way.
The two-hour tour finishes near the Waterfront.
Nature Neighbours Workshop – Heart of Glass (9 August)
In this Nature Neighbours Workshop participants create a wildlife sculpture made from wooden laser-cut ply shapes, inspired by the Nature Neighbours trail!
Heart of Glass will provide the materials for you to make your own artwork using wooden shapes, glue and paint, guided by artists Juneau Projects. The pieces on the Nature Neighbours trail are all based on wildlife found locally in Halewood’s parks, from jays and robins, to butterflies and bugs. Make your own to take home at the end of the workshop.
DoES Liverpool Maker Day – DoES Liverpool (9 August)
Do Something Saturdays – FACT Liverpool (9 August)
Create the most annoying room in the world and trap your grown-ups inside! Inspired by artist Kara Chin’s work, this fun free workshop is part of FACT Liverpool’s Do Something Saturdays and includes a chance to explore her interactive installation for Liverpool Biennial, on display until 14 September. Located in their Studio/Lab space on the top floor, these free sessions encourage imagination and innovation in a friendly environment.
Wirral Theatre Festival Family Shows – Williamson Art Gallery / Floral Pavilion (15 – 16 August)
Wirral Theatre Festival showcases local stories and includes some great family entertainment this year. The festival takes place across two days at the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum and Floral Pavilion.
Saturday afternoon is all about their family-friendly shows, including performances of Trapped in Williamson Art Gallery and Spooky Tales, the latter is family-friendly but not for the faint-hearted! The show includes the winning entry from the Wirral Theatre Festival Writing Competition in 2024.
One ticket gets you access to both shows!
Mosh Tots – Future Yard (17 August)
The Mosh Tots band take over Future Yard’s main stage for the hottest show in town, this August! Aimed at children aged 1-8, Mosh Tots is there to introduce young people to the rockin’ world of live music in a safe and fun environment.
At Future Yard, they believe that live music should be for everyone, no matter your age. Live music venues have often been off limits for young children and their parents and Mosh Tots flips that on its head. A great opportunity to share the joy of live music together as a family.
For every child ticket purchased, 1 adult goes free.
Robin Hood – Shakespeare North Playhouse (30 August)
Folksy Theatre invites you to experience a brand new musical adaptation of the classic Robin Hood tale at Shakespeare North Playhouse. Set against the enchanting backdrop of the eerie Sherwood Forest, this whimsical production sees King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham trying to thwart the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood and his band of merry men as they steal from the rich to give to the poor.
Filled with Folksy’s signature live music, audience interaction, and delightful silliness, this adaptation promises to have you laughing and singing along!
For even more things to do this summer in Liverpool and the City Region check out our What’s On Listings.