Arts and Culture
Discover the best of arts and culture in Liverpool, featuring exhibitions, interviews, and cultural events celebrating the city’s creative spirit.
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Packed Summer of Free Outdoor Arts, Music And Family Fun Coming To Calderstones Park
Calderstones Park is set to become the cultural heart of Liverpool this summer, as The Reader unveils its most exciting summer programme yet — filled with garden parties, live music, literary legends, theatre under the stars, and magical family fun. Whether you’re planning a picnic, looking for creative ways to entertain the kids, or fancy joining a poetry walk with an ice cream in hand, there’s something for everyone in this joyful celebration of books,…
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What’s The Story? In Conversation With Oasis Manager Marcus Russell Coming To Tung Auditorium
This May, The Tung Auditorium will present Before Oasis: In conversation with Marcus Russell – a rare opportunity to hear the story of how one of the UK’s most successful artist managers came to work with Oasis, the definitive act of Britpop. Along with Dr Mike Jones from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Music – a lifelong friend of Russell’s – they will reflect on memories of Russell’s formative music industry experiences as a…
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The Reader Launches New Shared Reading Group In Spellow Library
The Reader’s new weekly Reading Group is a free and enjoyable activity where people can connect and share experiences using stories and poems. A new Shared Reading group has launched at Spellow Library Hub in Liverpool. The Walton group will run every week on Mondays from 4pm – 5pm. It is led by a volunteer who has trained as a ‘Reader Leader’ with national charity The Reader based at The Mansion House in Liverpool’s Calderstones…
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Inaugural Liverpool Book Festival Announced For September!
The inaugural Liverpool Book Festival has been announced for 7 September 2025. The debut event is taking place at Invisible Wind Factory from 12pm and will feature over 40 authors, book signings, live music, street food, artisan stalls, guest speakers and special guests such as Billy Butler and Ramsey Campbell, with more to be announced. The exciting new book festival will feature some of the region’s most talented and award winning authors and will showcase…
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Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre Announces First Test Events Ahead of Re-Opening
Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre will hold its first test event this month ahead of officially reopening its doors for a full autumn season of entertainment. Dancing in the Aisles, being staged on Easter Sunday, 20 April, will be the first production since the much-loved Hanover Street venue closed its doors in June 2023. The afternoon cabaret show will be a recurring slot at the Epstein, with the first show being hosted by popular Liverpool actor and comedian Lindzi…
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Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – Jason Thompson
Sacred Shed Doors: Jason Thompson’s Paradoxical Vision of Art and Object Liverpool Noise’s Creative Spotlight shines for April on Jason Thompson, a Liverpool native with international acclaim. Thompson’s art, a compelling blend of the sacred and the mundane, manifests as richly layered paintings on found wooden panels. His training under Roger Ackling at Chelsea College of Art informs his intuitive, process- driven approach, where enamel paints and varnish become tools for a continuous cycle of…
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Liverpool Biennial 2025 Unveils ‘BEDROCK’ Theme and Participating Artists
The 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial, titled ‘BEDROCK’, will take place 7 June – 14 September 2025, curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. The theme draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the beliefs which underpin the city. It is inspired by the sandstone which spans the city region and is found in its distinctive architecture. ‘BEDROCK’ also acts as a metaphor for the social foundations of Liverpool and the people, places and values that ground all of…
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Liverpool Film Office Celebrates 35th Anniversary With Incredible New Showreel
Liverpool is rolling out the red carpet for film fans worldwide as Liverpool Film Office marks its 35th anniversary with a breathtaking new showreel, celebrating the region’s starring role on screen. Produced by award-winning Liverpool-based LA Productions and curated by renowned creative director Chris Bernard – whose debut film ‘Letter to Brezhnev’ premiered the same year the Film Office was founded – the showreel captures the magic of Liverpool City Region on film over the past…
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Luke Jerram’s Helios at Liverpool Cathedral: Experience the Sun Like Never Before
Get ready to bask in the brilliance of Helios, the awe-inspiring illuminated sculpture of the Sun, on display at Liverpool Cathedral from 4 April – 9 May 2025. For the first time ever, the UK’s largest cathedral will host this dazzling masterpiece by world-renowned British artist Luke Jerram. Following the success of Museum of the Moon and Gaia, Helios promises to be another unforgettable experience. Special Programme of Events To complement Helios, Liverpool Cathedral has…
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Independents Biennial 2025 Returns To Liverpool City Region
Independents Biennial 2025 will 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. The Independents Biennial has been showcasing the work of grassroots artists since 1999 and has been known by various names including Tracey, Biennial Fringe and Liverpool…
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In Conversation – Actress And Playwright, Katherine Senior
During World War II, a group of women defied expectations, taking to the skies to ferry vital aircraft. Their extraordinary true stories, marked by courage, loss, and unwavering hope, form the heart of Spitfire Girls. This new play, a co-production by Tilted Wig and MAST Mayflower Productions, is currently touring the UK, landing at Shakespeare North Playhouse from April 23rd-26th, 2025. Liverpool Noise‘s Steve Kinrade sat down with actress and playwright Katherine Senior to delve…
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Review: The Intrusion At Unity Theatre
Performance and Precision: A Masterclass in Immersive Theatrical Storytelling The anticipatory atmosphere at Unity Theatre, Liverpool was palpable, heightened by an unusual pre-show ritual. Upon entering, each audience member was handed a slip of paper, a stark invitation to confront mortality by documenting their imagined final moments before a world-ending catastrophe. This seemingly simple act proved to be a masterstroke, a subtle yet profound prelude that would resonate throughout the evening’s theatrical experience, embedding the…
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Thousands Attend Launch Weekend of Borealis at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool
This weekend saw the hugely successful launch of the breathtaking Borealis installation at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, drawing in over 45,000 visitors who were left spellbound by artist Dan Acher’s mesmerising recreation of the Northern Lights. The highly-anticipated spectacle transformed the dock’s historic Hartley Quay into a dreamlike scene using cutting-edge beams of light, atmospheric effects, and a calming ambient soundtrack to recreate the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis right in the heart of the city. The…
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Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre To Re-Open This Summer
Liverpool’s much-loved Epstein Theatre is set to reopen after a deal was agreed to breathe new life into the historic city centre venue. The Grade II listed theatre closed its doors in June 2023 following a decision by the city council, which owns the building’s freehold, to withdraw financial support which had helped to keep the 112-year-old venue running. But now the Hanover Street landmark is due to welcome audiences once again, with new leaseholders…
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The Intrusion: Examining Climate Crisis Through Comedy – Finding Hope In The Bleakness of Extinction
Bric à Brac Theatre and Told by an Idiot present The Intrusion, a dark comedy exploring climate crisis and survival after civilisation’s end. Premiering at Leeds Playhouse (March 1-8) before touring northern venues, the Kafkaesque play uses humour and original music to examine extinction. Developed with experts and community insights, the production features Kitty Devlin (Bridgerton), Alex Hinson, and Siobhan Cha Cha. Directed by Anna Marshall, it offers an “anarchic look” at a desperate situation,…
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In Conversation – Wes Williams (Grin Theatre)
For over a decade, Grin Theatre has been a driving force in LGBTQ+ representation within Merseyside’s theatre scene. Founded in 2011, the company has provided a powerful platform for queer creatives through its dynamic productions, workshops, and mentorships. From the beloved annual Queertet festival to thought-provoking plays that challenge audiences, Grin continues to evolve, collaborating with theatre companies across the North West to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. In this interview, we speak with Wes Williams, the…
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Three New Outdoor Events At Calderstones Park With The Reader & Mersey Forest, Marking 80th Anniversary of VE Day
This spring The Reader is collaborating with Mersey Forest to launch new nature inspired Poetry Walks, school heritage trips and a VE Day Garden Party to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War. New spring poetry walks, school heritage trips and a Garden Party have been announced at Calderstones Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Mersey Forest, the Cheshire and Merseyside community forest has commissioned The Reader –the…
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Jodie Comer To Bring Prima Facie To Liverpool For Final Tour
Jodie Comer will reprise her award-winning role in Prima Facie for a final tour in 2026, with the production making a highly anticipated stop at Liverpool Playhouse. The Killing Eve star, originally from Liverpool, will return to her hometown for the last leg of the tour, running from 17 to 21 March. Written by Suzie Miller, Prima Facie tells the powerful story of a barrister who defends men accused of rape before experiencing sexual assault…
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Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – Jon Barraclough
“To teach is to learn.” The artistic journey of Jon Barraclough is remarkably diverse – spanning drawing, photography, film, teaching, and research. Born in Bradford, he has lived and worked in numerous cities, including Newcastle, London, New York, Manchester, and now Liverpool and North Yorkshire. He has held significant positions, such as the Director of The Liverpool School of Art, and have been instrumental in initiatives like Drawing Paper UK and the Drawing(Paper)Show. His current…
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‘Goodbye To Goodison’ Photo Display Documents Everton Fans’ Final Season At Iconic Stadium
Goodison Park’s final season as home to Everton Football Club will be documented from a fan’s perspective, through a new photo display opening on 5 April at Museum of Liverpool. Featuring nine photographers from the club’s fanbase, Goodbye to Goodison is a love letter to the home stadium of Everton Football Club in its final season. The display of photos taken during the final season looks at the relationship between this iconic ground and the loyal fans who congregate around the stadium. …
Liverpool has long been recognised as one of the UK’s most creative cities, with a thriving arts and culture scene that continues to inspire, innovate, and attract visitors from across the globe. From world-class art galleries and museums to grassroots exhibitions, community-led projects, and bold new work from emerging artists, the city offers an ever-changing landscape of creativity.
Our arts and culture in Liverpool section celebrates everything from major cultural moments to intimate creative experiences. Here, you’ll find coverage of the city’s most exciting art exhibitions, from Tate Liverpool’s thought-provoking contemporary shows to Bluecoat’s pioneering visual arts programme and FACT’s boundary-pushing exploration of digital culture. We also shine a spotlight on independent galleries and artist-run spaces, such as Output Gallery and dot-art, which champion local talent and give a platform to Liverpool’s diverse artistic voices.
But arts and culture in Liverpool is about more than exhibitions. It’s also about the stories behind the artists, curators, and cultural leaders who shape the city. Through interviews, features, and opinion pieces, we explore the inspirations, challenges, and creative journeys of those contributing to Liverpool’s cultural life. Whether it’s an established painter, a theatre director, or a multidisciplinary artist experimenting with new forms, we share their perspectives and amplify their work.
Liverpool’s cultural calendar is packed with must-see events, and this section keeps you up to date with the highlights. From visual arts festivals like Liverpool Biennial, to multi-arts celebrations such as Africa Oyé and Homotopia, we cover the festivals and events that bring people together and reflect the city’s spirit of creativity and inclusion. Alongside these larger-scale happenings, we also look at grassroots cultural activity—pop-up exhibitions, open studios, and collaborative community projects that keep the city’s cultural identity vibrant and alive.
The city’s strong cultural foundations, built on its history as a UNESCO City of Music and European Capital of Culture 2008, continue to fuel innovation. Today, arts and culture in Liverpool is about creating accessible, inclusive, and exciting opportunities for everyone to experience creativity. Whether you’re interested in traditional painting and sculpture, cutting-edge digital installations, performance art, or cultural heritage, Liverpool offers something for every taste.
By exploring this section, you’ll discover not only what’s on, but also gain insights into why the arts matter here and now. Liverpool’s artists and cultural organisations are shaping important conversations about identity, diversity, community, and the future—and we’re here to share their stories.
So whether you’re planning your next gallery visit, looking to discover a new artist, or simply want to stay connected with the heartbeat of Liverpool’s creative scene, this category is your guide to everything happening in arts and culture across the city.