Festivals
Stay up to date with the best festivals in Liverpool, from music and arts to family-friendly food and drink events across the city.
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Africa Oyé 2024 Festival Dates Announced
The country’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, Africa Oyé has announced its festival dates for this summer in Liverpool. Following record breaking attendances last year, Africa Oyé will take over Sefton Park once again for two packed days of live music, dance, workshops, DJ stages, food stalls, traders and more. The much-loved event will this year take place on 22 and 23 June 2024 with the festival running from 12:30pm to…
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Sound City Announces First Wave of Acts & Headliners For 2024 Including The Snuts & Caity Baser
Renowned as a leader in new music discovery, Sound City continues its incredible history with the first details of its hotly anticipated 2024 return. Nestled in the heart of Liverpool – one of the world’s most influential music capitals – Sound City returns to its core multi-venue roots between the 4th-5th May 2024. Sound City: the dynamic music festival that first graced Liverpool’s streets in 2008 swiftly became a pivotal event for music enthusiasts worldwide.…
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In The Park: Jamie Webster And Cream Classical To Headline Summer 2024 Festival In Sefton Park
Liverpool has long been home and host to a series of exciting and diverse music events over the years, and 2024 is set to be another chapter in this cultural journey as ‘In The Park presents’ returns to Liverpool’s stunning Sefton Park from Friday 12 – Sunday 14 July 2024. With a 40,000 capacity each day, In the Park will be bringing together some of the best live music from various genres for what promises…
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Pleasure Island Presents The Penny Lane Weekender
Pleasure Island presents the Penny Lane Weekender, a brand-new two-day festival, set to rock Dovedale Towers, Penny Lane, Liverpool on August 5 and 6. The event promises to showcase a captivating mix of local and UK artists spanning the genres of rock and electronic music.That the event is planned and produced by the artists themselves, shows a refreshing change to similar music festivals that have a more corporate influence on their production. The Penny Lane Weekender…
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No Play Festival: New Alternative Music Festival Coming To Liverpool This Summer
No Play Festival will be heading to the Invisible Wind Factory this August. No Play are an independent promoter from Liverpool. This year sees them launch the first No Play Festival – a 1,300 person celebration of all things alternative music. The main stage will host alternative acts including headliners: YONAKA along with artists such as VUKOVI, Higher Power and Superlove. The second stage will host a range of heavier acts including Conjurer, Graphic Nature…
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Sound City Announces Final Wave of Acts
Sound City has announced that soul-pop sensation, Olivia Dean, will be joining the likes of The Reytons and Maisie Peters on the Sound City 2023 mainstage. After a string of uplifting, soulful singles and features with the likes of Loyle Carner, Olivia Dean has become one of the most talked about new UK pop stars. Fans of Maisie Peters will undoubtedly be drawn towards the infectious breezy melodies of Olivia Dean’s music while her big brass backing will create the perfect…
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Son of The Legendary Fela Kuti And Female Dancehall Star Set To Headline Africa Oyé 2023
Africa Oyé have revealed the headliners for their 2023 festival taking place this summer in Liverpool. The Saturday of the two-day free festival will see dancehall and reggae artist, Tanya Stephens close proceedings, whilst the Sunday will be headlined by Seun Kuti – son of the legendary afrobeat star, Fela Kuti – with his band, Egypt 80. Following an incredible 30th anniversary year in 2022, one of Merseyside’s most picturesque green spaces will once again be filled with the music and culture of Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora,…
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Africa Oyé Announce First Wave of Acts Ahead of 2023 Festival In Liverpool
The first three acts heading to Liverpool’s Sefton Park for this summer’s Africa Oyé Festival have been revealed. Artists from Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Cameroon make up the first wave of performers to be announced by organisers with plenty more still to come. Following an incredible 30th anniversary year in 2022, one of Merseyside’s most picturesque green spaces will once again be filled with the music and culture of Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, for two free days…
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Jamie Webster, Lady Leshurr & Bob Vylan Announced For Sound City 2023 Conference
Liverpool Sound City, the UK’s independent music conference and AIM UK’s ‘Conference in The North’, has announced its first wave of speakers and panels for the upcoming 2023 conference. For over 15 years, Sound City has remained at the fore of global music conference and industry leadership, welcoming leading industry figures, emerging artists and aspiring music business professionals to Liverpool for a full-day programme of educational panels, in-conversations and networking parties. Sound City 2023 is a must-attend for music professionals, artists, entrepreneurs and aspiring creatives alike, as music…
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Sound City Announces Second Wave of Artists For 2023 Including Sheffield’s Heavyweights The Reytons
Sound City is thrilled to announce that Sheffield indie heavyweights The Reytons will be headlining this year’s festival on Saturday 29 April, alongside rapidly rising pop star Maisie Peters who will headline on Sunday 30 April. Fresh off the back of releasing their new album What’s Rock And Roll? which is set to become the band’s first UK #1 album imminently, The Reytons are gaining momentum at immense speed. Their live shows are renowned for their electrifying energy and almost tribalistic, unified atmosphere. Their anthemic blend of huge…
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Sound City Festival Announces First Wave of Unmissable Artists For 2023
Sound City Festival has revealed its first huge headline act for 2023, along with a host of other incredible breakthrough artists heading to Liverpool next April. Homegrown pop superstar and songwriting sensation Maisie Peters will headline Sound City – the must-attend celebration of music discovery, and undisputedly the UK’s independent festival for new music. Kicking off festival season with a plethora of the most exciting emerging acts spanning a multitude of genres, Sound City delivers the ultimate festival to discover…
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bluedot Festival 2022: Review
Following a two-year hiatus, bluedot festival was back with a bang this weekend. The award-winning music, science and culture festival is hosted at Jodrell Bank Observatory, the home of the awe-inspiring Lovell Telescope – one of the biggest telescopes in the world and an icon of global astronomy. 20,000 festival goers descending to UNESCO World Heritage Site for an incredible four days of music and cosmic culture. Crowds enjoyed headline performances from Björk and The Halle Orchestra, Mogwai,…
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Liverpool Arab Arts Festival Celebrates 20 Years In The City With Packed Programme
A ten-day festival of Arab music and culture will take place across venues in Liverpool starting this Thursday evening at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room. Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) has put together a diverse programme of events for their 2022 edition, curated around the theme ‘A Point of Connection’ – Nuqtat Wasl in Arabic – and marking 20 years since the first festival was held in the city. Earlier this year, festival fans welcomed the news that the hugely…
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Africa Oyé 2022: What To Expect From This Year’s Local Talent
Much awaited after its two-year hiatus, Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park on 18 and 19 June. This year sees the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, obtaining status as one of Liverpool’s most beloved annual events. Its international lineup of artists is also complemented by a whole host of local talent, with its ‘Introduces’ initiative and community programme. Read all about this year’s Africa Oyé festival, from the headliners to the Active Zone and much…
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Baltic Weekender 2022: Review
A highlight of the four-day bank holiday weekend, it’s safe to say that Baltic Weekender has been reinstated as one of the ‘go-to’ multi-genre festivals in Liverpool. The once industrialised area of the Baltic Triangle is now a hub for the alternative. With its venues being the former warehouses that surround Jamaica Street, it the perfect setting for this weekend’s occasion. The Baltic Weekender team put on another weekend of varied acts across the venues…
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Sound City 2022: Review
Sound City celebrated its 15th anniversary in style earlier this month, with some truly exciting up-and-coming artists taking to the multiple stages across city centre venues. First up on Friday, Sound City+, the festival’s industry conference took place, with some fascinating panel discussions, talks and interviews happening in various venues. We’ve always found Sound City+ to be a great learning and networking experience for those involved in the music industry. Then, on Saturday the music…
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Sound City 2022 Preview – Top 10 One’s To Watch At This Year’s Festival
Sound City returns for its 15th anniversary on 30 April – 1 May, with the music festival taking over Liverpool’s independent music venues once again. A multitude of acts will be heading to hotspot venues such as LEAF, Phase One and The Jacaranda Club. As excitement grows for music lovers, Sound City get to welcome back some familiar faces and introduce some up and coming acts. Here are some artists that should definitely be on…
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Africa Oyé Is Back June 2022, Celebrating 30th Anniversary
A Grammy Award-winning Malian musician, an Afrobeats pioneer, and a reggae legend will headline The Africa Oyé Festival this summer. The festival team are delighted to announce that Oumou Sangaré, Fuse ODG and Eek-A-Mouse will top the bill at this year’s free celebration of African and Caribbean culture in Liverpool, along with a host of other acclaimed acts appearing on the line-up. Following a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the festival returns to…
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Sound City 2022 Preview: Bandit Q&A
Lively northern, indie rock 4-piece Bandit will be playing at Sound City this year, so we caught up with them to talk about their music, performing live and what 2022 has in store for them. Liverpool Noise: For anyone reading this who might not know who you are, how would you best describe yourselves as a band? Bandit: Y’alreet mon cheri’s, we are Bandit. We’re the indie poster boys, but we’re on the darker end…
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bluedot Festival Headliners Announced
Björk, Groove Armada, Mogwai, Metronomy and Hannah Peel to headline bluedot 2022. Award-winning festival reveals music, science and culture line-up featuring a UK Festival Exclusive from Björk Orchestral. bluedot has revealed the first wave of artists for this year with Björk, Groove Armada and Mogwai headlining the fifth instalment of the award-winning music, science and culture event at Cheshire’s iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory taking place 21–24 July 2022. One of the most influential and groundbreaking…
Festivals are at the heart of Liverpool’s cultural identity, bringing people together to celebrate music, art, food, film, and community. The city has a long tradition of hosting vibrant festivals that reflect its creativity and diversity, offering something for everyone throughout the year. Whether you’re a music lover chasing the buzz of live performances, a family looking for fun days out, or a foodie ready to explore new flavours, Liverpool’s festival scene has it all.
Music festivals are among Liverpool’s biggest draws, showcasing everything from local grassroots talent to international superstars. Events like Sound City attract huge crowds with eclectic line-ups, while festivals such as Africa Oyé shine a spotlight on global sounds, reggae culture, and community spirit. For fans of electronic music, events like Creamfields (just outside the city) and independent club-led festivals deliver world-class DJ sets and unforgettable all-night parties.
The city also thrives with arts and culture festivals, celebrating creativity in all its forms. Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s largest festival of contemporary visual art, transforms the city every two years with thought-provoking exhibitions, installations, and performances. DaDaFest champions disabled and Deaf artists through powerful work that challenges perspectives, while Homotopia Festival celebrates LGBTQIA+ culture through theatre, cabaret, and visual arts.
For families and food lovers, food and drink festivals are a huge part of the Liverpool calendar. The likes of the Baltic Market’s street food events bring together the best of local restaurants, bars, breweries, and independent traders. Visitors can sample cuisines from around the world, enjoy cooking demonstrations, and discover hidden gems from Liverpool’s food scene. Seasonal favourites like Christmas markets and Easter festivals also provide plenty of fun for all ages, with live entertainment, craft stalls, and activities for kids.
Film fans and culture-seekers aren’t left out either. The city plays host to Liverpool Film Festival, and smaller community-led screenings that celebrate both local filmmakers and international cinema. These events provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy films in unique settings while supporting independent cinema.
No matter the season, Liverpool’s festivals bring a sense of excitement, colour, and togetherness to the city. They reflect the city’s heritage, creativity, and welcoming spirit, making them an essential part of life in Liverpool. Whether you’re planning your festival calendar for the year, discovering new music and art, or just looking for a fun weekend with friends, there’s always something happening to capture your imagination.
Our Festivals category keeps you up to date with the best events across the city region. From major annual highlights to smaller niche gatherings, we cover everything so you don’t miss a moment of Liverpool’s thriving festival scene.