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 Announce First Wave of Artists Including Female Supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique
Africa Oyé have revealed the first three live music acts for their 2020 festival of music and culture in Liverpool. Female pan-African supergroup, Les Amazones D’Afrique, Ghanian highlife stars,Santrofi and Cameroonian songstress Valerie Ekoume will all grace the Sefton Park stage when the festival returns for its 28th annual event on 20th and 21st June, 2020. An all-female collective of West African musicians, Les Amazones D’Afrique made a huge impact across the globe with their 2017 debut album, République Amazone. Singing out against gender…
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LightNight To Return On 15 May With ‘Home’ Theme
LightNight will return on Friday 15 May, once again keeping the doors to the city’s unique venues, museums and galleries open late to celebrate the arts and culture scene in Liverpool. LightNight is Liverpool’s one-night arts festival giving visitors the chance to see the city in a new light. The event presents new and ambitious artistic commissions amidst a vibrant programme of more than 100 events happening across the city. There’s everything from large-scale light…
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Cream Classical 2020 Lineup Announced
Cream Classical 2020 has announced the lineup for its return to Sefton Park on 18 July. The 2020 edition will include DJ sets from Basement Jaxx, Faithless and Leftfield. There will also be appearances from Cream legends including David Morales, Roger Sanchez, Danny Rampling, Seb Fontaine, John Kelly, Tall Paul, Paul Bleasdale and Andy Carroll. One of the highlights of the event will be the 50-piece Kaleidoscope Orchestra – an orchestra made for the 21st…
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Björk, Groove Armada and Metronomy To Headline Bluedot Festival 2020
Bluedot Festival 2020 has released the first wave of artists with Björk, Groove Armada and Metronomy headlining the fifth instalment of the award-winning music, science and culture event at Cheshire’s iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory taking place 23–26 July 2020. One of the most influential and ground-breaking musicians of all time, Björk’s festival exclusive set will close bluedot with a uniquely commissioned performance alongside Manchester’s famed Halle Orchestra featuring incredible bespoke projections on the Lovell Telescope.…
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Liverpool Psych Fest 2020 Announces Lineup including Altın Gün , Snapped Ankles & More
Liverpool Psych Fest 2020 has unveiled the full lineup for this year’s event which they’ve described as a 16-hour immersive journey through the sights and sounds of future psychedelia. Altın Gün, the Anatolian rock and Turkish Psychedelic Folk band from Amsterdam will be performing along with London post-punk outfit Snapped Ankles. Lo-fi psychedelic duo The Lovely Eggs and Boston psych rockers Sunburned Hand of the Man are also highlights of this year’s event. After a…
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Circa Waves Release ‘Sad Happy’ and Curate Festival Supporting Local Emerging Liverpool Acts
It’s been a busy few days for Liverpool natives Circa Waves following the announcement of their specially curated music festival, Circa Fest. We know that small independent venues across the country are being forced to close their doors, making it more and more difficult for budding new bands to be discovered, so the support of established bands like Circa Waves can have a big impact on the local scene. The band decided to take action…
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Sound City 2020 Announces Friendly Fires As Headliners And More Artists Revealed
The Sound City 2020 lineup is bolstered by English Indie-rock outfit Friendly Fires alongside Liverpool’s finest Louis Berry, SPQR and many more. Returning to the Baltic Triangle for its third year Sound City 2020 edition will feature an exclusive Friendly Fires headline show. Picture the music festival, which was established in 2008 as a sprawling block party where pop-up bars, clubs and warehouses make way for the hottest new music talent from around the globe.…
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Liverpool Chinese New Year 2020 Celebrations – What’s On Guide
We’ll be welcoming the Year of the Rat during the Liverpool Chinese New Year 2020 celebrations in the heart of Chinatown this Sunday. You’ve probably already noticed thousands of Chinese lanterns adorning the city centre as we prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Sunday 26th January. And as the first established Chinatown in Europe you can guarantee we will be celebrating in style. Like we’ve seen previously, a number of buildings including Central…
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Award-winning Reggae Festival, Positive Vibration Returns This June
After a year-long hiatus, the UK’s award-winning celebration of reggae music and Jamaican culture, Positive Vibration Festival returns to the Baltic Triangle, Liverpool on 12 and 13 June 2020. Since its inception in 2016, Positive Vibration Festival of Reggae has established itself as one of the country’s most exciting and eclectic reggae festivals, playing host to internationally renowned bands, legendary sound systems + selectors and some of the brightest new talent. This year’s festival is…
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INDIKA: Europe’s finest festival of Indian arts returns to Liverpool for 2020
Indika, Europe’s finest festival of Indian arts, returns to Liverpool for 2020, taking over the city for a vibrant 10-day celebration. Looking ahead to its 10th year, the Indika festival, presented by Milap, is renowned for hosting some of the biggest names in Indian arts, as well as some of the very best rising talent from India and the Diaspora. Indika will return in 2020 with an expanded and eclectic programme of events, featuring contemporary Indian…
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Sound City 2020 Reveals First Wave of Acts for Festival
Sound City, the UK’s leading independent festival and industry conference for emerging music, arts and discovery, returns for its 13th year across Friday May 1st – Sunday 3rd 2020 to launch next year’s festival season in fine style. Tickets go on sale from 10am Friday 25th October. The festival has revealed its first headline artists, the goth-pop champions Pale Waves taking centre stage with their female front-woman, Heather Baron-Gracie, and their music emboldened from last…
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Future Yard Festival Review
It’s all over to Birkenhead this weekend as we celebrate for the first time the beauty of Future Yard Festival. Tucked away next to the mouth of the Queensway Tunnel is a corner of land that looks out over to Liverpool on one side and North Wales on the other, home to some serious musical talent and of course not forgetting the late John Peel. Jumping off at Hamilton Square it’s a short walk over…
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New Brighton Pirate Fest – August 17 and 18
It’s time to hoist the flags for the New Brighton Pirate Fest – The Battle for Devil’s Nest – is a swashbuckling extravaganza setting sail on the weekend of August 17 and 18. The free, two-day attraction celebrates the history of pirates and much more, including two stunning stars of the sea taking part – a pair of specially created galleons. One will lead the parade and become our entertainment stage. The larger craft will…
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Sound City 2019 Review
Sound City’s best decision was bringing the annual festival back to the city centre and its second year in the Baltic Triangle has proved to be a big success with stand out moments from Liverpool’s own Clean Cut Kid, Salford’s The Lottery Winners and headliner Loyle Carner. Saturday saw a big turnout in the Baltic Triangle and a buzz that typifies the festival, with people (us included) briskly walking from stage to stage to catch the…
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Africa Oyé announce third wave of acts for 2019 festival
The Garifuna Collective from Belize and legendary reggae artist Horace Andy will headline the 27th annual Africa Oyé 2019 festival this summer. Taking place in Liverpool’s Sefton Park on the 22nd and 23rd of June, the music and culture of Africa and the Diaspora will once again take centre stage for two free days of fantastic live performances, DJ sets and multi-arts workshops. Leading the way for this latest announcement, and performing as part of…
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LIMF First Wave Line Up Announced
Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) has announced hip hop legends De La Soul, chart-topping Ella Eyre and DJ Duo Sigma amongst the line up for 2019’s festival which returns to Sefton Park on 20 & 21 July. Also on the bill is the hugely talented singer-songwriter and rapper Maverick Sabre and electro rnb star NAO. LIMF has also lined up Disco Classical – Camerata Orchestra reworking iconic disco tracks – with special guests Sister Sledge, for…
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Liverpool To Host BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2019
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2019 will take place in Liverpool in venues across the city from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 March. The line-up features The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Anna Calvi, Jon Hopkins, Hot Chip, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Ex:Re. Plus Little Simz, Bodega, Gang Of Four, Villagers, IDLES, Slowthai, Fontaines D.C., The Cinematic Orchestra, Chali 2na & Krafty Kuts, Jungle and Marika Hackman. Liverpool is a city with music at…
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3 Reasons To be Excited For Liverpool Sound City 2019
Liverpool Sound City returns for its 12th year in 2019 (3- 5 May) and it’s been a rollercoaster ride for what is arguably the city’s biggest music festival. We look ahead to next years event and here’s 3 reasons why we’re excited. The line-up so far: The festival has announced some quality acts to kick off the excitement for the 12th year. Loyle Carner and Mabel head up the national talent on display along with…
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Liverpool Calling Announces Second Wave of Acts for Summer Festival
Liverpool Calling has announced the second wave of acts joining the already impressive Liverpool Calling line-up on 22nd/23rd June, taking over Liverpool City Centre and Baltic Triangle. Topping the next set of additions are Geordie psych-rockers Demob Happy. East London noisemakers False Heads, Welsh indie rockers Himalayas, as well as Yorkshire garage band Avalanche Party. Plus, there will be a whole host of extraordinary Liverpool noise-makers such as Pale Rider, Psycho Comedy, and The Racket.…
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Liverpool Calling Festival Returns – First Wave of Acts Announced
Liverpool Calling festival has today announced the first wave of acts for their 2018 summer event, after a two year hiatus. Leeds noise-makers Pulled Apart By Horses and Pysch Rockers The Wytches have been announced as co-headliners for the festival which will extend to a two day event. As well as the main event on Saturday, 23rd June (taking over the Baltic Triangle), there will also be a busy Friday night schedule planned in Liverpool City Centre. Friday’s offering will…
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.