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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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…
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Africa Oyé Announces First Wave of Artists
Artists from Guinea Bissau and the Gambia are all set to take to the Africa Oyé stage this summer. Kicking off the first wave of artists is singer-songwriter Binhan, who broke through in Guinea Bissau back in 2008 with his refreshing songs of love and hope. PLUS pioneering kora player, Sona Jobarteh will be returning to Africa Oye following her 2016 performance at the festival. Mark the dates in your diaries as Sefton Park will once again be…
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Shout About It Live Festival Returns for 2nd year – First acts announced
Shout About It Live – a hybrid festival bringing live music and gig photography together – has announced it’s return for 2018 after a solid debut last year. Staying in the Baltic Triangle, this year’s venue is the multi-purpose venue Constellations on the weekend of 18th & 19th August. And the first acts have been confirmed with Robert Vince, Rews, Nick Ellis, Eleanor Nelly and Emmanuel Nwamadi all set to take to the stage this…
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First acts announced for Liverpool International Music Festival 2018
Liverpool International Music Festival 2018 is heading back to the magnificent setting of Sefton Park for another weekend of unforgettable music on 21st – 22nd July. Over 70 artists including Haçienda Classiçal, Basement Jaxx (DJ Set), Wiley, Example & DJ Wire, Jax Jones, Stefflon Don, Aurora, Young Fathers, Rae Morris, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Trevor Nelson, Gilles Peterson plus many more will perform live as part of this year’s unmissable line-up. With up to 18 hours…
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Sound City Announces 100 Brand New Artists For 2018 Festival
Sound City is making its hugely anticipated return to the city’s centre, kick-starting the UK’s 2018 festival season into life on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May. The festival is very much going back to its roots for its 11th year in a vibrant celebration of music and arts from around the world and much closer to home. Sound City will embrace the spirit of the underground and seek out the next generation of talent…
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Sound City Reveals First 10 Artists For 2018 Festival
One of Europe’s leading metropolitan festivals of music and arts, Sound City, is making its much anticipated return to the city centre across the first spring bank holiday Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May. Taking place across the Baltic Triangle and Cains Brewery in Liverpool, the festival is very much returning to its roots for its 11th year, focused on discovering an abundance of emerging new talent for everyone to savour whilst experiencing many iconic…
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Sound City will take place across Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle in the spring 2018
Sound City has announced its 2018 festival will be located across the Baltic Triangle and the Cain’s Brewery area. Taking place across the first spring bank holiday Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May, Sound City will be taking over the iconic warehouses, intimate spaces, outdoor stages and pop-up places which form the renascent Baltic Triangle and Cain’s Brewery areas of the city. It is here which is the catalyst for much of Liverpool’s creative and…
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.