Liverpool’s international samba festival is heading to the city’s commercial district for the first time.

Brazilica 2016 will be held in Derby Square this summer after five successful years at Williamson Square.

First held in 2008 during the city’s year as Capital of Culture, event is the largest annual celebration of Brazilian culture in the UK and attracts some 60,000 visitors to Liverpool.

The relocation is a result of the Liverpool BID Company becoming headline sponsors of the three-day festival which will this year take place from 15-17 July.

A packed programme of events will begin on Friday, leading up to the main Carnival Day on the Saturday. Organisers have also announced that the Brazilian Film Festival will also return following a successful first year in 2015.

A Fringe Festival with exhibitions and workshops provided by visiting artists from Sao Paulo is another addition to this year’s festivities.

The night-time Carnival Parade, which features Samba bands from across the country and elsewhere, will see thousands of people line the route which will make its way from Abercromby Square through the city centre before ending in Derby Square.

Maeve Morris, artistic director of Liverpool Carnival Company, says: “We’re really excited to be working with the Liverpool BID Company on Brazilica 2016. We have a fabulous line-up of events planned this year and Derby Square is such an amazing location.

“We really hope local businesses will get involved so that visitors can get a taste of what this city has to offer and it’s also great for the local economy.”

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, adds: “We’re delighted to be hosting Brazilica for the first time in the Commercial District – it’s one of the flagship events of the Liverpool summer.”

Full details of the event will be announced soon.

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