With the temperature set to rise as we reach the summer months, you’re probably on the look-out for things to do in Liverpool. And what better way to enjoy the warmer weather than by checking out some of the city’s best festivals. From returning favourites to interesting newcomers, there’s something on the list for everyone.
Whether its chart-topping bands, family-fun or alcoholic tipples you’re looking for, Liverpool has got the lot. This vibrant and diverse city does not fail when it comes to entertaining the public, and Your Move has picked out some of the best and quirky events over the summer for you to enjoy. Even if the weather does disappoint, these festivals certainly won’t.
Mersey River Festival – 5th-7th June, Liverpool Waterfront:
The International Mersey River Festival will sail into the city again this year, complete with ships, stages, and the debut of the Northern Boat show. Tall ships, navy vessels and barges are just some of the ships visitors can explore, whilst the walking tours, air shows, model boat displays, fly boarding and have a go water sport sessions are also popular. Music on the Waterfront will also form part of the celebrations, adding to the 150 exhibitors and 60 boats attending the show. Last year saw around 200,000 visitors at the event so this year is sure to be just as popular as the last.
Farm Feast – 13th-15th June, Claremont Farm:
This festival is a celebration of good, locally sourced food and drink with home-grown music and live entertainment. Back for its second year, the festival will expand on its traditional elements by showcasing local producers and chef demonstrations, whilst adding music entertainment and family fun. There will also be activities for kids in the Little Feasters Zone with camp fire building, bush crafts, cooking and storytelling. Tickets range from £3.50 for a child to £30 for a family ticket for the three days and can be bought at www.farmfeast.co.uk
Africa Oye – 20th-21st June, Sefton Park:
The UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture will be returning to its home in Sefton Park this summer. The festival seeks to redress the balance of negative representation and highlight the fantastic range of culture, food, music and artists. North West 7-piece neo soul band Pieces of Man and singer/rapper Me form the first ever Oye Introduces part of the festival – an initiative to support local artists. The line-up includes Frankie Paul, Omar and DJ Edu from BBC Radio 1 Xtra, who will perform alongside a host of pop-up stalls selling street food, arts & crafts and clothes.
North West Food Lovers Festival – 3th-5th July, Stanley Park:
This three day family-fun event is centred on a love for food and drink. Local producers will be joined by the best chefs from the region to bring you a tasty treat over the jam-packed weekend. Open 11am-6pm, there will be over 120 food exhibitors including The Chocolate Cellar and KEMPS Bistro, along with demonstrations from top chefs including this year’s headliner, Simon Rimmer from Sunday Brunch. There will also be kids cooking workshops to keep them entertained. Tickets are available from www.nwfoodloversfestival.co.uk
LIV-BCN Festival – 10th – 11th July, the Kazimier:
This independent festival combining culture from both Liverpool and Barcelona will premier in the city in July. Focusing on music, this exchange is a cultural meeting between the two places, artists and public for them to experience and share. After its first edition in Barcelona in June, LIV-BCN will welcome five top Barcelona acts to the Kazimier on 11 July including garage-rockers Mujeres and song-writer Pau Vallvé, who will be joined by Liverpool four piece Clinic. The opening of the LIV-BCN exhibition will begin on 10 July with works from Mariadiamantes and John Wai shown at LJMU’s Exhibition Research Centre. Tickets are £12 and can be bought on http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Kazimier/LIV-BCN-2015/12398934/
Brazilica – 17th-19th July 2015, city centre:
This popular samba festival will return once more to the city centre as it covers the city in colour for its eighth consecutive year. The festival will include the sights, sounds and tastes of Brazil, with a main Carnival Parade on the Saturday. The 2015 festival will include a two-week film festival and fringe events packed with music and activities in venues across the city. This year also marks the 20th birthday of Liverpool Samba School, who will feature prominently in the events.
Liverpool Gin Festival – 25th July, Metropolitan Cathedral:
This favourite will be returning to the Metropolitan Cathedral for a second year running. As well as showcasing over 100 different gins, there will be live entertainment, talks from gin industry experts and food available to buy. If you’re a gin newbie then don’t worry, their friendly staff will be sure to offer you their expert advice. Tickets for the festival are £7 and include entry, a badge, brochure and glass. Tickets are currently sold out but you can be added to the waiting list in case of cancellations here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gin-festival-liverpool-summer-2015-tickets-15729697950
Liverpool Calling – 25th July, St. Luke’s (Bombed Out Church) plus other venues:
This one-day music event hosted at the bombed out church will include a huge mix of live entertainment, including Liverpool band The Tea Street Band. Other venues also include The Magnet and Maguire’s Pizza Bar, where the likes of Antidotes, Broken Men, Gold Jacks and White Widows will perform. Tickets are £20 and can be bought from www.efestivals.co.uk/fesitvals/liverpoolcalling/2015
Liverpool Loves 2015 – 6th-8th August 2015, the Pier Head:
If you want to celebrate all things Liverpool then this is the festival for you. Celebrating the very best of our cultural heritage, food and drink, organisations and local businesses, the festival will include seminars, networking events and entertainment. It will include four categories: Liverpool Loves Business, Liverpool Loves Culture including dance, comedy and poetry, Liverpool Loves Food and Liverpool Loves Wellbeing. The festival will employ local people and businesses for the event and will reinvest all profit back into creating new businesses and funding local aspiring entrepreneurs.
International Beatles week – 26th August – 1st September, City Centre:
Celebrating the music of iconic Liverpool pop-group, this annual event is hosted by Cavern City Tours. The event will see fans descend on Liverpool from over 40 different countries, with live music from bands across 20 countries. As well as live music, there will be exhibitions, memorabilia sales, guest speakers, video shows, sightseeing tours and a convention. The event will be hosted at a variety of venues across the city, including Beatles home, the Cavern Club, along with the Adelphi hotel and the bombed out church. Tickets are available from www.cavernclub.org, who is also offering packages for the event including accommodation and exclusive events.
Creamfields – 28th-30th August, Daresbury, Cheshire:
The annual over-18 dance festival is back again with a bigger and better line-up than ever before. Performers on the first day include The Chemical Brothers and Sub Focus, with Annie Mac and Avicii following on the Saturday. The event will be rounded up on the Sunday with artists including Tiesto, Afrojack, Hardwell and Duke Dumont. Tickets can still be bought on www.creamfields.com but tickets for the 2 and 3 day hospitality camping have sold out.
LIMF – 29th-31st August, various venues including Sefton Park:
The 2015 Liverpool International Music Festival event will take place 29-31 August this year, and will feature the likes of Labrinth, Basement Jaxx and Echo and the Bunnymen. Liverpool has a history of musical heritage, and Liverpool International Music Festival has become the current voice of the global music city. It will consist of Commissions exploring the theme of ‘Music Migrations’, Academy, which is aimed at budding artists aged 13-25, and the grand finale Summer Jam, which will provide a free, family-friendly alfresco party in Sefton Park. The vibrant festival will be held in several iconic Liverpool venues and will attract thousands of visitors, making it one of the must-see festivals in Liverpool this summer.
Liverpool Family Fun Festival – 28th-31st August, Riversdale Police Club grounds (leading onto Otterspool Prom):
Over the August bank holiday weekend an array of activities and stalls will be available for families and people of all ages. There will be over 32,000 sq ft of family activities including rides, attractions, inflatables, soft play, donkey rides, carnival games and arts and crafts. There will also be live music for the adults and the opportunity to indulge in the urban food and drink aspect of the show, which brings together the best cuisine and beverages Liverpool has to offer. Organisers UKFE will welcome visitors and attractions from all over the UK whilst also supporting local and independent businesses. Tickets are £5 and can be bought at https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/online/liverpool-family-fun-festival
Liverpool Whisky Festival – September 5th 12-5pm, The Crypt, Metropolitan Cathedral:
Marking its 5th Birthday in Liverpool this year, one of the UK’s most established whisky festivals will be pulling out all the stops. Showcasing whiskies from all over Scotland and the rest of the world, there will also be a shop to purchase any of those you have tasted. Simply approach an exhibitor’s stand, ask for a dram and take advantage of their expert knowledge. Entry is £30 and includes a Glencairn tasting glass, a bottle of water, a festival guide and all whiskies sampled in the main hall.
Liverpool International Festival of Psychadelia – 25th-26th September, various venues in the Baltic Triangle
This festival is a pan-continental celebration of audio-futurists. It celebrates artists operating at the cutting edge of today’s global psychedelic renaissance, using visual art, film and performances to entertain their audience. The festival, which is returning for its fourth year, will be headlines by UK band, Spiritualized. Other artists performing at the festival include Evil Blizzard, K-X-P and Death & Vanilla. Tickets are priced from £50 and accommodation packages are available at www.liverpoolpsychfest.com
