What's On In Liverpool (11-17 May)

Grab your calendar—here are the most interesting events coming up in and around Liverpool.

May 09, 2026

🇪🇺 Before getting to the main events list for next week, don’t forget that this weekend marks the beginning of this year’s Liverpool European Festival, which will be spread throughout the city this May and June, celebrating all things European.

See the full events list here, and pop along to the launch event today (Sat 9 May) at the Bombed Out Church from midday, and the European Parade tomorrow (Sun 10 May) from 1pm at Liverpool ONE. Check the official website for more info!

GRAB YOUR DIARY
Upcoming Events In Liverpool

Below is a pretty lengthy list of the best upcoming events happening over the next week, and more. If you do decide to go to any events after spotting them in this newsletter, please let us know! We’ve marked what we think are the highlights with a ⭐️ for easier scanning!

Note: sometimes errors slip through, so please check details before making plans.

MON 11 MAY

CONSCIOUS PILOT — Glasgow duo Conscious Pilot build layered electronic grooves that lean into rhythm and atmosphere, making this a good pick if you like immersive live sets.
19:00  |  Future Yard  |  Tickets
EMMYLOU HARRIS – EUROPEAN FAREWELL TOUR — Emmylou Harris brings her European farewell tour to the stage with songs spanning decades of folk, country, and Americana.
19:30  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets
AN EVENING WITH MARK SIMPSON — Liverpool-born composer and clarinettist Mark Simpson shares music that shaped his career alongside works by friends and collaborators.
20:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
THE LONGEST JOHNS - THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TOUR — Sea shanties and folk harmonies fill the O2 Academy as The Longest Johns bring their Ends of the Earth tour to Liverpool.
19:00  |  O2 Academy 2 Liverpool  |  Tickets
JOHN ROBINS: THIRST - IN CONVERSATION — John Robins speaks openly about addiction and sobriety in this conversation event following his experiences with alcohol recovery.
19:00  |  The Tung Auditorium  |  Tickets

TUE 12 MAY

NORTHERN MARKETING FESTIVAL - LIVERPOOL — Liverpool hosts the Northern Marketing Festival with talks, networking, and discussions focused on creativity and ideas from across the North.
09:00-16:00  |  Liver Building  |  Tickets
THE HOOSIERS: ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW (14+ WITH AN ADULT) — The Hoosiers celebrate their latest album release with a live performance presented by Jacaranda Records in Liverpool.
19:00-21:00  |  Jacaranda Baltic  |  Tickets
A ROPEWALKS LIVE SHOWCASE — Local artists including Iguanas On The Floor and Alexander Edwards feature in this Ropewalks showcase of Liverpool music talent.
20:00-23:00  |  The Jacaranda Club  |  Tickets
⭐️ THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD — John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold reaches the stage for the first time in a new theatrical adaptation.
19:30  |  Playhouse Theatre  |  Tickets
CULTURAL FALLOUT: WRITING CHORNOBYL — Forty years after the Chornobyl disaster, this event explores its cultural aftermath and the writing shaped by displacement and memory.
18:00  |  Online event  |  Tickets
BOOK LAUNCH: RHYTHMS BY TONY WAILEY — Liverpool’s history and contradictions run through Tony Wailey’s latest book launch as Rhythms revisits the city across generations.
19:00-21:30  |  Quakers Meeting House  |  Tickets

WED 13 MAY

A HISTORY OF SILCOCK LEISURE IN SOUTHPORT — Southport’s leisure history comes into focus in this talk tracing the long-running Silcock family connection to fairs, rides, and entertainment.
13:00-14:00  |  The Atkinson  |  Free
CURTAIN CALL: ACOUSTIC HOUR — Musical theatre favourites are reworked acoustically in this candlelit performance supporting wellbeing across the arts community.
20:00-22:00  |  St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church  |  Tickets
GUIDED TOUR OF THE PALM HOUSE — Visitors can tour the Palm House with an accredited guide while learning more about the building’s architecture and plant collections.
14:00  |  Sefton Park Palm House  |  Tickets
BASSEKOU KOUYATE & AMY SACKO — Bassekou Kouyate and Amy Sacko perform music rooted in Malian tradition, blending ngoni rhythms with intimate vocal storytelling.
20:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
⭐️ AGAINST ALL ODDS: CLASS AND RESISTANCE IN THE ARTS — Writers and artists discuss class, resilience, and creative survival in this panel exploring working-class experiences in the arts.
18:00-20;30  |  LocationThe Black-E  |  Tickets

THU 14 MAY

MAKE HUYTON VILLAGE SHOWCASE 2026 LAUNCH — Local artists and makers take centre stage as Huyton Village launches a new showcase celebrating creativity from across the community.
17:00  |  Make on the Corner  |  Free (Booking Required)
WATERSTONES LIVERPOOL - MARTIN FITZGERALD DISCUSSES THE UMBRELLA MAN — Martin Fitzgerald visits Waterstones Liverpool to discuss The Umbrella Man and the enduring fascination surrounding the assassination of JFK.
18:30  |  12 College Ln  |  Tickets
THE ST JAMES GARDENS, THE OLD CEMETRY, WALK. — This guided walk through St James Gardens explores the site’s unusual history as quarry, cemetery, promenade, and public park.
12:00-14:15  |  St james gardens/cemetery  |  Tickets
MUSIC OF THE AMERICAS: USA — Domingo Hindoyan leads an American-themed orchestral programme featuring Gershwin, Copland, and Hailstork in celebration of the USA’s 250th year.
19:30  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets
JOELLE TAYLOR — Joelle Taylor presents a staged reading from her latest poetry collection exploring lesbian counterculture across five decades.
20:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE — Brecht’s morality tale is reimagined in a production questioning justice, power, and responsibility in the aftermath of war.
19:30  |  Paul McCartney Auditorium  |  Tickets
JOELLE TAYLOR: MARYVILLE — Joelle Taylor’s Maryville traces queer history through poetry focused on identity, resistance, and lesbian counterculture over fifty years.
20:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets

FRI 15 MAY

ELEPHANT SESSIONS — Elephant Sessions bring together folk traditions and modern production in a live show shaped by years on festival stages around the world.
19:30  |  Future Yard  |  Tickets
⭐️ BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL - LIVERPOOL - 15 MAY 2026 — Adventure films from around the world return to Liverpool as the Banff Mountain Film Festival brings climbing, endurance, and travel stories to the big screen.
19:30-22:15  |  Plaza Cinema  |  Tickets
PRAM PUSH 2026 — Families can spend the day at Otterspool Adventure while taking part in the annual Pram Push fundraiser and community event.
11:00-12:30  |  Otterspool adventure santas grotto Liverpool  |  Tickets
⭐️ LED ZEPPELIN PERFORMED LIVE BY MOTHERSHIP AT CAMP AND FURNACE — Led Zeppelin classics return to Camp and Furnace as tribute band Mothership tackles the heavy riffs and sprawling rock epics live on stage.
19:00-23:00  |  Camp And Furnace  |  Tickets
LIVERPOOL'S BIG FRIDAY NIGHT QUIZ — General knowledge, loud crowds, and competitive teams shape Liverpool’s latest Friday night quiz event.
18:30-23:00  |  Camp And Furnace  |  Tickets
HOT WATER GREEN ROOM PODCAST LIVE — Jamie and Tony bring their podcast to a live audience with stories, crowd interaction, and the kind of unpredictable energy listeners expect.
20:00-22:00  |  Hot Water Comedy Club At Blackstock Market  |  Tickets
OLYMPIA LIVE LOUNGE SESSION — Poetry, live music, and performance combine in this Olympia Live Lounge session celebrating Liverpool’s creative spirit.
19:00  |  West Derby Road  |  Tickets
JOHN REILLY LIVE IN THE MUSIC ROOM — John Reilly returns to Liverpool with original songs, collaborations, and covers ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Andrea Bocelli.
20:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
WRITER’S BLOC SHARING EVENT — Toxteth Writer’s Bloc shares new work inspired by this year’s festival theme, with readings designed to spark discussion and reflection.
11:45  |  Toxteth Library  |  Tickets
PVTV FRINGE FLICKS: CURSED FILMS — Short films filled with unsettling creatures, strange humour, and deliberately chaotic energy take over DoES Liverpool for Fringe Flicks.
DoES Liverpool   |  Tickets

SAT 16 MAY

⭐️ AGROFORESTRY OPEN DAY: FARM TOUR — Take a guided walk around a working agroforestry farm and see how organic growing systems are put into practice day to day.
11:00-13:00  |  Barn Hey Farm  |  Tickets
THE SERIOUSLY STUPID SHOW — Families can expect silliness, audience participation, and deliberately ridiculous comedy designed to keep both kids and adults entertained.
14:00  |  Unity Two  |  Tickets
⭐️ CHESTER CRAFT BEER FEST — Chester Craft Beer Fest gathers breweries, live music, and plenty of local pours for a relaxed day centred around independent beer culture.
11:30-21:30  |  The Carriage Shed  |  Tickets
A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES HOSTED BY LIVE TRIBUTE | BLUNDELL STREET RESTAURANT — Live tribute performances and movie-themed entertainment set the tone for a night built around familiar film soundtracks and singalongs.
18:30  |  Blundells Supper Club  |  Tickets
SNL PRESENTS: LIVE BANDS, EUROVISION & DISCO BELTERS @ DYSCO, LIVERPOOL — Liverpool bands take on Eurovision favourites alongside disco classics in a lively Saturday night celebration at Dysco.
19:00-23:00  |  DYSCO Liverpool  |  Tickets
R&B LOVERS OUTDOOR FESTIVAL - SATURDAY 16TH MAY - ALLERTON MANOR — R&B Lovers heads outdoors for its first festival edition at Allerton Manor with classic tracks, throwbacks, and a full day of music.
14:00-22:00  |  Allerton Manor Golf Club  |  Tickets
⭐️ EUROVISION FINAL SCREENING AND PARTY! THE RETURN OF EUROCLUB — Eurovision fans can settle in for a live screening of the final followed by a full party atmosphere inspired by the contest itself.
18:30-00:00  |  Camp And Furnace  |  Tickets
NAVY BAR 2.1 HOSTS... EUROVISION PARTY - THE MAIN EVENT — Drag shows, games, and Eurovision favourites take over Navy Bar for a night leaning fully into the chaos and fun of the contest.
19:00-03:00  |  Navy Bar 2.1  |  Tickets
PEARL SCAM & ANGRY HAIR — Pearl Scam and Angry Hair bring grunge-era favourites back to the Liverpool Academy in a night dedicated to loud guitars and 90s anthems.
19:00  |  O2 Academy Liverpool  |  Tickets
VISIONS OF LIEGE & LIEF — Visions of Albion revisit Liege & Lief, celebrating an album whose influence still runs through British folk music today.
15:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL CHOIR: ELIJAH CONCERT — Liverpool Cathedral Choir performs Mendelssohn’s Elijah, one of the defining works in the choral repertoire.
19:30-22:30  |  Main Cathedral  |  Tickets
⭐️ GRENFELL BY STEVE MCQUEEN — Steve McQueen’s Grenfell is presented at the Bluecoat in partnership with Tate Liverpool as part of a wider public exhibition.
11:00-17:00  |  Bluecoat  |  Free (Booking Required)
LITTLE ITALY HISTORY RIDE — Cyclists can explore Liverpool’s Little Italy on a guided ride uncovering stories tied to the area’s immigrant history.
10:00-13:00  |  The Wheelbarrow, Greenbank Sports Academy, Greenbank Lane  |  Tickets
COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS – MY EAST OF EUROPE — Photography workshops invite Eastern and Central European communities to share personal images and stories connected to migration and identity.
10:00-16:00  |  Open Eye Gallery  |  Tickets

SUN 17 MAY

GEEK BAZAAR MAY 17TH — Geek Bazaar brings together fandom culture, collectibles, nostalgia, and pop culture stalls for a full day aimed at dedicated enthusiasts.
10:00  |  The Liner Hotel  |  Tickets
ANNUAL CONCERT OF THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE — Liverpool’s Ukrainian community gathers for an afternoon celebrating culture, creativity, and local talent through live performances.
13:30-15:30  |  Capstone Theatre  |  Tickets

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LOOKING AHEAD 👇

MON 18 MAY — OTHER LIVERPOOL EVENTSAI, ROBOTS AND GALAXIES — Artificial intelligence, robotics, and galaxy formation are all explored in this Pint of Science evening featuring talks from three researchers. (Murphy's Distillery & Bar)
TUE 19 MAY — RELEASE THE ARCHIVE: NINA EDGE — Nina Edge reflects on forty years of creative work, activism, and collaboration in a conversation drawn from the archive of her career. (Bluecoat)
TUE 19 MAY — THE HISTORY OF MERMAIDS, SEA SPIRITS & WOMEN — Mermaids, sea spirits, and folklore are explored in this talk examining how these stories reflect wider ideas about women and society. (Capstone Theatre)
TUE 19 MAY — A REASON TO SING – THE POPULAR SONG MOVEMENT OF 70S CHILE — Francisco Carrasco explores Chile’s Nueva Canción movement through music and personal reflection tied to political resistance and culture. (Victoria Gallery & Museum)
WED 20 MAY — ⭐️ SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS: THE STORY OF THE DUBLINERS — Irish folk favourites fill the stage in this tribute show celebrating the songs and stories associated with The Dubliners. (The Atkinson)
WED 20 MAY — ⭐️ SOUTHPORT BEER WEEK 2026 (20-25 MAY) — Southport Beer Week spreads across pubs and bars throughout the town centre with events celebrating independent brewing and local venues. (Southport town centre.)
THU 21 MAY — DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL WITH CHRIS NINEHAM, BASMA GHALAYINI AND STEPHEN KAPOS — Chris Nineham, Basma Ghalayini, and Stephen Kapos lead a discussion examining protest rights, political pressure, and democratic freedoms. (The Black-E)
THU 21 MAY — ⭐️ MACBETH — Shakespeare’s Macbeth returns in a production following ambition, manipulation, and the unraveling of power after a prophetic encounter. (Liverpool Empire)
THU 21 MAY — ⭐️ THE MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL – THE CANDLELIGHT CONCERT — George Michael’s music is reimagined by live singers and band members in a candlelit tribute concert. (St George’s Hall)
SAT 23 MAY — “HIDDEN”: BOOK PRESENTATION AND IN CONVERSATION WITH CHARLES FOX AND TADHG DEVLIN — Charles Fox and Tadhg Devlin discuss Hidden, a book shaped by memory, archives, and the lasting impact of survival across generations. (Open Eye Gallery)
SAT 23 MAY — ⭐️ RUN FOR 97 - 5 K — Runners, joggers, and walkers gather in Stanley Park for the annual Run For The 97 community event and remembrance fundraiser. (Stanley Park and Garden, Liverpool)
SAT 23 MAY — CURATOR’S TOUR – SELF-DEFINED. NEW STORIES FROM ARCHIVES — Curators lead visitors through Self-Defined while discussing archives, identity, displacement, and the political ideas behind the exhibition. (Open Eye Gallery)
SUN 24 MAY — THE CONGOS — The Congos return with the rich vocal harmonies and roots reggae sound that helped define decades of Jamaican music. (Future Yard)
TUE 26 MAY — ⭐️ BLACK WOMEN SPEAK VOLUMES — Black Women Speak Volumes creates space for discussion around identity, culture, creativity, and the experiences shaping Black women’s lives. (The Women's Organisation)
TUE 26 MAY — THAT'LL BE THE DAY: 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW — Music, comedy, and nostalgia come together as That'll Be The Day marks forty years on stage with another fast-moving anniversary show. (The Atkinson)