What's On In Liverpool (18-24 May)

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

May 16, 2026

GRAB YOUR DIARY
Upcoming Events In Liverpool

If you’d like to see what’s on this weekend, scroll to the bottom of last week’s edition of the newsletter. For next week, keep scrolling… below are over 70 upcoming events happening over the next week, further ahead!

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

MON 18 MAY

⭐️ OTHER LIVERPOOL EVENTSAI, ROBOTS AND GALAXIES — Researchers take on artificial intelligence, robotics, and even galaxy formation in this Pint of Science evening built around short talks and big scientific questions.
19:00-21:00  |  Murphy's Distillery & Bar  |  Tickets
ORANGE & LEMONS — LIVE IN LIVERPOOL — Filipino indie-pop band Orange & Lemons bring melodic guitar songs and 60s-inspired harmonies to Liverpool’s Cavern Club.
18:00-23:00  |  Cavern Club Liverpool  |  Tickets
SPRINGTIDE ORGAN RECITAL — Ian Tracey performs works by Bach, Franck, Dubois, and others in this organ recital at Liverpool Cathedral.
13:00  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets

TUE 19 MAY

RELEASE THE ARCHIVE: NINA EDGE — Four decades of Nina Edge’s creative and activist work are revisited through conversation, collaboration, and material drawn from her personal archive.
17:30-19:30  |  Bluecoat  |  Free (Booking Required)
A REASON TO SING – THE POPULAR SONG MOVEMENT OF 70S CHILE — Francisco Carrasco explores Chile’s Nueva Canción movement through songs, politics, and personal reflection tied to resistance during the 1970s.
18:30-21:00  |  Victoria Gallery & Museum  |  Tickets
THE HISTORY OF MERMAIDS, SEA SPIRITS & WOMEN — Folklore, mythology, and social history meet in this talk looking at mermaids and sea spirits as reflections of changing ideas about women.
19:00-21:30  |  Capstone Theatre  |  Tickets
THE HISTORY OF MERMAIDS, SEA SPIRITS & WOMEN — This evening traces the history of mermaid stories and sea folklore while asking what these myths reveal about society and gender.
19:00-21:30  |  Capstone Theatre  |  Tickets
⭐️ A REASON TO SING – THE POPULAR SONG MOVEMENT OF 70S CHILE — Music and politics intersect in Francisco Carrasco’s personal exploration of Chile’s Nueva Canción movement and its cultural legacy.
18:30-21:00  |  Victoria Gallery & Museum  |  Tickets
SHIPWRECKED COMEDY — Anyone can take the mic at this supportive comedy night, where performers sign up on the evening for five minutes on stage.
19:15-22:00  |  The Shipping Forecast  |  Tickets
TRAVEL GOSSIP ROADSHOW — Travel industry professionals gather for networking, dinner, drinks, and supplier conversations at this touring roadshow event.
18:00  |  Municipal Hotel & Spa, Municipal Building, Dale Street  |  Tickets
HOEDOWN PARTY — Live entertainment, snacks, and country-themed fun shape this hoedown event featuring performer Louise Rogan.
12:00  |  Lee Jones Centre 119-133, Limekiln Lane  |  Tickets
WALLASEY EVENING WELLBEING WALK — Weekly summer walks around Wallasey offer a relaxed hour outdoors using the promenade, local parks, and nearby paths.
19:15  |  Wallasey Grove Road railway station  |  Tickets
UNDER-5S CONCERTS: PREHISTORIC PARTY — Dinosaurs and orchestral music meet in this family concert featuring presenter Claire Henry and musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
13:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
MAX COOPER 3D/AV LIVE: FEELING IS STRUCTURE ALBUM TOUR — Max Cooper combines music, architecture, light, and visual design in a live AV performance customised specifically for each venue.
19:30  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets
REBECCA SOLNIT – THE BEGINNING COMES AFTER THE END — Rebecca Solnit joins this online discussion around her latest book and the possibilities that emerge during periods of social change.
19:00  |  Online  |  Tickets

WED 20 MAY

⭐️ SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS: THE STORY OF THE DUBLINERS — Irish folk classics and stories associated with The Dubliners are brought back to the stage in this long-running tribute production.
19:30  |  The Atkinson  |  Tickets
⭐️ SOUTHPORT BEER WEEK 2026 (20-25 MAY) — Across Southport, pubs and bars host a week of events celebrating independent beer, local venues, and the town’s brewing scene.
Southport town centre.  |  Tickets
AN EVENING WITH ISABEL IBAÑEZ IN LIVERPOOL! — Fantasy romance writer Isabel Ibañez visits Liverpool to talk about her latest novel Graceless Heart and the ideas behind it.
18:30  |  12 College Ln  |  Tickets
JEN BRISTER — Jen Brister’s latest stand-up show digs into irritation, overreaction, and the struggle to stay calm in a chaotic world.
19:30  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets
“SUMUD VERSUS THE SWORD”: SOLIDARITY, DIRECT ACTION, AND PALESTINIAN LIBERATION — Palestinian organisers, activists, and observers discuss occupation, solidarity, resistance, and direct action through first-hand experiences from Palestine and the UK.
19:00-21:00  |  African Caribbean Centre Liverpool  |  Free (Booking Required)

THU 21 MAY

⭐️ MACBETH — Shakespeare’s tale of ambition and collapse returns in a production following Macbeth’s descent after a prophecy changes everything.
13:15  |  Liverpool Empire  |  Tickets
⭐️ DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL WITH CHRIS NINEHAM, BASMA GHALAYINI AND STEPHEN KAPOS — Protest rights, political pressure, and democratic freedoms are at the centre of this discussion led by Chris Nineham, Basma Ghalayini, and Stephen Kapos.
19:00  |  The Black-E  |  Tickets
⭐️ THE MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL – THE CANDLELIGHT CONCERT — George Michael’s catalogue gets the candlelit treatment in an evening of live vocals, band performances, and familiar pop classics.
19:30-21:45  |  St George’s Hall  |  Tickets
MATERIALS, MEANING, AND THE SACRED: NÍALL MCLAUGHLIN IN CONVERSATION — Architect Níall McLaughlin discusses his work on faith and heritage buildings as part of the latest exhibition at RIBA North.
18:30-20:00  |  Victoria Gallery & Museum  |  Tickets
LIVERPOOL - EMPOWER HER NETWORKING - NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION IN BUSINESS — Business owners from across Liverpool gather for networking and discussion focused on nervous system regulation and managing stress at work.
10:00-11:30  |  One Fine Day & Little Leaf  |  Tickets
BEYOND THE LABEL: THE 'GRAND DAMES' OF IMPRESSIONISM - MARIE BRACQUEMOND — Curator Kate O’Donoghue explores the work of Marie Bracquemond and her place within the wider history of French Impressionism.
14:00  |  William Brown St  |  Tickets
MAY CHARABANC — This month’s Charabanc outing heads to Speke Hall, the National Trust property sitting beside the River Mersey.
09:00  |  Speke Hall Liverpool  |  Tickets
TAKI RAYMI - A MUSIC CELEBRATION — Latin American artists from Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Cuba, and Brazil come together for an evening of music shaped by rhythm, heritage, and folk traditions.
20:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets

FRI 22 MAY

SVEN VÄTH - LIVERPOOL — Techno veteran Sven Väth returns to Liverpool for an extended vinyl set from the longtime Cocoon founder.
22:00-04:00  |  The Dome At Grand Central Hall  |  Tickets
THE WHO - PERFORMED LIVE BY THE WHO UK — The Who UK recreate classics from Tommy, Quadrophenia, and Who’s Next with a live multimedia tribute show at Camp and Furnace.
19:00-23:00  |  Camp And Furnace  |  Tickets
BINGO LINGO — Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle hosts another loud and chaotic edition of Bingo Lingo, where traditional bingo quickly becomes something else entirely.
18:30-23:00  |  Camp And Furnace  |  Tickets
CURED — Connor Fisher heads to Lourdes in this dark comedy where pilgrimage, disability, faith, and sex collide in unexpected ways.
19:30-23:00  |  1 Roe Street  |  Tickets
NOUGHTIES TO NOW PARTY CRUISE — Expect a soundtrack spanning the 2000s to today on this party cruise built around nostalgia, dancing, and late-night singalongs.
19:30-22:00  |  The Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal  |  Tickets
PRE-CONCERT EVENT: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ — Before the Beach Boys concert begins, the Music Room hosts Californian wines, canapés, and a soundtrack of sun-soaked 60s and 70s hits.
18:00  |  Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic  |  Tickets
GOOD VIBRATIONS: A CELEBRATION OF THE BEACH BOYS — Beach Boys favourites including Wouldn’t It Be Nice, God Only Knows, and Surfin’ USA are celebrated in this orchestral tribute concert.
19:30  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets
CLASSIC DOUBLE: BLONDIE, TELEVISION AND TALKING HEADS — Classic Double Band celebrates Blondie, Television, and Talking Heads in a night built around new wave nostalgia and rock influences.
19:30  |  Cockpit Theatre  |  Tickets

SAT 23 MAY

⭐️ RUN FOR 97 - 5 K — Stanley Park hosts this annual 5K community run, bringing together runners, walkers, and supporters in remembrance of the 97.
09:30  |  Stanley Park and Garden, Liverpool  |  Tickets
“HIDDEN”: BOOK PRESENTATION AND IN CONVERSATION WITH CHARLES FOX AND TADHG DEVLIN — Memory, archives, and survival across generations shape this discussion around Hidden with Charles Fox and Tadhg Devlin.
14:00-16:00  |  Open Eye Gallery  |  Free (Booking Required)
CURATOR’S TOUR – SELF-DEFINED. NEW STORIES FROM ARCHIVES — Curators guide visitors through Self-Defined while discussing archives, identity, displacement, and the political themes behind the exhibition.
Open Eye Gallery  |  Tickets
LITERARY ESCAPE FESTIVAL - `LIVERPOOL — Independent authors, signings, and stalls from small businesses and crafters fill this festival aimed squarely at readers and book collectors.
10:30-14:30  |  Old Christ Church  |  Tickets
70S DAY PARTY COMES TO LIVERPOOL! — Liverpool gets a daytime 70s club event designed for over-25s, with classic tracks and a crowd looking for dancing before midnight.
16:00-20:00  |  Arts Club  |  Tickets
UK PREMIERE AND Q&A - COVENANT OF BLOOD — Afro-Caribbean music and daytime party energy take over Liverpool as NOT3S headlines SUN ON THE BLOCK.
13:30-15:30  |  Museum of Liverpool  |  Tickets
⭐️ LIVERPOOL'S CRAFT & FLEA MAKERS MARKET — Local makers, artists, and independent sellers gather for a summer market focused on crafts, vintage finds, and small creative businesses.
11:00-16:00  |  Lutyens Crypt, Metropolitan Cathedral  |  Tickets
COMMON DECENCY: AN EVENING WITH TOM ALLEN — Comedian and author Tom Allen heads to the Wirral to discuss his new novel Common Decency in conversation with readers.
19:00-20:30  |  Hope Church Wirral  |  Tickets
MSAXLAS LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE TOUR — Visitors can explore the newly completed extension to the Liverpool School of Architecture during this guided tour of the O’Donnell + Tuomey project.
15:00-17:00  |  University of Liverpool School of Architecture  |  Tickets
FRIEND OF A FRIEND: DATE MY FRIEND — Singles take the spotlight by pitching their friends to a room full of strangers during this speed-dating-style social event.
19:00-23:30  |  Pig & Whistle  |  Tickets
ELROW LIVERPOOL - SATURDAY 23RD MAY — Elrow returns to Liverpool with another large-scale club event built around costumes, performers, DJs, and immersive party production.
14:00-23:00  |  Blackstone Street Warehouse  |  Tickets
LACES OUT! TRAINER FESTIVAL - SATURDAY 23RD MAY — Rare trainers, streetwear, and collectibles fill this sneaker festival bringing together sellers, collectors, and footwear fans from across the UK.
12:00-16:30  |  Boxpark Liverpool  |  Tickets
TNT EXTREME WRESTLING: GOING OFF BIG TIME 2026 — TNT Extreme Wrestling brings another night of high-energy matches and chaotic spectacle to Hangar 34.
18:00-22:30  |  Hangar 34  |  Tickets
⭐️ ALL DAY 80S — Camp and Furnace hosts this daytime 80s party packed with nonstop pop hits, dancing, and plenty of retro nostalgia.
15:00-20:00  |  Camp And Furnace  |  Tickets
NOISY WEEKENDER (LIVERPOOL) — Noisy Weekender takes over one of Liverpool’s newest venues for three days of live music and hometown festival energy.
12:00-22:00  |  Archive Liverpool  |  Tickets
DOUBLE HEADLINE COMEDY SHOW - HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB — Headline comedians from across the UK lead this free double-bill comedy night at Hot Water Comedy Club.
16:00-17:15  |  Hot Water Comedy Club (Blackstock Market  |  Tickets
STRAWBERRY FIELD AND JOHN LENNON SCHOOL TOUR — Fans of John Lennon can visit both Strawberry Field and Calderstones School as part of this combined tour exploring his early life.
10:00  |  Calderstones School  |  Tickets
TROY HAWKE: 'NEVER STOP, NEVER CHANGE!' — Troy Hawke returns with a new stand-up tour following another sold-out year of sharply awkward observations and polished manners.
15:00  |  Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  |  Tickets
⭐️ TOXTETH: THE HARLEM OF EUROPE — Black musicians from 1950s and 60s Toxteth are celebrated in this event exploring their influence on Liverpool music and beyond.
Victoria Gallery & Museum  |  Free
LIVERPOOL PORTRAIT SKETCHERS — Sketchers of all experience levels are invited to this free portrait drawing session open to beginners and regular artists alike.
13:00-16:00  |  Victoria Gallery & Museum  |  Free
LOYALTY: AN EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY STEVE DES LANDES — More than forty paintings feature in this major exhibition from Steve des Landes exploring his distinctive take on the human condition.
Williamson Art Gallery & Museum  |  Free
⭐️ RADICAL JOY CABARET — Radical Joy Cabaret mixes performance and politics while exploring celebration and joy as forms of resistance during difficult times.
19:00-20:30  |  The Brink  |  Tickets
⭐️ OUTER WAVES FESTIVAL 2026 — Outer Waves Festival returns for a second year with experimental music, performance art, and boundary-pushing live shows across Liverpool venues.
12:00-23:00  |  Invisible Wind Factory  |  Tickets

SUN 24 MAY

THE CONGOS — Roots reggae pioneers The Congos return with the layered harmonies and sound that helped shape decades of Jamaican music.
19:00  |  Future Yard  |  Tickets
BIG LIVERPOOL VINYL RECORD FAIR — Collectors and casual browsers alike can dig through bargain boxes, rare pressings, and CDs at this long-running Liverpool record fair.
09:15-15:15  |  The Liner Hotel  |  Free
⭐️ THE LIVERPOOL TOWN HALL WALK — Stories, symbolism, and overlooked details surrounding Liverpool Town Hall are explored during this guided city walk.
12:00-14:30  |  Liverpool Town Hall  |  Tickets
THE SHIELDWALL CAR BOOTE SALE — Neighbours and sellers come together for this community car boot sale raising funds and clearing out plenty of cupboards in the process.
09:00-13:00  |  Hyslop street l8 5ua  |  Tickets
⭐️ SEVEN SINS OF TANGO BY CANDLELIGHT — Astor Piazzolla’s tango compositions sit alongside classic Argentine works in this candlelit evening of live music.
15:00  |  St George’s Hall  |  Tickets
PARADE TO CELEBRATE BULGARIAN EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND THE SLAVIC ALPHABET — Liverpool’s Bulgarian community marks the Day of Bulgarian Culture and the Slavic Alphabet with a parade around St George’s Hall.
11:00-13:00  |  St George’s Hall, Liverpool City Centre  |  Tickets

LOOKING AHEAD 👇

TUE 26 MAY — ⭐️ BLACK WOMEN SPEAK VOLUMES — Identity, creativity, and lived experience are explored through conversation and community at this edition of Black Women Speak Volumes. (The Women's Organisation)
TUE 26 MAY — THAT'LL BE THE DAY: 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW — Forty years on, That’ll Be The Day mixes music, comedy, and nostalgia in another fast-moving stage show packed with familiar hits. (The Atkinson)
WED 27 MAY — LAUNCH OF BUCKLED: A PLAY BY HELEN JEFFERY — Helen Jeffery’s new play Buckled is introduced in an event focused on addiction, relationships, and the difficult realities surrounding both. (Unity Theatre Bar)
THU 28 MAY — COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY DIGITAL EXHIBITION OPENING – MY EAST OF EUROPE — Photography, migration, and personal memory come together at the opening of this digital exhibition created by contributors from across Eastern Europe. (Winter Gardens, Open Eye Gallery)
THU 28 MAY — SYMPOSIUM – DECOLONISING EASTERN EUROPEAN CULTURE — Artists, academics, and curators gather to discuss archives, identity, and representation in Eastern European culture and contemporary art. (Open Eye Gallery)
FRI 29 MAY — ⭐️ BALTIC WEEKENDER — Baltic Weekender returns to the Baltic Triangle with another packed lineup covering house, techno, grime, bass music, and local DJs. (Baltic Triangle)