Top 10 Annual Events in Liverpool

more than a year ago

Liverpool enjoys a big celebration and is always looking for an excuse to get dressed up and get the bubbly flowing. The calendar is full of such events, almost all of which lead to copious amounts of fun, frolics and booze, is no particular order. These are the 10 events to watch out for in the city.

Grand National (April)

The biggest day in the horse racing calendar takes place in Aintree, just a short train from Liverpool, and boy does the big city get messy. First held in 1839, the Grand National is the SuperBowl of horse racing, a day when even the most anti-gambling of people will have a flutter based on a jockey’s colours and a day when the bars are full from morning until the next morning. The busiest night of the year in town, without a doubt.

International Beatleweek (August)

Liverpool is the home of The Beatles (not sure if we mentioned that), and the last week of August is usually given over to all things Fab 4. Tribute bands fill the bars of Matthew Street playing the hits of the heroes, and the wig and glasses quota goes up substantially. If you’re a fan of The Beatles, this is the best festival in the world.

Africa Oyé (June)

The largest celebration of live African music in the United Kingdom, Africa Oyé is our favourite festival in Liverpool. A glorious explosion of vibrant music and energetic performances is enhanced by a wide range of cultures and truly astounding food. Sefton Park is the venue — don’t miss this.

Merseyside Derby

Liverpool’s biggest games of the season might see them take on the Manchester clubs, but the vim and vigour of the Merseyside Derby remains one of English football’s great occasions. Liverpool and Everton are both established in the Premier League and thus play each other twice a year, although tickets are nigh on impossible to come across.

Liverpool International Music Festival (July)

Another major music festival that takes place in Sefton Park, the Liverpool International Music Festival features some of the biggest acts from across the world.

Brazilica (July)

A summertime institution since 2008, Brazilica is the UK’s largest celebration of Brazilian culture and is every bit as invigorating as you assume that to be. The whole takes place over a week in July, ending in a massive street carnival.

Homotopia (November)

Liverpool Pride traditionally takes place in August but it is Homotopia that dominates the LGBTQ calendar. A week long festival held at the beginning of November, Homotopia features theatre, art, drama, dance, film, cabaret and everything else, a true mass of energetic art in all its forms.

Liverpool Sound City (May)

Liverpool is considered by many to be the independent music capital of the UK, and never is this more apparent than during the magnificence of Liverpool Sound City. An annual festival in May, Sound City is a weekend of live music madness at some of the best venues in the city, featuring some of the country’s finest talent. Past performers include The Flaming Lips, Frank Turner, Paloma Faith and Royal Blood.

Liverpool Craft Beer Expo (June)

Liverpool is front and centre of the UK’s craft beer revolution, with plenty of artisanal ale bars popping up all over the city. The annual summertime expo is the best time for beer lovers to be in town, as the Invisible Wind Factory becomes something of a craft beer mecca.

Christmas (December)

Christmas in Liverpool is a joyful time, albeit a cold one, as the city is given over to the many festive traditions of the many different cultures that have called this city home over the centuries. Christmas in Liverpool is different to Christmas everywhere else.

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