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Liverpool Improvisation Festival 2026 dates and performers
Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LiF) returns to the Unity Theatre this spring for a fourth year. The annual event, which attracts some of the world’s leading improvisers to the city, takes place from May 7-9 and promises no fewer than three world premieres. Tickets for both individual shows, along with a limited number of one, two and three-day all access passes, are available now. Improv fans are set to enjoy 18 live shows across the three-day festival weekend, with perfor
Africa Oyé announces first acts for 2026 festival
Africa Oyé has revealed its first two big name acts for this year’s music weekend in Sefton Park. Multi-award-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter Patoranking and Congolese collective Fulu Miziki will both appear at the Oyé in June. Patoranking, who is making his Africa Oyé debut, is described as a ‘visionary’ of the African music scene and cultural ambassador for Afrobeats, blending the genre with reggae and dancehall to create a unique sound. He is an MTV Africa Music Awards
Liverpool exhibition of William Ellis jazz greats this spring
Captivating images of leading jazz artists taken by an acclaimed Liverpool music photographer are set to go on show in the city this month. William Ellis’ work will be displayed at the Capstone Building on Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus at Everton to coincide with the 2026 Liverpool International Jazz Festival. Songs For my Father: The Jazz Photography of William Ellis runs from February 3 to April 15, with the jazz festival itself taking place from February 26 t
Smithdown Litfest reveals Roger McGough as first guest of new-look annual festival
Smithdown Litfest is marking its 10 th anniversary in 2026 with a new format – and a welcome for one of Liverpool’s literary greats. The annual festival of the written word, which usually runs for a week each September, is now set to become a year-round literary festival which organisers say will enable it to offer even more fascinating events with top authors and rising star writers. The first event in the new format takes place at Ullet Road Unitarian Church on January 24
River of Light 2025 installations and where to find them
The Liverpool waterfront comes alive with sound and colour over the next 10 days as the annual River of Light returns – this year with the theme the Science of Light. Follow a trail of light sculptures and installations along the banks of the Mersey and through the city’s business district between tonight and November 2. The installations will be lit up from 5-9pm each night, with two quiet hours on October 26 and October 29, from 4-5pm. Ten largescale artworks are on show i
Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park in 2026 as a ticketed event
Africa Oyé will return to Sefton Park next year – but for the first time it will be as a ticketed event. Organisers say rising costs mean it has been increasingly difficult to keep running the annual festival, the UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, for free. The 2025 event was put on hold while they looked at ways to continue to run the Oyé while making it as affordable as possible for festivalgoers. The 2026 Oyé will be held in the park on t
The 2025 La Feria Festival takes place in Liverpool this week
Liverpool’s La Feria festival of Latin culture takes place in the city and beyond this week. The 2025 festival – organised by Luma...
Liverpool Fringe Festival 2025 full programme details
Liverpool Fringe Festival returns to city theatre spaces next week with 20 shows and events over its 12-day run. The annual festival...
Hope Street Blend Festival brings live music to Liverpool audiences this weekend
The Hope Street Blend Festival will bring live music to venues up and down the popular Liverpool cultural area this weekend. The new...
Follow the Science of Light in Liverpool this autumn
River of Light returns to the city’s waterfront this autumn and this year the 10-night free festival has the theme of the Science of Light. Follow a 1.8mile (3km) trail of light sculptures and installations along the banks of the Mersey and through the city’s business district between October 24 and November 2. Ten largescale artworks will be on show in this eighth edition of the festival, all inspired by science, technology or nature. Among them will be Dandelion (pictured a
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