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LAAF 2026 proves home is where the art is
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) returns to city venues this July – and the first events have now been announced. This year’s festival takes place between July 17-26 and will include a varied programme including performances, talks, workshops and family-friendly activities across art forms such as theatre, music, the visual arts and film. The 2026 theme is Home. LAAF chairman Afrah Qassim says: “Home is a place we often imagine as a sanctuary of safety, stability and ident
WoWFest 2026 explores the 'New World Disorder'
Author Colm Tóibín is among the first names announced for WoWFest which returns to Liverpool venues this May with a month-long programme of events. The theme of the 2026 festival is New World Disorder, with organisers Writing on the Wall describing it as ‘bold, urgent and unmissable’ and a 'festival of resistance'. Events take place from May 1-31 at venues including the Black-E, British Music Experience, Philharmonic Hall Music Room and online. Actor Cathy Tyson, playwright H
Review: Knickerbocker Glory at the Unity Theatre ****
When you call yourself Choc-a-block Comedy, it inevitably creates a certain level of expectation. But Trading Standards can stand down, because Laura Robinson and Aidan Rivers’ droll double act happily lives up to its name in this chock-a-block comedy confection whipped up and staged as part of the Unity Theatre’s Up Next Festival. In Knickerbocker Glory, the recent LIPA acting graduates (Robinson appeared at the Unity several times during training, while you might recognise
Leap Dance Festival returns to Liverpool for 2026
Liverpool’s Leap Dance Festival returns to city venues next month with a programme of performances, workshops and free public events. The festival, which was revived and relaunched by Chaos Arts CIC in 2024 after a five year break, this year runs from April 24 to May 9 and encompasses National Day of Dance on April 29. It aims to showcase local and regional talent and nurture and support the next generation of dancers as well as bring top dance companies and artists to the ci
Up Next Festival returns to the Unity Theatre this month
The Up Next Festival is set to return to the Unity Theatre this month for a fifth year. The 2026 festival takes place from March 25-28 and will feature 20 new and diverse performances – many of them work-in-progress, readings, workshops and a guided walk, created by Merseyside artists. The Hope Place theatre started the festival in 2021 as a response the Covid pandemic and the seismic effect it had on live performance, providing a vital platform for new work with the aim of s
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
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