Brazilica brings colourful carnival to Liverpool

It’s carnival time in Liverpool this weekend as the annual Brazilica celebration of all things samba takes to the city’s streets and waterfront.

This year the festival, which brings a taste of Rio to the banks of the Mersey, will host its main day ON the banks of the Mersey as it becomes part of the Pier Head Village attraction on the waterfront.

The main stage will be pulsating with Latin American rhythms throughout the day on Saturday, including music from São Paulo 10-piece Bixiga 70.

But one of the highlights of the festival takes place on Saturday evening when thousands of people are expected to line the city centre streets to watch the colourful Brazilica Carnival Parade.

The parade, featuring more than a dozen Samba bands, starts from Abercromby Square at 8pm, making its way via Oxford Street, Hope Street, Hardman Street and Bold Street before arriving in Church Street and finishing in Williamson Square – a new location for 2017.

It will be led by the newly-crowned Carnival Queen, who will be chosen during a competition evening at PANAM tomorrow.

And the samba party will continue until the early hours on Sunday morning following the parade with the official Brazilica After Party taking place at Camp and Furnace from 10pm on Saturday to 4am on Sunday, featuring carnival DJs and live music. Entry is £5.

For more information about Brazilica, visit the website HERE.