Liverpool European Festival returns for 2025

Liverpool European Festival returns this spring with a series of celebratory events organised by and within the city’s diverse communities.

The festival started two years ago as part of events surrounding Eurovision, and aims to highlight all the European communities within Liverpool and wider region and to showcase their heritage, traditions and contribution to the city’s rich cultural landscape.

This year’s festival will be officially launched this Thursday, May 8, ahead of Europe Day on Friday.

Meanwhile a free, family-friendly community launch, complete with stalls, exhibitions and performances, will be held at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church from noon on Saturday, May 10.

Among those taking part will be people from the city’s Italian, Polish, Romanian, Greek, Ukrainian and Nordic communities.

Then at 6pm on Saturday the Bombed Out Church will host the Liverpool Fire Arts Festival ‘fire gala’. Tickets cost from £11.55, and are available HERE

Other events during May include a Ukrainian Legend of Stryi film screening at Blundellsands Methodist Church on May 11, a Little Italy History Ride with the Aigburth Community Cycle Club on May 17, a Black Europeans event at Toxteth Town Hall on May 21, and an International Children’s Day event at Mini-Roads in Everton on Saturday, May 31.

The festival continues in June with a busy programme of events including Midsummer Celebrations with the Polish Community at Sefton Park Palm House on June 15 and, on June 21, a Deutsches Sommerfest in the garden of the German Church in Bedford Street South complete with barbecue and traditional German food, beer, live music and children’s activities.

There will also be a Swedish Midsummer Service and festivities at the Nordic Church in Park Lane on June 22.

The annual festival is organised in partnership with Liverpool City Council.

Gosia McKane, who has been leading the festival’s organisation since its launch, said: "In a time when the world often feels divided, this festival is a beautiful reminder that culture and community can bring us together.

“It’s a celebration of where we come from, who we are today, and the future we can build together. It’s a celebration of the connections we share across cultures and generations — and we invite everyone to be part of that story."

Liverpool European Festival runs during May and June. For the full programme visit the website HERE