Liverpool is a vibrant city all year round for many reasons but its annual events attract an eclectic mix of people who come to enjoy music, cultural, historical events and much more besides.
The annual events in Liverpool are all worth visiting whether it is your first time to the event or you’re a seasoned regular.
Below are just a few of the great and amazing annual events that are on every year in the city of Liverpool UK.
Liverpool Santa Dash
Liverpool Santa Dash is an annual event that takes place in early December. The Santa Dash is a great day out where everyone dresses up as Santa Claus and runs 5 kilometres in the name of charity. The Santa Dash takes any participating Santa’s on a course through all the wonderful sights of the city, including the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the world famous Liverpool waterfront.
The Liverpool Santa Dash annually generates over £100,000 for local charities and is also a world record holder in the Guinness Book of Records. The record is for having the most Santa’s in one place.
Hope Street Festival
The Hope Street Festival is an annual event that takes place in mid-September. The festival is a huge event featuring markets of different varieties such as a farmer’s market and a craft market. There is also a large contingent from the performing arts groups who perform music, film and theatre while also holding workshops on the arts.
Pubs and restaurants in the area join in the fun with stalls where you can sample their wares of alcohol and food.
The Hope Street festival is a free event.
Lord Mayors Parade
This annual event sees the whole of Liverpool turn out to join in because of its extravagance and wonder.
The Lord Mayors Parade sees many colourful floats parade throughout the city centre showing performers in wonderful artistic settings. Every year a different theme is chosen for the floats to emulate and make the day one to remember for children and adults alike.
The Parade starts from Pall Mall and is free to attend.
Slavery Remembrance Day
The Slavery Remembrance Day is on the 23rd August every year and is a time to celebrate the end of slavery and remember those who were slaves in the previous centuries before is abolition.
The day is full of many free events from African music, cultural food and performances of prayer at a local church, Libation (Traditional African ceremony) and memorial lectures.
This is an important look at the history of slavery whilst also being able to celebrate its abolition and remembering those who feel into the slavery trade.
Christmas Lights Switch On
In mid-November every year the Christmas Lights of Liverpool are turned on to a huge fanfare.
The streets of Liverpool come alive as thousands of people join in the fun of the music and light show. The night kicks off with many famous music acts strutting their stuff for the crowds along with trapeze artists and street performers before a chosen person or group starts the countdown and switches on the beautiful Christmas lights of Liverpool.
The area around Lime Street and St. Georges Hall is the place to be on the evening when the Christmas Lights switch on as the city fills with Christmas spirit!