Liverpool What’s On – August 2017

The summer is well and truly here and there certainly isn’t a shortage of summery entertainment in Liverpool this month!

Whether you fancy having a dance at a music festival, or testing out your football knowledge, our guide to the best August events in Liverpool has it all.

Regularly celebrating independent businesses, local talent and of course Liverpool’s great taste in music, we’ve compiled the most unmissable events of the month.

The Biggest Fattest Football Quiz

When: Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Where: Camp and Furnace

Get August off to a perfect start with one of Camp and Furnace’s famous quiz nights.

This month it’s the Biggest Fattest Football Quiz in which teams will test their football knowledge for the chance to win £150 and the prestigious ‘trophy of trophies’.

Try your luck as you work your way through various football themed rounds, projections and interactive challenges, whilst staying out of the way of the referee.

Bring your mates, decide on a top team name and wear your best kits for a fun filled football evening.

The only refs rules are one team per table (max 8) and the use of mobile phones will be punished with a red card.

Hope and Glory Festival

When: 5th and 6th August 2017

Where: St Georges Quarter

A brand new festival is set to take over Liverpool’s St George’s quarter, outside the World Museum and St John’s gardens on the first weekend in August.

With a stellar line up including Manchester headliners James and 70 piece orchestra Hacienda Classical, alongside, The View, The Fratellis, Razorlight, Ocean Colour Scene and many more, this is sure to be a big hit in the city.

The main action will take place at The Great Exhibition stage, plus there will be variety acts such as stand-ups and an air guitar competition at Wonders of the Age Stage. The Lady Garden Stage will play host to eclectic acts like Charlotte Church and a football legends charity darts competition.

Liverpool Loves

When: 5th and 6th August 2017

Where: Various location

Returning to the city centre, Liverpool Loves offers a wide array of live entertainment, food and drink, activities and attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

This year the festival will be themed around Culture, Food and Wellbeing and will celebrate the best of life in the City Region.

Featuring live music stages, loads of children’s activities, free cultural entertainment and amazing family themed events, this big weekend is sure to be a highlight of the summer.

New for this year, the festival will take place between the beautiful surroundings of Derby Square and Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE.

4mation

When: 5th August 2017

Where: Arthouse

A unique basement rave, 4mation goes back to its roots after hosting several parties in clubs, bars, terraces, rooftops and pools all over the world, they are coming to Liverpool for a night to remember.

Set in the quirky Arthouse basement, this night is completely free and will be filled with atmosphere, energy and quality House, Deep House, Tech House and Techno grooves.

They aim to build something special in this deep dark dimension under the city streets over the coming months.

If this is your vibe, it’s sure to be a great night.

Swing Afternoon Tea

When: Sunday 6th August 2017

Where: 30 James Street

At 30 James Street, they do afternoon tea with a unique twist.

Set in the stunning White Star Grand Hall, expect all the traditional finger sandwiches, delicious cakes, pastries, homemade scones, tea, coffee and of course a glass of fizz, but with the background sounds of swing music.

Sure to have you on your feet, their singer croons to fantastic songs that will make your afternoon tea unforgettable.

So, if you love a bit of live music whilst you enjoy great service and wonderful food, be sure to book in to this swing afternoon tea.

Regina Spektor

When: 7th August 2017

Where: Liverpool Empire

After last November’s sold out and universally praised tour, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor is set to return to the U.K this summer and will play dates in Cambridge, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool and culminating with a show in London.

The Liverpool date will see her take to the famous Empire Theatre in support of her critically acclaimed seventh album Remember Us To Life.

Only the second U.K tour she has done, this evening promises to be one of the most eclectic and exciting in August.

Wind in the Willows

When: 8th August 2017

Where: Palm House

This month, why not treat the kids to a summer adventure with Mole, Ratty, Badger and the infamous Mr Toad in this delightful adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind and the Willows.

Set within the stunning Palm House in Sefton Park, this exciting musical will see the famous four journey to save toad hall from the rascally weasels.

Put on by Pix N Mix Theatre for the fifth year running, this event has proved to be hugely popular and they have promised that this year’s performance will be bigger and better than before.

Gin Party at the Bombed Out Church

When: 11th and 12th August 2017

Where: Bombed Out Church 

It’s official, the gin revolution is in full swing and so it’s time the Bombed Out Church got in on the action.

The first gin party to be held at this glorious venue, expect a wide range of different boutique gins, a fun atmosphere, delicious food from local vendors and live music.

Upon arrival, each lucky gin lover will be provided with their very own gin balloon to use throughout the festival and to take home.

You can choose from three different sessions; Friday evening 7pm-11pm, Saturday daytime 12pm-4pm and Saturday evening 7pm-11pm.

Tickets are just £10 and include entry, entertainment, souvenir glass and a gin programme.

You can also check out our ultimate guide for gin lovers so you can keep the party going.

Artisans – Summers of Love

When: 11th – 13th August 2017

Where: St Georges Hall

This summer St Georges Hall and Plateau will come alive with live music, street foods, a licensed bar and a buzzing market to create an eclectic and magical shopping experience.

From Friday to Sunday, Artisan products will be available from local producers, from deep filed pies, to sweet and savoury pastries, jams, chutneys, creamy fudge, freshly baked bread and unusual cheeses, there’s something for everyone.

In celebration of the Summers of Love, the artisans market will release your inner hippy with creative flower garland workshops, flower power face painting, creative zones, free thinkers and inspired makers.

Viva Vegan Festival

When: 12th August 2017

Where: Bluecoat

The world has officially gone vegan mad, and to celebrate Liverpool is hosting a fabulous vegan friendly festival in the heart of the city centre for one day only.

With over 100 stalls across two great venues, this fantastic festival will feature vegan food stalls and beauty products, amazing cookery demos, food sampling, informative talks and advice on going dairy free, ethical gifts and competitions.

Viva staff will be sharing their secrets to making delicious vegan food that is also healthy, including a tasty chocolate orange cheesecake!

Entry is £3 each and there will be an array of refreshments and a kid’s room to keep the little ones occupied.

Go and check it out between 10am and 5pm and find out what the vegan lifestyle is all about.

KidsFest

When: 20th August 2017

Where: Stanley Park

A free children’s festival set in the beautiful Stanley Park, this event has a packed programme of family fun that will keep the kids entertained all day.

First launched in 2015 to honour the short life of James Bulger, organisers have promised that this year’s festival will be the biggest event yet.

The James Bulger Memorial Trust is working alongside Orb Events to bring the fun day back to Stanley Park, where it has previously attracted more than 8,000 visitors.

This year the festival will include a main stage programme of entertainment for children of all ages and a toddler and pre-school area for mini festival goers.

Other attractions will include fairground rides and a bouncy castle world, a Royal Marines assault course and a giant dart ball game.

There will also be a balloon artist creating larger than life-size balloon sculptures, a zip wire, kid’s cookery classes, a mini food festival, yoga, sport, soft play and planting workshops.

Clipper Race

When: Sunday 20th August 2017

Where: Albert Dock

Ten years after its last appearance in the city, the iconic Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is returning to start and finish in Liverpool.

The race will see thousands of visitors flock to the city to watch the yachts set sail from the Albert Dock on Sunday 20th August, and they will return around 11 months later.

The biggest ocean race to circumnavigate the planet, twelve 70-foot modern racing yachts are sailed by 700 amateur crew members from more than 40 countries.

Lana del Rey

When: 22nd August 2017

Where: Echo Arena

In one of only two scheduled live performances in the U.K, the other is in Glasgow, Lana del Rey is set to grace the stage of Liverpool’s Echo Arena on 22nd August.

She recently released her fifth studio album Lust for Life which features collaborations with The Weeknd, Stevie Nicks and son of John Lennon, Sean Lennon, which follows up her UK number one album’s ‘Born to Die’, ‘Ultraviolence’ and number two ‘Honeymoon’.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 31st and will probably sell out very fast so get on it!

International Beatles Week

When: 23rd-29th August 2017

Where: Various venues

Liverpool wouldn’t be Liverpool without a week dedicated to celebrating the fab four, The Beatles.

An annual festival which stretches over the whole city, Beatlesweek will take over a wide range of venues in August including the Cavern, The Royal Court, Alma de Cuba, St George’s Hall and many more.

With performances from The Bootleg Beatles, Larry Kane, The Original Quarrymen, Cavern Club Beatles and loads of fun Beatles themed activities, its a great day out for any music fan.

Evol presents the Vryll Society Summer Residency

When: 25th August 2017

Where: The Magnet

The second of their three-date summer residency at The Magnet on Hardman Street, one of Merseyside’s finest bands The Vryll Society are bringing their scouse psychedelia to this intimate venue again.

The quintet, made up of Mike, Ryan, Lewis, Lloyd and Ben, have released a brilliant succession of new tracks in preparation of the much-anticipated debut album and this upcoming gig is set to be a mesmerising affair.

They will pay alongside support from Strange Collective, The Floormen and The Mysterines on a summer evening that will showcase how great their live performances are.

Folk on the Dock

When: 26th – 28th August 

Where: Albert Dock

Folk on the Dock is returning this August to showcase the very best in folk, roots and acoustic music.

This year will see artists such as the Brighton based, multi-award winning band, MOULETTES, former Coral guitarist Lee Southall and Anglo-American trio Wildwood Kin.

There will also be appearances from legendary radio presenter and LIPA patron, Janice Long who will be introducing the bands on stage.

Liverpool Prosecco Festival

When: 27th August

Where: Camp and Furnace

If you’re on the look out for some fizzy fun to celebrate the August Bank Holiday, Camp and Furnace are hosting a two day Prosecco Festival that is sure to be a big hit.

The ultimate celebration for prosecco lovers, this festival will feature exclusive producers from across Northern Italy who will be hosting tastings and masterclasses.

Both Saturday and Sunday will be split into four-hour afternoon and evening session, 1pm-5pm and 7pm-11pm, giving you enough time to find your favourites and sample something new.

Ticket prices entitle you to five tokens that can be exchanged for glasses of prosecco, a booklet explaining the background and history behind the producers and all food on the site.

The Merchant, on Slater Street will also be holding an after-party on both nights from 11pm-3am, so the festivities don’t have to end at Camp and Furnace!

Cult Quiz Night – Game of Thrones

When: 29th August

Where: The Merchant

Get your quiz on with the Merchant’s hugely popular Cult Quiz.

This month it’s themed around the world’s favourite HBO series, Game of Thrones, but if you’re not up to date with the show, it’s probably best not to attend as the questions are based around season 7.

How well do you know the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros? Can you distinguish between the Targaryens and the Tyrells or do you know nothing like Jon Snow? Test out your GOT knowledge, all you need is your brain, a bunch of friends and a belter quiz name.

Get to The Merchant for 7pm to grab a seat, the fun will begin from 8pm onwards. Tickets are £4, and teams are recommended to be between 5-6 people.

You’ll be playing for cash prizes and booze giveaways!

We’d love to know which August events in Liverpool have taken your fancy and if we’ve missed any events off this month, let us know in the comments below!