The Student’s Guide to Liverpool’s Calendar of Events: Festivals and Music

As you would expect from a city with a reputation for culture like Liverpool, the annual events calendar is full of festivals and music. One of the many things this city is good at is putting on a show! Whether you’re a student or live here full-time, there is usually something going on. Indoors, outdoors, sport, music or culture, the Liverpool scene has plenty to offer.

Festivals

Festivals are mainly in spring and summer and cover every conceivable taste. They include:

Baltic Weekender – June

The Baltic Weekender is held in the Baltic, not far from our student accommodation. It’s a music festival that covers many genres, from trance and techno to disco, rap and drum ‘n bass. It’s in an amazing part of town, close to class and home so there’s no excuse. Held in various venues within the Baltic, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Food Aid Liverpool – April

Food Aid Liverpool is a music festival held in support of community food spaces across the city. It’s an eclectic mix of music from cover bands, tribute acts and local artists. It’s a day festival at The Florrie spread across four stages with music, DJs, food stalls, traders, a pop-up market and lots more.

Liverpool Sound City – April

Liverpool Sound City is a celebration of local music and artists. You’ll probably never have heard of any of them until you have lived here for a while, but there’s usually a wealth of talent on show. It’s held over two days in April across several venues in the city centre. It’s lower-key than many festivals but just as entertaining and a great way to get to know the local music scene.

Crapfest – July

Despite the name, this is anything but. If you like punk, alternative, pop punk and the variations of that theme, this is your festival. Held every year in July, this year it’s at EBGBs. There’s quite a lineup from the scene, the venue is great, tickets are reasonable and there will be more people there than you might think. If punk is your music, this is your festival!

Liverpool Soul Weekender – June

Liverpool Soul Weekender is a 3-day festival of soul music. It’s a giant of a festival, attracting performers from across the world and is held every year in the city. This year it’s at Constellations and the Yard District and includes a range of bands and soloists from across the scene.

(Image Credit: https://unsplash.com/@mrs80z)

Events

Liverpool has literally hundreds of events throughout the year and these are just a few:

Pride in Liverpool – TBA

Pride in Liverpool is both a ‘traditional’ pride event but also a celebration of everything this city has and is. It’s colourful, vibrant, friendly and inclusive and is one of the best events to attend. Whether you’re part of the community or not, everyone is welcome. There’s music, dancing, a march and more.

Grand National Festival – April

The Grand National Festival is a three-day horse racing event held every April. It’s one of the largest races on the calendar and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the country. The Grand National Festival is a great day out even if you’re not a racing fan. The outfits, the people, and the atmosphere is all something to behold.

Liverpool Biennial – June – September

The Liverpool Biennial is held every two years in the summer. It’s a city-wide event held in galleries, museums and public spaces across the city. It’s an art and culture festival, now in its 12th year. There’s a little of everything, art, sculpture, installations and more, spread from Albert Dock across the city. Each event has a different theme, with 2023 being ‘uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things’.

Africa Oye – June

Africa Oye is a celebration of everything African and is a great weekend in Liverpool. Music, culture, food and more in Sefton Park. It’s a loud, colourful event with plenty going on and is a chance to immerse yourself in another country’s culture. Africa Oye is a highlight of the summer season thanks to the diversity, energy and positive vibes it generates.

Brazilica – August

Brazilica is a celebration of everything Brazilian. A culture known for having a good time comes to the city that does the same. It’s the largest show of its kind in the country. Brazilica includes a night carnival, music, dancing, performances, food, drink and lots of Brazilian influences. It’s an amazing way to spend a day in Liverpool!

Liverpool’s calendar of events

As we said at the top, this is just a tiny snapshot of what happens in Liverpool over a typical year. If you love culture, music, arts and having a good time, being a student in Liverpool is the place to be.

The team at Sanctuary Students have a particular love for Liverpool that’s why we’re excited to share this list for not only students living in our Marybone student village or Grenville Street properties. But for all of you to come and enjoy the rich culture a city like Liverpool has to offer!