This year marks the tenth anniversary of Liverpool being crowned European City of Culture, and the city is marking the milestone with a programme of exciting events and projects.
The programme will bring together international artists, performers and homegrown talent which has emerged over the last decade. More than 40 events and festivals will take place in and across the city region, including firsts, one-off spectacles and some returning favourites. Many of the events are suitable for groups and come with no cost.
Alongside this, there will be four seasons: China Dream, Brittle Heart, The Art of Football and The Future World of Work.
Liverpool’s four seasons
China Dream season taking place between February and October will include events such as: Presence: A Window into Contemporary Chinese Art from 9th February to 3rd June; Jian Wang cello with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on 8th February and 9th February; and Chinese New Year 2018 from 16th to 18th February.
Brittle Heart season will involve work that commemorates the centenary of the end of World War One as well as women’s right to vote. The season will look at the world a century ago and draw comparisons with present day and the future. The season will be led by a collaboration between the orchestras of two UNESCO Cities of Music in a performance of Britten’s War Requiem.
The Future World of Work season between May and July is inspired by the future of work and the question of what it could mean. FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) will lead on a series of artistic commissions linked to the question which will take over the city centre and work alongside the International Business Festival and UNIGlobal to bring ‘some of the biggest and best thinkers to the city to tackle this idea’.
The Art of Football season from 14th June to 15th July will coincide with the FIFA World Cup. Throughout these months a series of works will be commissioned which have football at their heart. They will explore the concept of ‘fandom’, challenge stereotypes and look at the impact of football on fashion, music, politics and society.
Other events that groups will love
The Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta & The Bordeaux Wine Festival will take place from 25th to 28th May.
A new annual event, The Feis Liverpool, celebrating the best of Irish culture is coming to the city on 7th July, bringing some of the biggest names in contemporary and traditional Irish music together.
Throughout 2018, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic will be celebrating piano music with its Art of the Piano programme, expected to include Smash the Keys, a festival taking place from 20th to 30th September.
Group information
Groups visiting Liverpool are welcome, and visit Liverpool offers sample itineraries for those booking a trip.
Group organisers can email traveltrade@marketingliverpool.co.uk for more details on visitng during the anniversary year.
For more information, visit www.visitliverpool.com/2018.
The booking period has extended for the trailblazing show that continues to wow audiences at its purpose-built arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is asking group travel organisers to vote them as the Best Group Dining Experience for a second year running in the annual Group Leisure & Travel Awards.
The celebrity line-up for the Royal Three Counties Show in Worcestershire features BBC Countryfile presenters Matt Baker and John Craven.
The award-winning musical by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark will transfer to the West End following a sold-out run at Southwark Playhouse.
