Your Liverpool city centre Half-Term Guide
As we head into October half-term, there are plenty of exhibitions, events and performances for you and the family to enjoy. These include:
→ Art in Motion: Remember How Boss It Was
The second commission of Art in Motion brings the work of local artist, Emma Dolan, “Remember how boss it was” at the heart of Liverpool’s Commercial District. Seek out specially-selected locations along a route in Commercial District to discover Dolan’s bold graphic works, each accompanied by an episode of a humorous and conversational video which can be accessed by QR codes.
Cost: Free.
→ River of Light
For 17 nights from Friday 22 October until Sunday 7 November Liverpool’s waterfront will be transformed into an illuminated outdoor art gallery. Twelve large scale light artworks will create a 2km trail in the fourth edition of River of Light. The theme this year is ‘Rhythm of the Light’ with each of the artworks being inspired by the relationship between the city, music and light.
Cost: Free.
→ Half-Term and Halloween at Metquarter
Metquarter is gearing up for a spooktacular half term, with a host of events and activities planned for kids, families, and food and drink lovers from 25 – 31 October.
GPO will be presenting ‘The Dead Have Risen’, promising face painting, £5 cocktails and halloween themed brunch. Everyman Cinema will also be showing frightful films to bring in Halloween.
→ Half-Term and Halloween at the Bluecoat
This half-term, drop in to The Bluecoat with the family for a spooky Halloween treat.
Get creative with The Bluecoat’s new activity pack and explore our free exhibitions, where their friendly staff will be on hand to help.
Plus kids get a free hot chocolate and spooky cake when they dress up!
→ Royal Albert Dock: Feed Your Mind activities
Feed Your Mind activities will see the Royal Albert Dock’s Anchor Courtyard turned into a circus school, with 160 sessions of free circus skills on offer for little ones from 25-29 October. Suitable for ages 6-14yrs, they can try their hand at juggling, take on the dizzying spinning plates and even have a swing at the trapeze.
Cost: Free.
→ AI: More than Human exhibition at World Museum
Kids go free with a paying adult in October half-term and at weekends at the latest AI: More than Human exhibition. Kids, young people and adults alike can enjoy all things artificial intelligence from the fascinating history to human relationship with technology and the natural world, medicine, art, society and even video games!
Cost: Kids go free with a paying adult.
→ Tate Kids Activities
Head over to Tate Kids to keep the family busy this half term!
With many activities to do at home including tips on photography and drawing to music and learning about amazing artists, there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained.
Cost: Free.
→ Autumn at the Bluecoat
The Bluecoat will be exhibiting three important solo shows focussing on the formation of identity. A look inside, by US based artist Deborah Roberts, Practice Makes Perfect, by Rosa-Johan Uddoh and Sumuyya Khader’s Always Black Never Blue.
Cost: Free.
→ Black History Month in Liverpool
Black History Month is one of the most prominent cultural celebrations of the year and takes place throughout October. In Liverpool a host of arts and cultural organisations, universities and businesses have created an impressive programme.
Events and exhibitions include ‘Uprisings 1981: A Commemoration’ at Museum of Liverpool, ON RECORD and more.
→ Katumba Halloween Carnival
Every Halloween, Katumba transforms Liverpool city centre into a playground of imagination, inspiring and engaging audiences with big, bold, visual outdoor shows and performances; an immersive spectacle of drums, fire, lights, dance, theatre and more!
Cost: Free.
→ Little Monkeys Half Term Brunch Club
Join Monkeyboard Coffee for their first of many regular family friendly social brunches. A safe and friendly place for Mum’s, Dad’s, Grandparents, Carers and Parents to be to meet, with lots of conversation, great coffee, a cocktail if needed and a great selection of food.
The first event will be held on 29 October 2021 at 11am until 2pm.
Cost: £5.
→ Kids Eat Free at GPO Food Hall
Kids Eat Free is available from Monday 25 October to Friday 5 November at GPO Food Hall.
Available Monday – Friday, 12-7pm and is valid for children aged 12 and under.
Cost: Free.
→ Indoor Funfair at Exhibition Centre
Calling all families… secure your space at the amazing Liverpool Indoor Funfair this October! With 25+ jaw-dropping rides and wonderful attractions, the Indoor Funfair will offer safe, comfortable and controlled surroundings during half-term.
Rides such as the Dodgems, Waltzers, The Twist, Cup and Saucers and UK’s largest travelling Funhouse will be in attendance with even more to be announced.
Cost: From £10 (riding wristband).
→ Free entry for families at RLB360
The Royal Liver Building 360 attraction has joined a nationwide campaign to offer free entry this autumn.
Visitors to the activity are able to redeem a £25 voucher on admission this autumn thanks to its participation in a new National Lottery Days Out campaign with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency.
Cost: Free with National Lottery voucher!
Also coming up in Liverpool city centre:
→ NML Spring/Summer 2022 Programme
National Museums Liverpool (NML) is launching an out of this world programme for Spring/Summer 2022. From a journey through space and time in Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder at World Museum, to the politics, family ties and intrigue of the Tudor court in The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics at the Walker Art Gallery, the organisation have revealed an action-packed year of exhibitions, displays and projects.
→ Liverpool Ice Festival
Liverpool’s Waterfront will be transformed into a flurry of frozen fun from Friday 19 November until Monday 3 January 2022, with the highly anticipated return of the Liverpool Ice Festival and its biggest sheltered ice rink to-date!
Located at Pier Head, the festival will include a spectacular covered ice rink, to ensure the elements don’t hamper any Christmas spirits, as well as a fully stocked bar serving delicious hearty food and beverages all season round. Shelter from the cold, grab a cosy throw and enjoy your drink of choice.
Cost: From £13.
→ Homotopia: Queer Theatre
Homotopia, the annual arts and culture festival held in Liverpool, returns this month celebrating LGBTQIA culture and Queer joy. Six nights of Queer theatre at the city’s Unity Theatre are part of the wider programme, telling the rich and varied stories of LGBTQIA experience, love, life and celebration.
The festival theme of Coming Out is a call to arms for a Queer community to tell their own stories and control their own narrative, as well as a show of support for artists and cultural venues after months of lockdown.
Cost: From £6.