10 Summer events across Liverpool City Region and how to get there by bus

There’s loads of amazing events taking place across Liverpool City Region this summer – and there’s never been a better time to get to them by bus!

When you think about the cost of fuel and parking – to say nothing of traffic hassles – it makes far more sense to make the journey by such an easy and super-reliable form of public transport.

So if you’re heading out this summer, whether it’s getting to work, meeting up with friends, or getting to any of these incredible festivals and events, Let’s Bus It!

Africa Oyé

The city festival’s the largest celebration of African music and culture anywhere in the UK, with artists coming from all over the world. Silly Games singer Janet Kay is making her Oyé debut on the main stage this year along with feminist five-piece band Nana Benz Du Togo, Afrofuturist singer-songwriter and pioneer of Congolese Electric music Kizaba, eco-punks Fulu Miziki, and more. There’s also food, arts and craft stalls, and active zones. It’s taking place in Sefton Park in South Liverpool on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21.

* Lots of buses will take you to Sefton Park: The number 75 from Liverpool ONE Bus Station or Great Charlotte Street to Halewood operates every 15 minutes on Saturday, every 30 minutes on Sunday. Services 80 and 80A from Liverpool ONE Bus Station or Great Charlotte Street to Speke & Liverpool Airport combined services operate every 20 minutes on Saturday, and the 80A runs every 20 minutes on Sunday.

Other services you could get:  26/27 – Sheil Road Circular;  76 – Liverpool ONE-Halewood; 82 – Liverpool ONE-Speke; 82A – Liverpool ONE-Murdishaw via LJLA, and 500 – Liverpool ONE – Liverpool Airport Express Service.

Find out more here.

On The Waterfront

The flagship music event from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21 is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the city’s iconic Pier Head and the world-famous Three Graces. The four-day festival’s quickly become a main event in Liverpool’s cultural calendar, this year featuring headline performances from Snow Patrol, Paul Weller, Cream Classical and Red Rum Club.

* On the Waterfront is easily accessible by bus and is a short walk from Liverpool ONE Bus Station and Queen Square Bus Station.

Find out more here.

Prescot Festival of Music and the Arts

With a huge mix of jazz, choral music, big band sounds, a stage play – new this year – a barn dance, and more, Prescot Festival is a 10-day celebration of music and culture across the town. It’s being held from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 28 and it’s easy to get there by bus.

* Take the 10A from Liverpool ONE Bus Station to St Helens, then the 289 to Prescot.

Find out more here.

Southport Flower Show

The four-day event in Victoria Park from August 20-23 is the UK’s largest independent flower show, attracting more than 55,000 visitors. You can look forward to great show gardens, stunning floral displays, and expert gardening advice along with live cookery demonstrations, food, live music, and a whole host of other entertainment.

* You can also look forward to getting there by bus. You can catch the Arriva 300 or Stagecoach X2 buses from Queen Square Bus Station which will take you to Southport town centre and then get a shuttle bus to the event.

Find out more here.

Music at Haydock Racecourse

There’s music magic at Haydock’s Park Nights with Tom Grennan there on Saturday, June 20; Madness there on Saturday, July 18, and Pete Tong on Friday, August 7 – and that’s live after a full day of racing!

* Get the bus to St Helens, then hop on the 320 bus towards Wigan.

Find out more here.

Reminisce, St Helens

Reminisce Festival’s back from 2026 with another huge celebration of dance music nostalgia at Sherdley park. It’s bringing together some of the most iconic club artists and DJs, as performances from the likes of Basshunter, K-Klass, Rozalla, the Vengaboys, and more. It’s on Saturday, September 12.

* And you can get there by bus. Get to St Helens (10A) and then get on the number 17 to the park.

Find out more here.

Salt & Tar Music Weekender

The Bootle Venue’s welcoming more big names to its Music Festival from Thursday to Monday, August 13-17. Billy Ocean’s kicking off the action before The Waterboys, The Saw Doctors, and Nile Rodgers & Chic take their turn on the main stage.

* Salt and Tar’s going ‘On Tour’ in 2026 and will be located at Lock and Quay in Irlam Rd – and the best bus to get there is the 136 from Liverpool ONE. 

Find out more here.

Anfield concerts

The summer concerts are back at Anfield with more huge names including American country music superstar Zach Bryan who’s there on June 12. American rock legends, Foo Fighters will bring their much loved anthems to the stadium on June 25 and 27, before My Chemical Romance rock the stands on June 30 as part of their Black Parade Tour. 

* If you want to bus it, get the 926 serviceto the ground, and the 927 servicefrom it. Both services run direct without stopping between Anfield and Liverpool ONE. Other buses to Anfield from the city centre: Number 14 Liverpool Queens Square Bus Station – Croxteth up to every 12 minutes; 26/27 Liverpool One Bus Station – Anfield – Liverpool One Bus Station up to every 10 minutes; 310 Liverpool City Centre Queens Square Bus Station – Walton Vale – Maghull – Skelmersdale up to every 30 minutes, and 345 Liverpool City Centre Queens Square Bus Station – Walton Vale – Aintree, up to every 30 minutes.

Find out more here.

Royal Birkdale 

The world’s best golfers will return to Royal Birkdale this year as it hosts The Open for the 11th time in 2026. The event runs from July 12 to 19, with championship play from July 16.

* The 47 bus goes from Leeds Street in Liverpool to the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport.

Find out more here.

We Are Wirral Festival

A great way to start them, this two day family festival is being held at Birkenhead Park on the first weekend of the school summer holidays, Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19. There’s going to be plenty of live music, fun activities, entertainment, and food and drink for all the family to enjoy.

* There are a few bus routes that stop right outside Birkenhead Park, including:

Stopping at Park Road North: Bus routes 216 (Woodside Circular), 407 (Liverpool to West Kirby), 418 (New Ferry to Birkenhead), and 437 (Liverpool to Birkenhead).

Stopping at Park Road South: Bus routes 38, 38A, and 38B (New Ferry/Eastham to West Kirby).

Find out more here.

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