12 reasons to smile this weekend in Liverpool

It’s the weekend which means Good News only at The Guide Liverpool for the next few days and here are 12 reasons to look on the bright side…

Strictly is back

Yep, under the sparkly eyes and twinkling toes of Wirral-born Shirley Ballas, we can all take our (household) partners for a quickstep around the living room as we enjoy the latest series of the glitzy dance show. 

Boxer Nicola Adams is one of the contestants and in Strictly Come Dancing’s first same-sex partnership with Katya Jones. She’s joined by actress Caroline Quentin, former home secretary Jacqui Smith, Comedian Bill Bailey and YouTuber HRVY, among others.

Best thing to bring a bit of glamour and glitz to the weekend: Saturday, BBC1, 7.25pm.

There’s a new festival for Liverpool, starting this weekend

As part of Black History Month, Liverpool’s putting on a brand-new festival celebrating black music on Merseyside and the role it’s played over the last 70 years.

On Record will host specially-commissioned streamed performances, exclusive in-conversation events, film screenings, podcasts and an exhibition. The festival kicks off at 5pm tonight (October 30) with an evening of entertainment from The Real Thing, The Christians, Jennifer John and Sense of Sound, and Mic Lowry.

Curator Yaw Owusu said: “On Record is a real reflection of what is often untold in mainstream discussions about Liverpool’s music culture – that black music has, and still does, influence and inspire so much that makes the scene so special.”

Info on how to watch live from Friday 5pm here.

Organico has opened to give your body and mind a detox

‘Feed your soul’ with a visit to this fab new juice bar and eatery on Bold Street.

Open every day from 9am to 5pm, it focuses on healthy living – and it’s got a menu bursting with fresh and delicious dishes and drinks that will taste as good as they’ll make you feel.

Organico’s speciality is raw produce, fresh organic juices, plant-based dishes and desserts, and it’s teaming up with local and independent suppliers from across the region, so we can all be proud of supporting each other.

Get more info here.

Speke Hall is still open and waiting to be explored

The great Tudor mansion may be closed for now but Speke Hall’s gardens and estate are very much open and waiting to give us a warm welcome this winter.

Woodland walks, the interactive Childe of Hale Trail and the chance soon to seek out Peter Rabbit and his pals, are just some of the activities at the popular National Trust venue.

Its play areas are back open, and so is Home Farm restaurant serving the creamiest hot chocolate, and some fabulous cakes and scones. At the moment it’s open every day and, from November 9, Wednesday to Sunday.

Pre-book and find out more here.

There are loads of fantastic food delivery ideas

So what if the weather’s a washout, you can still celebrate the weekend with some great food from the city’s top chefs and restaurants.

A special occasion? Indulge in The Art School Experience, a medley of treats and wines handpicked by Chef Paul Askew. You can choose from a range of condiments, beers, wines, and fresh items.

Fancy a burger – then why not have one of the best? Bag an Honest at Home DIY burger kit which comes with everything you need to make Honest Burgers at home.

Or, with just a quick trip out, click and collect a takeaway from Duke Street Food and Drink Market. Five of the six vendors have meals available for collection: Cinder, Bone and Block, Ginger, Cucina Di Vincenzo and Cahita.

Explore our Liverpool Directory for hundreds of other delivery ideas. 

It’s Halloween!

Even if there’s less trick or treating going on this year, there’s still lots of spooky stuff to do with or without kids. Most pumpkin picking has finished now, but there are still a few places with some left like Pumpkin Alley in Ormskirk.

You can book your own outdoor heated cabin at Birdies Bar & BBQ to watch Halloween films – family-friendly ones during the day and scary ones after dark – or be brave and catch a screening of Hitchcock’s classic Psycho at the Bombed Out Church.

If your kids love animals, head to Knowsley Safari where keepers have created a Scarecrow Trail or if you don’t fancy going out, there’s always pumpkin carving to have a go at.

The Albert Dock has lit up with a million lights

The Albert Dock looks beautiful at any time of year, but right now it’s at its twinkly Insta-worthy best. The whole of the inner quay, all 86 columns, are lit up with more than a million lights which has to make it the prettiest backdrop in the whole city.

Shiverpool ghost tours don’t just run for Halloween

This is really the time of year when Shiverpool is in its ghoulish element, but you can actually get a spooky fix all year round because ghosts are for life (or maybe death), not just for Halloween.  If you fancy a tour on Halloween itself, there are still a couple of day and evening slots available on the outdoor Halloween Special Hope Street Shivers Tour, but if not you can still get spooked any time with regular Hope Street Shivers tours every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Book here.

Book a bottomless brunch at Jimmy’s, Lu Ban or Revolution

This weekend doesn’t have to be all about pumpkins because we love a bottomless brunch and nothing’s going to get in the way of that. Three of the best are at Jimmy’s where there’s Bottomless Brunch on Saturdays, 10-2pm, or Bottomless Roast all afternoon on Sundays, Lu Ban where you’ll get 90 minutes of non-stop amazing food and drink on Saturday and Sunday from 12 and Revolution where you can join the Bottomless Brunch club for two hours of booze, food and fun for £20.

Get Punk Afternoon Tea from Baltic Social delivered to your door

Baltic Social’s Punk Afternoon Tea is genius – it’s got all the look of a regular afternoon tea, but you get things like salt beef sliders, chip shop Scotch eggs and salt & pepper halloumi spring rolls instead of all those fancy little sandwiches. And you still get scones because everyone knows that’s the law of afternoon tea.

Book your delivery here.

There’s a new easy way to support indie businesses in Southport

We all want to help keep our indies going during a tough time, and now there’s an easy way to do it if you’re in or around Southport. The Southport Gift Card can be spent at more than 60 different venues including independent shops, local restaurants and attractions. So if you’re stuck for gift ideas, this won’t just solve your pressie buying problem, it’ll keep the cash locally where it’s really needed.

Check it out here.

Staycation deals at The Richmond hotel

Take yourself away form the norm and have a change of scenery by booking a Liverpool hotel for a night. The Richmond has a great offer running. You can book a romantic overnight stay, which includes a bottle of wine on arrival, 3 course meal for 2 in the brasserie restaurant and a full English breakfast for just £99 for two people Sunday – Thursday (Friday £109, Saturday £129)

Info here.