16 things you can do in Liverpool this half term

School’s only closed for a week this May half term, so if you want to enjoy even half of what’s on offer in and around Liverpool, you’d better get planning!

There’s loads going on from theatre and carnival fun, to festivals, sports, and even big ships!

So on your marks, get set, and have a great time with these 16 things to do.

Southport Food and Drink Festival

On from Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1, this is a foodies’ paradise with cuisine from all over the world, music and live entertainment, craft stalls and, of course, tons of stuff for the kids like face painting, inflatables and storytelling.

Find out more here.

Dinosaur World Live! at the Floral Pavilion Theatre

Winner of the prestigious 2024 Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment in London’s West End, it’s just got to be good – and it’s grrrreat! Dinosaur World Live! is a Jurassic adventure for kids with the chance to join the show’s intrepid explorer to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing – and very life-like – dinosaurs.  It’s on from Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 1.

Find out more here.

Wise Children’s Theatre Maker Taster at Everyman Theatre

Fancy a job in theatre? Then this could be for you as Wise Children’s Training Programme’s offering the chance of a free, day-long workshop for 18-and-overs. You’ll play games, learn choreography, devise, and experience first-hand how Wise Children creates their critically acclaimed shows. There are only 20 places and it’s on this Friday, May 23.

Find out more here.

BOXPARK Liverpool Family Feastival

Sundays are for the family at BOXPARK and that means music, free kids arts and crafts classes, and mini games for the family to enjoy. You can soak up the sunshine, have some food and join in the fun – there’s even a free-to-play Big Fat Kids Quiz Box at 1pm. So get along to BOXPARK between noon and 4pm this and every Sunday.

Find out more here.

Seaside Carnival at Knowsley Safari

The big top’s back at Knowsley, with all the fun of the fair at the Prescot safari park from this Saturday, May 24, until Sunday, June 1. Roll up, roll up for side shows and games like the coconut shy and Hoopla; as well as the chance to have a go at circus skills, enjoy daredevil acrobatic performances, and marvel at magic tricks, along with all the usual wild attractions.

Find out more here.

Bluecoat’s Big Music Weekend

Bluecoat’s celebrating the Radio 1 Big Weekend with its very own Big Music Weekend. If you go along to the School Lane art centre on Saturday, May 24, you can watch or take part in open mic performances which aim to showcase new musicians and performers in Liverpool. On Sunday, there’s family friendly print activities.

Find out more here.

LVP 3×3 Basketball Tournament in Liverpool ONE

Toxteth El8te are back at Liverpool ONE for the return of the LVP 3×3 basketball festival, so head to Chavasse Park to catch some of the best basketball talent in action.  It’s all free and it’s on from Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1, with open basketball sessions where you can jump in and join in!

Find out more here.

Exciting Science at The Atkinson

This beats all the science lessons we’ve ever been to! It’s a family show that comes with an ‘extreme fun’ warning and gives kids the chance to see a volcanic eruption, a vacuum turned into a missile launcher, and more. It’s on Friday, May 30.

Find out more here.

Bees: A Story of Survival continues at World Museum

Extended until September 28, this latest exhibition at World Museum is a stunning and immersive adventure that looks at these amazing creatures and their relationship with the natural world. Don’t miss the Bee Cello, exploring the life size structure of a hive, and seeing real time footage of a living colony.

Find out more here.

Cunard Queen Anne is returning to Liverpool

Cunard’s newest cruise ship is heading back to the Mersey for the first time since her official naming ceremony in June last year, and this impressive vessel is certainly worth a trip to the waterfront. She’ll arrive on Monday, May 26, and is due at Cruise Port Liverpool by 12pm as part of the Cunard 185th anniversary celebrations, leaving shortly before midnight the next day.

Find out more here.

Shipmates – Little Liverpool Special at Museum of Liverpool 

Budding sailors and scientists are invited to join the Museum of Liverpool’s Little Liverpool special to find out more about the seas, oceans and our River Mersey. It’s on Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, and tickets are £2. 

Find out more here.

Teenage Market at Salt & Tar Fringe Festival

On Monday, May 26, the indoor entertainment tent at Salt and Tar’s Fringe Festival’s getting ready for a Teenage Market takeover between 12pm-4pm. It’s a free opportunity for young people aged 10-25 to take on a stall and sell their creative products or trial new business ideas. And any young bands, dancers, musicians, or comedians can also apply to perform on the day.

Find out more here.

LFC Victory Parade

What about cheering on the Reds as Liverpool celebrate their 20th Premier League win on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26. The victory parade will see LFC tour the city in an open top bus, starting off at Allerton Maze and ending at Blundell Street in the city centre, with hundreds of thousands of fans expected to line the route. 

Find out more here.

Mere Tun Village at WWT Martin Mere

Visit WWT Martin Mere’s Mere Tun Village from Monday to Friday during the May half term to see how wetlands were used throughout the ages. You’ll get the chance to have a go at willow weaving, learn how you can use clay, water, and manure to create an amazing roundhouse, and defend the village with its weapons training sessions! It’s all going on between 12pm-3pm from May 26-30.

Find out more here.

Kids eat free at Liverpool ONE

It’s always a treat to eat out in the holidays – and now it won’t break the bank with loads of Liverpool ONE restaurants offering to let the kids eat free throughout, or on selected days, this half term. It includes Smoke & Dough, TGI Fridays, Zizzi, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, and The Real Greek.

Find out more here.

Fun day out at Gulliver’s World 

With 50 rides, attractions, shows and activities, a trip to Gulliver’s World will always earn you Brownie points with the family, and there’s more than ever to keep everyone entertained this year. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the brand-new Land of Oz-themed area with highlights including an Upside Down Houseandnew rides The Winged Monkeys and Munchkin Motors, where families can drive through the magical Land of Oz and spot their favourite characters. 

Find out more here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.