Eurovision Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade: Everything you need to know

Liverpool’s massive Eurovision countdown has started, and this Friday, May 5, you can head to the streets for the fabulous Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade.

The parade is one of 24 EuroFestival cultural events happening between now and Eurovision final weekend and it’s shaping up to be pretty amazing. So get your underwater sea disco outfits all ready, here’s everything you need to know about the Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade …

When is the Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade on?

Not long to wait because it’ll be getting out and about in all its weird and wonderfulness this Friday early evening, May 5. 

What time does the parade start and how long is it on for?

It’s a family-friendly event so producers of the Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade, the Invisible Wind Factory and Kazimier Productions, have deliberately timed it so as many people as possible get to see it. It starts at 6pm and the big finale is scheduled for 7.45pm.

What is the route?

The parade will be setting off from Williamson Square at 6pm then going in a loop along Whitechapel, then up Church Street and along Basnett Street (with Marks & Spencer on the corner) and back again to Williamson Square for around 7.45pm. 

Is it free?

Yes, absolutely no tickets or booking needed, so even if you didn’t manage to get one for the contest itself, or any of the other big concerts, this is definitely one to see. 

Can anyone take part?

Yes! Members of the public are being encouraged to join in and follow the parade and to dress up in the underwater sea disco theme if you like. You can get some inspiration from different sections of the parade, so maybe the Crustacean Station, Jellyfish Junction, Pleasure Island or Coral Reef Lagoon  – fancy getting your claws out and spending Friday night as a giant lobster anyone? 

What exactly is the Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade?

It’s probably like nothing you’ll have ever seen before, that’s for sure. The creators have come up with their own magical undersea fantasy world, Aquatopia, where all sorts of incredible creatures live.

Not only that, but these aren’t just your regular aquarium types – they’re larger-than-life and, in the spirit of Eurovision, they absolutely love a party. 

So, who or what should we be looking out for?

There’ll be a glitterball puffer fish (that’s Pavlo the puffer, aka disco Paul!), skating jellyfish, voguing Sea Queens, Craig the Ray and Terry the Tiktoktopus, plus lots more and obviously there’s a blue and yellow submarine. The sub will double as a stage for a newly formed Ukraine/Liverpool band made up of vocalist Sofia Pavlichenko (frontwoman of Freedom Jazz), Bozhena Hamar (Ukrainian ethnic flute virtuoso) and Liverpool’s Dogshow brothers Sam and Laurie Crombie performing Euro classics.

Anything else?

YES! The fantastic Katumba drummers are taking part too, bringing their infectious Brazilian rhythms to the parade. 

If you want to keep up to date with all Eurovision events – keep checking our calendar here.