The stories that shaped Liverpool in 2024

It’s nearly time to say goodbye to 2024 and what a year it’s been. There’ve been some incredible highs and yet again Liverpool showed how it really comes together when times get tough.

While we all get ready for a new year, here are just some of the stories and people that shaped our city in 2024 …

Jet2 took off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool JLA keeps on getting better – it was ranked again as the best airport in the UK according to Which? – and in March there was a boost for travellers when Jet2 launched its first routes and holidays from Liverpool, adding 20 destinations for summer including new ones Gran Canaria, Menorca, Rhodes and Madeira. Watch our video from the launch HERE.

We said farewell to Klopp

It felt like the end of the biggest bromance in football when Reds fans reluctantly split with their much-loved boss Jurgen Klopp. There was hardly a dry eye in Anfield as they beat Wolves in the final match to see the manager off with a win before the team and staff all headed to Titanic Hotel for one enormous leaving do. Read our article about the impact Klopp had on the city HERE.

A city-wide fundraiser to save Zoe’s Place

If you’re ever in trouble, you need a Scouser on your side – better still an entire city, and that’s exactly what Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice got when it announced in October it would have to close. Liverpool rallied in the most incredible way, with thousands of fundraisers, and within a month an extra £5million was there to save Zoe’s. We met the Moore family who said “We have to save Zoe’s Place so more families don’t feel alone” READ MORE HERE.

Cunard celebrations wowed the waterfront

All eyes were on the waterfront in June to celebrate the official naming of Cunard’s Queen Anne as the spectacular cruise liner made its maiden visit to its spiritual home. Thousands lined the Mersey to watch the ceremony with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra among those performing. Watch our epic highlights video HERE.

Everton’s new stadium nears completion

This is the final season for the Blues at Goodison Park and, although it’s going to be a wrench, the new Bramley Moore Dock stadium is looking amazing. Anyone who’s driven down the dock road will have seen it taking shape, and now the pitch is down, the seats are in and that wow factor barrel roof is on for season 25/26.

We welcomed new venues like BOXPARK, The Ivy, Wyld Sauna and Flight Club

Liverpool really upped its night out game this year. BOXPARK gave us a huge space for events and top street food traders, and after years of wondering why other cities had one but not us, The Ivy launched on Castle Street and proved well worth the wait. With darts flying high in 2024, Flight Club gave us all a chance to have a go, and Wyld Sauna opened at Princes Dock at the end of the year, making us home to the UK’s first public floating sauna.

Record numbers came out for River of Light

River of Light, now one of the city’s favourite annual attractions, returned in October with a new theme of Play. With 12 illuminated artworks lighting up a trail along and around the waterfront, record numbers turned out to take part in the free event and even have a play themselves on some of the large-scale designs.

And for Africa Oyé too!

Africa Oyé in Sefton Park is already the biggest free celebration of African music and culture anywhere in the UK and this year’s event in June saw huge crowds over a weekend of glorious sunshine. It’s a real highlight of the city’s culture calendar and it’s managed to stay free thanks to all-year-round fundraising efforts of the Oyé team.

Spellow Lane Library came back fighting

Spellow Lane Library was set ablaze in August during riots following the shocking stabbing of three little girls in Southport, but the community and supporters were determined not to be beaten. Over £250,000 was raised, with books donated from the Queen and lots of celebrities, and in December it reopened with a beautiful lantern parade.

Tom Jones rocked Bootle’s canalside

Even fans thought that Sir Tom Jones performing in Bootle must be a wind-up, but it wasn’t – in August the legendary Welsh singer took over Salt and Tar with a sensational show bringing all his Sexbomb energy and a set packed with his greatest hits to Bootle canalside as part of a storming festival of live music. Watch the incredible highlights from that weekend in Bootle HERE.

And Jamie Webster rocked Sefton Park

He played Glastonbury for a third year in a row, but there was one date in 2024 that left Jamie Webster on an incredible high and that was playing in front of 40,000 fans in Sefton Park in July. Following big names like Nile Rodgers, Echo & the Bunnymen and Kings of Leon, he said the gig had been a “massive milestone.”

Taylor Town came … to town!

When one of the biggest music stars on the planet arrives in the city, it causes quite a stir and that was 100% true in June when Taylor Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour came to Anfield. A Taylor Town Trail featuring 11 art installations popped up in locations around the city centre including giant hearts and a moss-covered grand piano!

We spoke to the Wirral schoolgirl, pictured above, who received the Taylor 22 hat from the star at Anfield – READ MORE HERE.

Southport Flower Show celebrated 100 years

It’s an event that signals the height of summer every year and in August 2024 Southport Flower Show – the UK’s largest – celebrated its special milestone birthday with a fabulous line-up of show gardens, competitions, the famous Grand Floral Marquee, and some of the best-known gardening experts and celebrity chefs. Book for 2025 here.

The Responder 2, The Gathering, G’wed and more lit up the small screen

Liverpool had another big year on screen, showcasing talent in front and behind the camera. The much-awaited The Responder 2, written by Scouser Tony Schumacher, didn’t disappoint, and there were great reviews for Liverpool comedy G’wed and thriller

The Gathering, penned by Helen Walsh and with a fantastic award-winning local cast.

We went behind the scenes of The Responder 2 when the show was filming in Liverpool – WATCH IT HERE.

Boys From The Blackstuff stole the show on the West End

Liverpool’s theatres were buzzing this year and there was no stronger buzz created than by Boys from the Blackstuff. Following incredible reviews when it premiered at Liverpool’s Royal Court in 2023, the highly acclaimed adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s iconic TV show hit the West End in June 2024. And the good news is, it’s returns to Liverpool in 2025. Find out more here.

Coleen did Liverpool proud in the jungle

She was Liverpool’s Queen of the Jungle pretty much from day one thanks to her no-messing down to earth attitude, sense of humour and total openness during her stint on this year’s I’m A Celebrity. She might have missed out on picking up the crown, but Coleen has absolutely won herself a whole load of new fans.

As did Chris on Strictly!

Chris McCausland was a dancefloor hero from start to finish and nobody deserved to pick up that Strictly glitterball more than he did. Like his new tour says, Liverpool’s known about him for yonks, but since he became the first blind winner of the competition – and had millions of viewers in tears – everyone loves him now.

And…. we stood with Southport

The killing of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King at their dance class in Southport horrified the entire country, especially our region which showed typical spirit in the aftermath. Liverpool ended 2024 recognised as the UK’s most generous city by GoFundMe, following its extraordinary response to the tragedy.

As this year draws close to a close we remember Elsie, Alice and Bebe and keep their families in our thoughts.