Bootle International Festival returns to Salt and Tar with a celebration of global culture later this month

Salt and Tar will once again transform into a vibrant stage for music, dance, and cultural exchange as the Bootle International Festival returns on Monday 26th May 2025.

Building on the success of last year’s Eurovision-inspired event, the festival continues to grow in scale and ambition—reflecting Bootle’s rich diversity and Salt and Tar’s emergence as a key cultural venue in Sefton.

Organised through the Sefton Performers Network, with lead partners Sefton CVS and In Another Place, the festival will bring together communities from across the borough to share their heritage through live performances, food, and interactive workshops.

The line-up includes performances from Luma Creations, The Ukrainian Choir, Queen Lilas and the Congolese Association Band, Waterloo Drummers, Chinese Dragon Dancers, and the In Another Place Choir, who will perform in collaboration with People First and Mencap. Poetry, language showcases, and a community catwalk will further enrich the day’s programme.

Interactive activities will include Ukrainian crafts, Congolese arts, storytelling with Ykids, and a collaborative world map installation. Local groups such as Living Well Sefton and the Kindfulness Coffee Club will lead creative stations, while visitors can enjoy giant games and the musical “busker bus stop.” A diverse selection of international street food will also be on offer.

Maggi Aslet, Group Development Officer at Sefton CVS, said:

“We’re really excited about the launch of the Bootle International Music Festival on the 26th of May… It’s going to be a celebration of everything that makes Sefton such a special place to live.”

Annie Spiers, Creative Director at In Another Place, added:

“Last year was a feast of colour and celebration of the increasing diversity in Bootle… we look forward this year to some returning acts, and some new ones as we continue to learn from each other and have a fun festival together.”

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Employment at Sefton Council, commented:

“The festival will play a key role in the wider regeneration of Bootle… highlighting the creativity and rich cultural identity of our residents.”

The Bootle International Festival is part of the broader Fringe Festival programme and takes place on Monday 26th May at Salt and Tar, Bootle.

Find the full schedule of events on the Salt and Tar website.

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