Gigs to look forward to across Liverpool in 2026

2025 was a phenomenal year for gigs in Liverpool, from Dua Lipa and Bruce Springsteen – with Macca as his very special guest – at Anfield to Sting On The Waterfront and Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sefton Park.

It’s going to be tough to top, but we’ve already had some big announcements, so if you’re planning your live music diary for the year ahead, here’s our pick of gigs to look forward to in 2026 …

Anfield

It’s looking like being another massive summer at Anfield with three big dates already confirmed. American country music superstar Zach Bryan will take to the stage there on Friday June 12 as part of his biggest international tour yet. Foo Fighters, fronted by Nirvana legend Dave Grohl, will bring a set full of rock anthems to Anfield on Saturday June 27 and My Chemical Romance will play a huge stadium show on Tuesday June 30 ahead of two dates at Wembley Stadium, with special guests Echo and the Bunnymen.

On the Waterfront

An amazing line-up of live music returns to the Pier Head for the four-day On The Waterfront festival this June, kicking off with headliner Paul Weller on Thursday June 18, followed by Liverpool favourites Red Rum Club on Friday June 18. On Saturday June 19 it’s the 10^th anniversary celebration of Cream Classical, with guest Alison Limerick joining a 50-piece Cream Classical Orchestra for a special live performance of Where Love Lives. The final night of On The Waterfront belongs to Snow Patrol, back in the city for their first performance here in over a decade.

Creamfields 

Creamfields just gets bigger every year, with incredible line-ups and new stages, and 2026 already has some fantastic names announced for August Bank Holiday weekend including Faithless who’ll be taking over the Steel Yard on Sunday August 30. Grammy winner Calvin Harris headlines the Arc stage on Saturday, Swedish House Mafia close the APEX on Sunday, and Underworld, Armin van Buuren, Disclosure and Sonny Fodera are also confirmed.

M&S Bank Arena

As always, the Arena’s got a fabulous eclectic diary for the year ahead. Look out for some huge music names including Florence + the Machine on February 13, James Arthur on February 14, former The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft on March 26, Gorillaz on March 29, Rick Astley with special guest Gabrielle on April 16, Paul Simon on May 7 and the return of everyone’s favourite Yorkshire diva Jane McDonald on September 11. 

Salt & Tar

Salt and Tar in Bootle keeps going from strength to strength and this August they’ve got an absolute icon headlining the Music Weekender on Sunday August 16. Godfather of funk guitar Nile Rodgers and Chic will celebrate a glittering career spanning over 50 years and featuring hits like Good Times and Le Freak, as well as Bowie’s Let’s Dance and Sister Sledge’s We Are Family.

Africa Oyé is back

It was much missed in 2025, but Africa Oyé is coming back to Sefton Park for 2026. The UK’s biggest festival of African music and culture will be on Saturday and Sunday, June 20 & 21, with its usual mix of international live acts, emerging artists, DJs, community performances and a full programme of family-friendly workshops. In order to keep it going, and hopefully growing, Africa Oyé will return as a paid-for event.

International Beatleweek

The world’s biggest Beatles celebration is returning too, from August 26 to September 1, with live music and events at venues across the city centre. Expect live gigs with bands from more than 20 countries, conventions, tours, guest speakers and lots of memorabilia at the annual International Beatleweek Festival, organised as usual by Cavern City Tours.

Jacaranda Baltic

The Jac’s a Liverpool music legend in its own right, and for 2026 it’s got some brilliant gigs coming up including Cast, doing two album launch shows on January 31, Dave McCabe from The Zutons on April 25 and Blue’s album launch on July 21.

Discover more events in & around Liverpool here.

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