Bootle International Festival celebrates community and culture

In June, hundreds of residents and visitors turned out to 2026 Bootle International Festival.

Held at Bootle Strand Shopping Centre on Saturday 27th June, the festival attracted between 800 – 1,000 visitors and featured around 20 community organisations. Now in its fourth year, the event was coordinated by Sefton CVS, Collective Encounters and In Another Place.

Cultures from across the world were showcased in a four-hour variety show. Performances included Ukrainian Hip Hop, Pakistani Bollywood and Irish dancing and Brazilian martial arts demonstrations. There was also African drumming, Nigerian choir singing and a Congolese fashion show.

Visitors were able to take part in workshops and also had the opportunity to engage with a range of community organisations and support services. These included Living Well Sefton, People First, Ykids and Regenerus.

Bootle International Festival’s growing impact has earned it national recognition and is one of just five community and family events to receive Arts Council funding to support its development in 2027.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Employment, said:

“Bootle International Festival has once again demonstrated the strength, diversity and community spirit that makes Bootle such a special place. It was fantastic to see so many people come together to enjoy performances, workshops and activities that celebrate cultures from around the world.

“Being chosen as one of only five events to receive Arts Council funding for 2027 is a tremendous achievement and recognition of the festival’s importance to local people. I would like to thank all the organisers, performers, volunteers and community groups who helped make this year’s festival such a success.”

The Organisers of Bootle International Festival, Annie from In Another Place, Maggi from Sefton CVS and Abi from Collective Encounters, added: 

“The Bootle International Festival was a wonderful day for our local community. It had a fantastic atmosphere, which was kind and welcoming with performances or a really high standard and a wide variety of performances from the local and international groups participating including songs, dances, jujitsu and a fashion show.”

“There was also a good variety of stalls which meant people stayed for longer and were really engaged with the many different community groups. We feel very fortunate to be part of the community here in Bootle and look forward to running the festival again next year.”

The continued growth of the festival highlights its value to local communities and to major cultural funders, helping to secure its future as a flagship celebration of inclusion, creativity and community in Sefton.

Find out more about Bootle International Festival here.

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