Everything you need to know about Eurovision Eve

Liverpool is buzzing for Eurovision 2023.

Eurovision Eve is here which means the Grand Final of Eurovision 2023 is just over 24 hours away – but there’s still tons of fun in the city until the biggest party Liverpool’s ever staged.

It’s Eurovision Eve, excitement is finally at fever pitch, and if you want to know how you can join in the celebrations, here’s everything you need to know …

Watch our highlights from yesterday below and make sure you have us on social media to keep up with what’s happening today – @TheGuideLpool.

Spot Sonia

You can Spot Sonia today to be in with the chance of winning tickets to the Eurovision Grand Final tomorrow night.

Players need to register on the Visit Liverpool website in advance to take part – deadline is 9am on Friday 12 May 

·      Those taking part will need to follow Visit Liverpool on socials (@VisitLiverpool on Twitter, @VisitLiverpool.com on Facebook and @visitliverpool_ on Instagram)

·      On 12 May clues will be released on social media which will lead people to a location where an image of Sonia will be waiting.

·      When each clue is revealed, the seekers have 90 minutes to find each location and take a selfie with the image before the next clue is released 

·      Each image needs to be posted on social media, tagging in Visit Liverpool with #SpotSonia.

·      Once all four clues have been completed, the players still in the game will be given a final secret location.

·      The first 10 people to arrive at that location, with all their selfies to hand, will take part in one final task. The winner will be awarded two of the most sought-after tickets around.

EuroVillage

This is going to be huge. Ahead of the big day, TikTok’s Eurovision Legends are taking over the EuroVillage stage with an all-female party to get everybody in the mood for Saturday. Expect Murder On The Dancefloor with live performances from Kitchen Disco queen Sophie Ellis Bextor (due on stage 9.10pm), Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon performing their very last show (10.30pm), and X Factor’s Fleur East at 8.20pm.

The EuroEve doors open at 12noon, and there’ll be DJs and lots of other acts to get the party started including Sonic Yootha, Shen and Danny Beard; and LIMF Academy presents, among others, Superlate, Amique and Jade Burns. And don’t forget, it’s still all free and non-ticketed.

Road closures

Road closures around the Arena and Pier Head are keeping everyone safe and making sure events can go ahead. Just to remind you, that’s:

Canada Boulevard: Now until 5pm on Friday, May 19, from Brunswick St to Isle of Man gates and partial closure of Water Street, and until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 16, from Brunswick St to Mann Island and partial Water Street Closure.

Mann Island: From now until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 16 (with 24-hour access to residents/deliveries before 10am).

Georges Dock: Now until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 16 (with 24-hour access to residents/deliveries before 10am).

Brunswick Street: Now until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 16, from Georges Dock to Canada Boulevard.

St Nicholas Place: Now until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 16 (Adjacent to Liver Buildings).

Water Street: Now until 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 16, from The Strand to Canada Boulevard.

* There will be the capacity to close the Strand in both directions between Chapel St and James St for about 10 minutes post-event each night between 10pm and 1am. 

EuroClub at Camp and Furnace

The Eurovision party has been full-on for a week over at Camp and Furnace in the Baltic where they’re hosting the official EuroClub and it’s building to an absolute frenzy this weekend.

It’s been all about the legends so far and for Eurovision Eve they’ve got live performances from Liverpool’s own Eurovision duo Chris and Gemma, aka Jemini – famous for their nul points with Cry Baby in 2003 – and Charlotte Perrelli who won the contest for Sweden back in 1999.

Tickets for this one have already sold out and there’s a waiting list, but if you managed to grab one before they all went then it’s 9pm til 4am, with last entry at midnight.

There are loads of other events happening too, here’s some you can still book …

Funnyboyz x Eurovision presents Drag Abba Brunch – It’ll be all Waterloo and Gimme Gimme Gimme (another prosecco) at Blundell Street from 3pm to 6pm with the ultimate Abba Drag Brunch featuring Abba tributes, drag queens and special guests, twerk-offs and lip sync battles, games and lunch with bottomless drinks. 

The Soon To Be Infamous Eurovision Quiz at Ten Streets Social – Joey Triviani returns to Ten Streets Social for the third time with his Soon To Be Infamous quiz night and he’s bringing a band for a Eurovision special! There’ll be quiz, challenges, games and live music all with a Eurovision flavour plus cash prizes for the winners. 

Euro Disco at Mamasan – Mamasan’s gorgeous roof garden is getting late night Eurovision disco vibes on Friday night with DJs John Dean, Tara B and Sean Furlong playing Eurovision hits and disco through from 8pm to 3am accompanied by sax, bongos and other live entertainment.

Eurovision Final Warm-Up Party at Elysium – Elysium (ex-Garlands) on Eberle Street is getting everyone all nicely warmed-up for the big one on Saturday with a Eurovision eve party filled with drag and DJs, party anthems and Eurovision classics. 10pm til 4am.

And more things you can do for free …

Lots of events for EuroEve are ticketed, but there’s still plenty you can do to celebrate the world’s favourite song contest and last year’s winners Ukraine that are not going to cost you a penny.

* Go to the Izyum to Liverpool exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral where Ukrainian artist Katya Buchatska’s multi-channel video installation offers an extraordinary insight into the journey of escape many Ukrainians have taken since the Russian invasion in February last year. 

* Visit the Museum of Liverpool and see the iconic Eurovision Insignia keys passed over from previous host city, Turin.

* Get a selfie in front of the Floating Earth by artist Luke Jerram, with soundscape by award-winning composer Dan Jones at the Albert Dock.

* Head to Liverpool ONE and The Stage on the Park at Chavasse Park where, from 1pm-6pm, Liverpool City College will showcase up and coming talent;  see the giant Pysanka eggs designed by children across Liverpool City Region and the stunning floral installations in Ukrainian flag colours to celebrate Eurovision 2023. There’s a Tickle the Ivories Eurovision Special between 2pm and 4pm with SingMe Merseyside by the Sugar House Steps, In Demand Radio are broadcasting live from John Lewis and you’ll find a Makers Market at the bottom of the escalators on the ground floor.

* See a free photographic exhibition at Unity Theatre’s level 1 gallery space, To Know Us Better, by Anton Shebetko, celebrating queer Ukrainians who are living or temporarily staying in other countries in Europe. Open 11am-4pm. 

Get more Eurovision news for Liverpool HERE.