Exciting things to look forward to in Liverpool in 2023

2023 in Liverpool looks like a pretty epic year. Here’s what you can look forward to.

The New Year is here, and what a year this one has been! The Randox Grand National returned to Aintree, we welcomed fantastic new additions to our hospitality scene like Gaucho and Hawksmoor, and… the biggest of them all… we got EUROVISION! 

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that we can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring to our wonderful city, here’s a peek of what’s to come:

Happiness! At the Museum of Liverpool

Happiness! is an exhibition filled with fun and humour. Celebrating one of Liverpool’s iconic comedians, the exhibition charts the life and career of the legendary Sir Ken Dodd, and his connection to today’s comedic stars. This exhibition highlights Ken Dodd the entertainer – comedian, performer, actor, and singer. Ken’s unique blend of whimsical, physical, surreal and theatrical humour transformed the UK’s comedy scene.

Using memorabilia from Ken Dodd’s personal archive, this show will explore Ken’s career and how his comedic approach continues to be used and adopted by some of the UK’s most well-known and emerging comedians. 

WHEN: 14 Jul 2023—03 Mar 2024

PRICE: Adults: £5, Children (0-17yrs): Free

For more info click here. 

Gravity at Liverpool ONE

Gravity Liverpool ONE is set to be “A department store of fun” bringing with it a go-kart track designed by race experts and an augmented bowling experience like nothing you’ve seen before. 

The venue will also be home an adventure golf experience and a bowling ally using augmented reality to offer a one-of-a-kind experience and fully immerse players in the game; as well as a modern food and drink offering with a bar concept and live entertainment.

For more info click here. 

Lock and Key – Duke Street, expansion

Lock and Key Hotel is expanding!! Launching in 2018, this independently operated boutique hotel has been a big success story and was recognised in “The Sunday Times 100 top British hotels”. The hotel has just announced it will be expanding in April 2023. 

The work is currently under way, which will increase rooms from 14 to 26, expanding the reception area and will be opening a new residents lounge, increasing its existing Bar/Kitchen offering. 

For more info click here.

Grand National Festival returns

The Randox Grand National returns again to Aintree in 2023. As usual it will take place over three days, with the opening day on the Thursday, April 13, Ladies Day on the Friday, April 14, and the Randox Grand National Day on the Saturday, April15. 

Aintree racecourse promises another year of exciting competition and pure entertainment. Don’t miss your chance to get tickets for the most anticipated jump race event in Europe!

To book tickets head over to the website here. 

Red Brick Market is moving house and getting even bigger

It is going to be bigger and better! From January 14, Red Brick Market will be launching from its new address, still at Cains Brewery Village, but in a larger building at 70 Stanhope Street, between the Baltic Market and Yellow Submarine. 

As well as additional retail units, the extra space in the new building has allowed them to set up a training school for people who want to set up their own business – Foundations at Red Brick the incentive will be called – offering two to three day courses to teach the basics, as well as Creative Collective at Red Brick which will offer flexible spaces for workshops, artists’ studios and non-selling businesses with short leases and basic rents from £50 a week.

For more info click here. 

San Carlo’s £3.5m makeover 

San Carlo, an icon of the Liverpool dining scene since 2009 is set to undergo a dramatic £3.5million makeover. The venue on Castle Street will close its doors on January 2 for approximately 12-weeks, during which the stunning transformation of the site will take place. 

The new aesthetic will see a dramatic shift from the bold black and red interiors to more modern surroundings that ooze opulence and sophistication, taking aesthetic inspiration from beautiful settings of Italy. 

San Carlo will reopen in Spring 2023 and will continue to serve a menu that offers an opulent and contemporary take on traditional Italian dining. 

For more info click here. 

Abbey Road documentary comes to Disney+ 

The Beatles recorded most of their music at Abbey Road, with their eleventh studio album released in 1969 named after the venue. Disney have produced a new documentary “If These Walls Could Sing” set to release on Disney+. 

The Disney original documentary will explore the “breadth, diversity and ingenuity” of the studios across its nine decades. It will also feature “intimate interviews” revealing how “artists, producers, composers and the dedicated engineers and staff of Abbey Road all found their musical language and community, while vivid archive footage and session tapes give exclusive access to these famously private studios”.

If These Walls Could Sing will be available to stream on Disney+ in the UK on January 6 2023.

On the Waterfront returns with Camelphat and Jamie Webster 

On the Waterfront is back in 2023, kicking off the summer season for another series of stunning shows and live performances, with the first phase headliners featuring some of Liverpool’s homegrown heroes. 

First up on Friday 30th June is the phenomenon that is Jamie Webster who has gone from a modern-day local folk hero to an established solo artist in his own right.  Fresh off the back of a UK & Ireland headline tour and packed Glastonbury performance, 2022 also saw the release of his critically acclaimed second album ‘Moments. 

Next up and following on from their iconic sell out performance at last year’s inaugural event will see the return of the mighty Camelphat headlining on Saturday 1st July.  Since their first foray into the underground side of dance music almost a decade ago, the Grammy nominated Liverpool duo have had a meteoric rise that has seen them achieve global success while remaining true to their underground sound.   

Their headline sell-out show at ‘On The Waterfront’ last year was their biggest and fastest selling show to date in the city. 

Tickets are selling fast – to get yours click here. 

The Municipal Building on Dale Street transforms into new luxury hotel 

The Grade II listed building on Dale Street dates back to 1862, and was used by council staff up until 2016, and now Liverpool’s Municipal Building has undergone a £40m transformation into a 180-room boutique hotel. 

Set to open up early 2023, Accor Hotel Group will operate the building under its MGallery brand.

We will be bringing you more updates as they are announce so keep checking The Guide Liverpool for more!

Woolton Picture House to re-open

Woolton Picture House has renewed its pledge to re-open and says the date is now set for Spring 2023. 

Responding to speculation, it stressed there were no plans to turn the Mason Street landmark into a ‘development opportunity’, and that it would re-open as a cinema and, eventually, as a venue. Woolton Picture House is the oldest single screen cinema in the city, having opened its doors in 1927 after it was built for Alfred Adams who formed the Woolton Picture House Company to operate it. 

The Picture House says it will be making the relevant investment needed to re-open and hopes to re-open in two phases: the first in its current form as a single screen cinema, and the second as a cultural venue which will ‘ensure it is there for the generations to come’.

For more info click here. 

The British Open Championships 

The 2023 British Open will mark the 151st time the tournament has played. The Open Championship is one of four majors of men’s professional golf. Taking place at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoyklake, the tournament will be held here on 16-23 July 2023. 

For more info click here. 

Brian Epstein biopic Midas Man 

Midas Man is the first feature film to tell the true and extraordinary story of visionary music manager Brian Epstein. Affectionately known as “the fifth Beatle”, Brian took the music industry by storm during the 1960s as he created a cultural explosion and creative revolution when he discovered a series of – what became – legendary artists, from The Beatles to Cilla Black and Gerry and The Pacemakers. 

The film will highlight Epstein’s unparalleled influence on pop music worldwide and his own tragic story.

Filming began in Liverpool on 11 October 2021, and a release date is still TBC, but we are hoping it will hit our screens at some point in 2023.

BOXPARK is coming to Liverpool 

Award-winning dining, retail and leisure operator BOXPARK is to open a brand-new venue in Liverpool, making the group’s first BOXPARK-branded development outside of London. 

Located in the historic Canning Hall as part of the Cains Brewery Village estate, in the city’s booming Baltic Triangle, BOXPARK Liverpool will be a brand-new all-day dining and entertainment venue. 

Scheduled to launch in late 2023, the venue will be an exciting and vibrant addition to Liverpool’s buzzing food and drink scene whilst offering a unique programme of entertainment. 

Famous for its diverse street food offering, independent retailers and iconic events, BOXPARK’s new venue aims to champion local businesses and talent with fantastic opportunities for both independent and established food operators, as well as artists, creators and performers from Liverpool.

For more info click here. 

Exiting theatre shows coming to town

The Bodyguard – Liverpool Empire 

The international, award-winning smash-hit musical The Bodyguard is back! Starring Pussycat Doll, and multi-platinum Grammy nominated Melody Thornton as Rachel Marron and Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks) as Frank Farmer. 

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge–what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

WHEN: 20 March – 25 March 2023.

To book tickets click here. 

A Thong For Europe – Royal Court Liverpool

Lulu, proud owner of Litherland’s largest lingerie fabricator, is the biggest Eurovision nut that you will ever meet. Conceived to the beat of ABBA’s tambourine, she only drinks Bucks Fizz and Sonia had to take out a restraining order against her in 2002. 

When Liverpool won the right to host the competition, she knew that this was her big chance to make her dream come true and be there on the night.

WHEN: 21 April – 27 May 2023.

To book tickets click here. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Liverpool Empire

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical; the devilishly delicious tale of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionary wizard Willy Wonka, will embark on its first ever UK & Ireland Tour. 

This dazzling new production of the successful West End and Broadway musical will take you to a world of pure imagination.

WHEN: 8 November – 26 November 2023

To book tickets click here. 

Nord Launches at The Plaza 

The restaurant will offer relaxed dining, with a focus on ingredients from regional producers and a menu that celebrates Northern heritage.

Sitting at the ground-floor of The Plaza’s impressive building, the restaurant combines retro colour palettes and textures, fit with a centrepiece bar surrounded by luxurious banquette seating.

A joint venture by two of the biggest hospitality names in Liverpool, GSG.Hospitality (Duke Street Market) and Daniel Heffy (Buyers Club). Nord is set to offer a truly unique and ingredient led dining experience paired with exceptional hospitality, catering to the new way people are using city-centre spaces. 

For more info on The Plaza click here. 

Eurovision takes over Liverpool!!

The event that is on everybody’s mind for 2023! We got it, we did it, and now plans are in motion to make sure that Liverpool is seen across the world for the spectacular city it is, as we get ready to host this iconic singing contest. 

The final of Eurovision 2023 will be held on Saturday, May 13 at the M&S Bank Arena  – but it’s not just about one day. The semi-finals of the competition will be held on Tuesday, May 9, and Thursday, May 11. 

Ticket prices, availability, and even the ticket provider, are unknown yet as organisers work out how much space is needed for the production inside the venue. 

To be the first to know when Eurovision Song Contest 2023 tickets go on sale, you need to sign up to the official Eurovision Song Contest newsletter and subscribe to its social media channels. Along with Eurovision.tv – and us! – these will be the first places announcements will be made.

What a year 2023 is set to be already! Don’t forget to keep checking The Guide Liverpool to keep up-to-date with all the latest goings on in our brilliant city.