Shiverpool is marking two decades of frights, fun and community spirit this October

Shiverpool celebrates two decades of turning Liverpool’s streets into a stage in a delicious cocktail of fact, fiction and fabulous diction with a jam-packed October programme.

What began as a mischievous experiment in street theatre has grown into one of the city’s most distinctive cultural institutions, blending heritage, humour and history with performance, philosophy and play. From candlelit graveyards to grand cathedrals, from hidden alleyways to city landmarks, Shiverpool breathes life and performs its own danse macabre, bringing to light the hidden histories and folkloric fables of Liverpool’s illustrious past.

This October, the award-winning company invites audiences old and new to experience its acclaimed programme of ghostly tours and family-friendly events, with a calendar packed full of storytelling, heritage and community spirit. The October season will see Liverpool’s dark corners and historic streets animated once more with theatrical guiding, mischievous characters and spine-tingling tales!

The October Programme:

Across the month, Shiverpool will present its three signature tours: The Famous Hope Street Shivers, The Auld City and Dead House Tour, and The Secret Garden Cemetery Shivers.

Each experience takes audiences deep into Liverpool’s past, weaving together the city’s gothic architecture, folklore and social history in ways that surprise even long-time residents.

Special half-term tours, running from 24–31 October, are designed for families, schools and groups looking for an unforgettable autumn adventure.

Described as “an absorbing entertaining odyssey of storytelling, history and haunted heritage immersed within otherworldly spaces of (super) natural beauty,” these tours promise goosebumps, laughter and moments of reflection in equal measure.

This year also sees the much-anticipated return of Charity, Hector’s greyhound, who joins Shiverpool on Friday 11 October for a night of fundraising, frights and city sights. Returning for a second year, Charity has become something of a four-legged talisman for Shiverpool, and her appearance adds a touch of heart to the October chills. The event will support local causes and is set to be one of the highlights of the season. Further details can be found on the Shiverpool blog.

From Ghost Stories to Community Stories:

While Shiverpool’s storytelling may be theatrical, its influence is lasting and profound. The company’s work extends well beyond the cobbled streets and candlelit tours. For twenty years, Shiverpool has been deeply involved in Liverpool’s communities, working alongside schools, youth groups, charities and voluntary organisations to deliver workshops and creative projects.

In the past year alone, Shiverpool has delivered hundreds of activities for thousands of participants, supporting charitable groups, youth organisations, schools and private events. These activities help to raise funds for vital causes, while also giving participants experiences that build resilience, communication skills and confidence. For young people especially, Shiverpool offers an entry point into performance and heritage. A once-shy participant can become a confident storyteller, greeting and entertaining audiences with pride.

Workshops and training sessions explore themes from gothic literature to architecture and green space, all the while encouraging young people to find their voice. These soft skills in leadership, teamwork and self-belief leave a legacy far beyond the stage, equipping participants for life’s wider challenges.

Guardians of Place:

Shiverpool has also established itself as a guardian of Liverpool’s heritage. When St James’ Cemetery Gardens faced vandalism, the team spearheaded a campaign to restore historic monuments and rally the community to protect a cherished green space. Today, civic clean-up days, tree planting and heritage campaigning form a regular part of Shiverpool’s calendar.

Guides are a visible and reassuring presence on Liverpool’s streets, often described as a “community lighthouse” for residents, visitors and vulnerable members of society, including those experiencing homelessness. By animating public spaces with art and storytelling, Shiverpool transforms dark corners and overlooked passageways into places of safety, connection and wonder.

Their approach has been recognised academically too, with research supported by Liverpool John Moores University finding that Shiverpool’s tours reduce loneliness and boost wellbeing, acting as “urban icebreakers” that bring strangers together across social divides.

Looking Ahead:

As Shiverpool celebrates its twentieth anniversary, the team shows no signs of slowing down. Alongside its ongoing tours and workshops, the company is exploring new ways to fuse traditional street theatre with digital technology, opening up Liverpool’s hidden stories to audiences of all ages in immersive and imaginative formats.

In 2026, Shiverpool will take its storytelling from the streets to the stage with Shiverpool the Play. Promising goose pimples and screams, night terrors for dreams, and plenty of laughter, the production marks another evolution in Shiverpool’s mission to keep heritage alive through the power of performance.

Join the Spirit

There are many ways to get involved with Shiverpool Community Spirit. Schools and youth groups can book tailored tours or workshops on themes ranging from gothic literature to architecture. Charities and voluntary organisations can collaborate on events that lift spirits and raise funds. Individuals can volunteer as stewards, helping to make public spaces feel safer, or even train in the art of nationally recognised street theatre guiding.

Whether as participant, partner or audience member, everyone who steps into Shiverpool becomes part of a shared effort to keep Liverpool’s heritage alive, while building skills, friendships and civic pride.

As one young participant said after a workshop:

“I didn’t know this place was here. Can we just come back?”

The Shiverpool team’s answer remains the same:

“Of course, this is yours.”

After twenty years, Shiverpool proves that a good story doesn’t just entertain — it transforms. This October, they invite Liverpool to join the adventure, share in the spirit, and add a new chapter to the magical story of Merseyside.