Turner Prize, River of Light and more – 16 things you can do this week in Liverpool

It’s a huge week in Liverpool with the Turner prize launching, River of Light starting and much more.

Not quite time for pumpkin carving and gory make-up just yet, but it’s a really busy one in Liverpool this week. Make the most of the last few lighter nights, and try some of these 16 things …

The Turner Prize arrives

Picture – Rob Battersby

It’s the one art fans have been waiting for – the Turner Prize comes to Tate Liverpool with a free exhibition of work by the four shortlisted artists opening to the public from Thursday. The Turner Prize gets lots of media attention worldwide, so even if you don’t think you know much about art, it’s worth a look to see what it’s all about. On until March next year, the winner is announced in December. 

Find out more here. 

Charlotte Tilbury opens

If art lovers are all hyped up about the Turner, then anyone who’s into make-up will be just as excited this week because on Tuesday a new Charlotte Tilbury store opens in Liverpool ONE. The Beauty Wonderland on Paradise Street is the first stand-alone anywhere outside London and it’s got a dedicated boudoir for makeovers and skincare chair for glow and go mini facials.

Read more about it here.

River of Light launches

Affinity will be showcased as part of River of Light 2022 ©Amigo & Amigo

The River of Light trail has become one of Liverpool’s favourite things to do in autumn and it’s back from this Friday until November 6. This year’s theme is Unexpected Twist, to tie in with the World Gymnastic Championships that’s also on in the city at the same time, and it will feature 10 different illuminated artworks along a 2k route taking in the city centre and waterfront.

Find out more here.

Our Place in Space continues

More fantastic public art to see for free – blast off on your own intergalactic adventure with Our Place in Space: a scale model trail of the solar system which starts on Church Street with the Sun, along the waterfront and on to Otterspool where you’ll find Pluto. It’s on now until November 6 and there’s an app you can download to learn a bit more on your mission. 

Get more info here.

See the Every Can Counts rainbow

Picture – Liverpool BID Company

Here’s a colourful reminder that we should all be taking care of the planet and recycling more. The Every Can Counts rainbow, made from more than 2,500 recycled cans, is in Williamson Square until Sunday to highlight Recycle Week and get everyone thinking about what they do with their waste including empty drinks cans. 

Find out more here. 

Proper cocktails at Manolo

If you’re desperate to be somewhere exotic now summer’s over but are short on air fare, head to Slater Street for the next best thing – cocktails with a speakeasy Caribbean vibe at Manolo. The bar only opened in August so if you’ve not been yet, get over there from Thursday to Sunday for classics and signature martinis.

Get more info here.

Strictly Ballroom struts into Liverpool Empire

Strictly on telly’s got us into dance again, so keep up the tango mood at the Empire where Strictly Ballroom is on until Saturday. The stage show is based on Baz Luhrmann’s fabulous film, it’s been directed and co-choreographed by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood and it stars pro dancer Kevin Clifton alongside EastEnders’ Maisie Smith.

Book tickets here. 

The Scousetrap continues at Royal Court

Fancy a night out with plenty of laughs? The Scousetrap at the Royal Court is your prime suspect because it’s got loads thanks to a cast including Eithne Browne as Liverpool’s number one private detective, Miss Inga Marble (see what they did there?) on the slightly chaotic trail of some dastardly German spies. On from Tuesday until the end of the month.

Book tickets here. 

Tuck into the new Pizza Express in Speke

Pizza Express has just opened at New Mersey Retail Park in Speke so if you’re in the south end, it’s even easier to get one of their gorgeous pizzas and pastas, and there’s a nice big open kitchen so you can watch them being made. As well as classics and some quirkier ones like the BBQ Burnt Ends pizza, there are lots of GF, vegan and leggera light options too.

Get more info here.

Roast dinners are back at Maray

Now it’s heading into big coat weather, it’s time to start thinking about delicious roasts as a weekend treat and Maray’s are back at all three Liverpool sites – Bold Street, Albert Dock and Allerton Road – every Sunday from 12 to 5.30pm. Choose from Cumbrian roast beef, za’atar & saffron roast chicken and an amazing falafel-inspired chickpea nut roast, plus all the trimmings.

Book your table here. 

Be inspired by Made of Stars at the Black-E

Made of Stars is an incredible immersive experience centred around a huge 30-foot pyramid created by a community of global artists who have sought refuge in Liverpool. It weaves together the stories of 14 artists in a stunning way that really makes you think about what it’s like to be a refugee in Britain today. It’s at the Black-E until Thursday.

Find out more here. 

Watch The Fog at the Playhouse on Friday

Get into the Halloween spirit and test your nerve a bit early at the Playhouse this Friday with a one-off special screening of John Carpenter’s absolute classic The Fog. It’s one of the biggest cult horror films of all time, and if that wasn’t enough there’ll be a post-screening horror quiz and prizes for the best Halloween costume.

Book tickets here.

Neil Fitz is hosting a Peep Show Quiz at Camp and Furnace 

Think you know everything there is to know about Mark, Jeremy, their mates and nemeses? Now’s the time to find out because Neil Fitz, best known to fans as Mark’s love rival Jeff, is doing a quiz – a Peep Show Quiz – this Thursday. There’s a maximum of 6 for teams, and it all kicks off at 8pm so everybody quiet.

Get more info here. 

Indulge into the new Dumb Dough cookies at GPO

If you haven’t tried Dumb Dough cookies yet then you don’t know what you’re missing, they’re unbelievable. Made by a gourmet micro bakery here in Liverpool, these are next level with just the perfect amount of chonk! They’re now at GPO in the Metquarter at weekends so your coffee could find a new sweet best mate.

Read more here. 

Hope Street Jazz at Frederik’s

Fred’s on Hope Street has become the home of jazz in Liverpool, and don’t forget it’s now got live music on four nights a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Get there early so there’s plenty of time to grab some small plates, Neapolitan pizzas and cocktails, or one of Fred’s speciality gin balloons.

Visit the website here. 

Start your day the right way with breakfast at Tempest on Tithebarn

You can’t beat a big brekkie for getting the day off to the best start, and Tempest definitely does some of the best in the city. Choose bagels, freshly-made waffles or eggs, or go all out with a Tempest full breakfast – either the Rockefeller for meat lovers, or there’s a veggie version with halloumi, and a vegan Empire packed with plant-based goodies.

See the full menu here.