Watch as we find out everything you need to know about LightNight 2021 in Liverpool

Next Friday 21 May the city will light up with culture once again as LightNight returns for 2021. Watch above as we meet Charlotte from the LightNight team to find out more.

LightNight brings a free trail of events to the city centre as Liverpool opens late for the annual culture crawl for all. You can find seven new artist commissions alongside 70 exhibitions, walking tours, Zoom workshops, performances and exhibitions and late-night openings across 30 cultural venues. 

Plan your night now to make the most of LightNight. Most venues and online events ask you to book tickets in advance, some venues will accept walk-ups on the night with registry at the door subject to availability. Check out the map to see which venues are taking part. Please remember covid restrictions are being practiced and we all need to be cautious – it’s still wise to practice Hands, Face, Space, along with getting regularly tested and vaccinated.

Keep reading to see just some of the in-person events and online highlights, or browse all the listings at lightnightliverpool.co.uk and use the handy online itinerary to plan and you can share with friends. 

Some of the LightNight Online Events

Staying home on LightNight? There’s over 30 online events and activities you can enjoy for free. Some performances and workshops will take place live on the night, and others you can watch at any time. Some top picks include:

Play The Stars

Watch as Tilt Brush artist Rosie Summers live-paints a reimagined Liverpool Waterfront, and help shape this magical world as the story unfolds live. Watch the trailer here.

Drawing Club with Laura-Kate Draws

Zoom Workshop for Families

18:00 — 19:30

Create a series of character drawings and a mini zine in this fun session for all ages by local artist Laura Kate Chapman.

Dancing with Life

Zoom Workshop/Performance

18:00 — 19:00

A joyful workshop exploring playfulness of the natural world with Footloose Theatre. For many creatures, just like people, play is a vital part of life, and some of the most wonderful play is intrinsic to courtship rituals, such as the magnificent display of a male bird of paradise, or the dancing and boxing of hares in Spring.

The Play Scratch Night

Live online Zoom performance

18:00 — 19:00

Watch captivating 5-minute monologues by local writers exploring the theme of Play, performed by Pauline Daniels, Kevin Harvey, and Emma Rydel.

Oceanic Feelings

AND 2021

Live online

20:00 — 21:00

Take an audio cruise through sonic art and music as part of AND Festival with Domes FM.

Wild Oracle Card Readings

Live on Instagram

17:00 — 17:30 & 20:00 — 20:30

Personal oracle card readings with citizen sci-artist Jay Hampton and Open Eye Gallery.

A Place for Everything

LJMU Instagram exhibition

17:00 — 21:00

Join the Fashion team at LJMU for a playful collaborative exhibition which will unfold throughout the night.

I like to Move it Move it

On demand video

17:00 — 22:00

Get playful and learn how to make your own stop animation feature at home courtesy of Victoria Gallery & Museum.

Portrait of an Ordinary Tree

On demand video

17:00 — 00:00

Watch a short film by Daniel Draper about an ordinary tree in Liverpool 8.

Some of the LightNight In-Person Events

Liverpool Biennial: The Stomach and the Port

Take advantage of special late-night openings of Liverpool Biennial 2021 at FACT, Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool, Bluecoat, Cotton Exchange, Lewis’s Building, Lush and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Building (formally known as the Dock Traffic Office).

Exhibitions close at 10pm except Bluecoat (closing at 8pm) and Tate Liverpool (closing at 9pm).

LUX at the Bombed Out Church

20:00—00:05

Watch an immersive augmented reality game and light art installation that responds to the theme of Play by giving LightNight visitors the chance to interact with one of the city’s most iconic cultural venues through multi-sensory play.

Signs of The Times Exhibition at Squash

17:00—21:00

Visit Squash on Windsor Street to see their new on-the-street gallery and their first exhibition, Signs of the Times. The exhibition has been activated by Squash’s 100-year street vision, inspired by nature; to actively transform Windsor Street neighbourhood into a people-powered place.

John Moores Painting Prize

17:00—22:00

View all 67 contemporary British paintings selected for this year’s exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery and keep an eye out for their prize-winning paintings.

Baltic Market Food Hub

17:00—23:00

Stop and refuel at the Baltic Market on your LightNight culture crawl. Baltic Market is place for fussy friends and picky palates, zealous vegans and juicy meat lovers, the gluten-free and the never full.

Browse all events at lightnightliverpool.co.uk/whats-on

Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to the successful #LoveLightNight Crowdfunder. Plus of course all funders, sponsors, and festival partners. Rewards will be posted out soon!