Your ultimate guide to family fun in Liverpool this summer

Summer’s set to be a scorcher – but it’s not just the weather that’s going to be hotting up this year.

Liverpool’s getting ready for a jam-packed season of stuff to see and do – and here’s your ultimate guide for the summer holidays

We are Wirral Festival

Featuring an incredible line up of acts including Feeder, Example and Pixie Lott, We are Wirral Festival is set to bring great entertainment for the whole family, from workshops and games to sports and adventures there is so much to do. The Festival takes over Birkenhead Park from July 19 – 20.

Find out more here.

Liverpool ONE – ChessFest

ChessFest is back at Chavasse Park on Friday, July 20, with the chance to take part in games including giant outdoor chess, get free chess lessons and watch exciting displays.  More than 1,000 joined in last year, and this year’s event is set to be even bigger.

Find out more here.

LFC Stadium Tour with the LFC Museum 

Just the thing if you want to walk in the footsteps of your Reds heroes with a behind-the-scenes look inside the iconic Anfield stadium, with access to the press conference room, the players’ tunnel, the managerial dugout and the home team dressing room … and the chance to touch the This Is Anfield sign. In the LFC Museum you can learn even more about the history of the club and see all the major trophies.

Find out more here.

Southport Flower Show 

Fabulous floral displays and glorious gardens, music and entertainment, crafts and homewares, and quite a few famous faces … Southport Flower is back for year 101 from Thursday, August 14 to Sunday, August  17 – and there’s loads for kids and families. You can meet the alpacas, see the scarecrow and more in the Kids’ Potting Shed, follow the children’s trail and enjoy the magic of the Enchanted Fields – and yes, Justin Fletcher, aka Mr Tumble, is back again!

Find out more here.

Martin Mere 

As well as all the usual fun and games at Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this summer welcomes the Dragonfly Festival, when it will delve into all things dragonflies with interactive shows, guided walks and workshops. There’s also a brand-new all-natural wet play area where you can splash and scream your way through the rain curtain, tackle the timber tangle, and control the flow of the play stream by raising and lowering the sluice gates.

Find out more here.

Visit the Planetarium at World Museum 

This is one of World Museum’s most popular attractions, taking visitors on a journey into space without ever leaving William Brown Street. There’s a packed programme of shows for the whole family within its giant dome, including The Little Star That Could for aged three and over, From Earth to the Universe and more for 8+, and even baby-friendly Mini Gazer sessions.

Find out more here.

Mersey Ferries – River Explorer Cruise

Forget the yellow submarine if you want to enjoy Liverpool from the water and just hop on board the Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise to just soak up the city’s impressive architecture and famous waterfront.  On the 50-minute cruise you’ll find out loads about the city’s rich musical heritage, learn how the ferries played their part in the First World War, and hear more about Liverpool’s maritime history from the expert recorded commentary which plays throughout the cruise.

Find out more here.

New Brighton Family Food and Drink Festival 

Back in The Dips for its third year, there’s going be more than ever going on from Friday to Sunday, July 25-27, including a family focused main entertainment stage, an acoustic stage for music lovers, an independent market with 70 traders, a food village, a pet village, a sensory zone, a game zone, and more.  

Find out more here.

Knowsley Safari Summer Pass

The only problem with Knowsley Safari is that there’s so much to do you can never fit it all in in a day – so the summer pass lets you go back as many times as you want between now and Sunday, September 7. It’s great value from only £50 per person and as well as entry into the amazing safari park, you get discounts in the restaurant and gift shop and special access to the Bubble Festival, Creature Cases trail, and Bush Craft activities! 

Find out more here.

Family fun at Breakout Liverpool 

With 16 rooms to work out the perfect escape there’s lots of themes and puzzles to solve – not least which ones are okay for everyone in the family! So Breakout suggests Cursed Carnival, Wanted, Shipwrecked and The Heist are the most suitable – and more fun! – for all ages of your gang. 

Find out more here.

Liverpool Indoor Funfair returns in August

Ever a favourite, the fun of the fair’s back at Liverpool Exhibition Centre from Tuesday, August 19 to Sunday, August 31. As always you can expect jaw-dropping rides and attractions all under one roof, from the dodgems and the waltzers, to an inflatable slide, bungee trampolines, a ferris wheel, funhouse and more. There’s a café … and look out for quiet sessions too.

Find out more here.

Bubbles World of Play, New Brighton

Come rain or shine, with still the largest play frame in the UK Bubbles is ideal for kids up to 11.  There are more than 30 different countries and zones to explore, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Northern Lights, and its busy city role-play area has a police station, vets, a shop and more! The New York-themed baby & toddler area’s got challenges and sensory objects designed to keep tiny people happy for hours too. It serves hot and cold food as well as drinks, including Coffee Republic coffee.

Find out more here.

Liverpool ONE – Summer on the Park

Chavasse Park comes into its own in summer with tons of stuff aimed at families having fun including a beach, summer children’s rides and free sporting sessions. From Saturday, July 12 to Sunday, August 31, you can head to its free beach area where you’ll also find a stack of rides; and every Thursday to Sunday from July 24 to the end of August, it will host free sporting sessions from football and tennis to boxing, basketball, and even rowing and dodgeball. Word is you might see one or two of your sporting legends too…

Find out more here.

Adventure Coast Southport

With a reputation as the friendliest theme park in the UK, Adventure Coast’s got not one but four exciting lands, and a host of exciting rides, games and interactive attractions with something for everyone from toddlers to grandma and grandad. There are lots of places to grab a bite to eat and a drink – or you can take your own – and you can even take the family dog along too!

Find out more here.

Liverpool Biennial – Family Workshops

Whether you’re a budding artist or just looking for a great family activity this summer, you’ll love the fun-filled workshops at the Discovery Room at Liverpool Central Library. Part of the Liverpool Biennial BEDROCK art festival, the workshops are every Saturday from July 19 until September 6.

Find out more here.

Family films at The Reader’s Open Air Cinema

Bringing movies to the Mansion at Calderstones Park, The Reader’s chosen eight films to be shown on the big screen at their outdoor cinema experience – and perfect for kids are the 2022 version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical on Wednesday, August 27, and Wicked starring Cynthia Arivo and Ariana Grande on Thursday, August 28.

Find out more here.

Upside Down House at Liverpool ONE

Get ready to turn your world topsy-turvy at the Upside Down House, Liverpool ONE’s fantastic interactive photo attraction in Thomas Steers Way. It’s the only one in the North West – and only at Liverpool can people wandering around this whacky illusional experience immerse themselves in the clouds of Candy Land and play a retro Pac-Man arcade game, upside down! 

Find out more here.

Visit Liverpool Cathedral 

The chance to walk around the largest cathedral in Britain and the fifth largest in the world is exciting enough but add to that a tower tour to spot the city’s landmarks from the highest cathedral in the UK and see the world’s largest peal of bells, and you start to realise just how special this iconic building is. Throughout summer too, it’s hosting the work of artists Ana Navas and Maria Loizidou as part of the Biennial festival (and did we mention how scrummy the food in the Welsford Bistro is?!).

Find out more here.

Days out at The Beatles Story with the Discovery Zone too

This Royal Albert Dock attraction never loses its appeal because there’s always something new. It’s the biggest Beatles Exhibition in the world and you can learn all about John, Paul, George and Ringo, from the music they created to the fashions they wore, and there’s tons of memorabilia. There’s a replica Cavern, a fab shop, the Fab Four Café and the upgraded Discovery Zone – the family friendly space where kids can dress up in outfits from the 60s, do their own pop art or have a go at karaoke with their favourite Beatles song.

Find out more here.

Storytime and Ice Creams at The Reader, Calderstones Park

From stories to theatre shows and open air cinema it’s all going on at The Reader this summer, but the Storybarn is going to be especially busy with its Incy Wincy Wanders for under fours, Bookshop Bedtime Stories, weekend Drop In Sessions and more. A definite date for the diary is Sunday, August 31, when Storybarn Fest brings the best of the barn outside to the Ice Cream Parlour Courtyard for a summer festival with a special visit from Futureyard’s Mosh Tots Band, an extravaganza of storytelling, crafts, games, facepainting and of course – ice cream. 

Find out more here.

Gulliver’s World

With 50 rides, attractions, shows and activities, a trip to Gulliver’s World will always earn you Brownie points with the family this July and August, and there’s more than ever to keep everyone entertained this year. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the brand-new Land of Oz-themed area with highlights including an Upside Down House and new rides The Winged Monkeys and Munchkin Motors, where families can drive through the magical Land of Oz and spot their favourite characters. 

Find out more here.

Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure

It’ll be all paws on deck at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday, July 19, when Ryder and his heroic pups set sail on an action-packed, music-filled adventure in search of hidden treasure. The anchor’s raised ready for excitement as Mayor Goodway starts to get everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay but when Cap’n Turbot falls into a mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue. There are three shows so you can’t miss this p-awesome experience.

Find out more here.

Southport Air Show

One of the most spectacular air shows is back on Saturday and Sunday, August 30-31, with flight action on and off the ground. The skies will be filled with jaw-dropping aerial displays, while on terra-firma there’ll be lots to explore from flight simulators, static aircraft and military vehicles, along with stalls and other children’s attractions.

Find out more here.

Celebrating Castle Street & Bold Street 

After a huge success last year, free festivals Celebrating Castle Street and Celebrating Bold Street are back on Sunday, August 3, and Sunday, August 17 respectively. Showcasing the best of the city from 11am to 5pm on both days, you can look forward to incredible food and drink, music, street entertainers, markets, kids’ fun and more, courtesy of Liverpool BID Company.

Find out more about Celebrating Castle Street here and Celebrating Bold Street here.

Southport Model Railway

It’s all aboard for a change of pace and a look at the world in miniature at Southport Model Railway Village in the lovely King’s Gardens. Hundreds of thousands from all over the world have visited this spectacular attraction that’s one of the largest garden railway systems in the UK – and it’s a perfect place for a picnic (and an ice cream from the village café).

Find out more here.

Devafest in Cheshire – lots for the kids

This has become one of the North West’s favourite family festivals, and it’s back at Cholmondeley Castle from Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 10, with music and comedy across five stages, circus workshops, a dog show, watersports, a fairground, storytelling, crafting, and just too much to list here! Chester Zoo will be making its first ever appearance at Deva Fest this year with games, shows and animal science, and a spectacular Lanterns & Light show.

Find out more here.

Cheshire Oaks 

Cheshire Oaks has invited everyone to a Great Summer Social so while you’re grabbing all those designer bargains you can make sure everyone’s entertained. As well as a trip on its Big Wheel and a food and drink stop at its lively container village, you can tee up for fun on its Jurassic-themed 12-hole mini golf course, and enjoy retro arcade games, water walkers, family games & activities, bungee trampolines, and mini diggers.

Find out more here.

Last Day of Summer Festival 

It’s going to be a busy summer for families across Liverpool City Region, and you can bet that we’re going to squeeze every last bit of enjoyment out it. This waterfront family festival on Saturday, August 30, will be a cracking climax with open water swimming adventures, silent disco tours, yoga, create your own sea creatures workshops, a makers’ market, circus skills workshops, and tons of other stuff too!

Find out more here.

Find more events happening during the summer holidays in Liverpool here.