Liverpool’s best music festivals for summer 2026
From lost weekends in the Cheshire countryside to urban beats in the Baltic Triangle, this city knows how to put on a party. Here's our guide to the best music festivals in Liverpool and the surrounding area for summer 2026
Updated 21 May 2026
From Merseybeat to new wave to jangly indie to EDM, this city has music in its bricks and mortar. Our guide to the best music festivals in Liverpool and the surrounding area spans the whole spectrum, from nostalgia events celebrating the city’s pop heritage to dance music weekenders showcasing the bright new sounds of the future.
Choose from feel-good outdoor music festivals, urban events where stage-diving takes on new meaning as you dash from venue to venue, and big names on big stages playing right by Liverpool’s own architectural big hitters; what a backdrop.
These festivals are all easily accessible on public transport. If you’re coming from further afield, why not check out our guide to Liverpool’s hotels?
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Sefton ParkMore detailsAfrica Oye
For two days every June, Sefton Park becomes the epicentre of African music and culture in the UK. Africa Oye is a long-running event born in Liverpool back in 1992, and held at Sefton Park since 2002. Expect a vibrant, feel-good weekend full of music, dance, food, and culture from Africa and African diasporas around the world. With a live music stage, a DJ stage, workshops, a family zone, a funfair, market and food stalls, there’s a lot to explore and enjoy.
Dates: 20-21 June 2026Who’s on: Headliners are Grammy nominated Fatoumata Diawara, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Patoranking, and Afro-Congolese electro musician Kizaba. Also on the lineup are Janet Kay, King Ayisoba, Nana Benz Du Togo, Fulu Miziki, Ghorwane, Oumy, The Awale Jant Band, Kobo Town, DJ Edu, Seani B and more
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Baltic TriangleMore detailsBaltic Weekender
Baltic Weekender is Liverpool’s urban EDM festival bringing grime, house, techno and bass to ten outdoor stages and venues throughout the Baltic Triangle. Featuring big-name DJs and local selectors, it’s great value and it always seems to be sunny – fingers crossed for 2026.
Dates: 29-30 May 2026
Who’s on: Acts include 4am Kru, Job Jobse, Sonja Moonear, Aly P, Amber Rose, Bakey, Chaos In The CBD, Charisse C, dj sweet6teen, DMC., Faster Horses, Fish56Octagon, Hardcore Babes, Izco, Jacinta, JACK MARLOW, Kyle Starkey, LIL DARK ONE, Love Machine, Midland, Oppidan, Papu Raf, Palms Trax, RIRIA, Roi Perez, Sugar Free, Y U QT
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DaresburyMore detailsCreamfields
Held over four beats-packed days and nights over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Creamfields is one of the world’s biggest dance music festivals. Expect huge crowds and huge names and the kind of spectacular light shows and production levels that imprint themselves on your memory, even if the rest of the night is a bit hazy.
Dates: 27-30 August 2026Who’s on: Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Disclosure Live, Faithless, Underworld, Amelie Lens presents AURA, Becky Hill, Sonny Fodera, Armand Van Helden, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Tiësto, Martin Garrix, Camelphat and many more
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Cavern QuarterMore detailsInternational Beatleweek Festival
The International Beatleweek Festival draws Beatles fans from all over the world. It’s pretty hardcore too – a full week of live music, exhibitions and events.
Dates: 26 August – 1 September 2026
What’s on: Live gigs from Beatles tribute bands from around the world including Tyson Kelly, Across the Universe, Beatles Complete and Los BBCitos. Plus exhibitions, memorabilia sales, guest speakers, video shows, sightseeing tours and a Beatles convention
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Sefton ParkMore detailsIn The Park
The 2026 edition of In The Park is a one-dayer rather than the three days of concerts they held here in 2024. But what a day it will be with thousands of fans gathering for Lewis Capaldi’s biggest ever outdoor gig in the city.
Date: Saturday 15 August
Who’s on: Lewis Capaldi and Loyle Carner
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WaterfrontMore detailsOn The Waterfront
On The Waterfront is a four-day open air festival on Pier Head featuring big name acts against a backdrop of Liverpool’s iconic architecture.
Dates: 18-21 June 2026
Who’s on: This year’s headliners are Paul Weller, Red Rum Club, 10 Years of Cream Classical and Snow Patrol
