Winner of NOEA Award’s Best New Event 2018, Bordeaux Wine Festival Liverpool is back! With world-class wine and delicious food on Liverpool’s Waterfront.
Visit BWFLiverpool.com for Tickets & More Information
Everything happening at the River Festival
Make the most of your time at River Festival Liverpool and build your itinerary to plan your weekend of music, maritime, food & drink.
Bordeaux Wine Festival
ItinerarySaturday, Sunday All day Pier Head
Maybe and Blue Clipper
ItineraryMaybe was built in Amsterdam for Jan Jacob von Rietschoten, father of the ‘Flying Dutchman’ Cornelis ‘Conny’ von Rietschoten, and originally designed for round the world cruising.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Reclaiming Babel by Yolart
ItineraryYolart is a brand new commission where the Pier Head will become a canvas for in-demand artist Jola Kudela. Her speciality is working in public spaces and engaging with communities to recreate scenes from classic paintings, giving it a 21st century twist. This artwork was commissioned as part of Rise, a season of extraordinary female artists, thinkers and leaders.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday All day Mann Island
Nu Tribe (African Ship Stage)
ItinerarySunday 2pm, 5pm, 7pm Royal Albert Dock
Gaia
ItineraryLocated in Britain’s biggest cathedral, Liverpool Cathedral, the artwork called ‘Gaia’ (meaning the personification of the earth), will hang majestically in the Grade I listed building from 25 May – 23 June and features accurate and detailed NASA imagery of the earth. Full programming available here
Saturday, Sunday All day Liverpool Cathedral
WHALE SONG PROJECTION SHOW
ItineraryA humpback whale will emerge 15 metres out of the water and plunge back in, in a six-minute show, which will be repeated from around 9.45-11pm in Canning Dock from 28 May 10pm – 11pm. Find out more
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10pm Royal Albert Dock
HMS Suarez
ItineraryHouse of Suarez returns to the docks of Liverpool to bring you their brand new premier! HMS Suarez. This piece will take you on a journey through the decades and the times of music whilst the docks thrived and witnessed generations of sailors from across the seas.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 1:15pm Royal Albert Dock
THE URCHINS
ItineraryThe Urchins are hand-crocheted works of art that float majestically on the water and measure more than three metres high and nearly six metres wide. They are designed by award winning architect, Jin Choi. This artwork was commissioned as part of Rise, a season of extraordinary female artists, thinkers and leaders.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday All day Royal Albert Dock
La Vie en Rose
ItineraryDropping anchor at the Pier Head, the Kazimier crew will be all hands on deck, splicing together the musical and marine in their unique style. Click here for full performance times.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 5pm Pier Head
KANTABEN
ItineraryKantaben is a beautiful and playful Roller Bird, clad in Indian fabrics and flapping her beautiful silk wings, watch in wonder as she soars and swoops high over the heads of the crowds, looking for new friends to make.
Saturday, Sunday 2pm, 4:15pm, 6:15pm Pier Head
Disco Inferno
ItineraryDo you long for the return of Saturday Night Fever? Disco Inferno perform all the classic disco party songs, and are guaranteed to produce party fever with their infectious energy-ridden performance.
Saturday 1pm, 5:30pm Pier Head
River Swim
ItineraryThe Across Mersey Swim journeys towards its 25th Anniversary creating its own place in our sporting culture and history. Swimmers will begin their journey across the Mersey from the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool on Sunday 2 June at 10:30am.
Sunday 10:30am Royal Albert Dock
Classical Dance (Indian Ship Stage)
ItinerarySwati Dance Group’s philosophy is creation and propagation of Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam through excellence in practice.
Saturday, Sunday 1pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm Royal Albert Dock
The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band (Indian Ship Stage)
ItineraryHighly talented musicians from Jaipur, Rajasthan’s renowned “Pink City”, the surrounding villages, make up the brass core of this rousing new ensemble on trumpet, trombone, euphoium and sousaphone, supplemented with clarinet, against an insistent background of percussion on side, bass and dhol drums.
Saturday, Sunday 2pm Royal Albert Dock
Bombay Baja Brass Band (Indian Ship Stage)
ItinerarySaturday, Sunday 1:45pm, 3pm, 5pm Royal Albert Dock
Classical Duet (Indian Ship Stage)
ItinerarySaturday, Sunday 12pm, 4pm, 6:30pm Royal Albert Dock
Radio Exotica (African Ship Stage)
ItinerarySunday 2:30pm, 6pm Royal Albert Dock
DJ Mayeva (African Ship Stage)
ItinerarySunday 12pm, 12:45pm, 4:15pm Royal Albert Dock
Anwar Ali & Dave Owen (African Ship Stage)
ItinerarySaturday 2:45pm, 5pm, 7pm Royal Albert Dock
SNO (African Ship Stage)
ItinerarySaturday 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 3:30pm, 6pm Royal Albert Dock
Dougie’s Mini Music Makers
ItineraryBritish Music Experience have dedicated a space in the Gibson Brands Interactive Studio for under-fives. This section includes percussion and rhythm instruments so your tots can dance to the beat of their own rhythm. Suitable for under fives.
Saturday, Sunday All day Pier Head
Get Crafty with Frankie Feathers: Make Your Own Tambourine
ItineraryWe’re celebrating the history and traditions of May Day in Britain. Learn about how Folk and Celtic music and dancing played a big part in celebrating this annual holiday. Get crafty and make your own May Day Tambourine. Afterwards, take a look in our Skiffle cabinet, a music movement whose roots are embedded in folk music and DIY instruments. Suitable for all ages.
Saturday, Sunday All day Pier Head
OXUMARÉ
ItineraryThe rainbow and the snake, representing fortune, time and transformation, Oxumaré is a deity from the Orisha tradition, paying homage to our ancient African ancestors. This 5 meter tall kinetic puppets will interact with and entertain audiences young and old.
Saturday, Sunday 1:15pm, 3pm, 6pm Royal Albert Dock
Open Sessions: Gibson Brands Interactive Studio (BME)
ItineraryWhether you’re a beginner or a pro, get hands-on in the Gibson Brands Interactive Studio at British Music Experience. The Visitor Experience Musicians are on hand to have a jam or give tips and advice to get you started on your musical journey.
Saturday, Sunday All day Pier Head
The Spice Girls
ItineraryThese beautifully decorated Indian Elephants stroll over 3 feet above the ground, playfully passing by the faces of audiences and wandering around to cause chaos. Featuring colourful costumes, playful puppeteers and accompanying musicians & performers.
Saturday 1:30pm, 6:30pm Royal Albert Dock
Sunday 1:30pm, 5:30pm Royal Albert Dock
Block
ItineraryTwenty oversized blocks, fashioned to resemble giant, concrete Jenga blocks, are deconstructed and reformed into an infinite variety of shapes for the performers to play on, move with and explore. BLOCK is about life in the city; its contradictions and challenges.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 3:30pm Pier Head
Flat Pack Music
ItineraryFounded by conservatoire trained musicians, Flat Pack Music is a not for profit opera company which aims to bring professional opera to people that due to cost or location would otherwise not have access to it.
Sunday 4pm Pier Head
Family trail at British Music Experience
ItineraryMeet Dougie Floyd and his gang of musical mates, explore the exhibition following clues and completing puzzles along the way. Complete the Trail and receive a certificate making you a British Music Explorer. Suitable for 4 -11-year old.
Saturday, Sunday All day Pier Head
VOLHARDING
ItineraryVolharding is a 120 year old, authentic Ketch rigged Dutch sailing barge, fully equipped to accommodate up to twelve passengers in comfort.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
PopVox Choir
ItineraryPopVox was formed in 2011 and has several branches across the UK. It was founded by Emma Nowell who decided to use her professional experience and love of music to create a fun, friendly adult choir.
Saturday, Sunday 12pm Pier Head
Downtown Underground
ItineraryDowntown Underground recreate 60s, 70s and 80s classics by the likes of James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Wilson Pickett, with stunning authenticity. For younger guests, they perform a knock-out set of soul-infused pop and R&B hits by Outkast, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental.
Sunday 1pm, 5:30pm Pier Head
Little Lighthouse
ItineraryThe Little Lighthouse is a tiny, fully furnished Lighthouse keeper’s tower. The Lighthouse Keeper is a retired seadog who rambles through an arsenal of comic stories and anecdotes about kippers, guillemots, oyster smacks and the never ending menace of bird’s mess.
Saturday, Sunday 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm Royal Albert Dock
Kitsch & Sync – Pseudo Synchro
ItineraryThe Pseudo Synchro Swim Team are out and busy in training; being drilled by their swim captain with military precision and preparing for the biggest most spectacular synchronized swimming display of their lives (which takes place in a children’s paddling pool!).
Saturday, Sunday 3pm, 7pm Pier Head
Kitsch & Sync – Hello Bouys
ItineraryFollow 3 dinghy-less damsels as they dip their toes and cause a splash on their seafaring voyage. Looking for a captain to guide them to sun kissed beaches can these ladies of leisure be pointed in the right direction or are they hopelessly helpless in their Hawaiian quest!
Saturday, Sunday 1:30pm, 5:45pm Pier Head
The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band
ItineraryHighly talented musicians from Jaipur, Rajasthan’s renowned “Pink City”, the surrounding villages, make up the brass core of this rousing new ensemble on trumpet, trombone, euphoium and sousaphone, supplemented with clarinet, against an insistent background of percussion on side, bass and dhol drums.
Saturday, Sunday 4pm Mann Island
Steel Drums
ItinerarySteeldrumbands have performed in 5 different countries, and counting. Lead by the pitch perfect jazz junkie, Francis, they manage to produce the sweetest of sounds, playing any genre of music from traditional Caribbean, to chart pop, to Disney, and even house music.
Saturday, Sunday 12:55pm, 1:45pm, 2:35pm, 3:25pm, 4:15pm, 5:05pm Royal Albert Dock
Indian Princesses
ItineraryThese beautiful and mischievous, stilt-walking Princesses are a truly enchanting act. These delightful divas draped in stunning jewels and silks provide a dash of vibrant colour, charm and playfulness at any event.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 2pm, 5pm Royal Albert Dock
The Runner
ItineraryDid you know that Liverpool held an annual Grand Olympic Festival devised by John Hulley and Charles Melly between 1862 to 1867 on which the first modern Olympiad in Athens was based? This precariously balanced sculptural sequence of a runner is a fitting celebration of the awesome achievements of Liverpool’s past and present Olympiads. This artwork was commissioned as part of Rise, a season of extraordinary female artists, thinkers and leaders.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday All day Mann Island
Two Cats and a Canary
ItineraryThe Birdcage Stage returns to the River Festival for a second year running with the hilarious slapstick street theatre show Two Cats and a Canary. Inspired by cartoon nostalgia follow the antics of the canary as she inhabits a beautiful golden birdcage.
Saturday, Sunday 12pm, 2pm, 3:30pm Pier Head
Dr. Jazz
ItineraryA fun and quirky 6-piece Great Gatsby band comprising trumpet/vocals, trombone, clarinet, piano, double bass and drums, Dr Jazz entertains with instantly recognisable favourites from the Roaring 20s and 30s.
Sunday 2:30pm Pier Head
HMS Suarez
ItineraryHouse of Suarez returns to the docks of Liverpool to bring you their brand new premier! HMS Suarez. This piece will take you on a journey through the decades and the times of music whilst the docks thrived and witnessed generations of sailors from across the seas.
Saturday, Sunday 2:30pm, 5:30pm Mann Island
FABAROONY
ItineraryPull up a deck chair and enjoy an ice cream or two on Mann Island Beach whilst the kids are being transformed into pirates, mermaids and all things nautical by the fantastic Fabaroony Face Painters.
Saturday, Sunday All day Mann Island
AFRICAN EAGLES
ItineraryA troupe of totally stunning acrobats from Tanzania, now based in the UK. Set to lively African music, the show progresses through a series of powerful and graceful acrobatic, circus and dance routines.
Saturday, Sunday 4:30pm Pier Head
New Orleans Jazz – The Dixie Street Band
ItineraryThe Street Dixie Band were formed back in 2003 as a new generation of early jazz band. The ensemble contains today’s young up-and-coming players, all of whom continue to revitalise the scene with their flair, excitement and enthusiasm.
Saturday 12pm Royal Albert Dock
Storytelling
ItineraryJoin us for storytelling with tales from the seven seas! Drop in at Mann Island on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-5pm. Free and all families welcome.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm Mann Island
The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band
ItineraryHighly talented musicians from Jaipur, Rajasthan’s renowned “Pink City”, the surrounding villages, make up the brass core of this rousing new ensemble on trumpet, trombone, euphoium and sousaphone, supplemented with clarinet, against an insistent background of percussion on side, bass and dhol drums.
Saturday, Sunday 5pm, 6:30pm Pier Head
Splintered Ukes
ItinerarySplintered Ukes are a megatastic, uke based, band. That’s six ukes, a bass uke and a cajon drum t’ beat! They aint no ordinary uke band, they’s crazy. Skilful masters of reengineering classic and modern pop songs.
Saturday 4pm Pier Head
Shipwrecked: Receivers of the Wreck
ItineraryA survivor is stranded on the shores of the near future. In a world drowning in plastic she collects messages in bottles. A highly physical show combining circus with dance and drama to tell a universal story of our desire for solitude against the need for collective action for the greater good.
Saturday, Sunday 1pm, 3:30pm Mann Island
The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band
ItineraryHighly talented musicians from Jaipur, Rajasthan’s renowned “Pink City”, the surrounding villages, make up the brass core of this rousing new ensemble on trumpet, trombone, euphoium and sousaphone, supplemented with clarinet, against an insistent background of percussion on side, bass and dhol drums.
Saturday, Sunday 12pm Royal Albert Dock
African Eagles
ItineraryA troupe of totally stunning acrobats from Tanzania, now based in the UK. Set to lively African music, the show progresses through a series of powerful and graceful acrobatic, circus and dance routines.
Saturday, Sunday 1:35pm, 3pm Mann Island
Swyron
ItinerarySwyron is a delightful and mysterious intergalactic adventurer, a unique blend of Vedic and Victoriana, a true steampunk superhero somewhere between the Mahabharata and H.G. Wells. A totally different walkabout act, as exquisitely presented as you would expect from this company, renowned for their meticulous making skills and costume creation.
Saturday, Sunday 1pm, 3pm, 5pm Pier Head
New Orleans Jazz – The Street Dixie Band
ItineraryThe Street Dixie Band were formed back in 2003 as a new generation of early jazz band. The ensemble contains today’s young up-and-coming players, all of whom continue to revitalise the scene with their flair, excitement and enthusiasm.
Saturday 2pm Pier Head
Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra and Dr Jazz
ItineraryMr Swing’s Dance Orchestra is a 13-piece big band comprising male vocalist, four brass, five saxes and three rhythm.
Sunday 7pm Pier Head
Motown Gold
ItineraryMotown Gold celebrate the finest songs from the Tamala Motown and Classic Soul era. Experience songs made famous by musical ‘giants’ such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and The Jackson 5. Older and younger generations all enjoy the classic songs.
Saturday 2:30pm, 7pm Pier Head
Man on the Moon
ItineraryGeorge Orange is an eccentric clown and slack-rope dancer from Chicago. He has come via the Moon, and brought a bit of it with him. The half moon slack rope rig forms a perfect centrepiece to any street or square and will attract interest before the show even begins.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm Mann Island
Kit and Caboodle
ItineraryWith miniature puppet shows inside a big, rolling mule puppet, the timeless theme of migration is packaged up in Thingumajig’s street act, KIT AND CABOODLE.
Saturday, Sunday 2pm, 5pm Mann Island
Icebook
ItineraryThe Icebook is the world’s first projection mapped pop-up book, a show depicting a dark, silent fable through a combination of paper pop-ups, projection mapping and music. Find it in the Cooperage on the Royal Albert Dock.
Saturday, Sunday 12:30pm, 1:20pm, 2:10pm, 3pm, 3:50pm, 4:40pm, 5:30pm Royal Albert Dock
Bicycle Bistro
ItineraryTwo eccentric moustachioed waiters arrive in style on their bistro on wheels. They lay the table, wind up the gramophone and unleash a choreographed 40 minutes of cafe mayhem.
Saturday, Sunday 12pm, 2pm, 5pm, 6:30pm Pier Head
Pelican of London
ItineraryFormerly an Arctic fishing trawler and then a coastal trading vessel, Pelican of London was transformed in to a sail training ship in 2007. Her barquentine rig and sail plan is derived from the Barbary Coast pirate ships.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Nobby Boats
ItineraryThe Nobby Owners Association was set up to encourage the restoration of Morecambe Bay Prawners. They take part in our sailing programme, making a beautiful and wonderful spectacle wherever you see them.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
RNLI
ItineraryWe are the RNLI: the charity that saves lives at sea. Every day of every year, people of all backgrounds get into danger in the water. Find them on their stand at the River Festival Liverpool.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Northern Boat Show
ItineraryThe Northern Boat Show, being held on 31st May to 2nd June 2019, is part of the River Festival Liverpool and will give visitors the chance to see all types of ways of getting on the water and enjoying leisure time.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Merseyside Search & Rescue
ItineraryMerseyside Search and Rescue ( “MerSAR”) is the official volunteer land search and rescue asset for the County operating above the high water mark. They will have a stand on site at the River Festival where you can find out more about them.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Royal Yacht Association
ItineraryThe RYA have a stand at the Festival with lots of information on all the opportunities there are to get out on the water whether using the wind or engine power. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions whether you are new to boating or wanting to get back into it.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Floating Grace
ItinerarySee the best views of Liverpool’s historic docklands, enjoy excellent food, make use of our on-board bar and relax in style on The Floating Grace.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Canoe Polo (Princes Dock)
ItineraryKnown as “polo” by aficionados, Canoe Polo is one of eight disciplines of its kind in the UK which combines both paddling and ball handling skills in a thrilling team sport.
Find the canoe polo on Princes Dock.
Saturday, Sunday All day Pier Head
Brian Boru
ItineraryBrian Boru will be doing the triangle sailing from Dublin to Belfast with one group and then from the Belfast Maritime Festival to the River Festival Liverpool with another group.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Adventure Wales
ItineraryThe award-winning 60-foot ocean-going schooner enables young people aged 12 – 25 years to develop their employability skills. Adventure Wales also offers big boat sailing voyages for adults up to 75 years.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Zebu
ItineraryHistoric Tall Ship Zebu Open Ship will open its deck for The River Festival Liverpool. There will be exciting Mast climbing demos by trained volunteers Saturday 1st June.
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Anti-Shanty (Irish Ship Stage)
ItineraryAnti-Shanty retain a slightly less than reverend attitude towards the tradition and mix things up a bit. They say singing is good for the soul; singing Liverpool-based sea shanties is even better. Come and sing along with Anti-Shanty!
Sunday 12:45pm Royal Albert Dock
Kimber’s Men (Irish Ship Stage)
ItinerarySaturday 12:45pm Royal Albert Dock
Only Child (Irish Ship Stage)
ItineraryOnly Child tell stories that ask questions, pose problems and attack the establishment.
Saturday 6pm Royal Albert Dock
Gannon & Co (Irish Ship Stage)
ItinerarySunday 2:30pm Royal Albert Dock
Celtic Knot Ceilidh Band (Irish Ship Stage)
ItineraryCeltic Knot Ceilidh Band have played together as an instrumental folk band for over a decade and focus on Irish, Scots and English Ceilidh music. With toe tapping tunes, brilliant energy and often a dance caller, you can be sure of a great atmosphere when listening to this group.
Saturday 7pm Royal Albert Dock
The Druids (Irish Ship Stage)
ItineraryBringing their unique style and passion to some of Ireland’s greatest folk songs and stories with expert musicianship, vocal ability and performances. The Druids entertain and educate while having the audience on their feet.
Sunday 1:15pm, 7pm Royal Albert Dock
Wee Bag Band (Irish Ship Stage)
ItinerarySunday 6pm Royal Albert Dock
The Folk Doctors
ItineraryMerseyside/Irish duo John Armstrong and Ultan Mulhern. Hear their incredible storytelling unfold about builders and soldiers, rainfall and whistle-blowers, lucky beggars and the downtrodden.
Saturday 2:30pm Royal Albert Dock
African Ship Stage
ItineraryThe African ship has been curated by Africa Oyé and will celebrate African music and culture. Find out more
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Indian Ship Stage
ItineraryMilapfest are bringing the party with Indian themed celebrations all weekend aboard a tall ship at the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. Find out more
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
Irish Ship Stage
ItineraryLiverpool’s connection with Ireland will be celebrated on the Irish ship with music selected by Liverpool Irish Festival. Find out more
Saturday, Sunday All day Royal Albert Dock
