Top things to do in Liverpool: February 2022

THEY say that relationships are just asking each other what you want for dinner until one of you dies. Here at Confidentials, we don't believe that romance is dead. 

February is the month of lurrve and just like Justin Timberlake, we're bringing sexy back. Fancy a date night at the cinema? We've got you covered. Wanna get smoochy with some jazz? Cool beans, daddio. Like the sound of being ambushed by cake? Walk this way. With just 28 days in the month, it's a jam-packed affair.

This week celebrates Lunar New Year and there's a load of free activities happening in Chinatown to ring in the Year of the Tiger. The nights are getting shorter and, dare we say it, a little bit warmer, so we're excited for the return of the open-air cinema at St Luke's Bombed Out Church. And for all you intergalactic adventurers, Space, the Universe, and Everything lands at Liverpool Cathedral.

We've got gigs, an art trail, men in tights and a giant yellow worm. (Those last two things are not related.) So, whether you're loved up, single and ready to mingle, or you just want to enjoy some glorious "me time", put down that Wordle and check out these events happening in Liverpool this month. Take it to the chorus.

SICKERT - A LIFE IN ART | WALKER ART GALLERY | RUNS UNTIL 27 FEBRUARY

Last chance to catch the largest retrospective of the artist’s work to have been held in the UK for more than 30 years. Sickert is one of Britain’s most important artists, with a career spanning six decades. Born in Munich, Germany, he moved to Britain as a child in 1868. A radical painter, who was determined to capture society as he saw it – regardless of whether this “rawness” offended his audiences - this is an outstanding and uncompromising body of work.

William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EL (Tickets £12.50/£11/£5 from Liverpool Museums - under fives go free)

JOHN MORALES | TRES LIVERPOOL | FRIDAY 4 FEBRUARY

Tres launches Love Sensation featuring the very best classics from disco to house, with an all-star line-up including John Morales (Glitterbox/Liverpool Disco Festival), James Morgan (Liverpool Disco Festival/Hustle) and John Dean (Fredricks/Hope Street Jazz). Morales has worked with Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Spandau Ballet, Aretha Franklin, Candi Staton, Billy Ocean and Rod Stewart - to name just a few. Join the love train.

3 Temple Court, Liverpool L2 6PY (9pm, free entry, tickets via Skiddle)

CHINESE NEW YEAR | CHINATOWN | SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY

Culture Liverpool, Liverpool Chinese Community groups and other organisations have arranged a series of arts and cultural events to mark Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival. Liverpool’s Chinatown will be the focus for free street festivities on Sunday 6 February around Lord Nelson Street and Great George Street, with plenty of activities for children and adults to enjoy, including a market, fairground rides, lion, dragon and unicorn street parades, food stalls, and a spectacular firecracker display. Culture Liverpool has also commissioned new pieces of work to complement the traditional celebrations. 

Nelson Street, Liverpool L1 5DN (For more information and full listings go to Culture Liverpool)

SPACE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING | LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL | 18-27 FEBRUARY

Space, the Universe and Everything is set to transform the inside of Liverpool Cathedral after dark with an extraordinary display of lights, projections and sound, which will see visitors surrounded by the wonders of the universe as they walk through the building. Combining the dazzling projections of sculptor Peter Walker, with the beautiful atmospheric sounds of composer David Harper, Space, the Universe and Everything is the work of award-winning artistic collaboration Luxmuralis, the team behind Peace Doves and Angel Wings at Liverpool Cathedral.

St James Mount, Liverpool L1 7AZ (Performances every 15 minutes from 6pm - 8pm, tickets £8.80/£7.70/£6.60/£5.50 from Ticket Quarter)

MARK WATSON | UNITY THEATRE | WEDNESDAY 9 FEBRUARY

For reasons that perhaps only make sense to himself, comedian Mark Watson is doing two shows at the Unity in one day, on Wednesday 9 February. The last ever performance of How You Can Almost Win - about the fairly challenging time he had on Bear Grylls' Island - and then a new standup show This Can't Be It. He’d like you to come to both in an ideal world, but would really appreciate it if you manage just one.

1 Hope Place, Liverpool L1 9BG (7pm £15, 8.45pm £20, buy tickets for both and save 10%, available from Unity Theatre)

OPEN AIR CINEMA | ST LUKE’S CHURCH | 10-14 FEBRUARY

Back by popular demand, St Luke’s Bombed Out Church is hosting an open-air cinema to celebrate Valentine's and LGBT+ History Month. Enjoy a film in the heart of the city, within a beautifully charming setting. You’ll be treated to a fully stocked bar and a tasty selection of snacks, all delivered straight to your seat. Audience members can bring their own blankets to keep them cosy underneath the Liverpool sky. Films include Pride, Romeo & Juliet, The Bodyguard and Casablanca. Of all the bars in all the world… 

Leece Street, Liverpool L1 2TR (6pm, tickets from £12.45 via the website)

MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE | BRITISH MUSIC EXPERIENCE | 10 FEBRUARY

Actor Gordon Warnecke will be the special guest at the British Music Experience’s screening of classic 80s British film, My Beautiful Laundrette. Gordon had a starring role alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in the Stephen Frears-directed film which explores themes of racism, homophobia and poverty in mid-80s Britain. Following the screening, Gordon will be interviewed by Homotopia trustee and Queer film programmer, Joan Burnett, to discuss his role, the film and its overall impact.

Cunard Building, Liverpool L3 1DS (7pm, tickets £10 from the BME)

IT’S A SIN CLUB NIGHT | DISTRICT | SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY

Russell T Davies' television series brought us the highs and lows of 80s clubbing. Celebrate the tunes and fashions of the best decade ever and whilst also raising money for Sahir House, who provide free and confidential advice to people affected by HIV on Merseyside. DJs Jules, Phil B and Tricky Vicky. 

61 Jordan Street, Liverpool L1 0BE (10pm - 3am, tickets from £6.50 at Try Booking)

RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA | LIVERPOOL EMPIRE | 14-16 FEBRUARY

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and built an international reputation. This tour will mark the 20th anniversary of the company’s first season in the UK. Accompanied by the Russian State Ballet Orchestra, they will perform the iconic and classical Romeo & Juliet (14) Snow Maiden (15) and Swan Lake (16) at the Liverpool Empire. Each performance will be brought to life with magical special effects.

Liverpool Empire, Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JE (7.30pm, tickets from £13 at ATG)

PUDDING CLUB | LEAF | 15,16,17 FEBRUARY

LEAF is celebrating all things love throughout February with special events, food and drink, music, an anti-dating app social night, yoga sessions, love stories and a celebrant at Bold Street reaffirming love of all shapes and sizes. Our top pick has to be the Valentine’s Pudding Club. Once a month, LEAF presents Pudding Club - five delicious desserts, paired with LEAF’s loose-leaf teas for a sweet tooth odyssey. The Valentine’s edition will take place at all LEAF venues; LEAF Smithdown (Tuesday 15), LEAF West Kirby (Wednesday 16) and LEAF on Bold St (Thursday 17).  

Various venues, (tickets £16.95 per person, available now via thisisleaf.co.uk)

STONE | ARTS CLUB | FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY

After a blistering set at Sound City 2021 and some frenetic performances at festivals around the country, Stone have emerged as ones to watch. The band cite inspiration everywhere from IDLES and Sonic Youth to The Streets and AJ Tracey, with Mike Skinner’s spoken-word style being lead singer Fin Power’s primary lyrical inspiration. He’s certainly cut loose from the jangly Scouse indie sound mastered by his dad, John. Stone defy genres with punk rock disco pop tunes and a cool as fuck attitude to match. Hurrah for Sarah Sturrage on bass too, proving that girls with guitars rock just as hard as boys.

90 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4BH (7pm, tickets from Arts Club)

OK! CHERUB! | BLUECOAT | 18 February - 5 June

Bluecoat’s famous courtyard will soon be getting some fun new residents when it becomes home to a group of new artworks by artist Bruce Asbestos. Each sculpture represents, and takes its name from, a different aspect of positive mental health. A giant yellow worm represents Rest, a group of green frogspawn represents Community and a giant cartoon arm represents Connection. Random and brilliant.

8 School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BX (Daily 11am-5pm, more info at Bluecoat)

SPRING BLOOMS | CHESTER CITY CENTRE | 19 FEBRUARY - 31 MARCH

A brand new art trail is coming to Chester - with seven installations set to arrive in key destinations in the city - all reflecting nature in Cheshire. Each installation in the Spring Bloom campaign has been inspired by various aspects of nature from honeycomb, blossom, tree roots or bird song in an effort to rewild the city. The artists will display their installations in one of the city’s most atmospheric and beautiful corners, with one installation even taking over a bus to encourage the use of ‘green’ transportation and another consisting of a portable stage that will sit within the city’s Cathedral Gardens. 

Free entry, for more information go to Visit Chester

JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET | DISTRICT | SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY

James Taylor, one of the great British instrumentalists of his generation has taken his trademark howling Hammond sound to the masses for over 25 years; still famed for its upbeat, energetic live shows and with no sign of slowing down. The band’s relentlessly entertaining tunes take inspiration from the rare-groove style funk, and boogaloo funk of the 60s and 70s and, the band is, without a doubt, one of the most important jazz-pop crossover outfits in British live musical history today. 

61 Jordan Street, Liverpool L1 0BE (7.30pm, tickets £23 from See Tickets)

Read next: Bluedot festival announces big name headliners for 2022

Read again: US rappers dominate Parklife headline slots for 2022

Get the latest news to your inbox

Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!