Discover the best events happening in Merseyside this month
October is one of our favourite months - not only have you got Halloween, literally THE BEST party night of the year - but it's only three months until Christmas, which means you can legit start sampling all the selection boxes and mini booze sets that are now in the shops. For gift research, obvs. We're also on the tail-end of Oktoberfest - read our full guide to Oktoberfest here.
Read on for our top picks of things to do this month, including River of Light, Turner Prize, Stranger Things skate, Craft Beer Expo, and even a giant 30-foot pyramid...
CIRCUS | BLACKSTONE STREET WAREHOUSE | SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER
To mark its 20th year celebration, Circus is putting on a line-up of globally known DJs, long-time friends of Circus and some of the most respected names in electronic music – the dream-team features Joseph Capriati, Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, The Martinez Brothers and original resident and co-founder Yousef, for a five hour back-to-back to back performance.
Blackstone Street, Liverpool L5 9TL (2pm-11pm, tickets from £31.60 at Skiddle)
OTHELLO | LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE | 4-8 OCTOBER
Relocating the play from 16th century Venice to a run-down Yorkshire housing estate in a post-industrial town, theatre company Frantic Assembly present an Othello firmly rooted in a volatile 21st century. While every word you hear in Othello was written by William Shakespeare over four centuries ago, this is a version that pulsates with movement in an emotional tale of power, male rage, jealousy and murder.
Williamson Square, Liverpool L1 1EL (Tickets £11-£31 from Everyman Playhouse)
ISY SUTTIE - JACKPOT | HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB | THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER
Isy’s always searching for adventure in life, but now that she’s a mum with a partner who hates surprises, can she still find it? And why does she need it anyway? From Dobby in Peep Show to Esther in Shameless and a regular guest on Would I Lie To You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Hypothetical, Q.I. and many more, Isy has been nominated for three British Comedy Awards, and won a gold Sony Award for her BBC Radio 4 series Isy Suttie’s Love Letters.
45 Hardman Street, Liverpool L1 9AS (7pm, tickets from £16.50 at Hot Water Comedy Club)
MADE OF STARS | THE BLACK-E | 11-20 OCTOBER
Centred around a 30-foot pyramid, Made of Stars is an immersive journey exploring humanity in the modern world. Suitable for all ages, the installation promises an empowering sensory experience that draws on the stories of 14 refugee artists led by Iranian film maker Elia Sadeqi, Jaime Perez Sandoval who is a radio presenter from El Salvador, Mudaser Akbari, a young Afghan boxer and Monira Whadat, an Afghan seamstress.
1 Great George St, Liverpool L1 5EW (Free tickets from Unity Theatre)
CRAFT BEER EXPO | BLACK LODGE BREWERY | 14-15 OCTOBER
An autumn edition of this popular beer festival, focusing on the best of cask ale with 100+ casks from the best breweries in the UK and beyond. As well as ale there will be a keg bar, cider bar, whiskey den and gin bar, plus bars hosted by The Botanical Garden, Subrosa and Sotto. Food traders include Fatback who will be smashing burgers, hotdogs and loaded fries alongside The Dough Bros slinging out their amazing wood fired pizzas. Ticket price includes entry to the festival and branded glass. You know the drill…
3 Kings Dock Street, Liverpool L1 8JU (Tickets from £11.10 at eventbrite)
TURNER PRIZE | TATE LIVERPOOL | 20 OCTOBER - 19 MARCH
Whipped cream, custard apples and drag are all part of this year’s Turner Prize as the prize for visual art is back in Liverpool for the first time in 15 years. Four outstanding artists - Heather Phillipson, Ingrid Pollard, Veronica Ryan and Sin Wai Kin - will be showing their work at Tate Liverpool in what promises to be a mesmerising and dynamic exhibition. Tate presents a free exhibition of the nominees work, with the winner announced in December.
Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4BB (Free entry, tickets from Tate Liverpool)
RIVER OF LIGHT | LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE | 21 OCTOBER - 6 NOVEMBER
Officially an autumn staple, the popular River of Light trail is back for a fifth year with ten artworks on display along a 2km route through the city centre. The theme of this year’s free event is Unexpected Twist in a nod to the World Gymnastics Championships 2022 which is taking place in the city during the same period.
Various venues, free entry. More info from Visit Liverpool
HOUSE OF SUAREZ VOGUE BALL | INVISIBLE WIND FACTORY | 22 OCTOBER
Host Rikki Beadle-Blair takes us back to Studio 54 with a disco theme and the Houses coming together to deliver an extravaganza of costume, dance and fierce alter-egos. The are Fantasy, Solo, Lip Sync, Sex Siren and Choreography. 2022 will also see the return of the Realness category in the guise of Disco Real-ness. In true House of Suarez fashion, the runway will be lit up with dancers and lip-syncs from the true icons of the 70s. Mighty real.
3 Regent Road, Liverpool L3 7DS (7pm, standard tickets £25 plus booking fee, VIP tickets £40 plus booking fee, from Skiddle)
ALTERNATIVE BLACK CABARET SHOWCASE | ROYAL COURT STUDIO | FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER
The Black is back, bringing the biggest names and the freshest acts from around the globe; Liverpool, Los Angeles, Lafta Republic and Oldham. Resident host Che B introduces comedy, music and specialist turns along with Black Bingo and a raffle. This month’s headliner is Dane Baptiste who made comedy history in 2014 as the first Black British act to be nominated for a comedy award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for his debut stand up show, Citizen Dane. Support from Toussaint Douglas.
1 Roe St, Liverpool L1 1HL (7.30pm, tickets £12 from Royal Court Liverpool)
STRANGER THINGS SKATE | INVISIBLE WIND FACTORY | SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER
We're not in Hawkins anymore. But we can jolly well pretend we are. Back with another date for its much loved Stranger Things Skate, IWF Rollerdrome is set to transport you back to Hawkins with a soundtrack of the 80s from Jonathan Byers' records. Expect all the classics from Joy Division, Bowie, The Smiths, Kate Bush, Talking Heads and more. Fancy Dress encouraged (BYO). Skates and protective padding available to hire for £2.50. If you have your own skates, feel free to bring them. 18+ event only (there’s a bar).
3 Regent Rd, Liverpool L3 7DS (6pm, tickets £12.50 from IWF Rollerdrome)
NORTHERN FILM ORCHESTRA PRESENTS…FRANKENSTEIN LIVE | TUNG AUDITORIUM | SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER
Experience the iconic horror film based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein with live orchestra. The 1931 movie was produced without music - enter Michael Shapiro whose 70-minute haunting score performed by a chamber orchestra adds another dimension and emotional impact to the viewing experience. Film rated PG.
Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 60 Oxford St, Liverpool L7 3NY (7.30pm, tickets £22/£27.50 from The Tung Auditorium)
WORLD GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS | M&S BANK ARENA | 29 OCTOBER - 6 NOVEMBER
The best gymnasts from across the globe are heading to Liverpool. Over 500 gymnasts from 75 countries are expected to compete at the M&S Bank Arena, making it one of the largest international sporting events ever to be held in the city. Feel the suspense take you to the edge of your seat. Hold your breath as an unexpected twist sees silver turn to gold in a heartbeat. Or just grab a hotdog.
King's Dock, 16 Monarchs Quay, Liverpool L3 4FP (Tickets available from Ticketmaster)
TOM ODELL | THE CAVERN CLUB | MONDAY 31 OCTOBER
Another intimate gig from Jacaranda Records in one of the world’s most famous music venues. Away from all the noise of Tom Odell’s various successes - three UK top 5 albums including the platinum-selling, chart-topping Long Way Down and an Ivor Novello award - there's one thing that's always kept Tom Odell grounded: songwriting. Here, Tom plays a stripped back show for his new album, Best Day of My Life, out 28 October.
10 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6RE (8.30pm, tickets from £20.60 at Jacaranda Record Store)
FESTIVALS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL
From life drawing at Walker Art Gallery designed to celebrate the power and strength of Black women, to crafting for all the family, NML’s annual Black History Month programme is an integral part of the calendar. Standouts this year include a special after-hours event at the Walker Art Gallery on 14 October, developed in partnership with The Goddess Projects. The event will encourage visitors to consider some of the artworks in the Walker’s collection and how we can reclaim the space today through life drawing. Other events include family crafting across Museum of Liverpool and Maritime Museum, an inspirational new exhibition of artwork by Merseyside schoolchildren celebrating great Black Britons at International Slavery Museum, and explorations into medical racism at Museum of Liverpool.
Full programme of events at National Museums Liverpool
LIVERPOOL LITERARY FESTIVAL | VICTORIA GALLERY & MUSEUM | 7-9 OCTOBER
Showcasing an exciting line-up of writers including Oliva Harrison, who will deliver a moving talk on her latest book of poetry dedicated to her late husband, George Harrison. The festival will welcome an eclectic range of authors from Frank Cottrell-Boyce to Joanna Trollope. The festival opens on Friday 7 October, with Ann Cleeves, best-selling British crime writer – and the imagination behind successful TV adaptations, Shetland and Vera – delivering the Liverpool Literary Lecture, which this year takes place in the brand new Tung Auditorium within the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre.
Ashton St, Liverpool L69 3DR (Weekend and day festival passes available from Liverpool Literary Festival)
UP NEXT FESTIVAL | UNITY THEATRE | 13-15 OCTOBER
Showcasing exciting new work from Merseyside performers, the October Up Next Weekender will span three days, featuring a line-up of six artists premiering brand-new work. Filled with performances, music, bunting, Q&As, festival vibes, a fully stocked bar of local drinks and the best of scouse talent, be the first to see these brilliant shows.
1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG (Tickets £8 per show or buy a festival pass for £25, available from Unity Theatre)
Read next: Prost! Where to find beers, bratwursts and the best of Bavaria for Oktoberfest 2022
Read again: River of Light art trail returns in autumn with an 'Unexpected Twist'
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