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Animating the Streets

Liverpool is a city that knows how to party! In 2008 will be no exception, offering a programme of free events to everyone in the city.

Outdoor Spectacle

From its annual Lord Mayor's Parade to its celebrations for Chinese New Year and fantastic outdoor festivals, Liverpool's cultural life isn't just confined to its theatres and concert halls but will spill out onto its streets, parks and public spaces throughout the year. Even if you've just come into the city for one of our world-class attractions, shopping or sport, you may chance upon a theatre, or even join the crowds to enjoy the spectacle of something really special.

LIVERPOOL STREETS AHEAD WEEKEND
24-26 May 08
St George's Plateau and city centre Welcome to Liverpool Streets Ahead - a weekend of fantastic street theatre, music, dance, puppets, booth shows and spectacle, featuring leading artists from all over the world, the UK and Liverpool itself.

GO SUPERLAMBBANANAS'
June - August 08
Up to 100 Superlambbananas, one of Liverpool's most iconic and best loved pieces of public art will be painted, decorated and adorned by local and regional artists, community groups and celebrities.

More information about 'Go Superlambbananas'

THEATRE IN THE PARKS
June 08
Spike Theatre presents the classic Lewis Carroll tale, Alice in Wonderland. Performed by a cast of 40 utilising puppetry, live music and song to transform some of Merseyside's parks into magical wonderlands.

More information on 'Theatres in the Park'

AFRICA OYÉ
21-22 June 08
Africa Oyé (listen to Africa) is the largest live free African music festival in the UK and brings to Liverpool the best artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. As well as the world class musicians on view at Oyé, there are stalls trading in the Oyé village where you can sample food and arts and crafts from Africa and beyond.

BROUHAHA INTERNATIONAL STREET FESTIVAL
14 July - 3 August 08
The 2008 Brouhaha International Street Festival will host three weeks of arts festivals and cultural events, taking placeon the streets, in parks, on stages, inside buildings, in schools and community centres across the Northwest of England.

More information about Brouhaha International

THE TALL SHIPS' RACES 2008
18-21 July 08
The spectacular start of the Tall Ships' Races - expected to attract a million spectators to the banks of the River Mersey.

More information about The Tall Ships' Race 2008

CARNIVAL WEEKEND FESTIVAL
1-3 August 08
The Emperor and the tiger Highlights of the Carnival Weekend include: the Emperor and the Tiger - a beautiful firework folk story, the Brouhaha Carnival Procession - the region's largest multicultural parade and the Samba School bringing a Rio style carnival parade to the streets of Liverpool on the Saturday night.

More information about the Carnival Weekend Festival

IMAGINE...
1-10 August 08
Imagine... will see an imaginary city mysteriously appear at the beginning of August, transforming the area around St George's Hall into a fantastic fairytale world.

More information about Imagine

OUTDOOR SPECTACULAR
26-28 September 08
This two day event will be huge in scale and utterly unlike anything seen in Liverpool before: an unforgettable piece of live theatre, played out against the landmarks of a great city. Artichoke, the company that brought the spectacular Sultan's Elephant event to London, is planning a magical new show, created specially for Liverpool 08.