This year we’re hoping to see the festival scene back to normality with many confirmed dates for 2022.
Some of the biggest music events including Glastonbury are due to take place, having been postponed for the last two years.
But if you fancy something closer to home, there are plenty of festivals to visit with family and friends in and around Liverpool, all less than two hours away in a car.
It may be early in the year, but there’s nothing like bashing away those January blues and taking a peek at some upcoming festivals.
READ MORE: David Bowie night coming to Liverpool to celebrate his 75th birthday
We’ve found the best festivals in and around Merseyside that have confirmed dates and tickets available.
Pride in Liverpool
Pride in Liverpool is set to return to the heart of the city this year after it was cancelled last year due to Coronavirus.
The fun festival always takes place over a weekend in the summer and celebrates LGBT culture with rainbow flags aplenty.
It’s held annually on Tithebarn Street and the gay quarter in the city centre and will take place on Saturday July 30 2022 this year.
Sign up for their mailing list to be the first to hear about updates on the event.
Liverpool Sound City
Liverpool Sound City is back for 2022 on April 30 - May 1 showcasing a mix of local, national and international musicians.
It was one of the first festivals to host big artists like Stormzy, Alt-J and The 1975 at the beginning of their musical careers.
The lineup so far features Alfie Templeman, Cody Frost, Abbie Ozard, The Lathums, Buggs, and Everyone You Know.
Other artists on the lineup are Fiona Lennon, Matilda Mann, Retro Video Club and many more.
You can view the whole lineup here for more information.
Tickets can be purchased for Liverpool Sound City now, priced at £43.45 for an early bird weekend ticket.
Creamfields
Creamfields is one of the biggest electronic music festivals and it’s back in the North West this year from August 25 - August 29 2022.
The phase one lineup features huge names like David Guetta, Above & Beyond, Armin Van Buuren and Camelphat.
Due to the sheer popularity of this summer festival, tickets have sold out, but you can try and get your hands on the limited resale tickets.
A list of limited resale ticket outlets is available here , including Ticketmaster, Skiddle and Ticketline.
The Liverpool Gin Festival
A festival involving lots of gin, what more could you want?
Coming to St George’s Hall on December 2-3 is the iconic Liverpool Gin Festival, an event that showcases craft gins from all over the world.
The festival itself is split into three sessions starting late afternoon on the Friday and mid-afternoon and early evening on the Saturday.
Sip on some gin and enjoy some live entertainment with your family and friends.
Tickets can be purchased here for a standard entry price of £10 with VIP and group booking options also available.
Let’s Rock Liverpool
The Retro Festival Let’s Rock Liverpool has a huge lineup this year, with big names including Billy Ocean and The Human League.
The festival will be at Wavertree Playing Fields on July 30 and will bring you the best of the 80’s with some absolute classics.
Adult tickets are from age 13+ and children under the age of three get in for free.
You can find out more information about the festival with tickets on their website.
The One In The Woods
Escape reality in Liverpool’s deep woodland for a big weekend of electronic music with local food and drink.
Taking place on bank holiday weekend on June 3 - 4, The One In The Woods festival in Orrell Hill Woods is in a stunning setting.
With a mixture of techno and drum & bass, this year's lineup is a big one, with names like Airoid, 2Shy Mc and DJ Hazard.
Book your tickets here , priced at £85.50 for an early bird ticket final release.
Smithdown Festival
Smithdown Festival is back this year at the Sefton Park Cricket Club on April 29 with several indoor stages and a big outdoor event.
Whether you fancy popping down for the whole weekend or an individual day, there’s plenty of performances to enjoy.
With a range of music and arts on offer for the whole community, there’s already been a number of early bird tickets released for just £8.
Grab your tickets here.
Kendal Calling
If you’re after a family-friendly musical festival, look no further!
Kendal Calling has a dedicated kids area with everything from workshops, a dedicated family campsite and a mother and babies tent.
Kids Calling is perfect for those aged under 11 with fun craft workshops, circus skills, painting and many more activities to keep the little ones busy.
Returning to the beautiful Lake District in Lowther Deer Park on 28 - 31 July, the lineup is huge this year.
Including big names like Stereophonics, Supergrass, The Streets, The Vaccines, Pale Waves and many more - you won’t want to miss this.
Book weekend tickets at Ticketmaster or here, and take part in their six month payment plan.
Adult weekend camping starts at £178, 11-15 years camping is £88. 6-10 years is £22 and children under five go free.
Geronimo Festival
A 50-minute drive away from Liverpool is Arley Hall where you’ll find the family friendly Geronimo Festival.
Taking place on August 26 - 29, the festival includes Children’s entertainment, music, food stalls and camping.
The 2022 lineup is set to be a big one, with Sam and Mark, Bez and Alex winters to name a few.
Whether your kids fancy monster trucks, parkour, a craft workshop or the world’s biggest bouncy castle - Geronimo has it all!
There’s currently a £10 ticket offer on standard day tickets with the four day ticket early bird priced at £60.50.
Find out more information on ticket prices here.
Wirral Food, Drink and Music Festival 2022
The Wirral Food, Drink and Musical Festival is back this year after being rescheduled due to Coronavirus last year.
On September 2-4 families can enjoy the festival at Birkenhead Park with three headline bands, The Coral, Echo and the Bunnymen and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
Enjoy a selection of Wirral’s best produce and delicatessen during the day time, and have a dance in the evening.
Weekend tickets are priced at £81.75, or you can purchase individual tickets for a headliner of choice.
Find out more information on tickets here.
Deva Fest
Deva Fest is perfect for the family, with three days of music, parades, shows, and delicious food and drink.
At Chester Lakes on August 12-14, Deva Fest is a mix of everything crammed into one sunny weekend.
Kick off the opening day with some old school dance anthems from Symphonic Ibiza leading onto Saturday, Pirate Day.
Pirate Day means you can dig out your best pirate gear and dance to Sophie Ellis Bextor and Heather Small.
The final day will see acts such as Scouting for Girls.
Tickets for adult wild woodland camping are priced at £124.50 and it’ll cost £89.50 for children aged 5-17. You can buy them at Ticketmaster.
Neigbourhood Weekender
Head to Victoria Park in Warrington for some fabulous music and an even better atmosphere this May.
On May 28 catch music from headline acts including Courteeners, Kasabian and Blossoms.
As well as raves, gourmet food and drinks stalls and a funfair, there’s plenty to see and do.
You can find tickets from several outlets including Ticketmaster, Gigs and Tours , AXS and See Tickets.
They are priced at £126.50 for the weekend and you can find out about the other ticket outlets here.
Deer Shed
Deer Shed is a family friendly festival for all ages in Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire.
On July 29-31, the festival is described as a ‘cultural event’ with an accessible site for everyone.
Their first music lineup announcement includes Nadine Shah, John Grant, Django Django and many more.
Tickets cost £178.16 for adults 16+ and £73.96 for children aged 11-15.
If your child is two-years-old or under, they get in for free.
You can purchase tickets for Deer Shed here .
Cream Classical
Back this year is Cream Classical on the Waterfront following a successful weekend in 2021.
On Saturday September 17 - 18 at Pier Head, Cream Classic celebrates 30 years of Cream with an amazing 50-piece Kaleidoscope Orchestra, performers and vocalists.
The set list will be curated by K-Klass with a lineup featuring those who were on the decks at the legendary Cream club back in the day.
The global dance brand Cream has staged an extraordinary series of sell-out shows in Liverpool and this festival will be one to remember.
Tickets for the weekend cost £89.99, and day tickets are priced at £50.50 each. You can buy them at Ticketmaster.
Save The Rave
This summer you could enjoy an open air 90’s festival on June 11 at Victoria Park in Southport.
The lineup so far includes Robin S, Julie McKnight, Sonique, Livin’ Joy and many more.
Grab your best tie-dye shirt and expect pop-up gin and prosecco bars, street food trucks, food stalls and giveaways.
Early bird tickets are priced at £33.25 and they’re selling fast.
Lookalike Tribute Festival
Returning to Southport this year on June 12 is the highly anticipated Lookalike Tribute Festival, all outdoors!
This year will be bringing you the infamous Bootleg Beatles, Queen tribute band Majesty, Fleetwood Bac and ABBA Mania.
Head to Victoria Park for plenty of classics and delicious food to match from an array of food trucks.
Great tunes and good food, what more could you want this summer?
Early bird adult discount tickets cost £27.75, find out more information on prices here.
Southport Food & Drink Festival
Feeling hungry? The Southport Food & Drink festival is back once again on June 2 - 5.
Hop on the train from Liverpool and you can be there in 50 minutes for a real foodies paradise.
Try food from different cultures, handmade cheeses, sweet and savoury pies and many more.
With local and musicians for entertainment throughout the day, sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
The best part? Tickets are free! Find out more here.
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