Luckily, being the shortest month of the year means we could be that bit closer to seeing more daylight (if it’s isn’t cloudy or rainy, that is). But don’t dismiss the month ahead so soon as it doesn’t have to be doom and gloom in February, or all about love, as there are wide selection of events and activities to enjoy. Here to help get your February off to a flying start, we’ve rounded up some of the most fun-filled things to do this month.
1. Grab your coat and head out for a walk
It might be cold out but wrap up warm and get yourself outside for a bit of fresh air. You’ll be thankful for it later on and it’s an excuse to have another hot brew when you get in. Even if you stretch your legs for around 20 minutes, it’ll make a change from the same old scenery at home. The city has a range of parks, gardens and woodland areas to stroll around and they say being surrounded by nature allows us to switch off and be more grounded, which is just the trick most of us need right now. Check out these woodland walks near Liverpool.
2. Listen to romantic classical music at this special Valentine’s candlelight concert
Whether you’re looking for a beautifully romantic getaway for you and your partner or a unique classical concert, this show on February 14 at the stunning Palm House in Sefton Park featuring romantic classical favourites is for you. You don’t need to know all things classical music to enjoy this candlelight concert; simply sit back and savour the stunning pieces written by top-class composers. We can’t think of many other romantic things than a night at one of Liverpool’s most breathtaking buildings where the flickering candlelight will be reflected off of the glass walls to create a magical atmosphere. Book your tickets for this dreamy evening here.
3. Celebrate Mardi Gras at this immersive Bongo’s Bingo show
Bongo’s Bingo are bringing an electrifying one-off Mardi Gras show to Liverpool on February 3 in partnership with Southern Comfort. Mardi Gras is the annual wild fusion of music, dancing and happiness, the scintillating climax of vibrant New Orleans – aka NOLA – street parties and celebrations which create the biggest show on earth. Southern Comfort’s unique take on the NOLA celebrations will see party-goers invited into a vibrant Mardi Gras world at Content in Cain’s Brewery Village. Immersive performances will create unexpected interactions peppered throughout the evening, inspiring guests to come together, let go, play bingo and ultimately have lots of fun.
4. Spruce up your space with a little decorating
Why not start the spring cleaning early? With us all spending more time at home, why not transform your space into a cosy area free of clutter? This doesn’t mean you need to give the walls a lick of paint but instead organise items in terms of priority and hoover up those crumbs on the carpet. You could potentially hang some artwork up to give the place a pop of colour or even invest in some gorgeous candles or lovely houseplants which help to improve the smell and air quality of your home. You can find some of the best plant shops in Liverpool here, some of which have online shops and offer delivery.
5. See Disney classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks head to the stage of Liverpool Empire
Before there was the magic of Frozen, there was Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Originally released in 1971, the charming movie followed three children who are sent to live with an apprentice witch, who, with the help of a magical conman, embark on a mission (flying bed included) to find an enchanted bedknob that could help end the war. Sounds utterly bonkers, huh? Well, all the best stories are. And now, the wholesome adventure is coming to the stage, heading to Liverpool Empire between February 22-26.
6. Visit the Museum of Liverpool for these LGBT+ History Month events
This February, National Museums Liverpool (NML) are marking LGBT+ History Month with a range of events, activities and new online content – exploring the untold stories of LGBT+ people across the Liverpool City Region and beyond. With events ranging from a panel discussion exploring religion and LGBT+ lives, to interactive story time sessions for families with the fabulous Mama G, National Museums Liverpool aim to highlight key issues and stories from across the LGBT+ community. The LGBT+ Histories hub on the NML website also gives visitors the chance to delve into insightful interviews, opinion pieces, art history and hidden stories.
7. Indulge in delicious desserts as part of LEAF’s Valentine’s special Pudding Club
Liverpool restaurant LEAF has recently re-launched it’s Pudding Club but this month they have a very special one, by celebrating their love of the sweet stuff with not just for one or two courses, but five! All of LEAF’s puddings are homemade, and it wouldn’t be a LEAF Pud Club without it being topped off with a perfectly taste-matched cup of tea. This seasonal pudding special will run alongside the restaurant’s month long celebration – All About Love. So bring your friend, partner or just yourself for that well deserved treat. The Pudding Club will run on February 15 at Smithdown Road, February 16 at West Kirby and February 17 at Bold Street.
8. Take part in this online lecture exploring the history of Black British heritage
This exploratory online lecture as part of the Hidden Histories series, will shine the spotlight on some of the incredible, overlooked heroes and heroines of Black British history. The lecture on February 17 will explore the fascinating stories and achievements of figures who have been forgotten or played down throughout the ages, despite their valuable contributions. You can build on what you may have learned from part one of the series, but everyone is welcome to join whether they have prior knowledge or not. Book your tickets to this insightful lecture here.
9. Get on your bike and cycle around these nearby parks
If you’re fed up of walking and want to get about a bit further in less time then hop on a bike and get pedalling. The city has some amazing cycle routes, including bicycle lanes in local parks and gardens, which allow you to see some beautiful sights even in the February frost. You can find some of Liverpool’s best parks, gardens and nature reserves here.
10. Be dazzled by this immersive art installation at Liverpool Cathedral
An immersive art installation, known as ‘Space, The Universe and Everything’, is set to transform the inside of Liverpool Cathedral with an unbelievable display of lights, projections and sound, allowing visitors to be surrounded by the awe-inspiring wonders of the universe. Better yet, the breathtaking installation will come to life after dark as the stunning Gothic architecture of Liverpool Cathedral becomes a canvas for an incredible exploration of space and the universe, with a spectacular son-et-lumière performance taking place every evening. The art installation will run from February 18 to 27 with shows starting every 15 minutes between 6 pm – 8 pm.
11. Join the big Liverpool Cheese Crawl for Edam Gouda day out
Forget bar crawls it’s all about the cheese crawl in 2022. Join The Liverpool Cheese Crawl for two and a half hours of non-stop cheese: from swanky blue cheese and gooey grilled cheeses, to cheesy jokes and interactive cheese-themed quizzes and competitions. Starting at the Royal Court Theatre, you’ll be guided to some of Liverpool’s finest cheeses, before you and your cheese-loving gang crawl your way down to the harbourside, scoffing everything from local, award-winning cheese to continental classics. Get your tickets to the Liverpool Cheese Crawl here.
12. Transform a broken object into something beautiful in this online art workshop
Bring your broken porcelain and join Azumi Uchitani in this healing online workshop exploring the traditional art of Kintsugi on February 9. Originating from Japan, Kintsugi was invented when artisans began using gold pigment to put shattered vessels back together. Be guided step by step to transform what was once broken into an object more beautiful than ever by applying gold and silver dust glue to the broken elements to create a striking network of shining scars. After this session, you will not only have your broken object transformed but you will also feel the healing effects of embracing the imperfect. Book your tickets to this online workshop here.
13. Celebrate The Year of the Tiger with these Chinese New Year events
This year, the city of Liverpool will be able to celebrate Europe’s oldest Chinese community in person once again by bringing together traditional celebrations and combining them with brand new, free commissions. Culture Liverpool has commissioned all of the new pieces of work to complement the free traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, which includes dragon, unicorn and Lucky Man parades, firecracker displays, 3D projections, family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, a small fairground, live music, new artwork and food stalls. Building up to the main day of activity on February 6, 11am-5.30pm, thousands of Chinese lanterns will adorn the city centre streets, and from January 30 a number of buildings will be illuminated in red in honour of the new year – signifying good fortune and joy to everyone.
14. Check out these giant inflatable sculptures in the Bluecoat’s courtyard
The Bluecoat’s famous courtyard will soon be home to OK! Cherub!, a group of new artworks by artist Bruce Asbestos, which includes three giant inflatable sculptures: a yellow worm, a collection of frogspawn and a giant arm. 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. The work, which will be in the courtyard from February 18, has been developed in response to the Bluecoat‘s historic building and courtyard, particularly the architectural features such as the cherubs that adorn the façade.
15. Enjoy a candlelit evening featuring music by one of the most iconic partnerships in jazz
What A Wonderful World it would be if we were surrounded by candles and listening to jazz music… oh, wait, you can be! St George’s Hall will be transformed into a jazz club for an evening of music inspired by iconic stars Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. The Swan Song Collective will perform the duo’s well-known hits at two separate 90-minute shows on the evening of February 26. You can purchase tickets here.