As we all now know, the UK city of Liverpool will play host to Eurovision 2023 on behalf of last year's winning country Ukraine.
Liverpool is a seaport city located on the river Mersey in north-west England. It has a population of around 500,000 and lies within the county of Merseyside.
It also has its own international airport (John Lennon Airport) and is very accessible by rail from London and other major cities across the United Kingdom.
Liverpool is a fascinating city with loads to do, so let's have a look at some of the great attractions you can check out whilst in Liverpool for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest!
Royal Albert Dock
Originally the base for Liverpool's trading ships, the Royal Albert Dock has undergone a huge facelift in recent years and is now listed as Liverpool's number one attraction on TripAdvisor. The Royal Albert Dock is home to many shops and restaurants as well as other attractions including museums, and it retains many of the original structures from its industrial past.
If you are looking for a bite to eat, or just a place to spend a little time, the Royal Albert Dock has you sorted. The Dock is located next to the M&S Arena, so it is sure to become a buzzing hub before the shows! Royal Albert Dock will also be hosting events for Eurovision fans covering anything from art, live acts, pop-ups and Ukrainian food and drinks.
The Beatles
Liverpool is the birthplace of the Beatles and there is plenty to see if you are a fan of the Fab Four. The Liverpool Beatles Museum has an impressive range of memorabilia on display (over 1,000 items!), and if you are still craving Beatles action after visiting, you can check out The Beatles Story, which takes you on an immersive journey through the Beatles' history, using recreations of locations important to the Beatles.
You can also visit the Beatles statue which is located at Pier Head and there are several tour companies that specialise in all things Beatles.
British Music Experience museum
The British Music Experience is a permanent exhibition that showcases the incredible history of the British music industry, covering anything from David Bowie to the Spice Girls. This is a must for the music lover!
This fascinating museum is sure to have something for everyone, and includes displays from 1945 up to the present day. Its collection includes costumes, musical instruments and memorabilia, as well as interactive displays which invited visitors to dance and play instruments.
The Baltic Market
The Baltic Market is a food lovers' paradise. From pizza to Thai food, this street food market has you covered.
You can also enjoy a drink at one of the bars, soaking up the atmosphere in the market's picnic table-style seating areas. Located in a redeveloped industrial site, the Baltic Market is within walking distance to the M&S Bank Arena and conveniently located opposite the EuroClub venue 'Camp and Furnace' (see below for more information on EuroClub).
What better place to fuel your body before one of the shows. This place is sure to be popular! NOM!
Museums and art galleries
Did you know that Liverpool is second only to London in the UK in terms of the number of art galleries and museums? There is a plethora to choose from and some are free to visit.
There is sure to be something to suit everyone, with options including (but not limited to): the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Museum of Liverpool (focusing on the history of Liverpool), the Walker Art Gallery, the World Museum (natural history), the Tate Liverpool and the Quirky Quarter (a fun, interactive museum designed to give your brain a workout). There are also several sports-related museums to visit if that is your thing, especially Anfield Stadium and Goodison Park (the homes of Liverpool FC and Everton FC respectively).
River Mersey
The River Mersey functioned as a bustling sea route to/from Liverpool during the Industrial Revolution, but these days the Mersey is a little more chilled out. Why not head down to the water and catch your first glimpse of the M&S Arena - the venue for Eurovision 2023 - from aboard a vessel on the river?
Several tour companies offer boat trips along and across the river that provide a great view of the city skyline. One company (Mersey Ferries) even has a week-long schedule of festivities planned on the water for fans, with themed cruises showcasing ABBA and other Eurovision icons (one night - 'Ooh Aah, Just a Little Bit of Eurovision' - is named after Australia's own Gina G!), as well as drag shows and a live viewing party on the night of the Grand Final.
Mathew Street
No visit to Liverpool is complete without at least a stroll up the famous thoroughfare of Mathew Street. Lined with bars and pubs, why not grab a pint here and soak up the atmosphere as you sit back and people watch?
You can also get a hearty feed in one of the many establishments, as well as take in some live music.
The venues on Mathew Street have been attracting musicians since the 1950s and include perhaps Liverpool's most famous live music mecca, The Cavern, which played host to the Beatles' debut live show in 1961. Statues and tributes to other artists hailing from the area can also be found along the length of the street.
Liverpool Cathedral
As the largest cathedral in the United Kingdom, and the eight largest church in the world, Liverpool Cathedral might just be worth a visit to check out its sheer grandeur. Construction started in 1901 but was not fully completed until the 1970s.
The building is 188.7 metres in length and the tower is just over 100 metres in height, making it one of the tallest bell towers in the world. For £6 you can climb to the top and get a good 360-degree view of the city.
The cathedral's pipe organ is also one of the largest musical instruments in the world and certainly the largest of its type in the United Kingdom. Also, if you are a fan of stained glass, this may be the place for you. The cathedral is open to visitors every day with no entrance fee (although a donation is welcomed).
A trip to explore the countryside
England is known to have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, so if you have a spare day in your itinerary, why not hire a car and go and explore the Chesire, Lancashire or Yorkshire countryside.
For instance, the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park are just over an hour and a half away and can be explored by car, bike or on foot. There are multiple routes available that wind through pretty villages and farming communities and over towering peaks. If you enjoy a hike, there is a network of 900 kilometres and 60 short trails from which you can take in the incredible scenery.
Eurovision Village
Pier Head is a large, open space along the waterfront and is the location for the 2023 Eurovision Village. If you were not lucky enough to score a ticket to the event you wanted, this is one of the many options that you can keep up your sleeve. What better way to enjoy Eurovision than with 25,000 of your closest friends?!
Pier Head is just a five-minute walk away from M&S Arena and access to the Eurovision Village is free to everyone except for the Grand Final broadcast on the Saturday night (tickets will cost £15). Open from 1 pm each day, you will be able to experience live performances from musicians, as well as live viewings of the shows. The names of the artists performing will undoubtedly be released closer to the event, so keep your eyes peeled for further information - the atmosphere is sure to be electric!
EuroClub
Liverpool is putting on one hell of a show, and this includes some big names who will be performing at EuroClub 2023. Held between 5 and 13 May, fans can gather to party and dance to their favourite Eurovision songs! Held at Camp and Furnace (67 Greenland Street), this is the official party venue for fans. OGAE United Kingdom and OGAE Ukraine are working together to bring you best acts and DJs.
The acts confirmed so far include: Jedward, Conchita Wurst, KEiiNO, Charlotte Perrelli, Joker Out and SuRie. You can try to grab any remaining tickets here: euroclub2023.co.uk
If you are unable to get tickets to EuroClub, the EUROfansCLUB is another option. Held at Fusion (17 Fleet Street) between from 8 to 13 May, a host of great acts will perform over six different nights (including at the Wiwi Jam events). You can literally party until the club closes at 6am. The acts so far confirmed are Destiny, Kate Ryan, The Roop and Rasmussen.
City of Liverpool events across multiple locations
Liverpool is really pulling out all stops this year to celebrate the greatest music show on earth. The theme of this year's Contest - "United by Music" - has truly been embraced by the city of Liverpool.
EuroFestival is a collaboration between artists from Ukraine and the UK that will celebrate the arts at 24 locations across the city, showcasing everything from the visual arts, documentary and filmmaking, dance, drag and more. 2016 Eurovision Song Contest winner Jamala will be taking part in these celebrations.
Concert Square is also set to host three weekends of live music and entertainment. Performances will focus on past Eurovision entries and entrants and - of course - feature an ABBA tribute band. Admission is free. You can find more information here.
Businesses across the city are also getting involved. Check out the video below for just a taste of what will be on offer from the host city!
Eurovision Song Contest 2023 - M&S Arena
M&S Arena is the host venue for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. While tickets may be sold out, there are many places across the city to view the shows. If you do not have a ticket, it will still be fun to head down to waterside to view the spectacle and fun that Eurovision fans bring to this event. Afternoon previews are timed for 1.30 pm, with the live and other evening shows commencing at 8pm.
The arena will host the following events over the Eurovision week:
Semi-Final 1
Monday, May 8 - evening preview
Tuesday, May 9 - afternoon preview
Tuesday, May 9 - live show
Semi-Final 2
Wednesday, May 10 - evening preview
Thursday, May 11 - afternoon preview
Thursday, May 11 - live show
Grand Final
Friday, May 12 - evening preview
Saturday, May 13 - afternoon preview
Saturday, May 13 - live show
And to those travelling to the city, have a great time and maybe we'll see you there!
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