Celebrate 25 Years of Albert Dock with a Summer Programme of Spectacular Events
Albert Dock, Liverpool’s most visited free tourist attraction and a jewel in the city’s cultural crown, will celebrate a landmark 25 years of regeneration this year with a jam-packed summer programme of events.
At the heart of the exciting schedule will be the birthday celebration (May 31-June 2), when the Dock invites you to join in a weekend of free, family fun and entertainment, with street theatre, choirs, face painting, live music and special “kids go free” dining offers across the Dock.
Other summer highlights at the Dock include the annual Liverpool Pirate Festival (July 20-21), which has become a firm favourite with pirate-clad visitors who flock to witness the spectacular live action battles complete with cannon fire, swashbuckling sword fights, and drama on the high seas; while Albert Dock will be holding core elements of the city-wide Mersey River Festival (June 7-9) and Liverpool International Music Festival (August 24-25), making 2013 one of the Dock’s busiest years to date.
The Dock will also be at the centre of the very final national Battle of the Atlantic commemoration, this year taking place in Liverpool from May 24-28.
Jeremy Roberts, chairman of the Albert Dock Tenants Business Association, said: “Every year our summer events programme expands, testimony to the unparalleled popularity of this incredible waterfront destination, and that trend looks set to continue throughout 2013. To mark 25 years of regeneration at Albert Dock, we thought there was no better way to celebrate than to offer a host of free and fantastic family activities and animation across the Dock.
“The Dock will also play a huge part in Liverpool’s wider event programme as we commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, the Mersey River Festival and Liverpool International Music Festival in August.”
Marking the momentous day it rose from the ashes back in 1988, Albert Dock will more than live up to its reputation as a family-friendly destination with loads of free-to-attend activities for all ages. During the birthday weekend The Beatles Story will be running free family workshops, while kids will get free entry when accompanied by a paying adult to see this world class and award-winning visitor attraction; Tate Liverpool will be drawing on its own silver anniversary to let children get creative in a special workshop running from May 27; a free event programme will entertain your little sailors over at the Merseyside Maritime Museum; while the Yellow Duckmarine will be giving away a free rubber duck to every child on its popular city tour.
For food and drink, the birthday treats don’t end there! What’s Cooking?, PanAm Bar and Restaurant and the Blue Bar and Grill will be offering a “kids eat free” deal, while Gusto will offer a free, kids-friendly “Bambini Bellini” cocktail with every meal on the children’s menu. And for those with a sweet tooth, the Dock’s popular sweet shop, Quay Confectionery, will be giving away a free lollipop to every child.
Likewise, Tate Liverpool is itself celebrating its quarter-century and has a host of exciting activities planned for visitors to Albert Dock. From Friday, May 17 – Monday, May 27, the Wolfson Gallery will be transformed with a display reflecting on 25 years of success at Tate Liverpool. Memorabilia from past exhibitions will be displayed chronologically alongside memories and birthday messages from artists, staff, visitors and famous friends.
From Monday, May 27 – Sunday, June 2 (1.30-4.30pm) the celebrations continue with Shine On in the Art Dock Studio – a fun, family activity suitable for all ages. Join artist Fiona Smith and prepare to be dazzled as you explore a selection of shiny, silvery materials to create your own sculpture to celebrate Tate Liverpool’s silver anniversary.
Tate Liverpool will also be presenting Chagall: Modern Master from June 8 – October 6, a major retrospective of the work of one of the twentieth century’s most beloved artists.
Celebrating 25 years: Albert Dock – Making History.
For more information on all the upcoming events, please visit www.albertdock.com.
