Albert Dock Liverpool – the most-visited free tourist attraction in the North West – has unveiled an exciting spring/summer programme of events for 2015 coming into blossom during Easter break with an egg basket full of free, family entertainment.
Over three weekends (March 28 and 29 / April 3, 4, 5 and 6 / April 11 and 12), Albert Dock will celebrate Easter. Come and meet adorable ducklings, chicks and rabbits in the mini-farm in Anchor Courtyard (April 4 only). Make and decorate your own yummy chocolate in some seriously, sticky fun workshops (April 5 and 6). Be amazed by Mr Barnard and his Victorian circus workshop (April 3). And be greeted by a colourful troop of characters who will entertain and enlighten visitors young and old, including the mischievous Bread and Butter topiary bushes, the giant Chic Eggs on legs, Jerry the Gerbera and Bob the butterfly, and other spring-inspired performers who will be giving away fantastic prizes and flowers to guests.
The Easter holidays will also see the return of the legendary Albert Dock Easter egg hunt (April 5 and 6), plus face painting, morris dancers and Easter crafts, while the Dock’s bars and restaurants will be enticing visitors with Easter specials and Tate Liverpool and the Beatles Story will be holding family workshops throughout the holiday.
The Easter extravaganza kicks-starts a monumental and jam-packed summer of special events at Albert Dock. Tate Liverpool will showcase the works of one of the most influential and provocative American artists of the twentieth century in its new exhibition – Jackson Pollock: Blind Spots (from June 30 to October 18); while the Beatles Story will celebrate 25 wonderful years at Albert Dock on May 1. All this as well as continued free activity at Merseyside Maritime Museum, such as the ever-popular, Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story exhibition, and new exhibition, Lusitania: life, loss, legacy (from March 27), which marks the centenary of the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 2015.
Also to look forward to will be the triumphant return of Red Bull Harbour Reach (July 25), as well as the International Mersey River Festival (June 5-7), including the first ever Northern Boat Show. Albert Dock will also play a huge role in the One Magnificent City (OMC) celebration – a landmark seven week programme of events (from May 15) marking 175 years of Cunard and the city’s unique maritime links with America, including Vintage on the Dock (July 4 and 5).
Peter Cronin, director of development and marketing for Albert Dock Liverpool, said:
“Easter traditionally signals the start of Albert Dock’s spring/summer season – and this year we have all the ingredients for a brilliant day out for the whole family during the spring break. We’ve got animals, chocolate-making and colourful characters to make Albert Dock the place to be this Easter.
“Looking further ahead through the year’s event schedule, 2015 is shaping up to be one of our busiest to date, and we look forward to welcoming Tate Liverpool’s new exhibition – Jackson Pollock: Blind Spots – as well as celebrating the landmark 25th anniversary of the Beatles Story at Albert Dock.
“One Magnificent City, International Mersey River Festival, Northern Boat Show and Red Bull Harbour Reach will put Albert Dock at the very heart of the city’s event calendar, and we will work hard with our city and waterfront partners to make 2015 an unforgettable year for our visitors.”
Highlights of 2015:-
Merseyside Maritime Museum – Lusitania: life, loss, legacy (from March 27)
This new exhibition will open on March 27 on the first floor of the museum, to mark the centenary of the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 2015. As well as the story of the Lusitania, the displays will consider the role of Liverpool’s liners in the First World War.
Free Easter entertainment (March 28 and 29 / April 3, 4, 5 and 6 / April 11 and 12)
Taking place around Albert Dock from 12-4pm each day. Please note that not all elements are taking place every day. Please see Albert Dock website for full schedule and times.
Silver Beatles: 25 Years of the Beatles Story (May 1)
Celebrate the silver anniversary of one of Albert Dock’s most popular attractions, including the culmination of the Beatles Story’s search for the ultimate fab four fan. More details to be announced.
One Magnificent City (from May 15)
Albert Dock will be at the heart of a seven-week celebration of Liverpool, its transatlantic links, and the Cunard line’s 175th anniversary.
- Three Queens (May 24-26) Grab the best seats in town at Albert Dock to witness the arrival of the three Cunard Queens (Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth) to the Mersey. Bank Holiday Monday (May 25) will see all three ships in the river at the same time.
- International Mersey River Festival / Northern Boat Show (June 5-7) From tall ships to live music and street performances, this world-class event returns to the Liverpool waterfront, with Albert Dock lying at its heart. The inaugural Northern Boat Show will host around 150 exhibitors and 60 boats, attracting an estimated 25,000 visitors.
- Rock n Roll Marathon (June 14) Under starter’s orders at Albert Dock.
- Transatlantic 175 (T175) (July 4-5) A packed weekend of ships, fashion, art, music, film and food, as Queen Mary 2 sets sail to America from the city recreating the original voyage of Britannia back in 1840. Renowned designer, Wayne Hemingway, will mark the occasion with a unique and exciting festival at Albert Dock – Vintage on the Dock – celebrating the cultural exchange between Liverpool and America. Albert Dock will also stage a magnificent “all marque”display of the finest classic cars, modern supercars, competition cars, classic bikes and scooters, showcasing the best in automotive history and evoking the halcyon days of British motoring. Full details can be found at www.onemagnificentcity.co.uk
Tate Liverpool – Jackson Pollock: Blind Spots (June 30-October 18) The new exhibition that brings together the most significant showing of this widely debated body of work in a public institution since 1980. Pollock is widely considered to be one of the most influential and provocative American artists of the twentieth century.
Red Bull Harbour Reach (July 27) One of the world’s most talked about wakeboarding events returns to Albert Dock for the third year running. Let the world’s top wakeboarders wow you as they reach for new heights.
For more information on all upcoming events at Albert Dock, please visit http://www.albertdock.com/.
