It’s shaping up to be a busy summer for National Museums Liverpool

This article was first published by Conference News.

National Museums Liverpool is marking its 40th anniversary with a summer programme of events across its sites in July and August 2026.

The headline offering is Summer of Sound at the Museum of Liverpool, run in partnership with The Cavern Club. Saturday evening gigs feature Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, The Quarrymen & Friends and Ian Prowse and the Monday Club, alongside emerging act Stone. At World Museum, a Dino Takeover runs every Wednesday and Thursday throughout July and August, with life-like dinosaur puppets, storytelling and meet-and-greets aimed at younger visitors.

The full summer programme across all sites includes:

  • Summer of Sound — Museum of Liverpool. Saturday evening gigs, Friday musical bingo with Tom Kelly, and Museum Sessions Live on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Artist submissions now open.
  • Dino Takeover — World Museum. Dinosaur puppets, storytelling and meet-and-greets every Wednesday and Thursday, July and August.
  • Ancient Egypt course — World Museum. Six-week course beginning 2 August, covering gallery tours, object handling and sessions with Egyptology specialists.
  • May Morris: Crafting a Legacy — Lady Lever Art Gallery, until 1 November. After-hours craft sessions and a makers market tied to the exhibition.
  • Gender Stories — Walker Art Gallery, until 31 August. Exhibition co-created by National Museums Liverpool exploring gender across time and culture.
  • John Akomfrah: Listening All Night To The Rain — Walker Art Gallery, until 31 August. Multi-channel video installation originally commissioned for the British Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
  • Bug hunts — World Museum. Throughout August, wildlife hunts in the Wildflower Meadow.
  • Life drawing sessions — Sudley House (11 July, 15 August), World Museum (11 July, 15 August), Lady Lever Art Gallery (22 July). Tickets £15.
  • Beyond the Label talks — across all sites monthly. Curator-led talks covering French Impressionism, archaeological ceramics, Victorian science and more. Tickets £7, free for members.
  • Old Dock Tour — below Liverpool ONE. Guided tours of the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock, built 1715. Tickets £15, free for members.
  • Slavery Remembrance Day — 17–23 August, culminating in the annual Walk of Remembrance through Liverpool city centre.
  • A Season of Song — Sudley House. Performances from Liverpool Chamber Choir, The Night Shift, Malarkey Ukelele Band and others throughout summer.

Full details at liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.