Two of the most vibrant streets in Liverpool – Castle Street and Bold Street – will see a programme of music, food and drink over the next two weekends organised by Liverpool BID Company. Tony McDonough reports

Celebrating Castle Street 2023. Picture by Liverpool BID Company

Liverpool’s Castle Street will come to life with music, food and drink this weekend, followed by Bold Street the following weekend, in a special summer celebration.

Organised by Liverpool BID Company, Celebrating Castle Street will be held this weekend, on Sunday, August 4. Celebrating Bold Street will be held the following Sunday, on August 11.

Both events will run from 11am to 5pm, with both roads closed. Each street will have a dedicated programme of entertainment and activity to mark its distinctive character.

These events will celebrate the breadth of local businesses in the city centre, blending food, drink, entertainment, culture, family fun and more.

As a foodie destination, filled with food and drink venues, close to cultural attractions and historic landmarks, Castle Street’s programme will feature a food and drink hub at Exchange Flags with a chef’s demo stage.

A graffiti art wall with a family friendly zone from Parentfolk outside – soon to open – The Ivy, with a busking spot outside Viva Brazil at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. A second busking spot at Neighbourhood will be at 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm.

Celebrating Castle Street 2023 at Rudy’s Pizza. Picture by Liverpool BID Company

Live street performance will take place throughout the day with the Lollipop Ladies, Be-Talls, Bob and Gerry stilt-walking flowers and Batala Mersey with a drumming spectacular from midday at the top of Castle Street.

Art venture dot-art will hold a special arts workshop at Queen’s Avenue Arcade. This will include two sessions joining a live drawing session to create their own artwork of Castle Street. On the day offers on Castle Street will include:

£7.50 Golden Hour Spritz’ at Fazenda
Two for £14 gin / mixers at Liverpool Gin Distillery
Ox cheek nuggets on Hawksmoor when you dine from August 4 to 10
Two for £12 on on wine, beer and Spritz with olives at Mito
£19.95 Rodizio and Caiprinha at Viva Brazil
Live music and bottomless brunch at Castle Street Townhouse
Cosmic Oyster pop-up bar from The Alchemist

On Bold Street the following weekend, Parentfolk will hold storytelling sessions and art classes outside Tesco from 11am.

Opposite, on FACT corner there will be Ukulele, yoga and sound bath workshops. Silent Adventures will hold 20 minute tours and silent discos through the street all day. There will be an Artist Wall outside the former Rennies storefront.

Celebrating Bold Street 2023. Picture by Liverpool BID Company

There will be two busking slots, opposite Albert Schloss and at the top of Bold Street opposite Rudy’s. They will have live performances of music and spoken word at 11am, 12.30pm, 1pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm and 3.30pm.

Live street performers will animate the street including Flamingos, Stilt Walkers with a Flash Mob at 2.15pm. The Albert Schloss Marching Band will perform three times at 2.45pm, 3.15pm and 4pm. On the day offers and activities on Bold Street will include:

Takeaway pittas and sides from Maray
Double chocolate fountain at Haute Dolci
Food tasters and demos at Mattas
Spin the pizza wheel at Pizza Punks
Create your own crepe paper flowers at Sostrene Greene
Pots of tea at Leaf for £2.50
20% off all food and free henna at Bundobust

Click here to see the full programme for both events

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “It is a packed programme across two Sundays that will showcase the very best these historic streets have to offer.

READ MORE: Pride in Liverpool beats attendance records

READ MORE: Appeal launched after Southport stabbing tragedy

“Each is filled with independent businesses who bring so much culture and character to our city centre.

“We have also just announced a new Waterfront event which will be held at the end of the month and will give us a whole summer of free celebration across the city”.

Follow @CastleStreetOfficial and @BoldStreetOfficial to stay up to date.