October is one of those months when Liverpool seems to find another gear.
The theatres are firmly into their autumn seasons, major concerts return to the waterfront and the darker evenings bring everything from illuminated trails and orchestral performances to cosy cultural events and half-term days out.
And, of course, Halloween is waiting at the end of the month.
While there are plenty of pumpkins and spooky happenings to enjoy, October in Liverpool certainly isn’t all about Halloween. This year brings major musicals, ballet, comedy, live music, Comic Con, family theatre, sporting firsts and some wonderful autumn events within easy reach of the city.
Whether you’re looking for something to do with the children, planning an evening at the theatre or simply searching for an excuse to get out this autumn, these are some of the best things happening in Liverpool and the surrounding region during October 2026.
CBeebies Panto: Treasure Island at Liverpool Empire
3 to 4 October
October begins with something for Liverpool’s youngest theatre-goers as the CBeebies Panto arrives at the Empire.
This year’s production takes families to Treasure Island, bringing familiar CBeebies faces together for a colourful introduction to live theatre.
The Liverpool performances are currently listed as sold out, but it is worth checking for ticket returns closer to the date.
James Lavelle at Future Yard
3 October
Cross the Mersey to Birkenhead for a DJ set from one of British electronic music’s most influential figures.
UNKLE founder and Mo’Wax creator James Lavelle comes to Future Yard on Saturday 3 October, drawing on three decades at the forefront of club culture, production and musical curation.
It is a strong addition to October’s independent live-music calendar and a good excuse to explore Future Yard if you haven’t visited before.
Macbeth Dinner, Theatre & Overnight Stay at Knowsley Hall
3 October
For one of October’s more unusual nights out, Knowsley Hall is combining dinner, Shakespeare and a luxury overnight stay.
The evening begins with a three-course dinner in Knowsley Hall’s magnificent State Dining Room before guests are chauffeured to Shakespeare North Playhouse for the closing night of Macbeth.
After the performance, guests return to Knowsley Hall for an overnight stay.
With a historic country house, candlelit dinner and one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays, it feels particularly suited to the arrival of October.
Liverpool Basketball’s Historic First Home Game
4 October
A little piece of Liverpool sporting history takes place at M&S Bank Arena on Sunday 4 October.
Liverpool Basketball plays its first Super League Basketball home game, facing Manchester Basketball in an immediate North West rivalry.
For families who normally default to football, this could be a brilliant opportunity to experience something entirely different.
Mosh Tots at Future Yard
4 and 18 October
Live music with small children needn’t mean finding a babysitter.
Future Yard’s Mosh Tots gives children and their grown-ups a proper gig experience in a family-friendly setting. Two October sessions are scheduled for 4 and 18 October.
It is one of the more original Sunday activities around Liverpool City Region, particularly for parents who would rather introduce their children to a live music venue than another soft play.
Alison Moyet at Liverpool Empire
5 October
Alison Moyet takes to the Liverpool Empire stage on Monday 5 October.
The celebrated singer has enjoyed a career stretching from her early success with Yazoo through an extensive solo catalogue, making this one of the month’s standout bookings for long-standing fans.
The Liverpool date is currently listed as sold out, although ticket returns may become available.
Lord of the Dance: 30th Anniversary
6 to 10 October
Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance celebrates its 30th anniversary with a run at Liverpool Empire.
Expect extraordinary footwork, theatrical staging and the Irish dance that helped turn the production into an international phenomenon.
Performances run from Tuesday 6 until Saturday 10 October.
The Haunting by Moonlight at Knowsley Hall
10 October
One of the more sophisticated Halloween events taking place around Liverpool this October can be found inside historic Knowsley Hall.
The Haunting by Moonlight is an immersive murder mystery staged over drinks and a three-course dinner inside the ancestral home of the Earls of Derby.
Guests follow a story involving a murder said to have taken place in the very dining room in which they are sitting, deciphering clues as the evening unfolds.
It promises an atmospheric alternative to the traditional Halloween party.
Comic Con Liverpool
10 to 11 October
One of the biggest pop-culture events in the city returns to Liverpool’s waterfront.
Comic Con Liverpool takes over M&S Bank Arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 10 and 11 October, bringing together the worlds of film, television, anime and gaming.
Expect celebrity guests, cosplay, panels, gaming areas, traders and thousands of visitors arriving in increasingly elaborate costumes.
Even if you aren’t committed enough to arrive dressed as your favourite character, there is an enormous amount to see.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) at Liverpool Playhouse
13 to 17 October
Jane Austen receives a gloriously unconventional makeover when Pride & Prejudice (sort of) arrives at Liverpool Playhouse.
The production reimagines one of literature’s most famous romances with comedy, music and a decidedly modern sense of humour.
Performances run from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 October.
English National Ballet: Romeo & Juliet
15 to 17 October
For something altogether more classical, English National Ballet brings Romeo & Juliet to Liverpool Empire.
Shakespeare’s tragedy is retold through ballet across three days, offering a beautiful contrast to the musicals, comedy and live music filling the rest of October’s calendar.
Professor Brian Cox: Emergence
16 October
Professor Brian Cox returns to the arena stage with his new world tour, Emergence.
Following the success of his previous live productions, the physicist brings another ambitious show exploring the universe and our place within it to M&S Bank Arena on Friday 16 October.
Expect spectacular visuals alongside some suitably enormous questions about space, science and existence.
Mean Girls at Liverpool Empire
19 to 31 October
Get in loser, we’re going to the Empire.
The West End musical adaptation of Mean Girls arrives in Liverpool for almost two weeks from 19 October.
Tina Fey’s story is brought to the stage through sharp comedy, big musical numbers and, naturally, plenty of Plastics.
With performances continuing through October half-term, this could be a particularly good choice for families with older children and teenagers.
Present Laughter at Liverpool Playhouse
20 to 24 October
Noël Coward’s Present Laughter comes to Liverpool Playhouse for five days in October.
The production provides another strong theatre option for those looking beyond the larger musicals at the Empire and is particularly well suited to an autumn evening in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter.
The Music of Tim Burton, Danny Elfman & Beyond at St George’s Hall
The Music of Tim Burton, Danny Elfman & Beyond at St George’s Hall23 and 28 October
This might be one of our favourite October finds.
St George’s Hall provides an appropriately magnificent setting for a live orchestra performing music associated with the fantastical worlds of Tim Burton, Danny Elfman and beyond.
The programme includes music from films such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Batman, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Alice in Wonderland.
The combination of dramatic film scores and one of Liverpool’s grandest interiors feels made for an October evening.
Performances take place on 23 and 28 October.
Duran Duran at M&S Bank Arena
23 October
Duran Duran brings another major arena night to Liverpool on Friday 23 October.
The legendary British band performs at M&S Bank Arena as part of its 2026 live schedule, adding another sizeable music booking to the waterfront calendar.
Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World
From 24 October
One of the North West’s most spectacular illuminated trails returns to Warrington just in time for October half-term.
Land of Lights opens at Gulliver’s World on 24 October and continues through the autumn and winter.
The mile-long trail takes visitors through a series of illuminated dreamworlds filled with lanterns, dinosaurs, music, food and plenty of opportunities for photographs.
It is suitable for different generations, making this one of the stronger October half-term options if you want an evening activity that adults can enjoy just as much as children.
Steve Backshall’s Deadly Live
24 October
Families with animal lovers should add this one to the diary.
Steve Backshall brings Deadly Live to M&S Bank Arena on Saturday 24 October, combining wildlife, science, daring stunts and live entertainment.
Its timing at the beginning of the October half-term period makes it particularly useful for families searching for something special to do during the school break.
The UK Drum Show
24 to 25 October
Exhibition Centre Liverpool welcomes drummers, percussionists and music fans for The UK Drum Show.
The weekend brings together major instrument brands, product launches, artist performances and opportunities to see some exceptionally talented musicians in action.
The show takes place across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October.
Ceramic Pumpkin Painting Around Liverpool
Throughout October
For a gentler autumn activity, Pots of Magic is taking its ceramic pumpkin-painting workshops around Liverpool and the surrounding region.
October dates include workshops at Ormskirk Market, MeCycle in Ainsdale, Southport Market, Pickled Olive in Woolton, Rainford Village, Parbold, Rainhill and Queens Road Social in Formby.
Rather than carving a pumpkin that lasts for a few days, you can decorate a ceramic version that can return to the mantelpiece every autumn.
Some dates are already selling out, so advance booking is advisable.
Hansel & Gretel at Croxteth Hall
28 October
Croxteth Hall welcomes Hansel and Gretel for a magical half-term theatre experience on Wednesday 28 October.
Two performers bring the famous tale to life through original music, puppetry and storytelling in a short family performance.
With the historic surroundings of Croxteth Hall adding to the atmosphere, it makes a lovely October half-term outing for younger children.
American Superslam Wrestling at St George’s Hall
29 October
From orchestral film music to wrestling in less than a week, St George’s Hall certainly isn’t having a quiet October.
American Superslam Wrestling arrives on Thursday 29 October, bringing a live evening of high-flying wrestling and arena-style entertainment to the historic hall.
It is another useful half-term option for families with older children who have little interest in traditional Halloween activities.
Dinners of Diplomacy at Knowsley Hall
29 October
Not everything at the end of October needs to involve ghosts.
Knowsley Hall hosts Dinners of Diplomacy: Dialogue, Not Division on 29 October, with the Countess of Derby leading an evening exploring the events that led to American Independence and the legacy of Yorktown.
Dinner within the historic surroundings of Knowsley Hall makes this a considerably more cerebral alternative to the Halloween events taking place elsewhere that weekend.
Spooky Boogie Bingo at Formby Hall
30 October
Adults looking for a livelier Halloween night can head to Formby Hall for Spooky Boogie Bingo.
This is not a quiet evening of eyes down. Expect interactive music bingo, dance-offs, karaoke, a DJ, giveaways and fancy dress.
It is a good option for groups who want to celebrate Halloween without heading to a traditional nightclub or scare attraction.
SMEC Ghost Train, Southport
30 to 31 October
Southport Model Engineering Club brings back its wonderfully nostalgic Ghost Train for Halloween.
The miniature railway is transformed with jack-o’-lanterns, bats, spooks and Halloween surprises, with live steam and electric locomotives carrying visitors around the track after dark.
Games and refreshments are also available, making this one of the more unusual family Halloween events taking place around the Liverpool City Region.
Murder Mystery Halloween Special at the Everyman
30 to 31 October
If you fancy playing detective rather than simply watching the action unfold, the Everyman hosts Halloween editions of its interactive murder mystery experiences.
Both afternoon and evening experiences are scheduled across 30 and 31 October, challenging guests to investigate clues and work out who committed the crime.
Kevin Bridges at M&S Bank Arena
Kevin Bridges at M&S Bank Arena31 October
If fancy dress, pumpkins and ghost stories really aren’t your thing, spend Halloween with Kevin Bridges instead.
The Scottish comedian brings his new stand-up show to M&S Bank Arena on Saturday 31 October, providing a decidedly non-spooky way to finish the month.
October Half-Term in Liverpool
The final week of October brings plenty of additional family activities across Liverpool and the surrounding region.
Alongside Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, Hansel & Gretel and Steve Backshall, The Reader at Calderstones is planning seasonal family activities including Cosy Pumpkin Carving from 25 to 27 October.
Children can enjoy a story before choosing and carving their pumpkin in the Mansion House garden, providing a gentler autumn activity during the school holidays.
There will inevitably be more half-term events announced as October approaches, so it is worth checking individual venues closer to the date.
More Halloween Events Are Coming
Halloween naturally forms a substantial part of Liverpool’s October calendar, but there are enough events taking place this year to warrant dedicated guides of their own.
We’ll be putting together separate roundups covering Halloween events for children in Liverpool and Halloween events for adults, including pumpkin trails, parties, spooky experiences and places worth travelling to from Liverpool.
That means this guide can remain focused on the broader question of what to do throughout October, whether you love Halloween or would quite happily avoid it altogether.
Before You Visit
Event dates, prices, performance times and ticket availability can change, particularly for seasonal and outdoor events.
Always check directly with the organiser or venue before travelling. Advance booking is particularly advisable for October half-term events, theatre performances, Comic Con and smaller-capacity experiences.
Autumn in Liverpool
October might bring darker evenings, but there is certainly no reason to stay at home.
One weekend could involve ballet at the Empire or live music at Future Yard; the next could mean Comic Con, a basketball game or an illuminated walk through thousands of lanterns.
And when Halloween finally arrives, Liverpool has plenty waiting for those who want to embrace it without requiring the entire month to be devoted to pumpkins and ghosts.
From major arena shows and West End theatre to family adventures, historic halls and autumn experiences worth travelling for, October 2026 is shaping up to be one of Liverpool’s busiest months of the year.