AWARD FINALISTS
Aintree Racecourse: The Randox Grand National Festival
The Randox Grand National Festival is one of the world’s most iconic sporting and social events, attracting hundreds of thousands of racegoers and millions of viewers each year. Staged at Aintree Racecourse, it combines world-class horse racing with exceptional hospitality, entertainment and an unrivalled atmosphere.
As a cherished part of Liverpool’s cultural identity, the 3 days holds a special place in the hearts of local people, bringing people together and showcasing the city’s warmth, character and pride on a global stage. Home to the legendary Randox Grand National, it celebrates sporting excellence while creating unforgettable experiences and delivering significant economic and social impact, it remains a landmark event in the calendar.
Comic Con Liverpool
Comic Con Liverpool began as a commitment to bring this popular culture event to the city of Liverpool, and build it as a flagship destination event for the fans and communities who love the world of entertainment, fantasy, gaming and creatives. It not only provides opportunities for fans to meet their celebrity heroes, but also acts as place for shared community experiences.
Over the 9 years they have grown not only what they offer; hosting panels, celebrity film screenings, cosplay competitions, and much more. But they have grown their customer base, cultivating fans that travel from all over Europe, America and Asia to attend each event, contributing significantly to the local tourism of Liverpool.
Liverpool Irish Festival
Running over 10 days each October the Liverpool Irish Festival is a cultural fixture in Liverpool's calendar. In 2025 the Festival brought Irish hertiage alive again across Liverpool marking the 180th anniversary of the famine with the theme 'Arrivals' drawing on Liverpool's status as a host city for Irish, and other people, over multiple generations.
Discussions, interactions and activties engaged audiences, generated to reduce isolation, encourage discourse and celebrate change.The festival period brought 65 events, 5 exhibits and 7 live virtual events. Four curatorial strands were fully embedded into the programme including In:Visible Women, Nook and Cranny Spaces, Family Days and the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail. The events generated an audience of 54,037 including 1625 online views
Reminisce Festival, Sherdley Park
Reminisce Festival and Retrospective Festival are two of the North West’s most exciting celebration events, bringing generations together through the power of unforgettable music, nostalgia and shared experiences. Renowned for world-class line-ups, spectacular production and an electric atmosphere, the festivals transform Sherdley Park into a vibrant celebration of iconic music and culture.
From legendary artists and DJs to immersive entertainment and carefully curated experiences, every detail is designed to create lasting memories. Following the continued success of Reminisce, Retrospective has expanded the offering with an exciting Friday night experience alongside its hugely popular festival programme, cementing the brands as standout events in the UK’s thriving live entertainment landscape.
Southport 2026: Elegantly Eccentric
Visit Southport and Sefton Council's Tourism team promotes the Borough's extensive visitor offer, showcasing the best of Southport and Sefton's 22 miles of coastline while delivering a year-round programme of events.
In addition to its established calendar of flagship events, the team introduced four new cultural experiences in 2026: Lightport, Cristal Palace, Big Top Festival and Books Alive! These events brought immersive outdoor arts, spectacular street theatre, contemporary performance and family storytelling experiences, complementing favourites including the Southport Food and Drink Festival, Southport Air Show and British Musical Fireworks Championship.
Through a diverse, accessible and predominantly free programme, Visit Southport continues to drive footfall, boost the visitor economy and create compelling reasons to visit Southport throughout the year.
Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park Events
Southport Flower Show is the largest independent flower show in the UK, Southport's largest event and the 4th largest paid-for event in the Liverpool City Region, attracting over 50,000 visitors each year, contributing over £5M to the local economy.
The show is more than just flowers, with entertaiment, music, childrens activities, over 400 traders and celebrity guests.
Southport Flower Show Limited is also a charity, any surplus funds raised by the Southport Flower Show and other events on Victoria Park, are used solely for investment in the next annual Flower Show and the maintenance and upkeep of Victoria Park.
The Liverpool International Tennis Tournament
The Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is Europe’s longest-running tennis exhibition, bringing world-class tennis to the heart of Liverpool since 2002.
Over more than two decades, Centre Court at Liverpool has welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport, including Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Martina Hingis and Marat Safin.
But LITT is about more than sporting legends. The tournament has introduced thousands of Merseyside children to tennis and provided a platform for emerging talent, including Emma Raducanu and local stars.
Today, LITT brings together elite sport, business, entertainment and community, attracting audiences from across the UK and internationally and showcasing Liverpool as a destination for world-class tennis.
The Minton Tiles Reveal 2026
Every three years, St George's Hall Liverpool opens a remarkable window into the past through the Minton Tiles Reveal. Offering a rare chance to witness the world-famous floor, the event celebrates one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian craftsmanship in the world.
Standing at the centre of Liverpool's story for more than 170 years, St George's Hall provides the perfect setting for visitors to immerse themselves in history and experience a tangible connection to generations who have passed through its doors. Attracting audiences from across the country and beyond, the Reveal transforms an iconic landmark into an unforgettable cultural experience, inspiring awe, pride and appreciation for the exceptional artistry, heritage and civic ambition that continue to define Liverpool's identity.