Liverpool Biennial 2025 – BEDROCK

Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
A grid of pink and cream waves laid on top of an orange gradient background. The text beneath the grid reads 'BEDROCK'  alongside the LB2025 dates
LB2025 Visual Identity by Salt And Sister Studio

7 June — 14 September 2025 Entrance is free

The most exciting event in the North’s art calendar is back! Liverpool Biennial 2025 returns in June for 14 weeks, with a brand new theme and a whole host of fantastic artists. Taking over most of the designated art venues and popping up in some unexpected locations around Liverpool, the UK’s oldest art festival is surely one to mark in your diary.

Curated by Marie-Anne McQuay, the theme for the 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial is ‘BEDROCK’. While last year’s edition highlighted ancestral knowledge, wisdom and healing, this year the festival focuses on themes closer to home. Liverpool’s distinctive geography takes centre stage and will act as a starting point for many of the works: in literal terms, this refers to the sandstone which spans the city region and is present in a lot of the local architecture., while more conceptually ‘bedrock’ also relates to the social foundations of the city and those personal to the artists, with family, cultural heritage and generational issues all being addressed through the works.

The festival will feature 30 artists and collectives from around the world, including Mounira Al Solh, Katarzyna Perlak and Sheila Hicks.

Liverpool Biennial works in partnership with local organisations including First Take and At the Library, alongside longstanding partners at Tate Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, FACT, Bluecoat and Open Eye Gallery. Check back in the new year for more information on the exhibitions, workshops, talks and other festival events – as always, it’s shaping up to be a very exciting offering, filled with fresh ideas and thought-provoking artworks. 

7 June — 14 September 2025 Entrance is free

Where to go near Liverpool Biennial 2025 – BEDROCK

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Discover Lotherton, a country estate, historic hall and Wildlife World zoo. Our Edwardian estate is truly a great place for a family day out, with plenty to keep children and grown ups entertained! The expansive grounds and gardens are lovely walking spots, with or without four-legged companions. Each season brings new surprises including wild garlic in the spring, a sea of colourful blooms in summer in the formal gardens and stunning autumnal colours later on in the year. We have two playgrounds which means there's plenty of space for running about and letting off steam, with zip wires for older children to enjoy. Our evolving zoo, Wildlife World, is a real highlight of any visit and we'd highly recommend popping by to see the Humboldt penguins splash and swim in their pool. Other colourful characters include Arthur the tapir, our resident porcupines and a flamboyance of pink flamingos. Stop in at the shop on your way to pick up your very own version of one of our Lotherton
Café or Coffee Shop
Lotherton Hall and Estate

A truly great place for a family day out, discover Lotherton, a country estate, historic hall and Wildlife World Zoo.

Winsome
Manchester
Restaurant
Winsome

Winsome delivers modern British food, cooked beautifully by chef-owner Shaun Moffat and his team.

Image of the outside of Altogether Otherwise at night with people inside
Manchester
Event venue
Altogether Otherwise

Altogether Otherwise is a haven of activity where all are encouraged to make, do, dance, read and enjoy pursuing creativity with no pressure.

Chapel Allerton Library
Leeds
Event venue
Chapel Allerton Library

Chapel Allerton library is a place where history meets a love of reading, where visitors can borrow books, eBooks, eAudio, and more.

Renae Logo
Manchester
Restaurant
Renae

Introducing Renae: A new music-led bar and creative hub in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Chakalaka
Manchester
Restaurant
Chakalaka

The very best of South African cuisine in an intimate, friendly space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The Daisy
Manchester
Restaurant
The Daisy

The Daisy is one of Manchester’s more in-demand basement bars, offering an underground Paris-inspired night out.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

Hinterland bar and cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Hinterland

Alcohol-free bar and cafe in the heart of Northern Quarter. Serving mocktails, 0% beer and all your alcohol free favourites.

What's on: Exhibitions

Wolf in Yellowstone
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Wild at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wild’ nature as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in a new exhibition.

free entry
Two people sitting playing a video game.
Until
ExhibitionsCity Centre
Art Plays Games at FACT

Art Plays Games is a new show at FACT, celebrating games created by digital artists and independent video game developers.

free entry

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