Liverpool’s Dream: Giant Spectacular

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Culture Liverpool

Liverpool's Dream Giant Spectacular at Royal Albert Dock, Waterfront 5 — 7 October 2018 Entrance is free

After four years of big rumours, do not miss this chance to take part in Liverpool’s Dream. The largest street theatre event to take place in the UK this year, once again giant visitors will make their way around Merseyside to wow our hearts and minds.

Staged by the world-leading street theatre company Royal de Luxe, this is the last opportunity to see thousands of human puppeteers (Lilliputians) manoeuve huge, intricate marionettes (some as tall as 15 metres) across locations in Liverpool, Wirral and New Brighton in one mind-blowing weekend. It’s also the last chance to see the giants anywhere in the world as the finale Giants show ever for Royal de Luxe.

Courtesy Culture Liverpool

Never ones to shy away from creative adventures we love how Liverpool never does things by halves. First appearing in 2012 with Sea Odyssey (a story inspired by the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic) the adventures of the Little Girl Giant, canine companion Xolo and the Diver was nothing short of phenomenal. Returning in 2014 to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War the Little Girl Giant and Xolo were joined by a Grandmother.

The story and characters in Liverpool’s Dream are set to continue this incredible feat of storytelling and magic. Pup Xolo will return set to enjoy licking unsuspecting members of the public once more. This time he will accompanied by the Little Boy Giant (originally premiered in Cameroon and 20 feet high, needing 27 Lilliputians) and The Giant ( a massive 33 feet high needing 44 Lilliputians with streetlamp eyes moved by motors).

Despite the scale of the event and giants themselves, the genius of these life-like marionettes is how they are brought to life by the personal stories and connections they reveal to the audiences that gather around them.  Community, mechanical wonder and theatrics will combine to create an ambitious mass-participation event – the scale and impact of which for those who witness it, will be sure to last a lifetime.

Liverpool's Dream Giant Spectacular courtesy Culture Liverpool
Liverpool’s Dream Giant Spectacular courtesy Culture Liverpool

 

Head to the Giant Spectacular website to plan where you will see them, with interactive map and comprehensive details on times and locations across the weekend. They will cover over 20 miles, with many spots to be able to catch the magic.

Totally unmissable.

 

Liverpool's Dream Giant Spectacular at Royal Albert Dock, Waterfront 5 — 7 October 2018 Entrance is free

Where to go near Liverpool’s Dream: Giant Spectacular

Tate Liverpool from across the docks
Waterfront
Gallery
Tate Liverpool

Liverpool’s flagship art gallery, housed in a converted Victorian warehouse on the waterfront.

Rosa's Thai Cafe
Liverpool
Restaurant
Rosa’s Thai Cafe

Rosa’s Thai Cafe is another great addition to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock, serving up delicious and authentic Thai food in stylish surroundings, with wonderfully charming staff.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Madre Liverpool

A smart, modern Mexican restaurant in Liverpool’s Albert Dock, with an extensive menu featuring showstopping dishes such as half a pig’s head and butterflied sea bass.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Maray Albert Dock

The ever-popular Maray’s third site, based at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, has beautiful views and flavours in equal measure.

BeatlesStory, courtesy of author
Waterfront
Tourist Attraction
The Beatles Story

Visit the award-winning Beatles Story – an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture and music of The Beatles.

Waterfront
Café or Coffee Shop
Royal Liver Building

An iconic landmark, the Royal Liver Building was one of the first multi-storey buildings made using a steel-reinforced concrete structure.

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

the artist
Music in the North

The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

A woman with black curly hair sings on stage in front of a red curtain
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
Exhibitions in the North

From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.