Liverpool transformed into a sea of blue, yellow and glitter this last week as Eurovision 2023 was hosted on behalf of Ukraine in the city.
It's come around quickly, but it was last year that Liverpool was announced as the host city of Eurovision for 2023, after winners Ukraine could not hold the competition for safety and security reasons due to the ongoing invasion by Russia. In the build up, we saw installations and decorations start to take place and everything from the two week EuroFestival programme to the Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade, the EuroVillage opening its gates, the Eurovision 2023 Welcome Party and more incredible performances.
It was arguably the biggest event the city has hosted in its history, following on from our success as Capital of Culture in 2008. With so much going on, it left many of us reminiscing of lost annual events in the city from years gone by.
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From the days of the Mathew Street Festival to Larks in the Park and more - the city is known for putting on a great celebrations. Here, we take a look back at some of Liverpool's lost and most loved events through the years.
This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we've included a number of events from across just Liverpool lost over the decades. But if you feel there are some we should have included, let us know in the comments section below.
Mathew Street
The Mathew Street festival started as a stage outside the Cavern in 1993 when the company behind the annual Beatles Convention held an August Bank Holiday party in Mathew Street, featuring seven hours of free music from 65 bands from around the world. It was an instant hit and began to attract more and more people each year.
In years to come, stages began popping up on Castle Street, Victoria Street, Water Street, Dale Street, William Brown Street - and Chavasse Park before Liverpool ONE was even a thing. In 2007, the festival was cancelled on health and safety grounds but returned after a campaign by the ECHO and its supporters, but by 2013 it was canned and was replaced by the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) held in Sefton Park since 2013.
The Liverpool Show
The Liverpool Show was an annual family event first run from 1949 to 1978, attracting huge crowds to Wavertree Park every summer. When the event first started, it had strong botanical and agricultural themes including cattle shows and domestic pet competitions.
The Liverpool Show continued until 1978 but dwindling attendances and restricted council budgets saw it cancelled for the next 15 years. However, the much missed annual event made a comeback in 1993, running for another 10 years, until 2003, when it was again cancelled citing lack of funding.
Larks in the Park
Larks In The Park in Sefton Park attracted big crowds when it ran from 1980 to 1985. The festival's unique layout saw the stage built upon an extended version of the park bandstand with a moat between it and the audience.
Remembered for championing many local bands, the festival showcased the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, The La's and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Over the years, there have been calls to revive it.
Earthbeat Festival
After Larks In The Park came Earthbeat festival in Sefton Park - a free three-day event that embraced music from different cultures and genres. It ran from 1986 till 1993.
For indie music lovers, Earthbeat in 1987 would have been a dream come true as Pulp, The La's and The Stone Roses all played the festival that year.
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
Garston Carnival
Through the mid 70s to the mid 90s, Garston Carnival took place each year which was a vibrant procession of colourful themed floats carrying people in fancy dress costumes. The carnival also had novelty bands, circus performers, dance troupes, bagpipers, Morris dancers, sports competitions and a fairground which was held on Long Lane recreational ground.
Although the annual event no longer takes place, many have memories of the fun this event brought to the south of the city.
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The Liverpool May Horse Parade
As late as the 1980s, the annual Liverpool May Horse Parade would bring people in the thousands flocking to the city centre spectacle. The parade was a celebration of Liverpool's horses, which were at one time considered the best in the world.
As early as the 1820s, a journalist from the New York Times wrote that he had never seen such magnificent horses pull such huge loads as in Liverpool, the ECHO previously reported. The final parade took place in 1990 after problems with funding brought a stop to the centuries old tradition once more.
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Toxteth Carnival
One of the most popular events in Liverpool's history is the famous Toxteth Carnival. For years, glittering costumes, impressive floats and an amazing parade brought huge crowds to L8.
Over the years, the ECHO has shared some incredible archive photos of Toxteth Carnival in years gone by. Over the years, many have had hopes it would return in the style of event people so fondly remember it.
Hub Festival
The incredibly popular HUB Festival was held at Liverpool's waterfront until 2011. Aimed at teenagers and young adults, it was the UK's largest free urban festival celebrating street culture featuring live bands, BMX tricksters, skateboarders and break-dancers.
The festival, starting in 2002, was held annually at the Pier Head. But its success with young people meant it outgrew its original location and moved to Otterspool in 2006, the ECHO previously reported.
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