What’s On: 10 things to do in Liverpool this weekend - August 20, 21 & 22

Here’s LiverpoolWorld’s guide to some of the top events across the city this weekend.

Liverpool Indoor Funfair

What is it? Keeping the kids occupied during the summer holidays is no mean feat, but help is here. The biggest indoor funfair in the UK is in Liverpool. Rides such as the Dodgems, Waltzers, Cup and Saucers and the UK’s largest travelling Funhouse are here. With games, prizes and treats, the attraction is aimed at families. Entry includes unlimited turns on all attractions for three hours and there’s three sessions throughout the day. There are also autism-friendly sessions for those with sensory needs.

When is it? Friday, 20 August, to, Sunday, 22 August

Find it: Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock (Google Map)

CIRCUS presents Sasha

What is it? I love a bit of DJ Sasha and have some incredible memories from his sets with John Digweed back in the day. But enough about me! The Welsh DJ - who has remixed tracks for the The Chemical Brothers and Hot Chip - is performing a special four hour set at the Invisible Wind Factory in Liverpool this weekend.

Rescheduled from June because of Covid restrictions, it’s an extended set under the lights with support from Circus resident James Organ as well as LOLife in the Substation with Laurent Lo Sung & Sian Bennett. Get tickets here.

When is it? Saturday, 21 August

Find it: Invisible Wind Factory, 3 Regent Rd, Liverpool L3 7DS (Google Map)

Mersey Sounds - Very Public Art

What is it? Unveiled on the Pier Head this week as part of the Very Public Art project, Mersey Sounds is a giant 12.5 metre sculpture with a handmade copper megaphone. It is a recreation of Liverpool’s Speaker’s Corner, which was situated on the waterfront until the mid-1990s. It symbolises the city’s tradition as a democratic city where its people have a voice and tell their own story.

When is it? Sunday 15 August to Tuesday 7 September

Find it: Pier Head, Liverpool (Google Map)

Cinema in the City by FACT

What is it? FACT presents Cinema in the City at the Cotton Exchange Rooftop Garden. You can watch three recently released critically-acclaimed independent films in an open-air environment. The project showcases emerging talent from local filmmakers with this month’s food and drink partner Maray serving up their Middle Eastern-inspired menu.

When is it? Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August.

What’s showing: THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS: Friday, 20 August, 18:00 - RARE BEASTS: Saturday, 21 August, 18:00 - STRAY: Sunday, 22 August, 18:00

Find it: 88 Wood St, Liverpool L1 4DQ

Slavery Remembrance Weekend - International Slavery Museum

What is it? Slavery Remembrance Day (SRD) is on Monday, 23 August, and National Museums Liverpool (NML) are commemorating the date with a theme of Reflections: Past & Present over three days at the International Slavery Museum.

There will be performances, craft sessions and family activities to run alongside panel discussions.

Online and in-person events will include a conversation between NML Historian in Residence Laurence Westgaph and Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson. Plus this year’s guest speakers Maria O’Reilly, local community activist, and Professor Bayyinah Bello, world-renowned academic, will deliver the annual Dorothy Kuya Memorial Lectures. See here for more details.

When is it? Saturday, 21 August, to Monday, 23 August.

Find it: International Slavery Museum, 3rd Floor Merseyside Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4AQ (Google map)

AI: More than Human - World Museum

What is it? Elon Musk this week unveiled his plans to produce a prototype humanoid AI Tesla Bot next year. You can discover what the world of artificial intelligence (AI) is all about at Liverpool World Museum’s special exhibition. It is full of interactivity, including a robot dog called Aibo and the video game 2065, as visitors are given a vision of the future. Free for children.

When is it? Until 31 October.

Find it: William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN (Google map)

Cowherd and the Weaver Girl - Very Public Art project

What is it? Part of Culture Liverpool’s Very Public Art project of eight art installations across the city, Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is an outdoor stage design which depicts a scene from the mythological story around which the Chinese festival, Qixi is based.

The installation invites people to step into a giant pop-up story book to become a feature in the narrative.

When is it? Saturday 14 August to Saturday 28 August

Find it: Chinatown, Liverpool, Liverpool City Region, L1 5DN

Liverpool 8 Against Apartheid - Museum of Liverpool

What is it? The story of how Liverpool’s black community supported the anti-apartheid campaign in the 1980s.

When is it? Until February 2024

Find it: Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 1DG

Lucian Freud: Real Lives - Tate Liverpool

What is it? Visitors to this exhibition will see paintings, etchings and photographs featuring the late British artist’s most recognised sitters including his first wife Kitty Garman.

When is it? Until 16 January 2022

Find it: Tate Liverpool,Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4BB (Google map)

Liverpool Cathedral - Peace Doves art instillation

What is it? There is still time to visit the spectacular art installation at Liverpool Cathedral featuring 18,000 paper peace doves crated by sculptor and artist Peter Walker.

The doves are suspended on 15.5 miles of ribbon from the roof of the cathedral. There are a number of events which include one of the first concerts in Liverpool with a live orchestra and choir since the pandemic started and yoga underneath the installation.

When is it? Until 31 August.

Find it: St James Mt, Liverpool L1 7AZ