Festival starts on June 30 and is the city’s newest leisure attraction and the programme of events, which last into September and will feature a programme of events lasting until September. Tony McDonough reports

A summer-long festival of entertainment and activities will take place on Liverpool’s waterfront from June 30.

Pier Head Village is the city’s newest leisure attraction and the programme of events, which last into September will off “thrills, music, art and culture”.

New for 2017, a partnership with Liverpool Sound City brings a new sound of live, acoustic music to the south side of the village with the Sound City Bar & Garden.

To the north of the village, enjoy the best laid-back beats with the Balearic Sunset Sessions’ legendary DJs at the Village Beach Club, which takes place alternative weekends.  

Alongside the Sound City Bar is The Artisan Village offering a spot of retail therapy with more than 30 independent market-stalls featuring locally-sourced farm produce and souvenirs from independent artisans. 

The Artisan Village will compliment The Village Food Court with The Great British Cheese Company, Crosby Coffee and the award-winning Bold Street Sweets and Gifts serving up affordable street food and treats seven days a week.

Finishing off the South Side offer is The Liverpool Art Fair, sited in a bespoke work of art built from five containers at the Mann Island entrance and featuring 75m of gallery space with local art curated by Lucy Byrne and her team from more than 1,000 submissions. 

Martin O’Shea, creator of the Pier Head Village, said: “Bringing people together, entertaining them and giving them a reason to spend many happy hours on the Pier Head enjoying the summer is our goal for this year.

“With the partnership with Liverpool Sound City and wonderful stakeholders such as Liverpool Art Fair, Sunset Sessions, Liverpool City Council, The Cavern Club, Field Vision and all of the artisan traders, we have created an attraction that is fitting for our wonderful city, at arguably the most exciting time in its history.

“It has never been more popular or been given more respect than right now. The Pier Head Village will reflect everything we love about our city.”

Key events include:

• June 30 – Pier Head Village official launch with Sunset Sessions opening night with Andy Carroll and special Balearic Guests including Richard Norris and Nancy Noise. 
• July 2 – Morris Dancing Competition – Watch Morris Dancers from across the region battle it out on the Sound City Stage to compete to be champions of the North West. 
• July 9 – Majorettes competition. Batons at the ready, the troupes from across the North West will compete, cheer and dance their way to win the Pier Head Village Majorettes competition. 
• July 14 – Supporting the arrival of the Magic Disney cruise ship. As the iconic cruise ship docks at Liverpool Cruise Terminal, we will be welcoming the guests with a fun-filled day of activities that the whole family can enjoy. 
• July 15 – Brazilica Festival. The world famous three-day Brazilica Festival returns to Liverpool city centre in 2017 for the tenth consecutive year.
• July 29 – BBC Merseyside’s Dave Monks will be taking over the Sound City stage to present Liverpool’s newest music. 
• August 6, 13, 27 & 28 – Simon O’Rouke – Creating the Beatles. On four magical days in August 2017, the Pier Head Village will host the internationally celebrated and award-winning wood sculptor Simon O’Rourke as he takes his audience on four unique visual and musical journeys celebrating the greatest band of all time. 
• August 26 – 28 – The Beatle Weekender in partnership with The Cavern Liverpool. August Bank Holiday will see The Beatle Weekender in partnership with The Cavern Club as part of the 60th anniversary of this legendary venue.
• September 8-10 – The Artisan Takeover. The closing weekend on September there will be an Artisan Festival takeover to showcase Liverpool’s finest makers and creatives along with a closing party to remember.

For full event details and more information go to www.pierheadvillageliverpool.com  or follow updates on Twitter, Instagram at @Pierheadvillage