SMITHDOWN FESTIVAL
IN THE COMMUNITY
THANKS TO THE KIND SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS, WE'RE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE A PROGRAMME OF COMMUNITY FOCUSSED ACTIVITIES OVER THE FESTIVAL WEEKEND!
ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE AND TICKETLESS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
The Big Clean
1ST - 7TH MAY
Our community is the most special thing in the world to us, and keeping it tidy is so important! We’re organising a huge volunteer led daily litter pick before, during and after the festival - sponsored by Black cat and Handymans. For every hour of your time you give, you’ll get tokens to use for drinks and snacks at the pub!
Email: TheBigClean2025@gmail.com to get involved!
Liverpool Together
We’re proud to announce a programme of activities with our amazing community partners Liverpool Together.
ALL WEEKEND
Their aim as a group is to bring older people and younger people together to share in activities, break down isolation and barriers, learn from each other and enjoy each others company.
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Many of us feel isolated and need the stimulation of being with other people for our mental health and to also give back to our community to other people who would benefit from our activities and organisation.
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We’ve teamed up with Ssmithdown Social Arts Hub, The Dovey, Colouring MU and Friends of Toxteth Cemetery to put together programme of fun activities over the festival weekend.
To find out more head to their Facebook Group here
Toxteth Cemetery Walking Tour
FREE TICKETED
SATURDAY 11AM
Steven Horton, (author of Liverpool hidden History) will be giving a walk and talk around some of the most interesting graves at Toxteth Cemetery including some of the most influential politicians the city has had, ship owners, business moguls and media entrepreneurs. not to mention some of the more ‘quirky’ people and the dark tales behind them...
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Penny Lane Walking Tour
FREE TICKETED
SATURDAY 2PM
Take in sites of the area made famous by the Beatles song. In addition to the banks, barbers and bus shelter, there's histories of local theatres, pubs, churches and schools. There are homes of notable actors, politicians and some gory crime tales.
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Crochet Workshop
MONDAY 1PM
TICKETED
Join Maddie for a fun Crochet workshop where you can learn how to make a Granny Square! Perfect for beginners (although not suitable for most kids)
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To book your ticket head to their Eventbrite page here
Alcohol Free Stage at Quaker Garden
SUNDAY 12-6PM
As we hit ten years of Smihdown Festival, we’re more and more aware of the impact that alcohol can have on people’s lives and so we have teamed up with the incredible alcohol addiction charity The Brink to put together an area of the festival that caters to everyone. they’ll also be on hand with advice and guidance, and there will be a completely alcohol free bar too.
We’ve curated a fantastic line up of acoustic and stripped back artists at the wonderful quaker community garden, on Arundel Avenue.
Zine Workshop
at Smithdown Social
Arts Hub
SUNDAY & MONDAY AT 3PM
Have you ever wanted to create your own magazine? The editor and creator of Never Felt Better zine is hosting two incredible workshops suitable for ages 10 and up.
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Liverpool Together Big Quiz & Tombola
at The Dovey
MONDAY FROM 1.30PM (QUIZ STARTS AT 3PM)
Liverpool together have a simple mission, to bring older and younger people together and combat isolation. They’ll be hosting a fantastic afternoon quiz and tombola at the Dovey for everyone to join in.
Garmoyle Community Garden Fundraiser
ALL WEEKEND
This important community asset needs a new lease of life, so we want to help raise the funds to do it. We'll be hosting a photo exhibition here, so if you see a QR code while you're looking around just scan it and donate what you can!
Buskers Corner at ASDA
SATURDAY FROM 12PM
Thanks to the Community Team at ASDA, we bring you an afternoon of fantastic musicians playing outside the store! The perfect sound track to your big shop.
John Mitchel's GAA - Children's Training Session
SATURDAY AT 1PM
One of the oldest GAA clubs outside Ireland and they are based just round the corner at Greenbank. Anyone who thinks their child may enjoy this famous Irish sport is welcome to this open training session.
Wavertree: Then and Now @ Garmoyle Community Garden
ALL WEEKEND
Curated by popular blog Liverpool Then & Now, this is a fascinating insight into how life once was around Wavertree and how it is now.