Take to the streets for Liverpool’s Brazilian carnival

Think street parties were best left to the Brazilians? Think again. Liverpool’s annual carnival weekend is one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar, turning the streets around the city centre into a dancing mass of giant puppets, glittering costumes and sequined splendour, with feathers galore. Brazilica – the UK’s biggest Brazilian samba carnival – kicks off on Friday with an opening party at Nation, featuring Norman Jay and Holotronica (live 3D show), before continuing with an all-day event on Saturday – including a colourful night-time parade past some of this handsome city’s most famous sights, from grand Georgian terraces and narrow cobblestoned streets to the Chinese arch and now-iconic bombed-out church, offering views of Liverpool’s two contrasting but equally imposing cathedrals along the way. The whole city turns out in force, young and old, and the atmosphere is always electrifying. With a live soundtrack of the best samba drumming and party music the North West has to offer, including Liverpool Samba School and Manchester School of Samba, it’s nigh on impossible to keep your feet still. The fun continues at an after-party at Nation and, if Saturday’s festivities haven’t worn you out, be sure to catch the pop-up performances at various locations on Sunday.

Fri 13 Jul – Sun 15 Jul, Various locations, Liverpool, Tel: 0151 707 0965, Check website for timings, FREE, www.brazilicafestival.com