Summer is just around the corner, and to get everyone excited, The Reader has announced its summer programme of events at Calderstones Park, featuring a host of family-friendly activities and free events to enjoy. * A free garden party on Sunday, May 11, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The event will feature live music from the Liverpool Show Choir, a free bookable Mansion House Heritage tour, two shared reading taster sessions, a poetry walk and seed planting. * A second garden party on Sunday, May 18, will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, featuring live music from the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, In Harmony Liverpool Chamber Stars, and The Philharmonic Youth Company Ensemble. * A third garden party on Sunday, July 20, will take place the weekend before the summer school term ends. The programme also features a festival on Sunday, June 22, with free entry to the ‘Ukulele Festival’.
| Ukulele Festival | Ukulele Festival Details |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sunday, June 22 |
| Time: | 10am – 5pm |
| Event: | Ukulele Festival |
| Entry: | Free entry |
Summer Garden Parties
Three free garden parties will be taking over the stunning ‘secret’ walled garden and restored 1940s Art Deco Garden Theatre in May and July.
The Mersey Forest Takeover
On Sunday, May 11, the first garden party will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Highlights will include live music from the Liverpool Show Choir, a free bookable Mansion House Heritage tour, two shared reading taster sessions, a poetry walk and seed planting.
- A free bookable Mansion House Heritage tour at 11am
- Two shared reading taster sessions at 11.30am and 1.30pm
- A poetry walk and seed planting
The Liverpool Philharmonic Takeover
On Sunday, May 18, the second garden party will feature live music from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, In Harmony Liverpool Chamber Stars, and The Philharmonic Youth Company Ensemble.
- Live music from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
- In Harmony Liverpool Chamber Stars
- The Philharmonic Youth Company Ensemble
The Summer Garden Party
A third garden party will take place on Sunday, July 20, the weekend before the summer school term ends.
- A BBQ and a bar serving summer tipples
- An ice cream cart
- A handpicked selection of books for adults and children to explore
Open-Air Theatre Shows
A summer programme of open-air theatre previously announced for 2025 in the Mansion House Gardens includes Twelfth Night on Thursday, July 10, Much Ado About Nothing on Friday, August 1, Pride and Prejudice on Sunday, August 3, Pan and the Eternal Wreck on Wednesday, August 13, and HMS Pinafore on Thursday, August 21.
“We are so excited for these special collaborations with Mersey Forest and Liverpool Philharmonic, the latter celebrating the rich musical culture of our city and wonderful young people at the heart of it. On both days, we’ll also be running tours of the beautiful Mansion House and Shared Reading Tasters.” – Mary Crotty, Calderstones Engagement Manager at The Reader
New Gardening Workshops
New outdoor gardening workshops have also been announced for the summer. A ‘Meet the Bees’ workshop will take place on Saturday, June 7, with a ‘Summer Trees’ workshop on Saturday, June 21, and ‘Botany for Beginners’ on Saturday, July 5. No gardening experience is needed and all materials are provided.
Summer Events at the Storybarn
Families can grab a picnic and head outside to enjoy the programme of cultural events this summer in Calderstones Park.
Fundraising Event
On Saturday, June 14, a pre-loved clothes and book swap will take place, where attendees can swap their unwanted items for something new and exciting.
Other Events
A gardening course will be held on Saturday, June 28, where participants can learn about the latest gardening techniques and trends.
Wellbeing Workshops
Shared reading wellbeing workshops will be held on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, July 5.
