Large sections of Liverpool’s waterfront are closed to traffic over the August bank holiday as the city stages the Liverpool Celebrates 2025 festival at Pier Head. The biggest change is on Canada Boulevard, which is shut from Brunswick Street to Water Street, including St Nicholas Place. That closure runs through the long weekend and stays in place until 11:59pm on Tuesday 26 August to allow for stage build, safety checks, and takedown.
The Mann Island to Brunswick Street corridor is also restricted throughout the weekend period, from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August. With crowds expected along the Mersey, drivers should avoid the immediate waterfront and Pier Head area and leave extra time for any cross-city journeys.
What’s closed and when
Here’s how the weekend shapes up around the waterfront:
- Canada Boulevard (Brunswick Street to Water Street), including St Nicholas Place: closed to traffic until 11:59pm on Tuesday 26 August.
- Mann Island to Brunswick Street corridor: restricted from Friday 22 through Monday 25 August, aligned with festival hours and safety operations.
- Access near Pier Head: intermittent holds for event movements and crowd control across the weekend.
Knock-on congestion is likely on nearby city centre routes, especially around The Strand, Water Street, Chapel Street, James Street, and around the Commercial District. Signal timings may be adjusted to manage flow, and temporary barriers will be in place to keep event areas vehicle-free.
Pedestrian access to the waterfront remains open via stewarded routes, with pinch points around Pier Head during peak show times. Cyclists should expect busy shared paths and possible dismount areas near the main stages and market zones.
How to get around
If you’re heading into town, plan ahead. Use public transport where you can and avoid driving to the waterfront itself.
- Rail: Merseyrail stations at James Street, Moorfields, and Liverpool Lime Street put you within walking distance of Pier Head. Services are usually more frequent on busy weekends, but platforms can be crowded at peak entry and exit times. Check live updates before you travel.
- Bus: Several routes that normally serve the waterfront may be diverted to stops further inland while road closures are in force. Look for temporary stop boards and allow extra time for journeys.
- Driving: If you must drive, approach the city centre via inner-ring routes and use multi‑storey car parks away from the waterfront. Expect queues near Liverpool ONE and the Commercial District. Signed diversions will route vehicles around Canada Boulevard and the Mann Island area.
- From the Wirral: Both tunnels remain open, but exits closest to the waterfront will be busy. Consider alternative exits and navigate in from the north or east of the centre.
- Taxis and private hire: Pick‑up and drop‑off points have been moved away from Pier Head. Follow on‑street signs and marshal directions to the nearest active ranks.
Residents and businesses within the closure zone can expect marshalled access at set times for essential movements. Deliveries may need to be rescheduled outside peak event hours. Blue Badge parking near the waterfront is limited during the festival; look for signed temporary bays and check any time limits before leaving your vehicle.
The festival footprint includes stages, food markets, and family areas across Pier Head, which is why the closure on Canada Boulevard runs beyond the bank holiday itself. Crews will need the extra time on Tuesday to remove barriers, dismantle staging, and sweep the site before roads reopen.
Event organisers and the council say safety is the priority, so you’ll see barriers, bag checks at entry points, and stewarded crossings. If you’re moving through the area on foot, build in a few extra minutes—especially when shows end and the crowds surge towards James Street and Moorfields stations.
Quick tips to beat the queues:
- Travel earlier in the day or after the main stage curfew if you can.
- Use rail for the last leg and walk the final 10–15 minutes to Pier Head.
- If you’re driving, park outside the waterfront zone and finish by foot or bus.
- Check bus and train apps for live diversions and service updates.
For drivers, the key thing is to avoid the immediate Pier Head grid. The Liverpool road closures are tightly focused on Canada Boulevard and streets feeding into the festival site, but the ripple effects will reach The Strand and surrounding junctions during peak periods. Give yourself options, keep an eye on signage, and don’t assume usual turning movements are available.
Liverpool Celebrates 2025 is planned as a high‑footfall weekend, bringing large crowds to the riverfront. The road plan is designed to keep people safe and keep the city moving. With a little forward planning, you can still get around smoothly—whether you’re heading to the stages, out for shopping, or just trying to cross town.
