Liverpool's River of Light has been cancelled for a second consecutive evening as Storm Boelo adds to a weekend of disruption. The Saturday 24 October light displays will not go ahead, following Friday's opening-night cancellation during Storm Austen. Markets, a major outdoor charity event and community sports fixtures have also been called off, while train operators warn of further problems on Sunday.
The free Together trail is scheduled to feature 13 installations across Liverpool's waterfront and city centre until 1 November. Its advertised hours are 5pm to 9pm, but a published timetable is not a guarantee of reopening during high winds.
This report covers what is confirmed, what is still advertised and what has changed for ticket holders. You can also check our updated What's On guide for 23–25 October before deciding where to go instead.
Which Liverpool events have been cancelled?
Liverpool City Council's Storm Austen and Storm Boelo service notice and individual organisers confirm:
- River of Light: cancelled on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October. Sunday's status is awaiting another update.
- Cunard Building Market: both Friday and Saturday evening markets cancelled.
- Lark Lane Farmers and Craft Market: cancelled on Saturday 24 October.
- Tuebrook Market and Car Boot Sale: cancelled on Saturday 24 October.
- Spooky Welly Walk: the Saturday family fundraising event in Sefton Park cancelled, with ticket options below.
- Great Hunger vigil and memorial: Sunday's Liverpool Irish Festival outdoor commemoration at Clarence Dock and St Luke's cancelled.
- Council-owned grass pitches: the council has cancelled weekend fixtures on its own grass pitches. This does not mean every local football match is cancelled.
These are confirmed cancellations, not an announcement that all of Liverpool's weekend events have been called off. Other venues and organisers will make their own safety decisions.
Spooky Welly Walk cancelled: refund and ticket options
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation's Spooky Welly Walk, planned for Saturday 24 October in Sefton Park, has been cancelled after the charity considered the adverse weather and advice from its independent safety adviser.
People who had booked tickets can carry their places over to the 2027 event, donate the ticket cost or request a full refund. The charity has published a ticket-holder form covering all three options. See the Spooky Welly Walk cancellation notice and refund form. There is no reason for families to travel to the park for this event.
Liverpool Irish Festival: memorial cancelled, walking tours moved indoors
The An Gorta Mór vigil at Clarence Dock and subsequent memorial at St Luke's Bombed Out Church will not take place on Sunday 25 October because organisers consider the outdoor weather conditions unsafe.
Liverpool Irish Festival suggests that people who wish to mark the Great Hunger instead observe a personal minute's silence at 1.30pm on Sunday. It has not announced a replacement outdoor memorial for this weekend.
Saturday's three Great Hunger walking tours have a different arrangement: they are being presented as indoor talks in the Ken Dodd Theatre on the ground floor of the Museum of Liverpool. The short tours were booked for 11am and 12.15pm and the long tour for 2pm. Existing tickets remain valid for the talks; walk-ups may be accepted if there is space. John Maguire will present the talks.
See the Liverpool Irish Festival's detailed storm update for the official arrangements. The change to these particular events does not mean every festival activity has stopped.
Liverpool City Council says the planned River of Light closure of Water Street will not take place on either Friday or Saturday evening because the festival sessions are cancelled. The withdrawal is specific to the festival's planned closure; it does not establish that every other restriction or roadwork in the city centre has been lifted.
For more background see L1Local's Water Street closure explainer.
The council has also cancelled fixtures on council-owned grass pitches this weekend, citing safety and pitch management. Privately run venues and leagues should be checked separately before players and supporters make journeys.
Merseyrail was already operating extensive engineering changes around Liverpool Central and the Northern Line this weekend. The tunnel upgrade works continue through Friday 6 November, with replacement buses and further Sunday 25 October restrictions affecting journeys into the city centre. Our weekend travel guide explains the planned closures, with links to the operator's engineering timetable.
Storm Boelo brings an additional Sunday change. Merseyrail says first trains on parts of its network will be used to check that lines are safe before passenger services begin. Its notice lists affected first services on the Southport, New Brighton and Hooton to Rock Ferry sections. On the Southport line, for example, the 8.05am passenger departure is cancelled, with the first planned passenger service at 8.35am.
Read Merseyrail's Sunday first-services notice for the lines and trains affected. The weather checks are in addition to the planned tunnel works, so do not assume a usual Sunday timetable applies.
Long-distance trains: Storm Boelo warnings
TransPennine Express has cancelled its Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow Central services on Sunday 25 October, according to its official National Rail disruption notice. It also advises passengers to consider whether their journeys are essential because of severe weather.
Avanti West Coast warns of a reduced Sunday service and problems north of Preston. Its National Rail disruption notice includes advice on affected tickets and travel flexibility. Check the operator's latest update for your specific route rather than assuming that every train is cancelled.
Ferries suspended: a separate disruption
The Mersey Ferries live notice says all ferry services are currently suspended, with a return expected in early November. Sightseeing cruise tickets are unavailable while services remain suspended, and there is a replacement commuter bus between Seacombe and Hamilton Square.
The operator's notice does not attribute this suspension to Storm Boelo. It is a separate issue, but another important consideration for visitors hoping to use the waterfront this weekend.
What is still advertised this weekend?
Some indoor events and other planned activities are still on organisers' schedules. This is not a guarantee they will proceed: weather-related decisions can change at short notice, so check with the venue before travelling.
- Saturday, Museum of Liverpool: Liverpool Irish Festival Family Day, advertised 11am to 4pm with free music, dance and children's activities. Family Day details.
- Saturday and Sunday, Bluecoat: free Family Weekend drop-in activities, advertised 1pm to 4pm. Bluecoat listing.
- Saturday, M&S Bank Arena: Steve Backshall's ticketed Deadly Live afternoon show remains listed. Venue listing.
- Saturday and Sunday, Exhibition Centre Liverpool: the ticketed UK Drum Show remains advertised. Organiser information.
- Sunday, Aintree: Halloween Family Day remains advertised, with the organiser moving family activities indoors to the Rum & Ginger Bar because of the expected high winds. Under-18s enter free with a paying adult in eligible admission. Aintree's updated event page.
- Sunday, Liverpool Irish Centre: the free Samhain Céilí is advertised from 4pm to 7pm. Festival listing.
Looking for alternatives? The 23–25 October What's On guide now marks confirmed cancellations instead of sending readers to events that are not going ahead.
Will River of Light run on Sunday 25 October?
No decision has been confirmed in the organisers' Saturday update. River of Light's normal 5pm to 9pm opening hours remain advertised for the festival as a whole, but those hours should not be treated as confirmation that Sunday will proceed. The organisers say another update will follow on Sunday. Check the official River of Light page before leaving home.
If the trail reopens later in the week, our River of Light 2026 guide explains the 13 artworks, route and accessibility considerations.
Severe weather safety and practical help
Liverpool City Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol to help people sleeping rough. If you see someone sleeping rough who needs support, call 0300 123 2041 so the council's round-the-clock outreach team can try to arrange emergency accommodation.
The council advises residents to avoid unnecessary trips during strong winds and stay away from potentially hazardous trees and buildings. Follow Met Office weather warnings and live operator updates.
The clocks also go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October. Anyone using replacement buses or early rail departures should double-check the time as well as their route.
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