Shared Reading charity The Reader is thrilled to announce a full slate of events for the summer ahead in Liverpool’s Calderstones Park.
This summer sees the return of open-air theatre, a ukulele festival, free garden parties and literary events including a big end-of-summer family festival – all in Liverpool’s stunning Calderstones Park.
The UK’s biggest Shared Reading charity The Reader today announces its full Summer 2026 programme at its home in the historic Grade II listed Mansion House. Calderstones Members enjoy priority booking on selected events until Monday 30 March.
The Reader’s Summer Literature and Shared Reading season opens with an inspiring programme spotlighting Elizabeth Gaskell, one of the best-loved Victorian authors who has seen a surge of interest by younger readers on the back of Bridgerton, Latin American literary talent and the best summer beach reads.
Highlights include:
A Day with Elizabeth Gaskell Famous for her social commentary and vivid portrayal of Victorian life, Gaskell’s most popular works Cranford, Mary Barton and North and South define her as a major 19th century author from the North West. Enjoy a day of Shared Reading with a talk by Libby Tempest, ex-chair of the Gaskell Society, who also volunteers for the historic Elizabeth Gaskell House in Manchester. Tickets include pastries, tea and coffee on arrival and a delicious summer picnic-inspired buffet made by The Reader’s in-house chefs (Saturday 8 August, 10.30am-3pm).
The Literary programme includes a special focus on Latin American literature by Argentinian-based Professor Estela Meije, who founded a long-standing international Shared Reading project inspired by The Reader. She will be visiting The Reader’s home in Liverpool to lead two Masterclasses. Microfiction (Saturday 18 July, 1pm – 3pm) will be exploring micro-stories which are typically 300 words or less – many from Latin American writers – and Voices from Argentina looking at poems and short stories by talented writers from across the country (Sunday 19 July, 1pm–3pm).
Bookshop Summer Escapes Summer cocktails and deckchairs at the ready as the literary team from the charity’s indie bookshop reveal their must-read recommendations for the best beach reads, travel-inspired stories, and sun-soaked page-turners. Ticket includes a welcome drink, a buffet of ‘picky bits’, and 10% off all book purchases (Friday 19 June, 6.30 – 9.30pm).
Two masterclasses led by The Reader’s founder Dr Jane Davis will be inspired by the work of writers George Herbert, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Jeanette Winterson; and secondly by Niall Williams’ tale of small-town Irish life Time of the Child. Tea, coffee, cakes and light lunch included. (Sunday 21 June and Sunday 2 August, 10am-4pm).
Charles Dickens’ classic Great Expectations is this summer’s Deep Read explored over six weeks (Fridays, 19 June-24 July, 1-3pm).
Three summer Wellbeing Workshops will feature literature on The Reader’s 2026 Bookshelf: The Home We Carry They include Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Saturday 27 June, 2pm-4.30pm), Lila by Marilynne Robinson (Saturday 25 July, 2pm-4.30pm) and poetry inspired by this year’s theme (Saturday 22 August, 2pm- 4.30pm).
OPEN AIR THEATRE & CINEMA
Energetic three-strong touring theatre troupe The Handlebards will be returning to the Garden Theatre at The Mansion House to perform Shakespeare’s Macbeth with a twist – chock full of mishaps, mayhem and mirth. These cycling Shakespearean actors carry their set, props and costumes on the back of our bikes, while touring the UK. Suitable for all ages. (Sunday 23 August, 5pm -7pm).
Award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria return with a swashbuckling family-friendly production, The Three Musketeers . Follow Young D’Artagnan who is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. (Thursday 6 August, 7pm – 9.15pm).
Last July The Reader launched a sell-out season of Liverpool’s biggest open-air cinema – and it is poised to return for a second year this summer. The cinema line-up is set to be announced soon.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
As warmer days and lighter evenings approach The Reader is once again hosting its popular free drop-in Garden Parties with live music (Sunday 3 May, Sunday 26 July and Sunday 16 August, 11am-5pm). Pop up a deckchair, lay out a picnic blanket or browse the Library on the Lawn in the stunning Mansion House Garden for a chilled afternoon with a sizzling BBQ, summer tipples, music, Ice Cream cart and crafts.
The summer will also see the return of the free Ukulele Festival (Sunday 14 June, 12pm-6pm) featuring live performances throughout the day from the best ukulele groups in the North West.
At relaxed monthly Sip & Stitch socials, creatives can bring their current project or get started from scratch. Whether you are a crotchet connoisseur, natural knitter, or beginner, this is the perfect, casual space to relax with a hobby and unwind from the day (Thursdays, 25 June, 30 July and 27 August).
FAMILY EVENTS
For the third year running Storybarn Fest is the perfect way for families to celebrate the end of the summer holidays. This outdoor courtyard takeover at The Storybarn and Ice Cream Parlour includes facepainting, a barbecue and special guests to join a fun-filled day of activities (Sunday 30 August, 10am-4pm, Entry is free to the courtyard, Storybarn drop-in £2 Adults/£2 Children).
Regular family-friendly activities and events running this summer include Baby Drop-Ins, Bookshop Bedtime Stories, Incy Wincy Rhymers, Incy Wincy Wanders, Storybarn Drop-in Sessions, Storybarn Relaxed Sessions and Summer Holiday Club
Katie Clark, Director of Literature at The Reader, says:
“This summer season is the perfect opportunity to gather together and discover works by many of today’s most exciting writers including from Latin America alongside outspoken Victorian voices from Elizabeth Gaskell to Charles Dickens which offer a strong societal commentary. More so than ever, we’re proud to spotlight the essential role the written and spoken word takes in reflecting our most pressing societal issues, while also celebrating the immense power of great writing to express our inner lives, provide space for debate, and inspire positive change during this National Year of Reading.”
The Reader is the UK’s biggest Shared Reading charity, dedicated to connecting more than 25,000 adults and children with literature to improve wellbeing, literacy and community cohesion. Through UK-wide programmes in hospitals, prisons and community spaces, and at its home in historic Calderstones Park, The Reader brings storytelling to life.
Find out more about The Reader’s Summer 2026 programme here and book your tickets. Calderstones annual membership is available for £25 here. Discover what’s on during the National Year of Reading 2026 here.
Categories: 2026 | Festivals & Events
