The 2025 Liverpool Biennial festival contributed more than £17m to the city’s economy, according to a recently published report.
Curated by Marie-Anne McQuay, the festival ran from 7 June to 14 September, with exhibitions hosted at Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Central Library, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, The Black-E, and Walker Art Gallery.
Additional artworks were displayed at various city locations, including Liverpool ONE, Mann Island, Eurochemist, Pine Court, SEVENSTORE, and 20 Jordan Street.
As the UK’s largest free contemporary visual arts festival, Liverpool Biennial attracted 154,569 individual visitors and generated £17.4m in economic impact.
Nearly half of attendees came from outside the region, including 23 per cent from overseas and 26 per cent from other parts of the UK. Visitors hailed from 26 different countries, with over a third staying overnight, mostly in hotels, contributing further to local spending.
The festival also produced significant social benefits. Seventy-two per cent of visitors said Liverpool Biennial 2025 allowed them to spend quality time with friends and family, while 66 per cent reported a positive effect on their wellbeing.
Dr Samantha Lackey, director of Liverpool Biennial, said: “We are delighted with the findings of the Independent Evaluation of Liverpool Biennial 2025, which demonstrate the far-reaching and varied impacts of the festival on both the city and our audiences.
“I would first and foremost like to thank Marie-Anne McQuay and our artists, who created a Biennial that was so deeply rooted in the city. I am also incredibly grateful to our wonderful team, venues, and our delivery partners old and new for enabling us to bring ‘BEDROCK’ to life. We could not achieve what we do without their hard work and unwavering support.”
Cathryn Wright, chair of Liverpool Biennial, added: “This evaluation reaffirms the role of Liverpool Biennial in the cultural profile of Liverpool and illustrates the substantial economic benefits the festival brings to the city. As we move forward with our ambitious plans for 2027, I look forward to working with the team to build on the many successes of the 2025 edition.”
