Sections:
Visit
The show takes place over three days in central Liverpool from Friday 5th September and continues until Sunday evening, 7th September.
The action moves through the city streets and public spaces, stopping occasionally for short moments on the way from one location to another. Come for an hour or stay for three entire days!
If you find walking difficult, you may prefer to watch the static elements of the event at the beginning and end of each day. It is not necessary to be close to the action to enjoy the show - in fact it is often better to observe from a distance.
- Friday 5th September
- 11.30am – 1pm Outside the ACC, Albert Dock, 6.30pm – 9pm From the ACC to the Cunard Building, via Salthouse Dock
- Saturday 6th September
- 11.30am – 12.30pm Cunard Building, 3pm – 5pm From Cunard Building to Concourse House, via Water Street, Castle St, Lord St 6pm – 9pm Parker St, Ranelagh Place
- Sunday 7th September
- 7.30pm – 10pm Concourse House to Queensway Tunnel entrance
Timings subject to change: please return to this page before your visit.
The weather
The show will continue whatever the weather! Please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes for walking. We ask that audience members consider others in the case of wet weather, and try to use waterproof clothing rather than umbrellas which impede the view of those behind you.
Additional advice for people with disabilities
The three-day performance consists of moving parades which begin and end with large scale static set pieces. The parades take place in the city centre with audience members following the creature through the city centre. Access for these parades is as in daily life following the level access routes through the city. The structures are huge, up to 50 feet high and are often best viewed from a distance. The show is of a highly visual nature with live music but no spoken narrative. There is no seating provided; if you have difficulty standing for long periods of time, please bring a folding chair. For the set pieces, we advise wheelchair users to arrive in advance. The best viewing points are suggested below.
Friday 11.30am- 12.30pm
Set piece at the Arena on the piazza. Best viewed from the terraces in front of Arena. Info ushers will escort wheelchair users to the viewing point.
Friday evening
The performance happens in 3 stages, with the most spectacular performance happening in the Salthouse Dock (7pm - 8.30pm). We would therefore advise disabled clients to prioritise this portion of the performance and to view from the edge of the Dock closest to the Arena.
Saturday 11.30am -12.30pm
Musical performance outside the Cunard Building.
Saturday 7.30pm – 9.30pm
The performance takes place on the side of Concourse Tower, best viewing is from St George’s Plateau.
Sunday 7.30pm-9.30pm
The spider moves from Concourse Tower to the Queensway Tunnel entrance via William Brown Street. The first part of the show can be viewed from St George’s Plateau, the second part from outside the museum or the bottom of St John’s Gardens.
Dogs, buggies and bicycles
Please try to avoid bringing dogs, buggies, prams and bicycles to the show. They can be difficult to manoeuvre in large crowds!
Special Effects
La Machine features a series of spectacular special effects involving water, wind and loud noises among other things. You may like to bring wet weather gear even if sunny! Please also be aware of the spectacular special effects that will accompany the creature: these involve water, pyrotechnics and loud bangs and flashes.
Travel
Local transport links
Local train, underground and bus services will run throughout the weekend, although there will be some changes to services. Details of any alterations will be published here in the week of 1st September.
Visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk for details.
National rail travel
National rail services to Liverpool are operated by Virgin Trains. The West Coast line between London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street will be subject to some disruption on 6th and 7th September due to engineering works.
Visit www.virgintrains.co.uk for details.
Travelling by Car
Please be aware that some roads will necessarily be closed to traffic during the show, and that there will be some disruption.
Parking
- Strand Street Q Park
- On Friday 5th and Saturday 6th the Strand Street car park will be the closest to the show and offers accommodation for up to 2000 cars. It’s a great place to park if you’re planning to see the whole event. Please note:
- From 6pm on Friday 5th to 4pm on Saturday 6th, entry to the car park is from the South only.
- There will be no entry to the car park between 6pm and 9pm on Friday 5th
- Queen Square
- On Sunday 7th September, the Queen Square car park will be the closest to the show site and will provide the most convenient parking for anyone coming to the show. However access will be limited so that visitors will need to arrive before 1pm and will not be able to leave until after 10pm.
- St John’s Centre car park
- There will be no entry to the car park between 5.30pm and 10pm on Saturday 6th, and the car park will be closed on Sunday 7th between 2pm and 10pm.
Hotels
Visit www.visitliverpool.com for details of a range of hotel and bed & breakfast accommodation within reach of central Liverpool.
