Tickle the Ivories Piano Festival
Tickle the Ivories is back to the heart of the city 10 July – 11 September 🎹✨
The 9 week-long event runs until mid-September and encourages local talent to get involved and fill the streets of Liverpool city centre with symphonies of every genre from classical through to dance music.
Piano Locations
📍 Custom House Place under the John Lewis Canopy facing the Green Steps.
📍 South John Street under the bridge by Office Shoes
📍 College Lane opposite Waterstones
📍 Peter’s Square near Kiehl’s and Ted Baker
📍 The Galleria outside the entrance of ODEON IMAX
You can play without booking, but if you want to secure a spot use the booking form at the bottom of this page.
Busking Locations
For buskers and musicians you can book either locations using our booking system, register here or access our booking system if you have a login.
Whether it’s dropping in for a spontaneous melody, or watching the incredible performances as the world goes by at Liverpool ONE, Tickle the Ivories is an event held for everyone.
Performance Schedule
Take a look at our upcoming performance schedule.
Tuesday 9 September
Andrew Fisher | 12pm – 1pm
📍Sugar House Steps
Wedneday 10 September
Andrew Fisher | 2pm – 3pm
📍Sugar House Steps
Thursday 11 September
Andrew Fisher | 2pm – 3pm
📍Sugar House Steps
Sunday 14 September
Liverpool Community Choir | 12pm – 1pm
📍Sugar House Steps
Want to book a slot to play at Tickle?
Pianos are available free to use for all.
If you would like to book to play at a specific time, please complete your details on the form below to register in our booking system.
You will then receive a link to Liverpool ONE’s booking system where you can see all the pianos and slots available and book your chosen location.
Please read our Code of Conduct here.
Meet the artists behind the Tickle 2025 designs!
During the 2025 Festival, our gorgeous Tickle pianos were all inspired by the power of music. Here’s a little bit about the artists who created the wonderful designs.
Dot Rogers
Dot has lived in Liverpool for over 20 years, originally moving here to train as a primary school teacher. Now a freelance illustrator and animator, she’s known for creating colourful murals and animations across the city.
Inspired by her musical family and a childhood home full of fostered children, Dot’s piano celebrates Brad Keller—a tribute to the power of music in the lives of young people, especially those in care.
Stu Harrison
Stu is an illustrator and cartoonist, producing artwork for children’s books and creating ideas for children’s media, as well as working extensively in editorial illustration for publications including the Guardian Guide, Mixmag and Select.
He has had global representation by agents in the UK, Europe, The US and Japan.
Jess Hanko
Jess Hanko is a Liverpool-based illustrator working from her studio in the Bluecoat Gallery. Known for her detailed, isometric cityscapes, Jess captures the quiet charm of everyday life.
Her piano design explores how music connects us—showing private moments of dancing, singing and listening that, together, create a shared rhythm running through the city.
Sophie Green
Sophie Green is a Liverpool-based artist celebrated for her bold, joyful designs that champion love, community, and queer joy.
Her piano, Songs Across the Sky, features a chorus of UK summer songbirds—symbolising how music uplifts, connects, and carries through the air like birdsong. Sophie’s work can be found across the city, from murals and workshops to prints and paper goods.
Ryan Rigby
Ryan is a Liverpool-based artist and illustrator known for his emotive portraits and vibrant, pop culture-inspired landscapes. His work blends bold textures with expressive colour to tell visual stories.
For his piano design, Ryan uses bright tones and flowers shaped like music notes to symbolise how music brings people together, helps us grow, and adds joy and inclusivity to everyday life.