Beatles day in Liverpool

The Beatles are to be celebrated in their hometown of Liverpool on the first dedicated 'Beatles Day' this July 10th.

The event marks the 44th anniversary of the band’s triumphant homecoming after they conquered America in 1964. The day will help generate funds for the Alder Hey Children's Hospital Imagine Appeal, and the Liverpool Echo's 'Liverpool Unites' campaign. 20,000 moptop wigs and inflatable guitars are being made, and businesses will be encouraged to decorate buildings with Beatles memorabilia. Radio stations are set to play more Beatles-related tracks, as well as invite listeners to share their Fab Four memories on air. There will be also be a Beatles parade.

The day, part of the Summer Pops series, will end at the Echo Arena with 'Imagine - The Concert', hosted by Ricky Tomlinson. Musicians from far and wide will play their own versions of Beatles songs, with many special guests expected. Summer Pops promoter Chas Cole says:

Liverpool has always been proud of The Beatles and it’s a wonderful idea to combine an annual celebration of their music with a fund-raising drive for charity. Beatles Day will really be about the ordinary people of this city, and hopefully in the future, cities in the UK and beyond because we want this idea to catch on, from Liverpool to London to Los Angeles.

To buy tickets for the Imagine concert (priced £19.50 and upwards) visit Ticketmaster here.