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Royal Albert Dock announces memorable 180th Anniversary plans with retrospective light projection

THIS July, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is officially celebrating a monumental milestone:- 180 years since it was opened by Prince Albert on:- 30, July 1846. To mark nearly 2 centuries as the hub of Liverpool's waterfront, the dock has unveiled a spectacular programme blending large scale photography, world class contemporary dockside dining and community storytelling.

The summer celebrations will officially begin on the evening of:- Thursday, 30 July 2026, when the facade of the Maritime Museum, on the inner quay, will come alive with a new Dock Short Lates projection, transforming the historic brickwork into a giant open air gallery. 

Acclaimed Liverpool photographer Mark McNulty, famed for documenting the City's music, nightlife and cultural renaissance since the 1980s, has collaborated with the dock to curate his best work taken around the dock. Launching on the birthday night and running throughout August, McNulty's work will paint a cinematic history of the dock from:- 9:45pm to 11pm.

To complement the visual experience, Gusto Albert Dock will host a limited, 1 night only dining experience on:- 30 July 2026. With only 180 spaces available, the contemporary Italian restaurant has crafted a bespoke heritage menu. Each dish will weave in subtle influences from the dock's original 19th Century trade routes, incorporating the exotic spices, citrus fruits, and rich rums that once arrived at the Mersey quayside on global merchant vessels. After dinner, guests can head out to Gusto's newly refurbished terrace, which will provide the perfect viewing platform to enjoy the projection. Tickets are available to purchase here.

The birthday night is the catalyst for a broader summer long community campaign, where members of the public will be asked to share their personal photographs of the dock from across the decades, from nostalgic family days out in the '80s to modern day selfies on the colonnades. 180 memories will be selected to feature in a permanent digital memory book and on a bespoke Dock Shorts projection at the end of September as part of an exciting grand finale event.

Speaking on the Anniversary plans, Sean Morrison, Estate Manager at Royal Albert Dock, said:- “The Royal Albert Dock is a magnificent piece of engineering, but what truly defines it is the generations of Liverpool people who have made it their own. For 180 years, these colonnades have been the backdrop to everything from casual 1st dates and family traditions to global cultural moments. We are thrilled to partner with a legendary local talent like Mark McNulty and our brilliant tenants like Gusto to celebrate our past, before we hand the storytelling over to the public ahead of our major finale in September."

Norma Lyons, owner of Liverpool Pictures on the dock, commented:- "It is an absolute honour to be part of the dock's incredible journey. It really is the jewel in Liverpool's crown, and it just gets better and better. Over the years, the biggest shift we've seen is how international the dock has become. At the beginning, our footfall was mostly domestic, but the expansion of European flight routes and the legacy of Capital of Culture completely transformed us, bringing in visitors from all across Europe. The Dock always has something exciting happening, while keeping that peaceful ambience people fall in love with. Turning 180 is a historic milestone which we're proud to be a part of."

To sign up for more information visit their website.  

To book a table at Gusto's celebratory dinner, click on this link.

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