Culture club: Liverpool 2018

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China's First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors

When the Terracotta Warriors were displayed in the British Museum in 2007, the exhibition smashed records for the amount of tickets sold before opening. As the army marches into Liverpool this year it is set to be just as much of a blockbuster. More than 180 artefacts from museums across Shaanxi Province – including the famous life-size figurines – have been brought together in a wide-ranging show spanning 1,000 years that traces China's formative period from the 8th century BC to the Han dynasty.

9 February to 28 October 2018. World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN; liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

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Tate Liverpool at 30

Tate Liverpool is marking its 30th birthday in style with a host of celebratory events throughout the year. Its art handler Ken Simons has been a permanent fixture in the museum since its launch in 1988, and having installed thousands of artworks over the decades he has unprecedented insight into its collections. Taking his turn in the spotlight, he will curate an exhibition of some of his favourites, including Mark Rothko's Light Red Over Black and works by Turner, Mondrian, Hepworth and Mark Wallinger. Later in the year, attention will turn to Viennese artist Egon Schiele, with a display pairing his work with images from American photographer Francesca Woodman (24 May to 23 September 2018), while November sees the opening of a solo show highlighting Fernand Leger.

Ken's Show: Exploring the Unseen, 30 March to 17 June 2018; tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool

Clipper Round the World Race

Liverpool's vibrant Albert Dock has long been one of the city's main attractions, and it will be at its liveliest throughout July when the crews taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race return to its shores. A dozen of the impressive 70ft ocean racing yachts will be welcomed back, having completed a gruelling journey taking them 40,000 nautical miles around the globe.

1 to-31 July; clipperroundtheworld.com

Liverpool Biennial

The Liverpool Biennial will mark two decades of championing contemporary art with a citywide extravaganza spanning 15 weeks. For this edition it is asking artists to consider the theme 'Beautiful world, where are you?', inspired by a line from a 230-year-old poem by Friedrich Schiller. Expect a bounty of specially commissioned works from international artists showcased not just in the city's galleries and museums, but found in public spaces and streets.

14 July to 28 October 2018; biennial.com/2018

Liverpool International Music Festival

Liverpool's rich musical heritage needs little introduction, and it remains the UK's only Unesco City of Music. One of the most anticipated events on the cultural calendar is the Liverpool International Music Festival, which will take over Sefton Park for a weekend in July for its sixth edition.

21-22 July 2018; limfestival.com