ALL sorts of events, from fashion shows to an alternative Santa’s grotto, stand-up comedy, puppet making and town crying, will be taking place at Tate Liverpool during its latest exhibition.

The limitless imagination of the gallery’s Fifth Floor provides the inspiration for its last big show of 2008.

The Tate doesn’t physically have a fifth floor, but is using the concept to get the public thinking and host a vast schedule of interesting – and sometimes unusual – visitor events.

The Fifth Floor: Ideas Taking Space presents major new works and commissions by 14 internationally-renowned artists and groups responding to ideas that have evolved out of discussions with the people of Merseyside.

Its festive theme reaches a peak this week with Tate’s first Santa Swap this weekend.

In the run-up, people are invited to bring in unwanted items and wrap them up with materials provided.

Using drawings produced by children from across Liverpool as architects’ plans, Tate’s “architect elves” (or, city architects firm Studio 3) will be constructing an alternative grotto tomorrow. Then, on Sunday, between 12pm and 2pm, visitors can receive their surprise gift from a “non-traditional” Santa – inspired by the ideas from groups from across the city.

Community media group Tenantspin has built a television studio in the gallery where everything is filmed and broadcast online.

With a different theme each day, visitors are invited to have their say in the TV booth, step into the shoes of their favourite news broadcaster or produce their own bulletins and features.

“For the gallery, it is really crucial to engage with the people of the city, especially this year,” says Peter Gorschlüter, head of exhibitions at Tate Liverpool.

“We wanted to find out about people’s ideas and thoughts about culture and what they would like to experience if they were asked, and that was the start of the whole project.”

After a series of consultations and discussion workshops Tate Liverpool invited 14 artists to respond to the public’s ideas.