Christmas in Liverpool is back and there is so much to do!
From pantos to craft fairs, Christmas markets and bottomless brunch, your festive break in Liverpool will be jam-packed with Christmas cheer. To help give you a bit of inspiration, we have made a list of 25 activities you can do with your friends and family for all the festive feels.
Liverpool. Feels like Christmas.
1. LIVERPOOL ICE FESTIVAL
This winter, everyone’s favourite Christmas Ice Festival returns for another year on Liverpool Pier Head. The winter wonderland features an ice rink, a triple lane ice slide, the UK’s only Ice Jet Ride and lots of delicious food and drink stalls. So grab some skates and wrap up warm for lots of festive fun. Open from 19 November to 3 January, make sure to include it in your Christmas itinerary.
2. LIVERPOOL CHRISTMAS MARKETS
This year the Christmas Markets have a new home at St John’s Gardens and William Brown street in St George’s Quarter but with all the same festive fun. Explore over 40 stalls full of gifts, sweet treats, food and drinks in a beautiful setting. After all the shopping, pull up a seat in the Windmill bar and enjoy a selection of German beers or a warm hot chocolate. Open from 12 November to 23 December, there’s lots of time to head down for a festive afternoon.
3. BAR HUTTE AT LIVERPOOL ONE
You won’t be able to miss the giant Christmas Tree covered in hearts in the middle of Liverpool ONE. Did you know that underneath the Christmas Tree is Bar Hutte? A unique take on Alpine Apres Ski perfect for the whole family. Each hutte includes a ‘carol-oke’ machine so you can sing along to your favourite Christmas classics with a festive cocktail in hand.
4. WALK THROUGH A CHRISTMAS TREE
Have you ever walked through a Christmas tree before? Well now you can at Williamson Square! The 16 metre high artificial tree is the perfect location for your Christmas selfie as the LED lights add a bit of sparkle to your photo album.
5. CHURCH STREET TREE
The Church Street Christmas tree is back and bringing some twinkly festive cheer to Liverpool once again! Head along to grab the perfect Christmas selfie.
6. CINDERELLA AT M&S BANK ARENA
We love a good panto at Christmas and this year the M&S Bank Arena are putting on Liverpool's biggest ever pantomime, Cinderella. Featuring Radio City’s Leanne Campbell as The Fairy Godmother, the magical production features a delicious blend of beautiful scenery, colourful costumes, a live band and lots of songs. Running from 18-28 December, grab your tickets quick.
7. WINTER ARTS MARKET AT LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL
The Winter Arts Market is returning to the Liverpool Cathedral in December with two festive shopping dates on 3 & 4 December. Find stalls from over 50 independent artists, designers and makers in the beautiful setting surrounded by festive cheer. Pop along with your friends and family to shop for creative crafts, gifts and beautiful food.
8. LIVERPOOL SANTA DASH
The Liverpool Santa Dash is the biggest and longest established Santa Run in the UK and it is back for another year! Everyone that enters receives a Santa suit to run the 5K fun run around the city centre where runners are greeted with Christmas characters and a flurry of snow at the finish line in front of the Town Hall. Register your place now.
9. ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO ROBIN HOOD
The Rock ‘N’ Roll panto is back at the Everyman Theatre this year with a production of Robin Hood. Regular writers, Sarah A Nixon and Mark Chatterton have put their own spin on the classic tale of heroism, social justice and tights! Running from 27 November to 15 January book your tickets so you don’t miss out.
10. SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS AT THE PHILHARMONIC HALL
Get into the spirit of Christmas this year at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The Spirit of Christmas is an annual feast of festive music, old and new with classic carols and readings from Classic FM’s John Suchet. It’s the perfect event to spread a bit of festive cheer.
11. ENCHANTED AT KNOWSLEY SAFARI
Book your tickets now for Enchanted at Knowsley Safari. As the sun sets, Foot Safari comes alive with music and a magical Christmas light trail alongside the enchanted forest of Christmas lights, animal light trail and toasted marshmallows for perfect festive fun. The whole family will love this Christmas adventure.
12. SHIVERPOOL
Shiverpool’s spooky ghost tours aren’t just for Halloween, they make for the perfect Christmas present too! Telling ghostly tales during the Christmss season has always been a tradition going back centuries. As the chill of the winter days begin, it’s the perfect time for a chilling tale or two. Book yourself or a loved one some tickets with their Ghost Map too!
13. SCOUSE SLEEPING BEAUTY AT THE ROYAL COURT
Nothing beats a Royal Court Christmas show! Packed with stupid jokes, loads of live music and utterly inappropriate content, the Royal Court are proud to present Scouse Sleeping Beauty. Leave the kids at home for this one and enjoy a festive night out.
14. WALK ROUND THE ROYAL ALBERT DOCK
The Royal Albert Dock is magical any time of year but it’s extra special at Christmas. Take a walk around the Dock to explore all their festive lights, find Bella and Bertie all dressed up for Christmas and enjoy a drink or festive meal in one of their many bars and restaurants. If you're heading over in the day, grab a hot drink to go or pop into Tate Liverpool or the Maritime Museum to explore their galleries.
15. LUSH LIVERPOOL
As part of your Christmas shopping don’t forget to head over to Lush Liverpool to visit their Snow Fairy floors, it’s the ultimate Christmas shopping experience. The whole third floor will turn pink in celebration of The Snow Fairy candy floss-scented product range alongside a personalisation station and gift wrapping station.
16. LUMINATE SOUTHPORT
A spectacular, illuminated trail full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses is heading to Victoria Park in Southport this Christmas. Immerse yourself in the mesmerising trail of lights and music for a festive evening out.
17. DREAMGIRLS AT LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
This Christmas let your soul sing with the dazzling multi-award winning Dreamgirls at the Liverpool Empire. Straight from the West End, the extraordinary musical production features the classic songs we all know and love from the show. Running from 14 December to 1 January there’s plenty of time to see this incredible performance.
18. THE SNOWMAN AT LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL
This Christmas immerse yourself in the irresistible animated tale The Snowman accompanied by a love orchestra at Liverpool Cathedral. The heart-warming experience features the much-loved classic ‘Walking in the Air’ and is a festive favourite the whole family can enjoy.
19. PINS ALPINE VILLAGE
Home to the largest rooftop bar in Liverpool, PINS are welcoming an Alpine Village this Christmas. The heated rooftop will welcome winter cocktails, snow cones, mulled wine, boozy brunches, live music and ski shots for the ultimate festive night out.
20. LANTERNS AT CHESTER ZOO
The Lanterns at Chester Zoo are back for another magical year and is set to be as enchanting as ever. Join them as they transform the zoo into a spectacular wonderland full of sparkle, illumination and plenty of cheer!
21. CHRISTMAS AT OTTERSPOOL ADVENTURE
Otterspool Adventure will be transformed into a magical family Christmas experience not to be missed this festive season. Watch a live pantomime, visit Santa’s Grotto and so much more.
22. LIVERPOOL CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
If you’re struggling for ideas on what to buy your loved ones for Chrsitmas then have a look at our Liverpool Christmas Gift Guide. There’s lots of inspiration to help tick off your list this year.
23. A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT ST GEORGE’S HALL
A true to the book stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol is coming to St George’s Hall for a magical performance of one of the greatest stories ever written.
24. FESTIVE PUNK TEA
Everybody’s favourite festive punk tea is back at the Baltic Social this Christmas. Enjoy meat, veggie and vegan menus full of festive treats with a bit of a twist for the perfect afternoon out.
25. METQUARTER CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS
Get crafty this Christmas at the Metquarter and make your own gifts and decorations for family and friends. From Silversmith workshops to Christmas Wreath making workshops there are so many festive activities to get involved in.
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