With Christmas just around the corner, now’s the perfect time for a festive city break.
And what better city to visit than Liverpool?
We love Liverpool any time of year, but Liverpool at Christmas is another story. Dazzling lights, mouth watering food, stunning architecture and friendly residents all come together to create the perfect festive experience, for families and couples alike.
Need a little convincing? Here are 10 upcoming Christmas events guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.
Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival
Pier Head, Liverpool
Our favourite Christmas Ice Festival returns, with more frosty treats and surprises that’ll keep you toasty inside.
With an even BIGGER ice rink, a super-sized triple-lane ice slide and our much-loved giant ferris wheel, there’ll be plenty of things to tempt you out into the cold.
This year there’ll be over 50 traditional market stalls, creating Liverpool’s biggest ever Xmas market to date. When you’re tired of browsing, take a rest in the Ice Bar and experience the sub-zero room of clear ice sculptures and even ice furniture.
When: Nov 17 – Jan 7
Price: Adults £11.50, with £10.50 concession for kids, students and the elderly.
Kids under 12 – £9.50
Ice slide – £5 for three runs.
Home Alone Christmas Pop-Up Bar
Cain’s Brewery Village, Baltic Triangle
If you think Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a run of the timeless film, then this one’s for you.
The lads behind Ghetto Golf are bringing the first ever Home Alone themed bar to Liverpool, and it’s going to be everything you’re imagining.
Take a pew within the cosy living room space, and enjoy themed cocktails, Sinatra remixes, giant Christmas trees and decorations, with live performances from Kenosha Kickers and DJ Rasp.
The Home Alone pop-up will be everything you love about the movies, and more. So get ready, ya filthy animals.
When: Wed Dec 6. 7pm – 1am (last entry 8pm)
Price: £16.75, 18+ only.
Cirque de Lumiere
Echo Arena, King’s Dock
Cirque de Lumiere is a true festive night out with a difference.
Run by events company Vivid Entertainment, the show combines a mix of impressive cirque-style aerial entertainment with a spectacular light show, festive feast, disco dancing and a magnificent after-dinner fairground.
Whether you’re looking for a unique night with friends or an office Christmas ‘do with a twist, Cirque de Lumiere is sure to deliver.
When: Fri Dec 1 – Sat Dec 23 (selected nights – check website).
Price: Tickets start at £60, with a special offer of £44 for those in retail or the emergency services.
Santa Sing-Along
Liverpool Philharmonic
Melody Makers and Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s Choir come together to provide this brilliant festive activity for kids.
Just one hour long and designed with children in mind, the Santa Sing-Along involves familiar songs, bop-alongs and a surprise visit from a special guest.
As one of the Phil’s popular family concerts, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a full symphony orchestral music performance with the kids, with plenty to see and participate in.
When: Dec 16 + 17, 11:30am and 2:30pm
Price: Adults £14, children £9. Book directly at the Philharmonic website.
Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets Live Concert Tour
Echo Arena, King’s Dock
It you love Harry Potter and want to make this Christmas a magical one, head along to the Chamber of Secrets live concert tour.
From flying cars to wild monsters, relive everything you loved about the movie in high definition, on a giant screen. whilst a fantastic live orchestra brings your favourite moments to life.
When: Dec 1
Price: £28 – £71.50
Liverpool Christmas Markets
St George’s Hall courtyard
No Christmas in Liverpool would be complete without a stroll around the beautiful, aroma inducing markets. With over 40 stalls along with a bar and various food vendors, this year’s is set to be the biggest one yet.
Expect exotic culinary delights from around the world, including Mongolian food, Bratwurst and gourmet burgers, Polish BBQ hotdogs, Indian curries, a hog roast and range of waxed truckle cheeses from the Great British Cheese Co.
There’ll also be sweet treats such as fudge and pick n’n mix, sweet and savoury crepes and waffles, macaroons and chestnuts, and muffins and baked treats from Skipton Chocolate Box.
And don’t worry, all your boozy needs will also be covered. Stop by the mobile Gin Tin for a hot toddy or cocktail to warm you up, or sample some of Greg Fildes’ herbal or non-alcoholic punch.
There’ll also be a whiskey lounge and the Clarke Storey Windmill Bar & Grill is back as always, offering copious amounts of Prosecco, hot cider and German beer.
If you can find time between all the eating and drinking, why not have a browse and pick up some stocking fillers for loved ones? Choose from a delightful range of handmade gifts, decorations, clothing, homeware and toiletries.
When: 5pm Fri Nov 17 till Dec 22
Doggie Santa’s Grotto
Baltic Market
Move over, humans…it’s time for our four-legged friends to have their share of the Christmas fun too!
Merseyside Dogs Home is hosting a special Santa’s Grotto for dogs, where your furry pal can come along, pick up some treats and make some new friends.
There’ll be Christmas songs, stalls selling doggy goods and your pet is even welcome to have their photo taken with Santa Paws. Whether you have a dog or know someone who does, this is a great event for animals and their owners alike. And all for a good cause, too.
When: Dec 10, 11am – 6pm
Sno Garden Winter Festival
Camp & Furnace
This Sno Garden Winter festival will bring snow to Liverpool, no matter the weather outside.
With free entry, this cosy yuletide event will provide a popular place to hide from the cold this Christmas. Expect a ton of market stalls; ‘Xmasoke’; a ‘Bad Santa’s Grotto’ (18+ only); silent disco; mulling station and of course…indoor snow!
The festival will also be running showings of your favourite Xmas movies, so grab your friends and grab a pew before the seats run out. First night of the festival kicks things off with ‘Home Alone’, but you can also catch classics ‘Muppet’s Christmas Carol’, ‘The Grinch’, ‘Elf’, ‘The Santa Clause’ and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’.
Christmas On The Park
Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park
Up on the third floor of the stunning Liverpool ONE shopping centre resides Chavasse Park, a stretch of beautiful greenery that provides much-needed sunspots during the summer.
In the winter however, this bit of green space will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland…also known as Christmas On The Park!
Try out an array of traditional market treats including a Bavarian House Bar serving mulled wine and hot chocolate, as well as a festive hog roast, crepe house and German Swing Grill serving traditional Bratwurst.
Kids will love taking a ride on the numerous Christmas rides, including a carousel, helter skelter, teacups, Santa’s family roller coaster and many many others. Don’t forget to snap a cutsie photo in the giant Snow Globe!
When: 11am – 8:30pm, daily. House bar open till late.
Ya Nan’s Big Christmas Quiz
Camp & Furnace
Think you know it all? Well, ‘ya nan’ begs to differ, with a brain-niggling quiz that just also happens to be the biggest Christmas party in town.
Sure, you’ll be challenged by general knowledge trivia and music rounds. But what about Grandma’s famous bonus rounds? Lip-syncing, air-guitaring, dirty drawing, party tricks, blind dating and even the odd round of Play Your Cards Right will all play a part as your team battles for the best prize. There’ll also be a raffle and tombola too.
With both big cash prizes and shit prizes to be won, you won’t want to miss this belter of an event. And when the tables have been flipped, you can join your fellow losers or winners for the after-party in Nan’s front room.
When: Fri Dec 8, 6pm – 3am
Price: From £5
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