9 reasons to visit Southport this Christmas

Southport is sparkling for Christmas 2023 and there are plenty of reasons why it’s a must-visit this festive season.

From Christmas films to panto fun, sparkling illuminations and, of course, trips to see the man in red, there’s loads going on in Southport to get us well and truly in the festive mood.

The seaside resort is bursting with fabulous and fun events, and ideas to crank up the excitement as we all count down to Christmas.

So if you’re looking for a few ideas of how you can get you and yours into the seasonal spirit in Southport – here’s several!

The Bear and The Reindeer

Southport BID’s ‘The Bear and The Reindeer’ will be lighting up the town centre this year, and you can enjoy the amazing brand-new illuminations in the Town Hall Gardens. You’ll find the dazzling Christmas characters – which are 18ft and 13ft high – sitting either side of the 60ft LED Christmas tree … perfect for that festive family photo. Follow on Instagram HERE.

Pantomimes 

Nothing says Christmas like a bit of song, slapstick and comedy capers – and in Southport you’ve got not one, but three brilliant pantos to choose from.  There’s the evergreen Jack and the Beanstalk at The Atkinson, Dick Whittington at The Waterfront Hotel, and The Pied Piper at Southport Little Theatre…oh yes there is!

Festive Films

White Christmas, Elf, The Holiday, Polar Express… you can’t beat a festive film for leaving you with a warm, cosy glow and letting you know that December 25 is on its way, and there are tons of Christmas films for all ages being shown at Southport Bijou Cinema and Vue Ocean Plaza in December, and at Southport Market which is hosting its own ‘Magical Movies’ events.

Ice Skating

You might not be Torvill and Dean but you can still have great fun dancing on ice at Victoria Park when the Bavarian Christmas Ice Skating returns, along with food, drink, entertainment and more in a giant heated marquee. It’s on throughout December. Book your slot here.

Christmas Trail

Explore the town centre and follow The Bear and The Reindeer Christmas Trail, seeing if you can spot the cute characters in store windows and use the clues in the pictures to answer a series of questions. If you visit the illuminations too you get the chance to answer a bonus question, with one lucky winner receiving a Nintendo Switch with games from GAME Southport.

Meet Father Christmas

He might be busy getting ready to fill up his sleigh but Father Christmas can always find time to meet his friends, and he’s making a few stops in Southport before the hard work really starts. You can have Lunch with Santa at The Vincent Hotel (and meet his real-life reindeers, Dancer and Prancer), pay him a visit in his Grotto at Wayfarers Arcade, and join him at Southport Market for Letters to Santa, where little ones will get the chance to pop their wish lists in a magical post-box.

Winter Walks

We all love to wrap up warm and go for an early evening winter walk and if you take a stroll through Southport town centre you’ll not only blow away the cobwebs, you’ll bathe in the spirit of the season, enjoying the festive illuminations, the boulevard of lights on Lord Street, and the Christmas Lights at The Grand.

Christmas Shopping

When it comes to Christmas Shopping Southport’s got it all wrapped up with plenty of places to find the perfect gifts whether it’s heartfelt pressies for the family or surprises for the Secret Santa at work: you’ve got Lord Street, Wesley Street, Cambridge Walks and the Market Quarter for great independent boutiques, for instance, and Chapel Street, M Park Central 12 and Ocean Plaza for all the top national brands.

A winter warmer

Well it’s hard work getting ready for Christmas, so after a long day of shopping or sight-seeing, why not settle down in one of the many cosy pubs, or head to the Northern Quarter to soak up the evening atmosphere and enjoy a spot of food or raise a glass to the festive season.  Mulled wine anyone?

You can follow the Your Southport channels on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with every happening in Southport town centre over Christmas. 

Get the latest Christmas news for Liverpool City Region HERE and visit our calendar to see what’s on across the city region as the countdown continues HERE.