Liverpool set to host giant 'Elf on the Shelf' game this Christmas

Get ready, Liverpool! This December, the city will host a giant game of hide-and-seek with a 15ft Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf, thanks to Liverpool BID Company.

Starting 1 December, this massive Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf, nicknamed “R’Elf,” will pop up at surprise locations around Liverpool city centre, moving under the cover of night to keep everyone guessing.

This festive fun will continue every day until Christmas Eve, inviting locals and visitors alike to hunt for the elf each morning, snap selfies, and enjoy the magic of Christmas.

Daily clues will be found on Liverpool BID Company’s social media channels, but, as with tradition, no hints or announcements will be made before the Scout Elf appears.

Liverpool’s The Elf on the Shelf (monikered “R’Elf”) will land on buildings across the city, from Old Hall Street to Hope Street and the Waterfront to Lime Street.

The Elf on the Shelf is a beloved global Christmas tradition in which Santa’s Scout Elves visit families each day during the festive season and report back to Santa each night on their family’s Christmastime activities. With more than 21 million Scout Elves sold since 2005 and over 8.5 million fans on social media, the brand has achieved iconic status, and its Scout Elf is a Top 10 holiday character across the UK and US*.

Liverpool’s R’Elf is the creation of prop and puppet-maker Jenny Simmons, Liverpool BID Company, The Lumistella Company’s official The Elf on the Shelf team and Rocket Licensing.

At the same time as The Elf on the Shelf takes place in Liverpool, it will also be appearing in Bristol.

Leanne Wilks, Projects Officer at Liverpool BID Company, said:

“Liverpool loves a spectacle so as soon as we saw the giant The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf we just had to get involved. This has been months of hard work and planning behind the scenes, and we have been delighted by the enthusiasm of our partners who, when we approached them to see if they wanted a 15ft Scout Elf scaling their building for Christmas, have all jumped on board adding ideas too.

“This is going to be full of fun and joy and we want to be able to spread Christmas cheer with this larger-than-life game of hide-and-seek this December.”

The fun begins on Sunday 1st December, location TBC!

Meanwhile, Liverpool city centre will start to feel a lot like Christmas when the lights are switched on from Thursday 14 November, as Liverpool BID Company reveals the decorations, installations and animation planned for the festive season.

Between 2023 and 2026, Liverpool BID Company is investing £490k in lights covering 80% of the city centre, from Lime Street and the Commercial District to the retail heart in Church Street and Lord Street, and into Hope Street.

As well as the Georgian Quarter, this year’s lights will extend into Castle Street, Exchange Flags and an extension of the ceiling lights in Richmond Street.

The funding from Liverpool BID Company comes from the levy paid by city centre businesses and helps to cover the shortfall in the public purse.

Christmas lights will be in Old Hall Street and Tithebarn Street, up to Lord Street and Church Street, Hope Street, Hardman Street and Leece Street.

With lamp post motifs and light decorated trees, the festive decorations will add sparkle and animation to the city centre. Ceiling curtains will light up specific streets, including Basnett Street, Tarleton Street, Richmond Street and Williamson Street.