A look back at Christmas Past in Liverpool

As the festive season arrives, let’s take a look back at Christmas Past in Liverpool and how it has been celebrated in the city over the years.

The city is known for its unique Christmas spirit. Here’s a look at some of our favourite moments of Christmas time gone by in Liverpool:

Victorian roots

Liverpool, like many cities, experienced significant changes during the Victorian period, particularly in the way Christmas was celebrated. The Victorians are often credited with shaping many of the Christmas traditions we know and love today, from Christmas cards to decorating trees.

One of the most significant contributions to Liverpool’s Christmas celebrations during this time was the establishment of large, decorated Christmas trees in public spaces. 

The tradition of Christmas lights in Liverpool is rooted in the city’s Victorian love for elaborate displays.

In the early 1900s, the streets around the city centre would be lit up with loads of beautiful decorations, with local shops and businesses competing to create the most impressive displays.

Christmas lights switch on

As the dark nights crept in, Liverpool came alive each year with its Christmas lights switch-on. This tradition has been a staple of the festive season, drawing crowds to celebrate as the city’s streets light up in a stunning display of holiday cheer.

In fact, Liverpool was one of the first in the UK to host a public Christmas lights switch-on in the 1930s, a tradition that continues to this day.

Bold Street, Church Street, and Lord Street have been adorned with sparkling lights for generations, transforming the city into a winter wonderland… something which continues across the city centre today with the likes of Liverpool ONE, St John’s Shopping Centre, and more.

The annual switch-on event, often accompanied by live music and special guests, is still for some, one of the most anticipated moments on Liverpool’s Christmas calendar.

Blackler’s Winter Wonderland and the iconic Giant Santa Claus

For decades, Blackler’s department store on Great Charlotte Street was the heartbeat of Liverpool’s festive season.

Known for its jaw-dropping Winter Wonderland Grotto, Blackler’s transformed each year into a Christmas paradise that was the stuff of dreams for local kids.

The towering giant Santa Claus, a true legend among Scousers, stood tall at around 18ft. Blackler’s Santa was an icon, drawing more than 10,000 visitors a week during the festive season.

The Santa and grotto were surrounded by intricate, moving displays that brought the North Pole to life.

These enchanting displays are preserved in stunning photographs from the Stewart Bale collection at National Museums Liverpool.

Although Blackler’s closed in the 1980s, its legacy remains one of the most cherished Christmas memories in the city.

Lewis’s windows and grotto

Lewis’s was another Liverpool institution that fully embraced the Christmas spirit.

As the oldest department store in the UK, Lewis’s was famous for its beautifully decorated windows, which were transformed into fabulous winter scenes each holiday season.

Their displays brought joy to shoppers and passers-by, who would often line up outside just to take in the twinkling lights and animated winter tales depicted in each window.

Lewis’s also hosted one of the most beloved Santa’s Grottos in the city. Children would eagerly line up, excited to meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes.

The Grotto was a world in itself, with elaborate scenes that captured the imagination of every kid.

Many Scousers still remember their trips to Lewis’s, a tradition passed down through generations until the store’s closure in 2010.

Shopping at Woolworths

No Christmas shopping trip in Liverpool was complete without a stop at Woolworths.

The “Woolies” on Church Street, later moving to St John’s Shopping Centre, was a Christmas shopping haven, offering everything from decorations and toys to those all-important selection boxes… and no one has forgotten the pick ‘n’ mix in a hurry.

Liverpool families remember picking out last-minute stocking fillers and hunting for Christmas crackers among the aisles.

Woolworths also had an impressive range of festive treats, from mince pies to tins of biscuits, making it a one-stop-shop for all things Christmas… bring it back!

Bargains at TJ Hughes

For many, TJ Hughes was the go-to place for Christmas gifts and decorations.

Located on London Road, now Church Street, TJ’s became legendary for its affordability and variety.

From dazzling lights and Christmas ornaments to affordable gifts and holiday outfits, TJ Hughes offered something for everyone.

As December approached, the aisles were packed with shoppers seeking the best deals, and the atmosphere was buzzing with holiday spirit.

Shopping at Owen Owen

For generations of Scousers, Owen Owen was an institution in Clayton Square, offering everything from home goods to high-end fashion.

When the Christmas season came around, the store transformed into a festive wonderland that captured the magic of the holidays. Shoppers were greeted with twinkling lights, elaborate window displays, and cheerful decorations that extended from the storefront into every corner of the building.

During the festive rush, families would go to Owen Owen not just for Christmas shopping but for a holiday experience. The store’s beautifully decorated interiors featured dazzling Christmas trees, festive garlands, and seasonal tunes filling the air. Parents would bring their children to browse for gifts, and many people remember selecting Christmas stockings, festive tableware, and, of course, that perfect “something special” for under the tree.

Their toy section was especially popular during the holidays, as kids looked for the latest action figures, dolls, and games. Many shoppers remember the joy of seeing seasonal treats in-store, from Christmas puddings to festive chocolates and sweets.

Although Owen Owen eventually closed its doors, it left a lasting impact on the memories of the people of Liverpool. For those who grew up in the city, a trip to Owen Owen during Christmas remains a treasured memory.

The Liverpool Christmas Market

The first Christmas markets in Liverpool began to emerge in the late 1990s, modelled after the traditional German Christmas markets. Over the years, these markets have grown to become one of the most anticipated parts of the city’s holiday celebrations.

The Liverpool Christmas Market, held annually at St George’s Plateau, offers everything from festive food and drink to handcrafted gifts and seasonal entertainment. It’s a place where both residents and visitors can experience the magic of Christmas shopping, along with delicious festive food such as bratwurst, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts.

We could go on about our favourite things from Christmas time gone by in Liverpool, but we would be here until the big day. So, whether it’s strolling through the winter wonderland of Christmas markets, enjoying the light displays along Bold Street and Liverpool ONE, or attending a live Christmas concert, the city offers something for everyone during the festive season.

Christmas in Liverpool has evolved over the years, but its enthusiasm and warmth has remained.

Your ultimate guide to Christmas in Liverpool 2024 HERE.

You can read more about Christmas past in the city at National Museums Liverpool.