Christmas 2017 in Liverpool: What we know so far

It’s official, Santa is on his way and he’s bringing the most Christmassy Christmas yet to Liverpool.

Jay here with a little Christmas list of all things festive coming our way this year. 

The countdown always begins as soon as the team at Liverpool ONE switch on what has now become one of the city’s best loved symbols, the heart filled tree outside John Lewis. Let’s be honest it took a while, but it is now safely locked inside the Christmas hearts of all who live and visit our city. Thursday’s light switch on was incredible, thousands in attendance and my first proper Christmas bevie this year at Bar Hutte. Watch all of the action below.

We’ve got everything this year from Christmas markets, ice festivals and even Christmas dinner kebabs. So hold on to your sleigh, get Home Alone 2 out of the DVD cupboard, dust off the tacky jumper and let Liverpool’s Christmas begin.

The Liverpool Ice Festival

It has become one of our favourite festive attractions, again taking over the Pier Head, the Liverpool Ice Festival is set to be the biggest to date, complete with its ice bar, kids fun fair rides, the giant ferris wheel, lots of mulled wine and hot chocky stalls, and of course that huge ice rink. I won’t lie I nearly ended up in the Royal after putting my skates on last time (but I was 4 pints of German lager in). This year a brand new attraction is coming along too in the form of the Ice Jet, which is your chance to feel the thrills of real life bob sleigh. If you’ve never been, add it to your Christmas list right now.

Liverpool Ice Festival opens on the Pier Head on Friday 17th November and runs right through until 7th January. More info icefestivalliverpool.com

The Liverpool Christmas Market

Everyone’s fav returns to the grounds of St George’s Hall on Friday 17th November, lots were moaning last year that it was too far away. Jib the moaning and go and experience something truly Christmassy in one of our most stunning locations. Over 40 festive stalls selling everything from gifts, crafts, decorations and lots of Christmas grub too.

The market opens on Friday 17th December and closes on Friday 22nd December.

More info here.

Get Christmassy at Liverpool ONE

You can’t have Christmas without the smell of your Maa’s favourite scent on the second floor of John Lewis can you? Liverpool ONE always pulls out all the stops for Santa, and this year new additions include the super Christmassy Cosy Club, the new pudding restaurant, Heavenly Desserts, and a brand new, super huge JD store. Loads for the kids in Chavasse Park, and for the adults too with Rudolph’s Rest Bar, and my personal favourite a little bevy under the tree at Bar Hutte, you can even book your own booth for a Christmas ‘carol-oke’ session. 

For more info on what’s on this Christmas at Liverpool ONE head this way.

Coca-Cola Truck

Photo – Peter Byrne/PA Wire URN:18329874

There has been a massive ho ho about this recently, but the good news is that the overly PC gang who seemed like they were trying to destroy Christmas haven’t won. The famous Coca-Cola truck pulls into Liverpool ONE on Tuesday December 5th and Wednesday December 6th and of course it will be playing ‘The Holidays Are Coming’. Selfies at the ready.

Christmas at The Clubhouse

The Clubhouse in Chavasse Park in L1 has become a Liverpool Christmas ‘must-do’. Food, atmosphere and service always on point, their festive menu looks delicious with hanging Christmas dinner kebabs and more. This year The Lodge is back cosier and more Christmassy than ever. Complete with skiffle boards, Christmas movies and mulled wine. Perfect for a family festive meal or a work Christmas party. Head to our Twitter or Facebook pages now to win a free Christmas meal for 4, just look out for the secret Santa CAM.

Lots more info here.

Festive fun at St George’s Hall

It is surely the most stunning and iconic building in the city, and one we should all make time for, especially at Christmas. This year St George’s Hall is holding a special Christmas Jumper Ceilidh on December 1st complete with Irish bands, Crimbo games and loads of mulled wine. As well as that the Snow Ball happens on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December.

You can also experience Christmas Classics in the beautiful Concert Hall. Your favourite Carols with a mulled wine and mince pie. Perfect!

Ticket bookings and more info here.

See a panto

We are so lucky in Liverpool to have not just one magical pantomime but LOADS of them across the city. This year Peter Pan is flying into the Epstein starring Radio City 2’s Claire Simmo alongside Dane Bowers.

At the Echo Arena Leanne Campbell stars in Aladdin with Jimmy Corkhill from Brookie and Michael Auger from Callabro.

Over at St Helens Theatre Royal the lovely Lucy-Jo Hudson plays Snow White with funny man Jonny Vegas brought to you via video projection in the mirror. I met them both at the launch a couple of weeks ago, and I promise you that you are in for a show and a half at St Helens.

Beauty and the Beast is on at The Black-E. And of course the Everyman’s famous Rock ‘n’ Roll panto returns this year with The Little Mermaid. And the Liverpool Empire have Duncan James from Blue in Cinderella.

Christmas Bevies

Surely the best thing to do at Christmas is a Crimbo bar crawl? Loads of Christmas cocktails and deals being served up across the city. Where do I start with so many great places to choose from, The Merchant, Porkys, NYL at Aloft Liverpool, Baltic Market, Red Door Liverpool, Castle Street Townhouse and so many more. Of course Bar Hutte is serving up mulled cider and German beers underneath the L1 Christmas tree.

New for this year we’ve got bars like La Finca Eivissa, Crazy Pedros and the very cosy Lock and Key on Duke Street who have hot G&T’s on the go. As well as that the old favourite’s Rigbys, Doctor Duncans, Ship & Mitre and Ma Boyles are all perfect for that perfect pint of Christmas. Goes without saying though ALWAYS drink Christmas bevies responsibly, and with a really bad Crimbo jumper on.

READ MORE: 8 of the best bars & restaurants to open in Liverpool during 2017

Grottos

Loads on for the little ones and plenty of places to meet Santa in Liverpool. The legendary Lewis’ Christmas Grotto is making a comeback and this year can be found in St John’s Market. Throughout December, Liverpool Town Hall will be playing host to a very special guest, as Father Christmas himself hosts Story Time With Santa in one of the most magical venues the city has to offer.

Christmas on the Dock

Last year The Albert Dock introduced us to one of the most magical Christmas experiences ever with the Countdown to Christmas light show on the Martin Luther King building. This year it is back, bigger and even more Christmassy.

Of course festive food and drink always on offer on the Dock too with Gusto, What’s Cooking, Pan Am and new dessert restaurant Puffle Waffle all pulling out the Christmas stops.

For more info head to www.albertdock.com

Santa Dash

The annual Liverpool Santa Dash returns to the city on Sunday 3rd December 2017 for the 14th time as families, friends, colleagues and even dogs, set off on the 5k course in an attempt to retain the world title of the biggest festive fun run.

A special party is happening afterward this year at the Clubhouse. More info on the ‘After Dash Bash’ here.

Lots more news on what’s on this Christmas in Liverpool this way and keep up to date on the latest via our Twitter or Facebook page. Have a good one and we will see you out and about celebrating Crimbo in the best city in the world.