Your ultimate guide to Christmas in Liverpool 2023

Updated 20 December

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… 

The supermarket shelves are getting filled with festive goodies and party times are being planned, so if you want to start getting a few dates in the diary for Christmas in Liverpool, now’s the time.

Here’s our ultimate guide to Christmas in the city – keep checking back for more updates as the big day gets closer!

Pantos and shows

M&S Bank Arena – Sleeping Beauty

TV reality star and model Katie Price stars as Carabosse, the jealous evil queen who curses the beautiful princess to perish on her 21st birthday. Bippo the clown, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Lucy Kay, and Andy Brennan (Queen FiFi of Fazakerley!) also star. On from Saturday, December 16 to Saturday, December 30.

More info here.

Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Cinderella

This is always one we look out for at Christmas and it’ll not disappoint for 2023 with the return of Everyman favourite Adam Keast. This year the iconic Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto is telling the story of Cinderella, with heaps of sass, silliness, and sparkle. Friday, November 17 to Saturday, January 20, 2024.

More info here.

Liverpool Empire – The Wizard of Oz

Follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald city for this Christmas classic, as Dorothy tries to get back to Kansas and the Tinman, Scarecrow and cowardly Lion request their own gifts of the great and powerful (?) Oz. JLS’ Aston Merrygold and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice’s The Vivienne star, and it’s on from Wednesday, December 13 to Sunday, January 7, 2024.

More info here.

Royal Court – The Scouse Dick Whittington

It’s got the live band, the great gags … and some pretty rude words – so leave the kids at home for this one! Dick was lying in his bed when a scary hairy fairy came to him in a dream to tell him if he went to London he’d become Lord Mayor. Side-splitting fun at the Royal Court from Friday, November 10 to Saturday, January 20, 2024.

More info here.

St Helens Theatre Royal – Aladdin

Emmerdale’s Liam Fox will make his panto debut and Radio City presenter and panto royalty Leanne Campbell will appear as Genie of the Mirror, as Aladdin battles the wicked Abanazer who’s out to rule the world with the help of a very special lamp. See it from Saturday, December 2 to Sunday, January 14, 2024.

More info here.

The Atkinson – Jack and the Beanstalk

Brookside legend Dean Sullivan stars as evil Fleshcreep in this evergreen panto about a boy who grows a beanstalk up to a magical land with the help of a handful of magic beans. Will Jack outwit the ferocious Giant Blunderbore? Find out between Thursday, December 7 to Sunday, December 31.

More info here.

Floral Pavilion – Jack and the Beanstalk

Still with the magic beans and gigantic beanstalk, but you can’t beat a good old favourite. Corrie and Emmerdale star Hayley Tamaddon is The Vegetable Fairy alongside Blood Brothers’ favourite Sean Jones as Simple Simon, and CBeebies’ Joseph Elliott as Fleshcreep in this lavish production on from Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, January 7, 2024.

More info here.

Playhouse – The Woman In Black 

It’s a spine-chilling thriller by Susan Hill. Obsessed with a curse he believes has been cast over him and his family, Arthur Kipps engages a sceptical young actor to help him exorcise the fear that grips his soul. From Tuesday, December 5 to Saturday, December 30.

More info here.

The Wind in the Willows – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Tickets for The Wind in The Willows at Shakespeare North Playhouse are on sale now! 

The show is a funny, timeless tale of friendship, courage, consequences and bravery.

When Mole forfeits his seasonal cleaning for the lure of the luscious riverbank, he has no idea of the thrilling (and slightly chaotic) journey that he and his friends are about to embark on…

Find out more here.

Christmas Carols

There’s something magical about hearing carols on Christmas Eve, nowhere more so than at the Liverpool Cathedrals. 

The aptly named Carols for Christmas Eve starts at Liverpool Cathedral at 2 pm, whilst the Vigil Mass gets underway at Liverpool Metropolitan from 6 pm. 

Both services will have you feeling the true spirit of Christmas in no time. 

Christmas Markets

The Christmas Market is back at St George’s Plateau

Everybody’s favourite Christmas Market is coming back between Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, December 24, with all the usual favourite festive food and fun offerings. Set around St George’s Plateau, William Brown Street and St John’s Gardens, there’ll be crafters and makers selling unique gifts, decorations, art, crafts, and jewellery, along with a range of bars – like the tipi bar, ski bar, windmill bar, and the Bavarian bar – and rides for the kids.

Find out more here.

Chester Christmas Market

A magical Christmas all wrapped up! Chester Christmas Market will be back in the heart of Chester this year. Get the festive feeling this winter spoil yourself at Chester Christmas Market.

A handmade, historical, magical experience awaits you with 70 traders situated in the square around the town hall, the new arcade and the forum surrounding the iconic sparkling tree in the heart of the city

More info here.

Meet Santa/ Family events

Everyman breakfast with Santa

How fabulous is this? Kids can get to have their brekkie with the man in red and tell him all about their Christmas wishes while tucking into beans, egg or sausage on toast. They’ll even get a special gift. It’s on Downstairs at the Everyman, every Saturday from November 18, and tickets start at £16.50.

More info here.

Enchanted at Knowsley Safari

The magic returns as Knowsley Safari undergoes a dazzling transformation into an illuminated wonderland from November 18 to December 30. There’s a new rainbow road and new animal features at the spectacular festive experience at Knowsley this year, along with its own Northern Lights, talking trees and old favourites like lit-up giraffes, penguins, zebras, and polar bears. Its Winter Village is back for its second year too.

More info here.

Christmas at the Magical Woodland – Blakemere in Cheshire

Get into the Christmas spirit with never-seen-before light features in a 15-acre enchanted Cheshire Woodland. There’ll be dazzling canopies of fairy lights, interactive light features, tunnels of Borealis-style lasers, floating umbrellas, and clouds of flying lanterns, and the lights and sounds bring the woods to life. On from Friday November 24– Sunday, December 24.

More info here.

Imagine That!

Just in case you’re looking for more festive fun to do with the kids after they’ve broken up, head to Liverpool’s Imagine That! which has got a ‘10 Crafts of Christmas’ theme this year.

The Wavertree entertainment centre’s inviting kids to make not just one but 10 festive keepsakes, which are all included in the admission price. They can create their own Christmas Eve boxes to be filled with magic reindeer food, a hot chocolate popper, a candy cane mouse, and more – and there’ll be melting snowman slime to take home as well as a pot of magical never-melting snow.

Kids can also have a go at festive magnet painting, make elf masks and festive door hangers, and pose for a ‘Selfie with Elfie’ souvenir photograph.

You’ve got till Saturday, December 23, to enjoy the 10 Crafts of Christmas. Tickets are £15.95 for children aged three and over, children aged one and two are £12.95 and adults are £7.95.

Book tickets here.

Grotto at Everyman Theatre

You and your little ones will make your way through the Grotto to arrive at a letter writing station before the elves take you to meet Santa – there you’ll be able to tell him all of your Christmas wishes and receive a special gift!      

Tickets start from £9.50 – £15.00 and include letter writing and an opportunity to take a picture of your children with Santa.

More info here.

Mini Madams at GPO

Join Mini Madams for a load of Christmas specials this year at GPO!

They have Frozen, The Grinch, and Lilo & Stitch themed events full of entertainment and craft making!

Find out more here.

Albert Dock Light Trail

This Christmas, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be illuminated once again with the return of its popular light trail. Taking place across the estate with over 1 million twinkling lights, embark on an enchanting waterfront wander.

Enjoy a selection of characters from Liverpool’s coat of arms alongside nautical installations representing the dock’s rich maritime history, offering a fun, free activity for families during the festive period.

More info here.

Lanterns and Lights at Chester Zoo

Explore new captivating light installations and be transported into enchanting lands filled with colour and festivity, where you can meet orangutans, lions, dolphins and woolly mammoths as you make your way along the trail!

Wonder at the colour changing displays stretching as far as the eye can see, while birds and stars adorn the zoo’s winding paths and trees. Take a walk through the spectacular Winter Cathedral tunnel of lights and even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas in his sleigh.

More info here.

John Lewis 

Father Christmas is having his delightful meet and greet in the fairytale grotto at John Lewis this Christmas and youngsters will have the chance to help find the hidden code to the elf portal and just possibly save Christmas! And, because your pet pooch is a part of the family, there’s a Santa Paws Experience too so you can treat your favourite four-legged friend to a visit to our crimson-clad hero. From Thursday, November 23.

More info here.

Farmer Ted’s

This year sees the return of Farmer Ted’s (or should that be Farmer Christmas’s) spectacular walking adventure, trekking through Santa’s winter wonderland to see where his elves make all the toys, and even where Santa sleeps – and don’t miss the special Christmas Storytime! Booking from Saturday, November 25.

More info here.

Otterspool Christmas Experience

Otterspool Adventure’s Magical Family Christmas Experience offers up to three hours of activities plus unlimited play on its ice rink and attractions. Youngsters can visit Santa in his Grotto and receive a gift, visit the elves’ ‘Make a Bear’ workshop, watch a festive show, and help Mrs Claus decorate gingerbread. Weekends from Saturday, November 24, to Sunday, December 24.

Indoor funfair – Exhibition Centre Liverpool

Roll up for jaw-dropping rides and amazing attractions all under one roof when the Liverpool Indoor Funfair returns from Saturday, December 23, to Sunday, January 7, 2024 (closed Christmas Day).

More info here.

Magical Festive Farm

Step into a Winter Wonderland like no other at Cedar Farm.

Get ready to be enchanted by the beauty of nature and the joy of the holiday season. They’re bringing together a delightful menagerie of animals, including goats, llamas, turkeys, donkeys, and EVEN Santa’s favourite reindeer!

More info here.

Sail to Santa at Martin Mere

For an extra special experience this Christmas, come along to one of the Martin Mere Sail to Santa days. Sail across to Santa’s Island and meet Santa and his elves and get busy in the Elves’ workshop with festive crafts.

Please be aware that non members must also purchase an admission ticket to Martin Mere for both the adults and children. This is in addition to purchasing the sail to santa ticket. 

Each ticket includes:

• Boat trip to see Santa on his island with his elves
• Visit to Santa
• A gift
• Make your own reindeer food, decorate a wooden Christmas tree decoration and decorate a biscuit

More info HERE.

Storytime With Santa at Liverpool Town Hall

Father Christmas and his merry friend, Buddy the Elf, are heading to Liverpool Town Hall to share their magical stories and sing a festive tune or two by the warm glow of a cosy log fire.

This is more than a traditional Grotto experience; Storytime with Santa offers each child the opportunity to share their cherished Christmas wishes with Father Christmas himself and receive a special gift. This encounter is sure to leave your little ones spellbound!

Find out more here.

T’was the Night before Christmas at Croxteth Hall

It’s the night before Christmas and a very special visitor is due to arrive.

There’s lots to do before Santa arrives. The Robins need to sort all the Christmas letters and the Mice are behind on organising Christmas wishes. How is Santa going to know who has wished for what?

Your help is needed!

Check out this amazing interactive experience at Croxteth Hall this Christmas.

More info HERE.

SKATEMAS at the Rollerdrome

Celebrate the holidays with a trip to the Rollerdrome at Invisible Wind Factory! IWF Rollerdrome is Liverpool’s immersive roller skating experience. A place where music and state of the art audio visual production meet wellbeing, fitness and fun.

The Rollerdrome features a high quality, 18m x 12m sprung wooden floor, lots of skates, protective gear to hire and a fully stocked bar with delicious snacks and pizza slices! There’s a number of Christmas sessions happening in December:

• Rhythm & Roll Xmas Edition (19th December): Picture this: DJs spinning Christmas tunes, laughter echoing through the rink, and a jolly good time on wheels. It’s a roller disco dream come true!
• Gin-gle Bell Bottomless Brunch (21st December): An immersive bottomless brunch, roller disco, and a spectacular live performance from The Rollerboys (as seen on Britain and Holland’s Got Talent!).
• Festive Family Feast (22nd & 23rd December): An immersive festive street-food feast, roller disco, and Santa experience for the whole family.

Find out more info HERE.

Southport’s Bear and Reindeer Christmas Trail

Two larger-than-life visitors have arrived in Southport Christmas, in the shape of an 18-foot bear and a 13-foot reindeer. 

Sitting beneath the stunning LED Christmas tree, the illuminated figures are the must-see inspiration for The Bear and The Reindeer Christmas Trail. 

The Trail takes place from Saturday December 2nd, until Sunday December 31st.  

Find out more here.

Blackler’s Santa at Museum of Liverpool

Seeing the giant Blackler’s Santa is a core childhood memory for people of a certain age. Once the main attraction at the department store’s Winter Wonderland Grotto, the lovingly restored 18ft Father Christmas now takes pride of place in the Museum of Liverpool’s atrium.

Take the new generation to meet a Liverpool icon this Christmas and make your own memories. Santa is on display until 7 January, 2024. 

Find what’s on at National Museums Liverpool here. 

Calderstones Park Christmas Trail

Wrap up warmly and explore the story of Emily, who loves all things Christmas – except Santa! This year the Calderstones Park Christmas trail brings to life the much-loved children’s book A Message For Santa. 

Complete activities to help Santa redeem himself in Emily’s eyes on this self-led adventure through the park. The Trail lasts 60 minutes, with each family receiving a copy of the book as a Christmas keepsake. 

Find out more here.

Breakfast with Santa – The Sandon

The Sandon Complex in Anfield is hosting a free Breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve so children don’t have to miss out on a special experience despite tough financial times.

Owner Kate Stewart is opening the hotel on Christmas Eve morning from 10am to 12noon for 100 local kids from anywhere in Liverpool to meet Santa and be given a small gift and a pair of Christmas pyjamas. There’ll also be one of Santa’s elves at the party to keep children entertained with games and a disco.

Kate says to book a place, parents just need to either drop the Sandon a message on socials, email hello@thesandon.com or they can call the Sandon and book their kids in. They’ll just need to give the age/size of each child so the pyjamas can be brought in advance. 

Find out more about The Sandon here.

Christmas menus

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Liverpool

There’s a fab festive menu at Marco’s within Hotel Indigo in Castle Street with a two-course menu for £31.50 and a three-course meal for £37.50. Starters include roasted vine tomato soup, game pie or smoked salmon, with mouthwatering mains like roast free range turkey (but of course) and butternut squash and spinach curry. Eton Mess and traditional plum pudding are among the delish desserts.

More info here.

Lime Street Central

Whether it’s for the office Christmas do or a yuletide get-together with your mates there are two great menus at Lime Street Central, from a proper sit-down blow-out to a light buffet style affair. The festive menu includes small plates from maple glazed pigs in blankets to fig and goat’s cheese arancini, and mains from turkey and ham hock pie to southern fried fish and chips; while the buffet menu with a choice of bronze, silver and gold options boasts kofta cups, karaage sticky chicken, and salmon crostini to tempt your tastebuds.

More info here.

Art School

Christmas at the Art School will be ‘magical’ says chef patron Paul Askew, and following the Art School tradition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, this year it’s celebrating the tenth day, 10 lords a-leaping, as it heads into a decade in 2024.  There’s a collection of incredible menus for Christmas 2023 including the three-course Festive Menu Excellence for which guests are greeted with a glass of Charles Heidsieck champagne and chef’s snacks on arrival, and its Festive Prix Fixe for which diners can enjoy a glass of Castorani Aianera sparkling wine with Gordal olives, and an amuse bouche of Art School breads and kombu & oak-smoked raw milk butter, before sitting down to a fabulous three courses.

For details of these and the Festive Tasting Menu, and more click HERE.

Tempest on Tithebarn

The Tithebarn Street eaterie has launched its Christmas menu available from November 6. There are some great festive small plate dishes like stuffed chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts tossed in sticky maple syrup, Halloumi winter logs and Vegan Christmas Pressie (roasted root vegetables in flaky pastry topped with feta style vegan cheese and roasted red pepper sauce). It’s beginning to look at lot like….

More info here.

Christmas at Calderstones

Thinking about where to have your staff night out? Book your  Christmas  party at The Reader and enjoy a festive celebration with real feel-good factor.  

Set against the winter wonderland backdrop of Calderstones Park in their Grade II listed Mansion House, their new Christmas  Party Packages combine incredible food and drink from their onsite chefs with a party to remember.  

The party will start at 7pm with an arrival drink followed by a delicious 3 course meal and a late-night bar.

More info here.

Gaucho

Its menus offer fantastic flavours with classic comforts to more innovative creations, from a Festive Sharing Menu at £62.50, a Festive Signature Menu from £75 per person, and its ‘most luxurious’ Festive Feast Menu at £85. Starters for the Feast menu include seared diver scallops with Nduja butter and aguachile verde, and hamachi  tiradito with truffle mayonnaise, yuzu soy pearls, and panko crumble; and mains feature whole grilled seabass with early harvest olive oil, herbs, and lemon, lomo with lean and tender fillet, and rigatoni with tomato sugo, goat’s curd, and lemon basil.

More info here.

LEAF

From sharing platters through to classic Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, Leaf has got festive feasting menus at its three venues – Bold Street, Smithdown Road, and West Kirby. They’ll be available from Monday, November 27, along with details of more festive events soon.

More info here.

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Grand, Southport

Indulge in a festive afternoon tea at this gorgeous Southport venue, that will be decked out spectacularly for the season.

Enjoy cranberry and orange scones, turkey and cranberry sandwiches, lemon and poppy seed cake and much more.

The afternoon tea is priced at £25 per person and £30 if you upgrade to a glass of fizz or festive mulled wine.

More info here.

Panoramic 34

Celebrate the festive season in style with a magical time at Panoramic. Their Christmas menu will tempt you with delicious festive treats and their Christmas afternoon tea is a sight to behold.

More info here.

The Municipal Hotel

The Seaforth, the hotel’s beautiful British brasserie inspired by Liverpool’s maritime history, is the perfect place for a traditional Christmas meal with family or workmates. You’ll find two and three course menus, created by The Municipal’s chefs to feature the finest ingredients. They’re available until December 31, and for extra sparkle you can add a glass of Champagne on arrival.

On Christmas Day itself, the Seaforth will host a sumptuous six-course Christmas lunch with Champagne on arrival and a free gift for every child. 

If you prefer an afternoon gathering, maybe with a few friends or as a family treat, The Municipal’s Botanic Tea Room has a delicious festive afternoon tea, served with Champagne or mulled wine, also available until New Year’s Eve, and served every day from 12noon to 5pm except Christmas Day. 

Find out more here.

Bundobust

Among Bundobust’s yuletide dishes are its now iconic sprout bhajis, sprout, broccoli and onion bhajis spiked with fennel and chilli and served with a spiced cranberry chutney; its festive dahl, a Bundo favourite re-booted for Christmas it’s a warming and smoky lentil curry, boosted with black cardamom, clove and cinnamon, and its Christmas Kulfi, Indian ice cream with nutmeg, cardamom and orange peel.

Customers are encouraged to get combos with a mix of traditional and festive dishes, and you can even get a massive Crimbo Bundo Combo that serves eight people for just £115 and includes everything on the menu including the Christmas specials!

Find out more here.

Christmas films and screenings

Luna Cinema – Liverpool Town Hall

Catch a Christmas movie inside one of Liverpool’s iconic buildings. Audiences can expect all the festive classics, including “Elf”, “Love Actually” – both of which are celebrating 20 years since their release, as well as “Home Alone”, It’s A Wonderful Life and The Holiday, and family favourites such as “The Grinch” and “Frozen – sing-along”. 

Luna Cinema will be at the Town Hall until December 31. 

Find out more here.

It’s A Wonderful Life at the Philharmonic 

It just isn’t Christmas until you’ve watched James Stewart in one of the best festive films ever made, and it’s better still on the big screen. James Stewart stars as George Bailey, a desperate man offered salvation by an impish guardian angel when he finds his life falling apart around him on Christmas. So get your family and friends along on Saturday and Sunday, December 23-24, because, as we learn from this classic, no man is a failure who has friends!

More info here.

Festive films at Bijou cinema, Southport

Bijou has showings of It’s a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas, modern classics like Home Alone, Elf, The Holiday and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and much more.

If you haven’t been to Bijou before it is a unique cinema experience and watching a festive flick here will really put you in the mood for the holidays.

More info here.

Nights out

Albert’s Schloss Liverpool

All they want for Christmas ist you! It’s the season of celebration from November 13 to December 24 and it’s the perfect place to party. As well as entertainment, its chefs have created an Alpine-inspired winter menu including Cook Haus Klassics and some festive creations, alongside authentic festive smorgasboards. Festive menus start at £35 a head.

More info here.

Bongo’s Bingo with Heather Small

Step Into Christmas with Jonny and the gang – and special guest star Heather Small. There are 17 festive dates in total with six already sold out, so if you want to get your eyes down for 2023’s Elton John-Inspired Bingo, cheesy singalongs, fab prizes and all the usual Bongo fun at CONCERT, you’d better get booking now before each November and December date is shouting full house!

More info here.

Tinsel Town at Camp and furnace

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate Christmas night out, look no further than Camp and Furnace because on Fridays, December 15 and 22, it’s turning into Tinsel Town. Liverpool’s favourite festive night out’s back bigger than ever to get you rocking around the Christmas tree with sing-a-longs, wall-to-wall Christmas Hits, Movie Moments, cocktails, drinks, and festive food. 

They have plenty more festive events alongside Tinsel Town… so be sure to check out their website for more info.

More info here.

The new Roxy Lanes

We all know Roxy Ball Room’s two city venues guarantee a great time, and now Roxy Leisure’s opening a new Roxy Lanes venue in Liverpool on November 17 – so it’s just in time for all those great Christmas nights out with your work pals and your mates. It’s opening in School Lane and will focus on ten pin bowling, as well as other activities like American pool, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, tech darts, karaoke, beer pong, and more. 

More info here.

Crazy Pedro’s

Ditch the turkey for tequila – and a great collection of food and drinks offers at the Parr Street pizza paradise. It’s offering three drinks and any half pizza for £26.50, and three drinks, any half pizza, and a house shot for £32.50. Did someone say party?

More info here.

Golf Fang Karaoke

Get festive at Golf Fang where you can play, eat, drink and be merry. There’s loads of Christmas fun from the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Experience from £20 a head, and Double Parked from £27.50 which gives you 18-holes, and two drinks to let your hair down… Whether it’s your mates, your works do, or even a family outing, they reckon you should put down the set menu and get ready for golf, music, drinks, and street food – and party the way it should be.

More info here.

Workshops and events

For more on Christmas in Liverpool click HERE!