The Christmas in Liverpool Bucket List 2020

Christmas in Liverpool is ON and there’s so much for you to see and do. Santa is coming (wearing his face covering of course) and we’ve never been more excited to hear those jingling bells.

We all want to make the most of the festive cheer this year, and there are loads of things to do this month to get into the spirit as Christmas in Liverpool shines brighter than ever…

There will be regular train and bus services in and out of Liverpool City Centre and across the region so keep a check on Merseyrail and Arriva buses.

Grab an Angel wings selfie in Chavasse Park before booking your own winter lodge

The Angel Wings are back, or are they Liver Bird wings? Either way Christmas in Liverpool isn’t Christmas without them. You’ll find them in Chavasse Park in Liverpool ONE just opposite The Clubhouse which is once again serving up winter warmers in its outside lodges which you can pre-book for your own household now.

Book here.

Have a festive afternoon tea at home from Ms Danvers

Ms Danvers became a welcome addition to the LIDS delivery service earlier this year and this Christmas you can enjoy a real festive afternoon tea from the comfort of your own home. Order here.

See the Blackler’s Santa at Museum of Liverpool

Images by Gareth Jones

Look who is making a Christmas comeback @MuseumLiverpool.

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— The Guide Liverpool (@TheGuideLpool) November 24, 2020

Blackler’s Santa is making another Liverpool comeback this Christmas and will be welcoming visitors to the Museum of Liverpool throughout the festive period. Made in 1957, (which makes him 63 years young), by Peter Blazey and his colleagues in the Blackler’s Display Studio. Santa was originally part of the famous Winter Wonderland Grotto experience until the store sadly closed in 1988.

Bottomless Festive Feast at Ma Boyles

One of Liverpool’s best loved bars and eateries is back! This year Ma’s classic Christmas Roast menu features all your favourites, cooked fresh and served up with a good side of our renowned hospitality. Of course there will be plenty of Pigs in Blankets – Ma’s giant take on the devilishly delicious porky treats this year – along with all the usual veggie, vegan and gluten free options.

Feast on a Festive Burger at East River

Not everyone’s a fan of a big roast, so why not eat something you’d really like in the run-up to Christmas instead? East River’s festive burger has all the gorgeousness of traditional turkey, but without the hassle or the carving. It’s crammed with layers of turkey, onion stuffing, melted brie, rocket, cranberry sauce and gravy. Eat in on Allerton Road from this week, or order for collection – and you can get a side of pigs in blankets with honey mustard dip while you’re at it. 

More info here.

Treat yourself to an Art School Christmas Hamper

Christmas Day is sorted thanks to @ArtSchoolLpool. Paul Askew has launched his new Christmas Experience Boxes, with everything you need for the big day ?

Order yours here ??
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— The Guide Liverpool (@TheGuideLpool) November 28, 2020

It’s been a rough year, so we all deserve a treat at Christmas and if you’re a foodie, they don’t come much more special than a Christmas Hamper from one of Liverpool’s finest restaurants – The Art School. It’s full of top quality locally-sourced produce including Liverpool Ale chutney and some amazing cheeses plus nice extra gifts like a Porky tea towel and a signed copy of Paul Askew’s signature recipe book Onwards and Upwards. 

Order yours here.

Baltic Market’s getting Christmassy

Halloumi in Blankets

Baltic Market is back open from this week and it’s celebrating its much-awaited return with a line-up of new seasonal cocktails, winter warmers, live music and festive specials including the little festive gem that is Hafla Hafla’s halloumi in blankets! Head to the market on Wed and Thurs 5pm-10pm, Friday 12pm-10pm, Sat and Sun11am-10pm or you can get it all delivered to home via Uber Eats too.

www.balticmarket.co.uk

Have an Enchanted experience at Knowsley Safari

If you’re looking for a really magical experience for all the family then Enchanted at Knowsley Safari definitely fits the bill. When the sun goes down, the walking safari becomes an enchanted trail, all lit up and with amazing illuminated animals to guide you on your way. There’s festive food and music to complete the Christmas magic too. Enchanted is on from Dec 3-30, between 4.30pm and 8pm each day.

Book tickets here.

Order a Liverpool-themed tea lovers hamper from The Nest

The Nest at the Albert Dock is a great place for original gifts made by Liverpool creatives, and now it’s put together a Christmas hamper for tea lovers, available for local doorstep delivery. It includes specially-designed bone china mugs and tea towels featuring our waterfront, Liverpool Blend loose tea courtesy of local tea expert Alison Appleton, plus a solid milk chocolate stirrer and mini marshmallows from The Chocolate Cellar.

Visit the online store here.

Have a virtual Christmas night out gin tasting

Christmas dos are going to be a bit limited this year but Murphy’s Gin has come up with a fabulous idea that’ll not only get everyone together, there’s gin involved too! It’s setting up virtual gin tastings on dates through December. Sign up and you’ll receive a parcel containing 3 x 50ml gin miniatures plus mixers and garnish so you can join in a tasting session from Murphy’s Liverpool distillery. There’ll be a maximum of 20 people per session.

Find out more here.

Or get a Gin Scratch Card stocking filler from Botanical Garden

Because we’re missing Botanical Garden’s gin (and the sunshine that goes with it) right now, they’ve come up with the genius idea of Gin Scratch Cards. They cost £5 each and because everyone’s a winner, they make a perfect little Christmas gift and the lucky person who gets it will have something to look forward to. All they have to do is scratch to find out what gin prize they’ve won then claim it once the Botanical Garden reopens.

Message to order via Instagram.

Settle down for a festive favourite at Liverpool Playhouse

Patrick Barlow’s take on the Charles Dickens Classic, A Christmas Carol, will put you in the festive spirit, as Ebenezer Scrooge has a Christmas Eve to remember when his past, present and future are brought before his eyes to encourage a whole new look on life. Directed by Gemma Bodinetz, it’s guaranteed to ‘warm hearts, conjure smiles, and remind us all that shared joy can raise the lowest of spirits – even in the most extraordinary times’. It’s on from Saturday, December 5 to Thursday, December 24.

Pre-book your tickets here.

There’s Beauty & The Beast at Theatre Royal, St Helens

It’s a classic at the fab St Helens theatre with the timeless story of Belle, a beautiful young woman who falls in love with the prince who’s been cursed to look like a hideous beast. Will the Beast learn to love and be loved? Will the spell be broken in time for all to live happily ever after?

Starring Jamie Greer as Potty Polly; Abigail Middleton as Madame Botox; Scott Gallagher as French Frank; Olivia Sloyan as Belle; Andrew Geater as The Beast; Tim Lucas as Gaston, and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Fairy Rose, it’s going to be a Christmas cracker from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, January 3, 2021.

Book here.

And, Jack and the Beanstalk is at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool

Liverpool favourite Leanne Campbell and X Factor’s Jake Quickenden star in Jack and the Beanstalk, from Friday, December 18 to Sunday, December 27.

The panto classic tells the story of Jack, his brother Silly Billy and his mother, Dame Trott, as they attempt to beat the evil giant in the sky and save the village. It promises to be a spectacular pantomime with a great cast, live band, brilliant scenery and costumes, amazing special effects and lots of laughs!

Sort your tickets here.

Winter Arts Market at Liverpool Cathedral

This year’s Winter Arts Market will be split over two weekends with mini-editions of the ever popular Winter Arts Market where you can find stalls from over 30 independent artists, designers and makers in the magnificent surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral.

Book your tickets here.

Love the lights at The Royal Albert Dock

The Dock’s looking fab and festive and, with nearly three million lights, it’s the perfect place to brighten up your evenings with its magical Light Walk.

You can download a map to take you from the gates opposite Hilton Liverpool ONE, all the way through the twinkling quays and past dazzling displays – including the inner quay where its 86 red columns are wrapped up in more than a million lights –  before you get to the Anchor Courtyard where Liverbird Bertie will be waiting to wish you farewell.

www.albertdock.com

Crack the clues to enjoy the Christmas trail at Calderstones

We all love a good mystery and this one helps families track an exciting new outdoor Christmas trail and bring a magical adventure to life. The Reader‘s Storybarn team has got together with Walker Books to create the Santa Post Outdoor Trail, based on the brand-new picture book by Emma Yarlett which sees father Christmas solve a festive emergency when a letter from a little girl has been damaged and he can’t work out what gift she should receive.

The fully-accessible trail is open from December 5-23 and combines Emma Yarlett’s vibrant illustrations and quirky humour with a sparkle of Storybarn magic. By following clues on maps, families can solve mysteries and puzzles along the fully-accessible trail, before discovering a very special Santa Post-box where their little elves can to send their own letter to the North Pole – and receive a reply from Santa at home.

Find out more here.

Christmas cocktails and festive fun at PINS Social Club

PINS Social Club is reopening for Christmas and launching a brand new winter menu for you to enjoy. Of course the games are back with the bowling lanes, pool tables and more all offering socially distanced fun. Keep your eyes peeled for news on the new Winter roof top too!

More info here.

Buckle up for Christmas cheer at Liverpool John Lennon Airport

The Parking Lot Social lands at Liverpool JLA from December 9 to 13 with tons of festive fun for old and young with its great new Winter Festival.

There are movies like Love Actually, Elf and Miracle on 34^th Street being shown, and a classic panto, Cinderella. There’s even a Big Weekender party night and a comedy night to cheer us all up.

Book tickets here.

Enjoy the lantern magic at Chester Zoo

The lanterns are back at Chester Zoo just in time to make it magical with A Starlit Christmas. On various dates from December 3 to 23, the zoo will be transformed into a spectacular wonderland, full of sparkle, delight, a sprinkling of snow and some unexpected festive encounters!

Visitors can escape to its 11 fantastical worlds to go on an illuminating adventure that’s inspired by favourite festive family tales and get the chance to see the zoo in a whole new light.

Find out more here.

Get your wellies on for festive fun on the farm

Things are a little different at Farmer Ted’s like everywhere this year, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be another cracker of a Christmas as Ted launches The Farmer Christmas Walking Adventure.

You can start your journey in the Ormskirk farm’s Animal Barn before walking through Santa’s winter wonderland where his elves make all the toys and, along the way, you’ll be able to help Santa make reindeer food and decorate your own gingerbread man…

More info here.

Christmas cakes from Laura’s Little Bakery

One of the city’s best loved bakers is out and about delivering Christmas treat boxes around the city. Flavours include red velvet, vanilla, Ferraro Roche, Xmas cookies, gingerbread giant cookie, and chocolate orange brownie!

Order yours here.

Go Christmas shopping in Southport

Leave the big city behind and explore Southport’s boulevards and arcades to get all your last – or first – minute Christmas gifts and stocking fillers.

You can explore Lord Street and the wrought iron canopies, which look beautiful at any time of year but, at Christmas, spectacular.

This year sees the return of the Nutcrackers with not 10, but 12 festive figures, placed throughout the town centre to recreate the popular Nutcracker Trail, along with a stunning 60ft Christmas Tree and more sparkling lights than ever.

Wallow in a winter wonderland at Speke Hall

The doors of its great Tudor mansion may be sadly closed but Speke Hall is still ready to offer a warm welcome throughout the festive season.

Woodland walks, the interactive Childe of Hale Trail and the chance to find Peter Rabbit and his pals, are among the great activities at the popular National Trust venue.

General manager Simon Osborne reckons this is one of the best times of the year to visit Speke and its grounds and, while it might be cold outside, you can always give yourself a glow with a hot chocolate and or the odd festive fancy from the café.

Pre-book your time slot here.

‘Phil’ up with Christmas spirit

The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is opening up its doors again – and what a seasonal selection it’s got.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir treats us to some of our favourite carols with a concert conducted by Ian Tracey on Thursday, December 17; Monday, December 21, and Wednesday, December 23.

And, on Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20, Alasdair Molloy leads the family fun with The Snowman: Family Concert.

The Nutcracker – Reimagined, will delight too on Wednesday and Thursday, December 30-31.

Book tickets here.

There’s a Miracle in Sefton Park

Just being able to eat out feels like miracle doesn’t it, and this Christmas the Palm House is hosting a Miracle In Sefton Park dining experience. It’s like being in the grounds of Liverpool’s own giant snow globe! Wrap up and keep snug in tipi tents while you drink mulled wines, hot toddies and steins, and enjoy a specially curated winter menu, complete with background DJs & magical décor. From Dec 11-20. 

Book via Facebook.

Open a Christmas Selection Box at Liverpool’s Royal Court

The Royal Court Selection Box will be a mix of comedy and music and will feature a whole host of familiar faces.

This year’s show will be a scaled back, socially distanced affair but it will have all of the usual ingredients. Lots of live music, laugh out loud comedy and plenty of fun to be had by all!

Shop til’ you drop at Liverpool ONE

Stores in Liverpool ONE will be open for longer this Christmas with opening hours 9am-9pm, 7 days a week until 23 December. The brand new Hamley’s Toy Store joins the likes of Beauty Bazaar, John Lewis, Waterstones, JD, The LEGO store, Disney and many many more Christmas shopping faves.

Liverpool ONE is sparkling, brighter than ever, and of course that heart-filled tree we have come to love in the city is back with its ever changing lights and tribute to our COVID heroes.

The Virtual Liverpool Santa Dash

Although the normal event didn’t take place this year that doesn’t mean you won’t see plenty of Santa’s running along Liverpool’s streets this Christmas. You can still sign up to take part in this year’s Virtual Santa Dash which is happening on 20 December. You pick up your suit and then run, walk or just ho ho ho around your own route, at your own pace!

Sign up here.