What can you do on Christmas Eve in Liverpool?

Christmas Eve will be different this year but there’s still lots you can see and do in Liverpool we head upstairs singing Jingle Bells in anticipation of the Man in Red’s arrival.

So if you are still busy shopping, or want to start the festive fun on December 24, here are few ideas of what you can still get up to – along with a few helpful hints to make sure your Christmas goes to plan.

Shops

There’s still plenty of time to get all those last-minute gifts with stores in the city centre still open on Christmas Eve, but with most closing early, make sure you don’t leave it too late.

Liverpool ONE is open from 8am until 5pm.

The Metquarter from 8am – 4pm, and

St Johns Shopping Centre: 8am – 5pm.

Marks & Spencer, Church Street: 7am – 6pm.

Primark: 8am – 5pm.

Travel

Ferries are not running on Christmas Eve this year.

Services are suspended between Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, January 3, 2021

Buses are generally running a normal service with an earlier finish, eg:

Merseytravel will finish between approx. 7pm and 8pm.

Arriva between around 6pm and 8pm (The last 61 from Halton Hospital is at 1503 and the last 82A from Murdishaw is at 1627).

Stagecoach are generally running a Saturday service finishing between approx. 6.30pm and 8pm.

Tunnels will be open throughout the holiday period (and will be toll free between 10pm on Christmas Eve and 6am Boxing Day).

Trains will be running with Merseyrail releasing timetable changes here.

But, if you’ve finished all you need to do and you want to relax, unwind and start enjoying Christmas Eve with your family, how about these?

Beauty & The Beast at Theatre Royal, St Helens

We couldn’t think of a better way of diving into the festive spirit on Christmas Eve than with a panto and it’s a classic in the 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 spell be broken in time for all to live happily ever after?

Well you can find out in any of the three shows on Christmas Eve, starting at 9am for the early risers, 1.30pm and 6pm.

Book here.

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, and there are three shows on December 24 – 11am, 3pm and 7pm.

There’s a great cast, a live band, brilliant scenery and costumes, amazing special effects and lots of laughs – Christmas would definitely start with a bang.

Check for tickets here.

A Christmas Carol – Storyhouse Chester

No-one’s saying ‘Bah-humbug’ at Chester’s fab Storyhouse where they’re promising to spread Christmas cheer with the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, past, present and future, and a show full of song and laughter.

Suitable for all the family, they plan to run ‘at least until 2020 is the ghost of Christmas past’. There are limited performances still at 12noon, 3pm and 6pm.

Book here.

A beautiful sight – Southport Pleasureland is open for its Winter Wonderland 

Start the celebrations here with its Winter Experience. The elves have been hard at work decorating the theme park with beautiful lights to create a festive and fun-filled family day out with everything from people’s favourite rides to Santa’s special grotto. Gates open at 11am, with all the fun and rides starting at midday.

Find out more here.

Albert Dock

The Beatles Story and Tate Liverpool will be closed on Christmas Eve, but you can still dine in one of its many restaurants and get those last-minute gifts at shops like Nest, With Love from Liverpool and The Leather Satchel Company – although there’s every chance they may close early!

And, don’t forget, if you want a magical Christmas Experience, follow its stunning Christmas Light Walk. The Dock’s looking fab and festive and, with nearly three million lights, it’s the perfect place to start your festive fun.

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 Liver bird Bertie will be waiting to wish you farewell – and a very Merry Christmas.

www.albertdock.com