Why Southport should be on your Christmas must-do list this year

We do like to be beside the seaside… and even at this time of year there’s still lots to see and do in Southport.

For a start, with COVID we need to stay outdoors, enjoy the fresh air and meet our mates for a distanced stroll.

But more than that, there’s loads of other things going on in Southport than just sun, sea and sandcastles.

You might want to follow the yellow brick road, for one, to track down Guide Liverpool presenter Claire Simmo who’s starring in The Wizard of Oz at The Atkinson.

Claire is playing Glinda the Good Witch in the festive favourite alongside Ray Quinn’s wonderful Wizard and Michael Chapman as the Wicked Witch. 

There’s nothing more likely to put you in the mood for Christmas than the classic tale which sees Dorothy heading to the Emerald City with her new pals, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion in her bid to get back home to Kansas, and it’s on between December 18 and 31.

And, if you want any other reasons to head to the coast than that – we’ve got more than a few ideas because Southport has been sprinkled with more magic than ever…

Join the Nutcracker Trail

Can you find the 12 Nutcracker Kings who have appeared all over Southport? According to German folklore, traditional Christmas Nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to the family. The magical story is a beautiful part of Christmas folklore and a dozen six-foot statues are bringing their charm to the town centre.

You can explore Southport as you hunt for each statue – all socially distanced as part of your family exercise – and you can even download a map to help you complete the trail and, if you find the names of all 12, you could be in with a chance of winning an iPad mini!

Pleasureland is back for Christmas!

Great news as Pleasureland has confirmed it is opening up again from 12-24^th Dec bringing yo the perfect family day out for Christmas. The park will be open as well as a covid free Christmas grotto.

You can book online here.

Park up for the Magical Drive-In Cinema Experience in Victoria Park

The festive drive-in cinema rolls into Victoria Park on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 with some brilliant Christmas Films.

Let’s face it, the season hasn’t started until you watch Love actually – and that’s one of the fab films showing, alongside Elf, Home Alone – Kevin’s always a star – and The Grinch.

See the terrific tree and twinkling lights

Southport has got one of the best Christmas trees in towns across the region – all 60ft of it – as well as well as tons of beautiful and brilliant lights shining away along the popular main street, Lord Street.

If you’re are worried about not feeling festive enough just take a stroll down there and you’ll soon be aglow with Yuletide spirit.

Find Santa on Crosby Beach

Yes we know you’d think the man in red would be sorting out his elves or servicing his sleigh ready for December 24, but even Father Christmas needs a break from all the hard work.

So, if you visit ‘Another Place’, Antony Gormley’s incredible Iron Men installation, you might fight there’s someone very special among them!

Spend quality time with the family

Spending time together and appreciating each other and what we have has never been more clear than through the pandemic, and there are lots of places to eat and have fun within your household in Southport.

You can head over to Ocean Plaza and see what’s on at the cinema – how we’ve all missed the big screen showings this year – have a game of ten pin bowls, do a bit of Christmas Shopping and maybe round it off with a great Italian meal in Roberto’s.

It’ll seem like Christmas has come early!

Do some Christmas shopping

Southport has got a wealth of independent shops as well as some of the larger chains, so you’re guaranteed to find something a bit different for the someone special in your life.

They’ve even got their own website so you can see just who’s around before you head out and write your very own wish list – and don’t forget Lord Street with its lovely Victorian feel and all the arcades.

If Christmas is all about tradition, you’ll find sack-loads of it here.

And that’s not all.

You can venture to Formby Squirrel Reserve and see if you can spot a red squirrel, take a bike ride along Southport Promenade or choose one of the cycle routes across Sefton, or blow away the cobwebs with walk on Ainsdale Beach or by whiling away a few hours in one of its parks or green spaces, maybe King’s Gardens, Hesketh Park or Victoria Park?

Still think Southport’s just about sea and sandcastles?

For more ideas about everything you can see, do and enjoy in Southport throughout Christmas and winter, go to the website here.