Christmas events for kids and families you can still book
Make this Christmas unforgettable with some of the most magical events Liverpool has ever seen. Liverpool city centre[1] is adorned with glistening Christmas lights while venues and businesses around the wider region are inviting families to join in with their seasonal events. Classics such as the Christmas markets and light trails are always a magical evening to enjoy but some new arrivals for 2023 are not to be missed.
Take a look below at some of the must-see events you can still book to make this year one to remember.
Calderstones’ bumper Christmas events
The Reader at Calderstones is inviting guests to enjoy a month of festive activities, events and celebrations. Festive stories will be told alongside the chance to decorate the community Christmas tree, create your own wrapping paper, attend a literary tour of the Mansion House and pick up a new book in exchange for a donation.
The event is part of a wider programme of exciting seasonal events and activities at Calderstones that includes reading, wellbeing, crafts and fun. You can find the full list of events here.[4] When: Until December 23
Where: Calderstones Mansion House, Calderstones Rd, Liverpool L18 3JB Tickets: Here[5]
Knowsley Safari Park
As part of the Enchanted Christmas light trail, families are able to walk down the Rainbow Road, through the icy-blue Arctic Arcadia, and chat with a talking tree. Visitors can also spot illuminated hippos submerged in the Safari’s natural water features, explore an Enchanted Woodland, and stroll through neon geometric-shaped walkways
Enchanted favourites will also return, including the Winter Village, marshmallow toasting, illuminated amusements and rides, and light-up animals such as giraffes, penguins, zebras, and polar bears, with Father Christmas’s grotto waiting at the end. When: Until December 30 Where: Prescot[6] L34 4AN
The Light Before Christmas
The immersive sound and light experience, brought to the Anglican Cathedral by Luxmuralis, takes you on a journey through the nativity story. The cathedral encourages people to lie on the floor in the main hall to take in beautiful projections on the ceiling. When: Until December 8
Where: St James Rd, Liverpool L1 7AZ Tickets: Here[8]
John Lewis’ interactive Christmas grotto
Families can book in for a special ‘Mission: Meet Santa’ experience that sees children become ‘Secret Santa agents’. With the help of Santa’s elves, kids are taken through a winter wonderland full of activities in order to unravel a top-secret code.
Over the course of the experience, guests will have to take part in numerous activities that will eventually point them in the direction of Father Christmas – but only if they make it to the end. Once the code has been cracked, a magic telephone box will ring with a special message to kids, inviting them in to meet the big man himself. When: Until December 23
Where: John Lewis, 70 S John St, Liverpool L1 8BJ Tickets: Here.[9]
Immersive Snow Queen experience
Families are invited to enter a world of magic with a series of live performances. You’ll be taken on a journey through the Forgotten Forest, across a frozen lake and to the Ice Palace, where you will help Gerda and Bae the Reindeer to find Kai, restore his memories and defeat the Snow Queen.
Along the 45-minute magical trip, visitors will be swept up in a live theatre adventure with the chance to take part themselves. St George’s Hall has transformed four of its rooms into a winter wonderland, complete with music, dancers and live theatre performances to keep everyone entertained. Where: St George’s Hall, Liverpool L1 1JJ
When: December 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 Tickets: Here[10]
Ice-skating at the Bombed Out Church
St Luke’s ‘Bombed-Out Church’ is the home of a festive ice adventure within its ruins, and all are invited to bring their loved ones, put on their skates and get into the holiday spirit. There is a festive pop-up bar and music set up at the Berry Street venue and drinks being served will include mulled wine, Bailey’s hot chocolate, prosecco, and beer, as well as a variety of other hot and cold drinks.
When: November 30 to December 3 Where: Leece St, Liverpool L1 2TR Tickets: Here[11]
Liverpool ONE light trail
This year there are various focal points around the city to tick off a list of 10 festival installations and displays.
The Liverpool ONE Christmas Trail is a free festive activity to enjoy and takes approximately 1 hour. You can pick up a trail map from the Information on Wall Street (or download pdf here[12] or see below) and use your best detective skills to find illustrations of the decorations and festive characters hidden in shop widows. When you have finished the trail and heading back to the Information Centre to collect your stickers, take the lift outside ODEON down to Level 3.
This lift will bring you out on Wall Street, opposite the Tourist Information Centre. More information on the trail can be found here.[13] When: Until after Christmas
Where: Liverpool ONE Tickets: Trail map here[14]
Polar Express Train Ride
Families can enjoy a festive ride on The Polar Express this Christmas. This popular event is returning to the UK this festive season across a number of locations.
You can start your journey at Froghall Station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, which is around one hour 30 minutes drive from Liverpool. The immersive family[15]-oriented experience takes you on a round-trip journey to the North Pole. Led by a cast of talented actors and set to the film soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story.
Children big and small are taken on The Polar Express for a one-hour trip to meet Santa. When: Until December 21 Where: Churnet Valley Railway, Kingsley & Froghall Station, Froghall ST10 2HA
Joli Oli Christmas Concert
This family-friendly Christmas carol concert promises to include tasty food and festive cheer while raising money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Choirs from all over the region will come together for a spectacular performance not to be missed. When: December 12
Where: St George’s Pl, Liverpool L1 1JJ Tickets: Here[17] WIN brand-new Pictionary vs AI for fun with all the family this Christmas![18]
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References
- ^ Liverpool city centre (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
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- ^ More suspects could still be charged in connection with murder of Ashley Dale (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ here. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Here (tickets.thereader.org.uk)
- ^ Prescot (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Here. (www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk)
- ^ Here (www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk)
- ^ Here. (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Here (sneakyexperience.co.uk)
- ^ Here (www.skiddle.com)
- ^ download pdf here (www.liverpool-one.com)
- ^ here. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.liverpool-one.com)
- ^ family (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Here (www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk)
- ^ Here (www.alderheycharity.org)
- ^ WIN brand-new Pictionary vs AI for fun with all the family this Christmas! (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ newsletter (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)