Christmas officially arrives in Liverpool this Friday as the city lights up and festive activities kick off.
The Christmas market opens outside St George’s Hall, a huge street party is taking place in Liverpool ONE and the city’s new festive lights will be switched on, including a 50 metre light tunnel and walk through Christmas tree in Williamson Square.
Although there will be no official light switch on event with a big countdown, all of Liverpool’s Christmas lights will be on come Friday, including on the huge traditional tree on Church Street.
Here’s what to look forward to on Liverpool’s most festive night of the year.
Liverpool Christmas market
Returning once again to St George’s plateau the Liverpool Christmas market opens this Friday.
There will be a big focus on food and drink including the return of the hugely popular Yorkshire Pudding Wrap stall and the Windmill Bar. There will also be festive drinks served in the Tepee, the Gin Tin and the ski lodge, which has karaoke cable cars.
The market will be open from 4pm to 10pm on Friday, and operate during the following times thereafter:
Sunday – Wednesday: 11am-9pm
Thursday – Saturday: 11am-10pm.
It will be open every day until Monday, December 23.
Liverpool ONE Christmas street party
Liverpool ONE’s Christmas lights will be switched on from this Friday, with an evening of entertainment to kick off the festive season.
ONE Big Christmas Street Party will be held between 4pm and 7pm with performances from panto stars and live music from Liverpool International Music Festival’s (LIMF) award-winning academy.
Liverpool ONE's famous heart tree is back along with Bar Hutte underneath, where people can enjoy a festive tipple and karaoke.
Liverpool ONE Polar Adventure launches
Families can ride aboard a new Christmas Express train at Liverpool ONE and the adventure opens this Friday.
Departing from a specially built station on Chavasse Park, you will be transported to the North Pole on an enchanting journey.
The Jolly Station Master will lead the adventure, with several stops along the way including a Polar Pop-up Party, Christmas postcard decorating, bio-glitter face painting and storytime inside festive yurts.
You can also expect festive music, dancing and a hot chocolate pit stop, plus festive stalls selling food, drinks and decorations.
Tickets start from £5.50 per adult and £8.50 per child and are available now via Ticket Quarter. The experience lasts 30-45 minutes and runs until Christmas Eve.
Liverpool’s new Christmas lights
This year Liverpool is getting some spectacular new festive lights, which will be switched on from this Friday until January 5.
These include a magical 50-metre tunnel of light, a 16 metre walk-through Christmas tree and an angel wings selfie display.
Liverpool BID Company has joined forces with The Festival Group to replicate its world-famous LED light and music tunnel show, which has dazzled millions in Spain and Belgium.
The lights include:
- A magical 50-metre tunnel of light and music on Church Alley (connecting Church Street and Bluecoat) with a 10-minute spectacular every hour from 4:30pm to 7:30pm
- A walk-through, 16-metre high artificial tree in Williamson Square
- Christmas light decorations in the main thoroughfares of Bold Street, Whitechapel, Castle Street, Cook Street, Chapel Street, Exchange Flags and Tithebarn Street
- Lighting on trees on Church Street, Lord Street, Derby Square, Old Hall Street and Parker Street, including over 2,000 Christmas baubles
- Angel Selfie display on Castle Street and Clayton Square
Sign up to the What's On newsletter - packed with brilliant things to see and do in Liverpool and beyond.
