With Christmas 2020 affected by the coronavirus pandemic, dozens of festive events were either postponed or cancelled.
As the government is finally set to lift all lockdown restrictions on July 19, here's hoping that we can enjoy a 'normal' Christmas this year.
Lots of family events are already being planned for the winter season and some even have tickets on sale now.
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So if you want to be super organised and optimistic that there's light at the end of the tunnel and we'll be enjoying an amazing Christmas without social distancing and face masks, then get booking.
We all deserve a treat after the last year so have a look through the Christmas events you can book now that are already selling fast.
Winter WonderLight
Families will be able to enjoy a spectacular walk-through wonderland experience in Wirral this winter.
Thornton Manor in Thornton Hough is welcoming visitors to enjoy the magic of the festive season in the heart of their historic grounds.
Winter WonderLight is a treat for the whole family, as it takes you through the grounds of the Elizabethan house and a range of themed zones to thrill the senses.
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Families can stroll through the sprawling garden to discover beautiful displays and hidden treats. They can then watch the night sky come alive in the stunning light-show finale. This audio and visual display is the perfect setting to make wonderful memories with your loved ones.
When: The event is taking place from November 26, 2021 to January 9, 2022.
Where: Manor Road, Thornton Hough, Cheshire, Wirral CH63 1JB
Price: Tickets are on sale through the Winter WonderLight Eventbrite page and are priced from £12 for a child, £19 for an adult or £59 for a family of four.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Tickets are on sale for St Helens Theatre Royal all-new spectacular production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears as its Christmas pantomime for 2021.
The annual panto family show has become a firm favourite with audiences, making it a real highlight of the festive season year after year.
Goldilocks, with the help of the Three Bears, tries to save her Big Top from a rival circus owner. The brand new magical show promises family fun, unbelievable circus tricks, and madcap comedy capers.
When: Friday, December 10 2021 through to Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Where: St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens WA10 1LQ
Price: Tickets are on sale now starting from £16 and can be booked over the phone or at the box office between 10am and 5pm, from Monday to Friday. Tickets can also be purchased online at sthelenstheatreroyal.com.
Love Actually Live in Concert
Reconnect with friends and family with a night out at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this Christmas.
The venue is playing host to a screening of the seasonal rom-com Love Actually which for many has become synonymous with the festive period.
But this is no ordinary screening, audiences will be treated to a full orchestra performing its soundtrack live to picture.
The 12-date UK winter tour of Love Actually In Concert has sold-out in previous years.
When: Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 7.30pm
Where: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BP
Price: Tickets from £39.50. Go to liverpoolphil.com to book.
Luminate Light Trail
An after-dark light trail is coming to Merseyside this year in the run up to Christmas.
The captivating Luminate trail will include 3D projections, light tunnels, a wishing tree, interactive shadow play, laser light maze and much more.
Visitors can walk along the twinkling 1.2km route through the grounds of Victoria Park in Southport. There will also be a Christmas hub area with mulled wine and festive street food stalls cooking up tasty treats.
The event has previously been held in the Queen's Sandringham Estate and at Margam Park in South Wales.
When: November 25 to December 23 from 4.30pm each night
Where: Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport PR8 1RX
Price: Adults £16.50, children £12, family ticket £56. Go to luminate.live to book.
Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls' UK tour will launch at the Liverpool Empire later this year where it will be the theatre's big Christmas show.
The UK tour, which was postponed from last year, will open at the Empire in December before touring the UK.
Featuring the classic songs And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, Listen and One Night Only, the multi-award-winning production had its critically acclaimed West End Premiere in December 2016 at London's Savoy Theatre, 35 years on from opening on Broadway.
When: Tuesday, December 14, 2021 to Saturday, January 1, 2022
Where: Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JE
Price: Tickets are priced from £13 to £60. Go to atgtickets.com to book tickets.
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World
A new 'kickass-pirational' pop musical version of the hit kids book Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World will be touring to the Liverpool Playhouse over Christmas.
Created by the producer of SIX, the stage adaptation will bring the women in the book to life so they can tell their own stories. The amazing real people featured will include Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and Emmeline Pankhurst.
The original award-winning children's book was written by author Kate Pankhurst, a descendant of the famous suffragette. Kate grew up in Formby where she attended Formby High School.
When: December 8, 2021 to January 2, 2022
Where: Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square, Liverpool L1 1EL
Price: Various. Book tickets at everymanplayhouse.com.
Muppet Christmas Carol Live in Concert
Families can come together to watch Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Liverpool Empire.
The theatre is playing host to a screening of the seasonal family-friendly movie, but it will certainly be no ordinary event.
This November, audiences will be treated to a full orchestra performing its soundtrack live to picture.
In the popular film, The Muppets perform the classic Charles Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge, who is played by Michael Caine. Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story with the help of Rizzo the Rat.
The film also features Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Gonzo as the narrator Charles Dickens, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim.
When: Sunday, November 28.
Where: Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JE
Price: From £23 go to atgtickets.com to book.
Polar Express Train Ride
Families can enjoy a festive ride on The Polar Express this Christmas with tickets on sale very soon.
The magical event hosted more than 1.4 million riders at 54 locations in the UK, US, and Canada in 2019 - and now it's returning to the UK for Christmas 2021 running from the end of November and into December.
The immersive family-oriented experience takes you on a round-trip journey to the North Pole at Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, which is around an hour and a half's drive from Liverpool.
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 whisked away on The Polar Express for a one-hour trip to meet Santa.
When: November 26, 2021 to December 23, 2021
Where: Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire. Enter "ST10 2HA" into your SatNav.
Price: Tickets start from £24.95. Go to churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk to book.
