As winter settles in, Liverpool City Region is lighting up in spectacular style with a dazzling array of Christmas events, from immersive light shows to family events, concerts, and festive markets.
Here’s a selection of what’s happening across Liverpool City Region this season – and why it’s shaping up to be one of the most magical yet.
All information about visiting Liverpool this Christmas can be found at visitliverpool.com/christmas
Highlights of the Season
The Christmas Market Returns to St George’s Plateau
15 November – 24 December
Liverpool’s beloved Christmas Market reopens running daily from 11am to 10pm. Visitors can browse more than 40 wooden chalets selling crafts, gifts, artisan food, and seasonal drinks. With the festive backdrop of St George’s Hall, the market offers rides, street food, and cosy bars – making it a central hub for holiday spirit.
www.visitliverpool.com/listing/liverpool-christmas-market/44488101/
Liverpool ONE’s Festive Transformation
Liverpool ONE is launching a full festive programme, anchored by a 25-metre Christmas tree in Chavasse Park, sparkling reindeer, giant baubles, and illuminated décor throughout the shopping district.
- Festive Fun Thursday: From 20 November to 18 December, Thursday nights will feature free family entertainment, including illuminated penguins, carol-oke, and pass-the-parcel fun.
- Interactive Christmas Trail: A self-led trail via Liverpool ONE’s shop windows lets visitors hunt for festive characters, reindeer, and angel wings.
- Bar Hütte Returns: The popular alpine-style huts have reopened for festive drinks, karaoke, and a cosy winter ambience.
www.liverpool-one.com/christmas/
Light Before Christmas: The Gift at Liverpool Cathedral
28 November – 6 December
Liverpool Cathedral’s signature sound-and-light event returns, this year under the theme “The Gift”. The installation by Luxmuralis transforms the Cathedral’s architecture with immersive projections and a thoughtful new narrative reflecting on the “gift” of peace, togetherness, and Christmas.
Additional Cathedral events: Coffee & Carols (2 & 4 December), Wreath Decorating Workshops (5–6 December), and a Choir Christmas Concert (20 December).
liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/plan-your-visit/lightbeforechristmas-2/
Concerts at Liverpool City Halls
At St George’s Hall, the festive mood continues with Carols by Lantern Light sessions returning on 3 and 10 December, offering a melodic, candlelit way to experience traditional carols.
Whilst at Liverpool Town Hall, join Father Christmas and his friend, Buddy the Elf, as they share magical stories and sing a song or two.
liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk/whats-on/
Elf on the Shelf
1-24 December
Liverpool’s famous giant 15-foot Elf on the Shelf is returning to the city centre for Christmas 2025, popping up at landmark locations throughout December to spread festive cheer. The towering elf brings surprises, photo opportunities and family-friendly fun wherever it lands. Each stop on its trail features an extra dose of magic – from performances and giveaways to interactive moments designed to delight children and adults alike.
https://liverpoolbidcompany.com/Christmas/
Enchanted at Knowsley Safari
22 November – 23 December
Knowsley Safari’s Enchanted light trail returns for Christmas 2025, transforming the sprawling woodland into a glowing winter wonderland. Visitors can follow a beautifully illuminated route featuring giant animal installations, shimmering lantern scenes and interactive light moments, all set to atmospheric seasonal music. With fire pits for toasting marshmallows, festive street food, family-friendly rides and an optional visit to Santa’s cosy grotto, Enchanted offers a full evening of outdoor magic.
knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/events/enchanted
The North Pole Experience
Various dates in December
The North Pole Experience at Otterspool Adventure returns with its immersive Christmas world, inviting families to step straight into Santa’s snowy homeland. Children can craft toys with the elves in the Workshop, bake gingerbread with Mother Christmas, enjoy activities in the Elf Village and glide across the winter ice rink. The experience blends storytelling, theatre and hands-on activities to create a full festive journey, complete with festive treats and special character encounters.
Santa’s Secret Forest
21 November – 24 December
Hidden within the depths of Orrell Hill Woods in Hightown, Santa’s Secret Forest offers one of Liverpool’s most magical festive adventures. With a glowing light trail winding through the trees, real reindeer to meet and a charming Merrywood Market serving seasonal treats, the experience immerses visitors in a woodland Christmas fairytale. The spectacular indoor Christmas Hub features ten themed rooms – including Santa’s House, the Mailroom, the Elf Village and the Toy Workshop – creating a richly detailed journey for families to enjoy.
santassecretforest.co.uk/index.html
Liverpool Winter Festival
21 November – 4 January
Liverpool’s Pier Head will once again be transformed into a lively Winter Festival, complete with a festive village buzzing with entertainment. Free to enter, the riverside site features a large real-ice rink, seasonal food stalls, fairground rides, artisan markets and themed festive grottos, including both Santa Storytime and a cheeky Grinchmas experience.
https://crowleisuregroup.co.uk/liverpool-winter-festival/
Rock ’n’ Roll Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk
15 November – 17 January
The Everyman Theatre’s legendary Rock ’n’ Roll Panto is back for 2025 with a riotous new take on Jack and the Beanstalk. Known for its electric blend of panto humour, live music and charismatic actor-musicians, the show promises outrageous comedy, dazzling costumes and high-energy performances that turn the traditional story on its head. With talented performers switching between acting, singing and playing instruments on stage, the Rock ’n’ Roll Panto creates a unique, concert-like atmosphere that appeals to all generations.
everymanplayhouse.com/event/the-rock-n-roll-panto-2025-jack-and-the-beanstalk/
Matilda The Musical – Liverpool Empire
2 December – 4 January
The beloved Royal Shakespeare Company production of Matilda The Musical arrives at the Liverpool Empire for Christmas 2025, bringing Roald Dahl’s much-loved story to life with spectacular staging, powerhouse choreography and Tim Minchin’s award-winning score. With a long festive run stretching from early December into the New Year, Matilda is set to be one of Liverpool’s must-see winter productions, offering a joyful and imaginative escape for theatre-goers.
atgtickets.com/shows/matilda-the-musical/liverpool-empire/
A Scouse Christmas Carol – Royal Court Theatre
7 November – 17 January
Returning for another year of laughs, the Royal Court’s A Scouse Christmas Carol delivers a bold, hilarious and proudly local twist on Dickens’ timeless tale. Packed with laugh-out-loud jokes, sharp Liverpool wit and larger-than-life characters, the production swaps Victorian London for a recognisable Merseyside setting while keeping the heart and spirit of the classic story intact. Recommended for audiences aged 16 and over, it offers a festive night out with plenty of attitude.
liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/main_stage/the-scouse-christmas-carol/
Elf: The Musical at M&S Bank Arena
6-7 December
After sell out Arena tours and record-breaking sales, Elf The Musical, the hilarious, hit stage adaptation of the beloved holiday movie is coming to Liverpool in 2025! This larger-than-life production brings the festive magic to the arena with unforgettable scenes, including Santa’s flying sleigh, an interactive snowball fight with the audience, and a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, all set against breath-taking video-film backdrops on a massive LED screen.
mandsbankarena.com/whats-on/elf-the-musical/
Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo
14 November – 3 January
This winter, Chester Zoo will transform after dark into a glowing winter wonderland of light, colour and sound. Lanterns & Light is an outdoor light experience that will amaze and delight you at every turn. Interact with playful puppets, drift through the Ribbon Tunnel, gaze at kaleidoscope stars and explore the Laser Garden – plus discover new installations for 2025, including Airquarium, Bubble Walk and Submergence.
chesterzoo.org/events/lanterns-and-light
Cinderella at Shakespeare North Playhouse
2 November – 10 January
This Christmas, Shakespeare North Playhouse brings you the most popular fairytale of them all, a spellbinding new production of Cinderella.
In the Kingdom of Prescotisia lives a young woman called Cinderella, whose world is turned upside down when her beloved mother suddenly disappears, and her father remarries. Even worse, it turns out Cinders’ new stepmother, Filania, is awful – and so are her two dreadful daughters!
shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/cinderella/
Christmas at The Atkinson
Various dates in December
Get ready for a magical journey full of festive cheer as Beauty and the Beast takes centre stage in The Atkinson’s most enchanting pantomime yet! Step into a sparkling winter wonderland as the timeless tale of love and transformation unfolds before your eyes.
This charming adventure is packed with laughter, song and dance as the much-loved fairy tale comes to life on stage in Southport. Big name guests like The Overtones and Ray Quinn will also be performing special Christmas shows, as well as a ballet version of A Christmas Carol and a Christmas Murder Mystery for wannabe detectives to try and solve.
Christmas at Norton Priory
Step into history and holiday cheer at Norton Priory to get involved in celebrating festive traditions. From Victorian Christmas Carols in the candlelit undercroft to an award-winning retelling of A Christmas Carol, this historic venue offers a truly enchanting experience which brings the spirit of Christmas to life.
nortonpriory.org/
Sail to Santa
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
6-23 December
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre are offering the chance to Sail To Santa, where you can hop on board a boat and travel to Santa’s island to meet him as well as doing festive crafts in the Elves’ workshop.
wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/whats-on/events/sail-to-santa-4
Christmas Creative Trail
Birkenhead Wirral
13 December
Take a festive stroll through Birkenhead to discover the creative treats and talents of local artists and makers to pick up some unique Christmas gifts.
https://www.visitwirral.com/event/christmas-creative-trail/70913101/
Christmas at Port Sunlight
Various Dates
Visit the stunning Port Sunlight Village in Wirral this festive season to enjoy everything from Storytelling and Crafts with Father Christmas, Village Christmas Market, and a Gingerbread Village this Christmas.
https://portsunlightvillage.com/whats-on/