Christmas events in Liverpool for 2026
Deck the halls and prepare to be merry because Christmas is on the horizon.
Halloween is now a ghost of the past, and Bonfire Night will soon be a distant memory (although the echoing, nightly sound of fireworks is still frightening pets and wildlife across the city).
But despite everything going on in the wider world, there’s still plenty of good cheer to enjoy as Liverpool embarks on its annual celebration of all things Christmas with major public events, carol concerts, serries ranks of Santas, skating and seasonal stalls, festive films, Christmas-themed music and a myriad of other events and activities.
So, with the weather turning noticeably colder, now is the time to think about breaking out the mulled wine, mince pies, spiced hot chocolate and the tinsel and to give yourself up to the yuletide jollity which is promised both indoors and outdoors.
Here’s a look at some of what is on in the run up to the big day itself in 2026.
Liverpool Christmas Market – November 21 until January 3, 2027
Liverpool’s annual Christmas Market has returned to St George’s Plateau and St Johns Gardens, with dozens of stalls offering tempting treats and Christmas gifts.
The market, which runs from 11am to 10pm daily (except Christmas Day), also has several bars and food outlets along with seasonal fairground rides including a Ferris wheel and vintage carousel, and a Christmas tree maze.
And new for 2026 is an outdoor ice-skating experience – Skate St George’s – which will be open from 10am to 10pm daily – apart from December 25. Skate hire is included in the ticket price, or you can bring your own.
More details HERE
Christmas Wonderland at the Pier Head – November 20 to January 3, 2027
Christmas Wonderland takes over the Pier Head for the festive season and into the New Year, offering festive activities for all the family.
This year that includes a huge, covered ice rink and an 85 metre ‘Star Flyer’, along with more than 30 other attractions – from an Ice Jet bobsleigh ride and ice maze to a Light Walk strung with 20,000 bulbs and a Santa’s grotto.
The Star Flyer, which has never been seen in Liverpool before, promises an adrenaline-fuelled rapid journey skywards with (if you have your eyes open!) amazing views from the top.
There will also be more than two dozen food and drink outlets.
More details HERE
Noel at Liverpool Cathedral – November 27 to December 5
A visit by Luxmuralis has become a much-anticipated part of the Christmas programme at Liverpool Cathedral.
This year artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper’s giant son et lumiere, which fills the interior of the Grade I listed landmark, is titled Noel.
The centrepiece of Noel will be the nave where a Byzantine-inspired artwork will be projected across the space as the Nativity story unfolds to a contemporary reimagining of the carol The First Noel.
Christmas Past comes to the well of the cathedral where visitors will be transported through cherished childhood memories, accompanied by a reworking of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.
Light and sound will also fill other public spaces around the interior of the building, while sculptor Peter Walker’s new collaborative artwork Constellation – a glowing celestial sculpture made up of thousands of paper stars each with a handwritten message from visitors, families and schoolchildren – will make its debut, suspended within the cathedral.
More details and booking HERE
Liverpool Santa Dash – December 6
Thousands of runners of all ages are expected to take part in the annual Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday, December 6, raising much-needed funds for charity.
The festive event consists of a main 5k fun run, which starts from Canada Boulevard at 9.30am and winds its way up and down the Strand and through the business district.
A separate 1k ‘mini dash’ sets off from Castle Street at 11.15am and is open to youngsters aged up to 12 (parents/guardians can run with their children).
The £28 entry fee includes a red Santa suit. Blue suits are sold out. The mini-dash fee is £20 for a red suit and £22 for a blue suit. All runners get a medal and finishers’ goody bag.
This year’s headline partner charity is Little Lights (formerly Zoe’s Place).
More details and entry HERE
National Museums Liverpool
The Blackers’ Father Christmas is going up in the atrium to bring a touch of nostalgia to the Museum of Liverpool for all those who remember the giant Santa taking pride of place in the late Liverpool department store.
The installation of the figure on November 24 signals the start of a series of seasonal activities at National Museums Liverpool sites which are currently open to the public (rather than being under scaffolding and sheeting).
Enjoy A Sudley Victorian Christmas on the weekend of December 5-6, complete with Christmas Carols, children’s crafts and seasonal storytelling.
Meanwhile there is a Little Liverpool Christmas Special at the Museum of Liverpool on December 1, Christmas Pitter Patter Painters for tots at Sudley House on December 2-3, and seasonal ‘Meet and Make’ events at Sudley House on December 11-12 and the Lady Lever Art Gallery on December 18-19.
More details HERE
St George's Hall, Liverpool Town Hall and Croxteth Hall
While the Liverpool Christmas Market surrounds the hall on the outside, inside the Grade I listed Lime Street landmark there is also plenty of festive cheer.
Christmas at the Movies celebrates a variety of festive film scores – including Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf and The Polar Express – which will be performed on November 28 and December 4 by the Great British Film Orchestra.
There are Carols by Lantern Light on December 5 and The Sound of Christmas with the Pop Vox Choir on December 6, while Christmas Candlelight concerts take place on December 8 (Motown), December 11 (Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) and December 13 (Christmas at the Movies).
The Christmas Orchestra returns to St George’s Hall on December 20 after sold-out shows in 2024 and 2025.
And there are also several other festive-themed events at the Lime Street landmark during December.
Meanwhile Liverpool Town Hall hosts Storytime with Santa on various dates from December 5-24. Father Christmas will be joined by his friend Buddy the Elf, sharing magical stories and leading seasonal sing-a-longs.
And Charles Dickens’ descendant Gerald Dickens brings A Christmas Carol to the Town Hall on December 15-16.
And the Stable Yard at Croxteth Hall hosts T’was the Night Before Christmas on dates from December 10. But if you haven’t already secured your ticket, you’re out of luck as the event is already sold out.
More information and booking HERE
M&S Bank Arena
Step into Christmas in The Auditorium on December 5 for what is described as a ‘feelgood Christmas concert spectacular’.
Packed with Christmas classics - from heart-warming ballads to upbeat festive anthems, it promises ‘dazzling performances, stunning festive visuals, and a sensational live band’.
Meanwhile next door in Exhibition Centre Liverpool there’s a chance to enjoy some festive fun at the Liverpool Indoor Winter Funfair with its jaw-dropping rides and funfair attractions suitable for visitors of all ages.
It is open between December 19 and January 9, with quiet sessions on December 20, 30 and January 2. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
More details and booking HERE
Blackstock Market
Blackstock Market also has a packed programme of seasonal events for all ages in the run up to the big day itself.
The venue in Blackstock Street is offering Christmas comedy specials at the Hot Water Comedy Club, along with Christmas Party nights on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 27 and, also on Fridays and Saturdays, The Magic Table at its Whisky & Water bar which stocks around 240 whiskies.
Family fun includes Dear Santa: the Grotto Experience, at weekends in December, which includes a festive treat to take home; Christmas picnics on Sundays from November 29, and -from November 22 - several free Family Funday events.
There is also a Christmas Pantomime courtesy of the Totally Improvised Company, with no two performances alike. It runs on dates from November 22 to December 20.
More details and booking HERE
Philharmonic Hall
Christmas comes to the Philharmonic Hall with a whole programme of special concerts, films and shows ahead of the big day itself.
Among the events is The Holiday in Concert on November 30, with the film favourite accompanied by live orchestra, followed by Love Actually in Concert on December 5.
Vasily Petrenko returns to Hope Street to conduct Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on December 3, while there’s The Big Christmas Sing-a-long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong on December 10.
‘Big band brilliance meets symphonic splendour’ with Christmas at the Movies on December 11.
Meanwhile Live at Christmas on December 15 includes a roster funny men and women on one bill. The line-up features Sara Pascoe, Paddy Young, Jen Nolan, David O’Doherty and Ivo Graham.
Then along with the annual Spirit of Christmas and The Snowman concerts, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a screening of It’s a Wonderful Life, this year taking place on December 2 and 24. and there’s an added Christmas Eve bonus this year with The Muppets Christmas Carol also programmed for the big screen.
More information on the full Christmas programme and booking HERE
Non-panto shows and events at theatres and concert venues
While venues in the city are generally being taken over by pantomimes and Christmas productions, there are some additional shows and events to get theatregoers in the mood for the big day.
BOST returns to the Liverpool Empire from November 19-22 with the irresistible Elf the Musical.
Based on the beloved Christmas film, the funny and heart-warming musical tells the story of Buddy, who, as a baby, accidentally crawled into Santa’s toy sack and was whisked away to the North Pole.
Raised as an elf, Buddy grows up far too tall—and not exactly skilled in toy-making—quickly becoming the North Pole’s most lovable misfit.
Sam Jones-Arthur’s new situational comedy Scousers in America at Christmas at the Epstein Theatre on November 24-25.
Etch My Sketch are Flying Home for Christmas at the Hope Street Theatre from December 2-5.
Allerton Brass presents Santa's Christmas Party at the Capstone Theatre in Everton on December 5.
Enjoy some Ghost Stories for Christmas at the Unity Theatre on December 11-12 courtesy of ArtsGroupie. The show features classic ghost stories from the most influential writers of the genre and new stories from ArtsGroupie’s visionaries.
Or join Nana Funk’s Christmas Party Downstairs at the Everyman on December 12 for an evening of ‘chats, songs and laughing’ as well as some very special guests.
Murder Mystery: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…Murder is Downstairs at the Ev on December 18-19, and Playdio ‘Holmes for Christmas’ (or ‘What the Dickens) – starring Drew Schofield, Catherine Rice and Rob Jarvis - from December 21-23
And the Everyman is also the location for Storytime with Santa in the street front café from December 19-23, with the event aimed at youngsters aged seven and under (and their adults).
For details and booking see individual venue websites.
The Tung Auditorium
The busy Christmas programme at the Tung Auditorium gets off to a flying start on December 6 with an appearance from the APOLLO5 vocal group which brings Music for Advent to the venue.
Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Brass Band and Youth Training Choir perform Christmas classics old and new in a Festive Fanfare on December 9.
Liverpool Welsh Choral presents A Fantasia on Christmas Carols on December 12, while The Choir With no Name brings feelgood and life-affirming vibes with The Big Christmas Singalong on December 13.
Then on December 19, join singer Tom Spence and some very special guests in a winter wonderland of Christmas cheer and heartwarming seasonal favourites.
More details and booking HERE
Woolton Picture House
Festive films are the order of the day at Woolton Picture House in the run up to December 25 – but be quick because some screenings are already sold out.
Among those with availability (at time of writing) are Last Christmas on December 12, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Scrooged on December 13, Arthur Christmas on December 14, and Miracle on 34th Street and The Holdovers on December 15.
The programme continues with The Muppet Christmas Carol and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on December 16, White Christmas and The Nightmare Before Christmas on December 17, Home Alone 2 and Miracle on 34th Street on December 18, Santa Claus the Movie and Die Hard on December 19, Arthur Christmas on December 20, Elf on December 21, How the Grinch Stole Christmas on December 22 and White Christmas on December 23.
Then it wouldn’t be the festive season without It’s a Wonderful Life. But this year it’s not the Jimmy Stewart film but the stage play of the film which will be performed on December 22-24.
More details and booking HERE
The Reader at Calderstones Mansion
Christmas comes to the Calderstones Mansion House this winter courtesy of The Reader.
The programme of events includes Christmas Concert Evenings on December 1, 9 and 14.
There will also be seasonal wreath making, Christmas at the Story Barn, Festive Music and Spoken Word, Brunch with Mrs Claus, mini-movies and Christmas Cinema (Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Muppet Christmas Carol) and an Elf Disco.
More information and booking HERE
The Bluecoat
There’s seasonal good cheer on offer at the Bluecoat between now and the big day.
The events and attractions include Festive Wreath Making workshop on November 29 and Festive Gift Printmaking on December 12.
In addition, there is an opportunity to look for gifts with a difference in the Bluecoat Display Centre and the independent shops on site, and a Bluecoat Arts Market on December 5.