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The Christmas programme launched on 10 November in a spectacular light show and the switch on of Liverpool’s tree, followed by a host of festive attractions full of magical moments for the whole family to enjoy throughout the Christmas period.
1. DreamWorks Lights, St Georges Hall
26 November 2016 – 15 January 2017
In this UK first, St George’s Hall welcomes DreamWorks Lights - a stunning walkthrough lantern experience for all ages. Film favourites from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar will be transformed into huge illuminated figures in the Grand Hall of the iconic Grade I listed building.
2. Liverpool’s iconic 30-metre Christmas tree
Christmas light switch on Thursday 10 November
The spectacular festive centrepiece, an iconic 30 metre Christmas tree, was revealed on Thursday 10 November. #GetChristmassy and enjoy a dazzling lights show created by the Liverpool Empire’s Creative Learning Team complete with music, pyrotechnics, snow and aerial performers.
3. Albert Dock
3 December 2016 – 2 January 2017 (dusk – 11pm)
Unlock your imagination and see this iconic Grade I Listed landmark transformed during the hours of darkness into a canvas for the most spectacular 4D projection mapping spectacular. In collaboration with immersive technology specialists Crucial FX and National Museums Liverpool, Albert Dock Liverpool will showcase this fantastical display as the Christmas countdown gains momentum.
4. Snowflake Trail, Liverpool City Centre
1 December 2016– 3 January 2017
Follow the Snowflake Trail, Liverpool’s very own winter festival of spectacular lights, atmospheric sounds and snowflake sculptures. Pick up your free trail map at participating retailers, solve the clues and win prizes. #snowflaketrail
5. Ice Festival, Pier Head
12 November 2016 – 3 January 2017
Liverpool’s Pier Head will be frozen as the annual Ice Festival returns, with more attractions and a bigger, brand new site. The cool attractions include an ice rink and a cosy Après Lodge to enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate. There are also a host of fairground rides to entertain the little ones.
6. Liverpool’s Christmas Market
18 November - 22 December 2016
This year, Liverpool’s Christmas market will be moving to St George’s Hall Plateau. Featuring more than 40 stalls selling arts, food and crafts from all over the world the markets will be at the heart of the city’s celebrations this winter. The market will open on 18 November to coincide with the worldwide release of the new Harry Potter blockbuster Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in which the hall and plateau both have a starring role.
7. Disney On Ice presents Frozen, Echo Arena Liverpool, Kings Dock
30 November – 4 December 2016
Enter into a wintry wonderland beyond imagination as Disney On Ice presents Frozen. Prepare to be magically whisked away to Arendelle and mesmerised by stunning skating displays and special effects. This heart-warming Disney favourite will leave families with memories to last a lifetime.
8. Signature Grotto at the Garden of Eden, Shankly Hotel
From 26th November 2016
On the roof of the Shankly Hotel, in the luxurious ‘Garden of Eden’, the city’s ‘signature’ grotto will be open from the end of November and will be Liverpool’s only rooftop grotto. Little ones will get a chance to meet Santa and tell him exactly what’s on their Christmas list, with the added bonus of afternoon tea sitting with stunning views over the city in the bar downstairs.
9. Alpine-themed pop-up bar, Bar Hütte
From 10 November - 2 January 2017
Visitors can enjoy a festive atmosphere after a long days shopping at Bar Hütte, the Alpine-inspired bar housed within Liverpool ONE’s giant Christmas tree. The perfect place to kick-start every Christmas party, Bar Hütte offers guests a hearty Christmas singsong with a spot of “carol-oke” inside one of its 10 themed ski-huts or celebrate in the disco hütte, complete with disco lights and Christmas tunes.
10. Liverpool Town Hall hosts Santa’s Magical Grotto
Open each weekend from 26 November- 11 December then daily from Friday 16-Friday 23 December
After a number of years at St George’s Hall, Santa has decided to have a change of scene for Christmas 2016 and is setting up his new grotto in the grand setting of the city’s Town Hall. The traditional style grotto will be housed in The Crypt of the Town Hall, where children and their families will be greeted by Santa’s Elves. They will then meet the Man in the Red Suit himself and let him know what’s on their Christmas list.
11. Liverpool International Horse Show, Echo Arena Liverpool, Kings Dock
31 December 2016 - 2 January 2017
At New Year we welcome back the spectacular Liverpool International Horse Show. The event will be headlined with a spectacular New Year’s Eve party featuring operatic band and former Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro.
12. Liverpool ONE Christmas on Chavasse Park
From 11 November – 5 January 2017
This Christmas, visitors to Liverpool ONE’s Chavasse Park will be left spoilt for choice at the host of attractions on offer. Families can get into the festive spirit with children’s rides and traditional Christmas market treats, including mulled wine, fresh crepes, delicious bratwursts and much more.
13. National Museums Liverpool, city region-wide
Ongoing
For a memorable day out for all the family this Christmas, look no further than National Museums Liverpool’s free museums and galleries. Visitors will be left spoilt for choice at the variety of exhibitions and permanent collections you can enjoy at World Museum, the International Slavery Museum, the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Museum of Liverpool, plus the fantastic Walker Art Gallery, Lady Lever Art Gallery and Sudley House. There are plenty of free activities across the venues in December and January. Visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/omc to find out more.
14. Cinderella pantomime, Echo Arena Liverpool, King Dock
16 December - 24 December 2016
This classic fairy tale will once again be brought to life at the Echo Arena’s Auditorium, this wintertime. E4 star Betsy-Blue English will feature alongside West End star Ray Quinn and Britain’s Git Talent Finalists Trip Hazard, to complete the cast of this well-loved Christmas pantomime.
15. Tree Fairies App
10th November – 2nd January 2017
New for this year, the Liverpool ONE #ONEBigTree is also home to thousands of fairies. Armed with just a mobile phone and Liverpool ONE’s new Fairy App, shoppers and diners will be able to ‘capture’ one of the fairies flying around the tree, name them and share with their friends across social media. The App, which can be download on iOS, will be around for the whole of the festive season for everyone to experience.
16. Merseyrail, city region-wide
Ongoing
Enjoy endless magical moments with unlimited off-peak travel, from just £3.70 with a Day Saver or £10 for a family of up to five with a Merseyrail Family Ticket. (Off-peak tickets are valid anywhere on the Merseyrail network, anytime, except 06:31 – 09:29 on weekdays). With four Merseyrail stations in Liverpool city centre, it couldn’t be easier to visit our One Magical City.
