Family Christmas Guide: What’s on in Liverpool?

With the Christmas school holidays just around the corner, you may be looking for ways to keep your little ones entertained. Featuring a mixture of pantomimes, grottos and fun activities, we’ve put together a family friendly guide to what’s going on in Liverpool city centre over the festive period.

Grottos

St George’s Hall

With live character performances dotted along the trail to meet Mr Claus, the iconic grotto at St George’s Hall is an immersive experience for the family. More appropriate for slightly older children who won’t be put off by the goblins, gnomes and yetis (!) who lead the way to the grand finale, this grotto is a real festive treat!

The St George’s hall grotto is open daily until 23^rd December and tickets are £8 per child, with pre-booking and fast-track options available!

The Button Boutique

In a unique twist on the traditional grotto, The Button Boutique is offering arts and crafts workshops to encourage children to get involved in their grotto experience. Although a little pricier at £10 per child, your little one will be able to take part in the Christmas themed workshop to make decorations for your tree, visit Santa and take home a photograph and gift.

Opening times for December are: Thursdays 3-7pm, Fridays 3-7pm, Saturdays 10-7pm, and Sundays 10-5pm.

Rapid

‘Liverpool’s Famous Magical Grotto’ has returned to Rapid, its new home in place of the original location at Lewis’s. With a theme based on the Snow Queen, your child is sure to feel both the chill and warmth of Christmas at this traditional family grotto.

Tickets are a bargain at £6 per child with an extra £1 for accompanying visitors.

Festive Activities

Christmas market

Why not take your little helper shopping to Liverpool’s Christmas market? With stalls selling unique Christmas fayre including jewellery, paintings, photography, cards and decorations, you’re sure to find some special gifts to put under your tree. There are also a number of food outlets to keep hungry tummies at bay.

Liverpool’s Christmas market is spread across Lord Street, Paradise Street and Williamson Square and will run until December 20^th.

The Snowflake Trail

This is a great, FREE activity for all the family to take part in, in your own time over the festive period! As part of the city’s decorations and celebrations, 12 snowflakes have been placed in different locations across Liverpool city centre. The aim of the trail is to follow the clues and find each unique snowflake and be in with the chance to win some amazing prizes including a £1,500 winter sun holiday! You could also win tickets to one of the pantomimes mentioned in this guide.

Maps for the trail can be found at well-known shops such as Marks & Spencers, Primark, Dorothy Perkins, and at the Metquarter.

Ice Festival

The Ice Festival at Liverpool One is proving to be a popular site for Christmas activities as it offers fun for all the family. The ice rink and ice slide are particular highlights and will surely get your youngsters squealing with excitement. There is even an ice bar for mum and dad!

Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday, 11-9pm and Friday to Saturday, 11-10pm. Tickets for the ice rink are priced at £9.95 at peak times for adults and £7.95 for children under 12. The ice slide is £4.50 for three rides.

Pantomimes

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Epstein theatre

Featuring a celebrity cast including Dan Osbourne of TOWIE and Splash fame, alongside Liverpool’s famous dressmaker Thelma Madine, Jack and the Beanstalk is a fresh idea for a pantomime story. With of a total of 49 performances running until 4^th January, why not take your family along and join in with the Fee FI Fo Fun?

Tickets: Adults: £18.50, Concessions: £16.50, Family: £62.00

Rock n Roll Little Red Riding Hood at the Everyman theatre

With ‘more music, mayhem and water than ever before’, the Rock n Roll Little Red Riding Hood certainly sounds like it will get you and your little ones moving and shaking. With extra options, including a pre-show crafts sessions and autism friendly and BSL performances, this pantomime is tailored to meet every child’s needs.

The show runs until 12^th January and family tickets are priced between £54 and £94.

Aladdin at the Empire theatre

Starring a cast of Liverpool favourites, including Ray Quinn, Claire Sweeney and Pete Price, the Empire is showcasing Aladdin for its popular annual panto. With music and dancing, this performance is sure to transform the classic tale of the genie and the lamp into hours of energetic entertainment!

Matinee and evening performances run until 4^th January with tickets priced between £10 and £30.40