Festive Watch
Long held family traditions make Christmas magical for both children and grown-ups alike! From trimming the tree, to digging out the stockings and leaving a mince pie out for Santa, it’s a season to be treasured. Make yours even more special with a visit to some of these sparkling destinations – all ready to treat and entertain you to make it your merriest Christmas yet.
Take a break from the Christmas mayhem with lunch at The Village Hotel
Gather the family and join them at The Village Hotel Liverpool this Christmas for “Lunch with Santa” on selected Sundays throughout December. You can relax and enjoy a delicious Carvery Lunch, Children’s Entertainment and a visit from The Big Man Himself! Meet Santa and tell him what good girls and boys you’ve been – they look forward to welcoming you there. Bookings are available via their website. W: www.Village-Hotels.co.uk
Ice Festival Returns to the Pier Head
Get your skates on! Glide across the ice whatever the weather, under a clear skies roof. The Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival is open daily from 13th November to 5th January (closed Christmas Day), is completely free to enter and has everything you need to start feeling festive! Home to exhilarating ice-themed attractions including the UK’s longest ice slide, plus a family-friendly festival experience with funfair rides, separate children’s zone and pop-up food and drink stalls, you’re sure to have a great family day out! New for this year, skate aids are available to pre-book too. W: www.icefestivalliverpool.co.uk
Journey through an enchanting Christmas Woodland
Visit Blakemere Village this Christmas for an unforgettable journey through the Cheshire woodland to find Father Christmas, his festive forest friends and the captivating Snow Princess and her Unicorn. And new for this year: build-a-cuddly-toy experience with Mrs. Claus, yours to take home and treasure! This enchanting 3-hour family event runs every weekend from 30th November – 23rd December. Tickets are priced at £30 per person plus booking fee (under 3s £10) and includes gifts from Father Christmas for children and adults, festive photo opportunities, Mrs Claus’ activity, unlimited festive skating plus magic wand whittling. W: www.christmaswoodland.co.uk
Festive favourites are in abundance at Liverpool ONE
Enjoy the magic of Christmas at Liverpool ONE with festive favourites and new attractions too! Bar Hutte, the popular Alpine- inspired carol-oke venue returns underneath the iconic tree and new for 2019 is an exciting Polar Adventure for all the family on Chavasse Park! Board the Christmas Express and be transported to a special pop-up polar party with music, dancing elves, and lots to do! You’ll also find gifts for the whole family and with extended opening hours starting from Monday 9th December, there is plenty of time to visit them all. ONE BIG Christmas Street Party will mark the official launch on 15th November, between 4-8pm. W: www.liverpool-one.com
Sledging, Snow and Santa – enjoy it all at Chill Factore!
Experience a snowy Christmas at Chill Factore’s real snow wonderland. Treat all the family to the ultimate Christmas experience with family fun in Mini Moose Land or Snow Park and visit Santa himself in his grotto. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the festivities this Christmas. All visits to the Grotto are combined with some sub-zero fun. Take on the Downhill Donuts, the Snow or Ice Slide and sledging in Snow Park. If you have little ones aged 3 or under then Mini Moose Land is perfect. You can meet Santa in his Grotto every weekend from 16th November and every day from the 1st December right up until Christmas Eve. W: www.chillfactore.com/christmas
Santa Sleepovers at Gulliver’s World, Warrington
Escape to the most magical winter world with unique Santa sleepovers this December at Gulliver’s World, Warrington. Stay overnight in their cosy, family friendly, themed Hotel and Lodgings. Experience the all-inclusive Christmas Theme Park fun! Enjoy the festive rides & attractions and explore the Winter Wonderland on your way to meeting Santa himself, receiving a free gift before he sets off on his journey around the globe! Join in lots of Christmas activities such as Gully’s Magical Snow Show, Mrs Christmas’ Kitchen and Elf School, as well as seeing unique Christmas shows and characters! W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
NEW YEAR’S EVE Around the World Celebrations at Gulliver’s World, Warrington
Start the New Year in style at Gulliver’s! Join Gully and the gang in celebrating the new year as it sweeps across the globe. Enjoy the festive theme park rides, attractions and world-wide buffet into the evening as well as a themed celebration every hour and much more. Top the night off with a fantastic firework display above the castle at midnight as the New Year reaches the UK! Make the new year even more special with a sleepover in cosy, award winning, themed accommodation situated right next to the theme park! It’s a New Year’s treat the whole family will love. W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
Brilliant shows brought to the stage at M & S Bank Arena
This Christmas, M&S Bank Arena is overflowing with wonderful festive performances that are perfect for families. The heart-warming story of Elf, based on the hit movie, is supersized into a huge Christmas spectacular with a giant 30 foot-tall Christmas tree, a flying sleigh, and high octane stunts. This year's magical panto Snow White is filled with laughter, music and comedy, astonishing special effects and lots of sparkle! The first ever stage adaptation of Grandpa’s Great Escape, the number one bestselling children’s book by David Walliams, will be here and the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show returns with a huge line up of impressive horses & riders. W: www.mandsbankarena.com
May your days be merry and bright at Tate Liverpool
Spend your Christmas holidays at Tate Liverpool! Discover their dazzling display of optical artworks by artists such as Bridget Riley and an amazing colourful floor that you can interact with. If that inspires you to get creative, visit the free Make and Create station in the exhibition space to play with patterns and colour. Visit the fantastic family room or take a free rocket backpack around the galleries. There’s a buggy park, Changing Places toilet and baby changing facilities. Plus, kids eat free in the Tate Liverpool café (T’s & C’s apply). W: www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool
Relax and plan your festive days out with Merseyrail
Leave the car at home this Christmas and get festive with Merseyrail. Get a Family Ticket for £11 for unlimited off-peak travel for a family of five, and free travel for any child under five. Take your little ones to Santa’s Grotto, the Christmas markets or to spread some festive cheer via the train with Merseyrail. With regular services running every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm (Monday-Saturday), get to where you want to go this Christmas with Merseyrail. W: www.merseyrail.org
Take part in the Nutcracker Trail and you could win an amazing prize!
Can you find the 10 Nutcracker Kings who have appeared all over Southport?
According to German folklore, traditional Christmas nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to the family. This magical story is a beautiful part of Christmas and these 6 foot statues will be bringing their charm to Southport.
Explore Southport this Christmas and hunt for each statue. Complete the trail and find the names of all ten Nutcrackers and you can be in with a chance of winning an iPad mini! Look out too for the real life nutcrackers appearing in Southport Saturdays in December. The trail runs from the 20th November to 2nd January. W: www.southportbid.com
Want to meet Santa? Head to his magical grotto at Wayfarers Shopping Arcade
Santa is waiting to meet lots of little people in his own special grotto at Wayfarers Shopping Arcade this Christmas. You can even join Santa for a tasty breakfast on the 14th December! Stunning, glittering decorations set the scene so everyone can enjoy their visit to this exclusive Victorian Arcade. There is nowhere better to shop and feel the festive spirit – see their website for details. W: www.wayfarersarcade.co.uk
