11 Christmas events in Liverpool confirmed for 2020 that you can book now

Christmas is bound to be very different this year but if you still want to get in the festive spirit, there are plenty of things you can do with your family.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, there are many magical Christmas events in Liverpool and beyond, that you can enjoy with the kids.

Most of these have been designed with socially distancing in mind, so you can feel secure celebrating this very special time of year.

From car park pantos to a woodland Santa trail, there’s something for all the family to enjoy.

So here are 11 Christmas events that have been confirmed for 2020 that you can book tickets for now.

*Make sure to follow the latest government guidelines in relation to coronavirus when going out in public and visit the attractions’ websites to check if they are open, the events are going ahead and for advice on social distancing restrictions when visiting*

1. Liverpool Ice Festival

The Liverpool Ice Festival is to return this year to its waterfront location at the Pier Head.

People can go for a spin on the “biggest ever” ice rink, with penguin skate aids for little ones, and even more space to ensure people can stick to social distancing rules.

The festival also brings back the UK’s largest ice slide, an Ice Jet ride, funfair games and rides for the children.

Grab your skates and glide around the rink

There will also be a traditional Christmas market where you can tuck into something warm to take the chill off, with German bratwurst, crepes, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

When: Friday, November 13 and run until January 3, excluding Christmas Day.

Price: Tickets are from £13 for adults and from £11 for children, with family tickets available and group discounts. Go to icefestivalliverpool.co.uk to book tickets.

Pier Head, Liverpool

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*Make sure to follow the latest government guidelines in relation to coronavirus when going out in public and visit the attractions’ websites to check if they are open, the events are going ahead and for advice on social distancing restrictions when visiting*

2. Jack and the Beanstalk

Liverpool will welcome a huge Christmas show this December with special measures in place due to Covid-19.

M&S Bank Arena will host a magical panto later this year, Jack and the Beanstalk, with special measures in place due to Covid-19.

The show, which will run at The Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena, will star Leanne Campbell, Jake Quickenden and comedy favourite Bippo.

Bringing all the usual family fun, the panto will also feature social distancing and several other changes to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

When: December 18 to 27, 2020.

Price: Tickets start from £18 to £30. Go to mandsbankarena.com to book tickets.

The Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

3. Cinderella

The Parking Lot Social panto comes to Liverpool John Lennon Airport as part of their Winter Festival.

A new 2020 drive-in version of panto classic Cinderella will be performed with all the essential elements that make the tale so special, as well as a few twists unique to the special drive-in format.

The specially written show has song and dance routines a-plenty, audience participation galore and a script that takes a light-hearted dig at some of the challenges thrown up by this strangest of years.

When: December 12 and 13.

Price: Tickets are priced from £41.46- £51.66. For tickets, live updates and information visit The Parking Lot Social website.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Speke Hall Avenue, Speke

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4. Horrible Christmas

Enjoy a new tale from Birmingham Stage Company and Horrible Histories, who will present two amazing performances of Horrible Christmas, as part of Car Park Theatre events.

Horrible Christmas is the story of how Christmas came to be what it is today, enabling families across the UK to enter into the festive spirit in a safe, socially distanced manner, from the comfort of their own car.

The story tells the tale of Christmas coming under threat from a jolly man dressed in red. Then it’s up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas?

From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, it’s a hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas as they all join forces to save the festive season.

When: December 28 at 2pm and 4pm

Price: £45 per car plus £2.50 booking fee applies. Go to carparkparty.com to book.

Aintree Racecourse, Ormskirk Road, Aintree

5. Woodland Santa Trail

Follow the path deep into the forest where you will stumble upon on a winter wonderland where you can meet Father Christmas and even spot a few elves along the way.

Go Santa based at Go Outside in Formby woods is hosting this new festive attraction which has been set up as a completely Covid-secure socially-distanced event.

Feed the reindeer deep in the forest on the Santa trail
Feed the reindeer deep in the forest on the Santa trail
(Image: Go Outside Formby)

Follow the Santa trail to the hidden Christmas-themed area in the woods where you can feed the reindeer, do arts and crafts, dance with the elves in the dance studio, go on a treasure hunt, write a letter to Santa and meet the big man himself.

When: From November 28 until December 20 and then 21, 22 and 23.

Price: Tickets are priced at £17 per person and are on sale now from bookwhen.com/gosanta.

Shorrocks Hill, Lifeboat Road, Formby, Liverpool, L37 2EB

6. The Lanterns at Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo’s magical lantern event is returning just in time for Christmas.

The enchanting festive event will take over the zoo once again this November.

Visitors will be able to experience The Lanterns again this winter with an after-hours trail in the dark, taking in illuminated wildlife, colourful lanterns and enchanting costumed characters.

Chester Zoo’s The Lanterns event is returning this Christmas
(Image: Chester Zoo)

Fans will be able to explore 11 fantastical worlds this winter, including the return of the popular “Underwater” world, which will transport visitors to the bottom of the sea.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing rules, there will be a reduced number of tickets available to visitors.

When: Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

Price: Adult tickets are £16 and children’s are £13.50, go to chesterzoo.org/lanterns to book.

Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1EU

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7. Christmas at Knowsley Safari

Enchanted, an after-dark trail of magical lights for families to explore in the run up to Christmas, returns to Knowsley Safari.

Families can explore the foot safari in a whole new way, following a trail of magical illuminated animals at their own pace.

You can enjoy the trail after dark, with festive food, magical music, illuminated animals and some special treats too.

Penguin illuminations on the Enchanted trail at Knowsley Safari Park.
Penguin illuminations on the Enchanted trail at Knowsley Safari Park.
(Image: James Maloney/Liverpool Echo)

Families can take part in the Santa Photo Experience, where groups of up to six can meet Father Christmas from a safe distance and have the opportunity to capture the memory on camera with a framed picture included instead of a gift for each child.

When: From November 21 to December 23.

Price: Tickets for Enchanted cost £8 per person, though children under three are free. For an additional £10, families can take part in the Santa Photo. Experience. Bookings are now open for Knowsley Safari’s magical Christmas season.

Knowsley Safari, Prescot L34 4AN

8. Otterspool Magical Christmas Experience

Enjoy up to three hours of magical activities plus unlimited play on the ice rink and attractions at Otterspool Adventure.

Watch classic pantomime Aladdin starring LFC legend Bruce Grobbelaar as the Genie, visit Santa in his grotto and receive a gift, make a bear with Santa’s elves, take part in gingerbread decorating and enjoy story time with Mrs Claus.

Little ones can also visit Santa’s toy shop to choose their own gift and you can also add breakfast with Santa too.

When: From November 28 until December 20 with slots at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

Price: Prices vary depending on date of visit, but start at £25 per child and £12 per adult. You can add breakfast with Santa to your ticket for an additional cost. Otterspool Adventure members get 10% off ticket prices. Click here to book tickets.

37 Otterspool Drive, Liverpool, L17 5AL

9. Liberte’s Rooftop Winter Village

City centre bar Liberte is hosting a huge Winter Village including 12 private hire chalet-style lodges for up to six guests.

It will offer a food menu including a range of festive street food and will offer both a selection of seasonal cocktails and hot drinks.

Following the Government’s most recent lockdown announcement, Liberte’s team are reassuring visitors that its winter village will be adhering to all guidelines.

When: Launching in October through until January 2021.

Price: TBC. Bookings available via email winter@liberteliverpool.com

50 Brunswick Street, Liverpool L2 0PL

10. Winter Wonderland at Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey will bring back its much-loved magical winter wonderland this Christmas.

The Cheshire National Trust site is hosting the experience for the fourth year and will once again be offering families the chance to experience an after-dark, illuminated trail during the festive period.

The trail winds through the site’s gardens and deer park, with visitors promised new bright lights for 2020 .

Walk under a canopy of 100,000 fairy lights at Dunham Massey

Just a 50-minute drive from Liverpool, visitors will be met by a soundtrack of Christmas classics when they first arrive and then will follow the trail around the grounds which will showcase giant light-up sculptures, and lakeside reflections.

Children should be able to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way and the tunnel of light will also be returning this year too. The trail lasts for around 90 minutes and is one mile long.

When: November 20 to December 30.

Price: Tickets in advance for non-National Trust members are £20 adults, £13 for children, carers or children under five years old go free. Family tickets are also available and you can buy tickets here.

Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 4SJ

11. Lightopia

Europe’s largest lantern and light festival is returning this Christmas, and it is just under an hour’s drive from Liverpool.

Lightopia will feature interactive and immersive lights, lanterns, installations and incredible lasers with water-screen multimedia shows.

Last year’s festival featured a path through Heaton Park which was transformed into a safari, with glowing lions, tigers, zebras and a moving rhino.

Lightopia at Heaton Park
(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Another path transformed into a whimsical woodland walk lit up by luminous dandelions and mushrooms, with colourful, dancing lasers speckling the trees.

This year’s edition will be the biggest ever festival and will feature more surprises than ever but will be safe and socially distanced.

When: From November 20, 2020 to January 3, 2021.

Price: Family ticket for two adults and two children £15.90. Book tickets at lightopiafestival.com.

Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester M25 2SW

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