17 Free and Family-Friendly Things to Do this Christmas
Spend some quality time with the family and see the best of the city without breaking the bank.
You’ll find something for everyone this Christmas, whether you’re young enough to write to Santa or old enough for a mulled wine!
Free Things to Do in Liverpool this Christmas
Snap a Family Photo by the Christmas Tree
Where: Liverpool ONE
It simply isn’t Christmas in Liverpool without a visit to the tree.
Snap a photo next to Liverpool ONE’s famous Christmas tree for a lasting memory with the family.
With its heart-shaped twinkling lights and colourful design, it’s bound to impress kids both big and small!
See Blacklers Department Store’s Father Christmas
Where: Museum of Liverpool
This year, visitors to Museum of Liverpool can enjoy the return of the 5m tall Father Christmas from Blacklers department store.
Between 1957 and 1988 it was tradition in the city to visit the magical model overlooking the store from the staircase.
Bringing back a sprinkle of magic, a new generation of children and their parents can enjoy this nostalgic display in the museum foyer.
Follow the Star Light Display
Where: Bold Street & Castle Street
Take in the spectacular displays along Bold Street and Castle Street this Christmas.
Enjoy a family walk around the city and see Falling Stars transform Bold Street with a dazzling display of light and sound.
You’ll also find yourself lost in the cosmos with Castle Street’s gleaming Star Cycle casting light and shadows around Liverpool’s most beautiful buildings.
Christmas Letters, Cards and More
Where: Sudley Art Gallery
When: 2nd December 2017
Head to picturesque Sudley House this December for an unforgettable afternoon of fun.
Spreading plenty of Christmas cheer, enjoy Christmas crafts, yuletide tales and merry music, all for free.
The little ones will be able to create a special Christmas card AND write a letter on magical elf paper to Father Christmas himself!
Admire the Christmas Lights
Where: Liverpool ONE
It doesn’t take much to please kids, so bring them along for some wide-eyed wonder at Liverpool’s sparkling Christmas lights.
Illuminating the heart of the city centre, it’s well worth taking a wander through Liverpool ONE for some festive spirit!
The Lighting of the Tree and the Blessing of the Crib
Where: Sunday 10th December 2017
Gather together with all the family this December for the Lighting of the Tree and Blessing of the Crib.
See the exquisite Liverpool Cathedral like never before as their enchanting Christmas tree is illuminated.
Guests will then gather around the crib and and its fantastic live figures for a special Christmas blessing.
Pay a Visit to Calderstones Park
Why not enjoy a cool and crisp winter walk in Calderstones Park this Christmas?
Walk off the naughty festive treats with a scenic stroll around this beautiful 126 acre park.
Tire the kids out with a run in the fresh air or swing in the playground before heading back for a cosy night in.
Don’t Miss Santa Paws Coming to Town…
Where: Baltic Market
When: Sunday 10th December 2017
It wouldn’t be a full family day out without bringing along your four-legged friend!
That’s right, this year you can bring the pooch out with you for Baltic Market’s adorable Dog Grotto.
If your dog is barking mad for the festive season, bring them along to have their photograph taken with Santa Paws himself…
Not forgetting, you can stock up on the perfect doggy gifts from an array of stalls selling goodies.
Enjoy the Coca Cola Truck Tradition
When: Tuesday 5th December & Wednesday 6th December 2017
The Holidays are coming! And that means the famous Coca-Cola truck is set to make its return.
This Christmas tradition welcomes everybody along to enjoy a snowy winter wonderland.
You’ll have the chance to take a festive photo with the truck and sip on a free Coca-Cola classic, Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
Explore the Charming Georgian Quarter
There are few more enchanting spots in Liverpool than the historic Georgian Quarter.
Make the most of wintertime in the city with a wander past opulent town houses and cosy restaurants and cafes.
Finish your walk off on picturesque Hope Street with a warming coffee and tasty treat from The Quarter.
Family Fun and Snow at the Snö Garden
Where: Camp and Furnace
Liverpool’s iconic warehouse venue Camp and Furnace will be transformed this winter into a spectacular winter festival.
The Sno Garden will feature delicious festive food, Xmasoke, Christmas cocktails, a Silent Disco and even indoor snow!
They’ll also be showing Christmas classics on the big screen including Home Alone, The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, The Grinch, The Santa Claus, Elf and Miracle on 34th Street.
You can find their full film listings and reserve a table over on their website.
Read a Festive Favourite at the Library
Where: Liverpool Central Library
Come in from the cold and cosy up at Liverpool Central Library, where you’ll find plenty of classics and newer novels.
The children’s area is jam-packed with choice and comfy seating to sit back, wind down and relax.
You may also want to pay a visit to the Grade II* listed Picton Reading Room where you’ll find yourself swept away to a Hogwarts-style library room.
Browse The Reader’s Christmas Courtyard Fair
When: Saturday 2nd December 2017
Where: Calderstones Park
Spend a festive day out in the park at The Reader’s Christmas Courtyard Fair.
In partnership with Independent Liverpool, this fantastically festive event is packed with Christmas goodies and activities.
Browse vintage, craft and local produce stalls or take a breather and enjoy a free family session of Christmas craft making or a visit to The Storybarn.
Have a Wander at the Winter Arts Market 2017
When: Saturday 2nd December 2017
Where: Liverpool Cathedral
After you’ve had a mooch around the Christmas Courtyard Fair, why not head down to Liverpool Cathedral to continue the fun?
Open until 7pm, the Winter Arts Market 2017 is set to fill the stunning Liverpool Cathedral with over 200 arts and crafts stalls.
Expect a lively, bustling atmosphere and plenty to see and do as you explore the best of what’s on offer.
This fantastic event is free for under 16s and just £3 for adults, so it’s well worth planning a family day out.
Hear Another Wintery Tale
Where: Lady Lever Art Gallery
Travel to the depths of winter with story collecting explorers from Altered Scale Theatre and Petite Ullaloom.
This winter, they’ll be taking shelter in the magnificent Lady Lever Art Gallery with snowy fables and heartwarming stories to keep you cosy on a chilly day.
Not forgetting, you can also look forward to a festive sing song with wintery songs to lift your spirits!
Take a Seasonal Squirrel Walk
The Formby red squirrel walk is fantastic all year round. But you can’t beat a crisp and crunchy woodland walk during the winter.
Home to the rare native red squirrel, this is a truly magical day out, perfect for making family memories to cherish.
Spreading lots of Christmas cheer, this child-friendly walk is a local favourite, with generation after generation of children enjoying spotting Formby’s Reds.
Sing at the Festival of Carols
When: Sunday 17th October 2017
Where: Metropolitan Cathedral
Celebrate the festive season in the beautiful surroundings of Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral.
Bringing together families and friends from across the city, this special service will see the Cathedral Choirs fill the building with seasonal music and readings.
There will also be plenty of uplifting congregational carols followed by a spot of mulled wine and mince pies!
All are welcome to attend and admission is completely free.
So at Signature’s Liverpool, we wish you a very Merry Christmas in our wonderful city.
With so much to see and do over the next few weeks, we’re sure you’ll have plenty of festive fun without breaking the bank!
