Three major events will draw massive crowds to Liverpool
An aerial shot of Liverpool ONE at night time(Image: Jason Hawkes)
A number of major events happening this weekend are set to attract huge crowds to the city centre. Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to Liverpool to enjoy everything from parades and markets to star-studded celebrity appearances.
On Saturday, November 15, key parts of the city will transform for three beloved annual events. The first attraction will be the Liverpool Christmas Markets, swinging open the gates for festive shoppers from 11am. Clarke Events, the organisers behind the markets, have teased this will be the “best year yet”.
The annual market draws in thousands of visitors each year, and with the event running until Christmas Eve, shoppers have plenty of time to visit and soak up the atmosphere. Since their move from Church Street in 2016, the markets have been held at St George’s Plateau and have seen tremendous success at this location.
The markets will be open every day until Wednesday, December 24. There will be a range of fully stocked bars with the Alpine, Tipi Tent, Barrel Bars, Windmill, Apres Ski venues making a return. To keep visitors in high spirits, there will also be live entertainment from local acts.
Liverpool Christmas Market at St George’s Hall(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Santa Land, the vintage carousel, fair ground games and iconic Big Wheel will all be back this year, as will a range of traders offering everything from continental eats and sweet treats to hand made items perfect for gifting. You can read everything you need to know on Liverpool’s Christmas Markets here.
Over at Liverpool ONE, a massive parade with dancing toys, dazzling decorations and twinkling lights will fill the streets for 40 minutes at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.
Toy Parade has been created and produced by outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank and will bring “toy soldiers, a robot, a larger-than-life Christmas tree and a sugar plum fairy to life, delighting the crowds with colour and movement”.
Liverpool ONE’s annual Christmas takeover is returning(Image: Liverpool ONE)
A group of children and young adults from Claire House Children’s Hospice will join the parade of giant toys, showcasing a collection of props and decorations they have handmade for the occasion. Their creations in the parade will showcase the imagination and spirit of children supported by the hospice.
Finally, Exhibition Centre Liverpool will host a number of Hollywood A-listers as the annual Comic Con event begins. The popular fan convention returns from Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, November 16, welcoming thousands of fans eager to meet some of their favourite film and TV stars.
John Cena make’s his entrance during Monday Night RAW(Image: WWE via Getty Images)
Fans can still look forward to a star-studded weekend featuring WWE legend John Cena, Marvel actress Brie Larson, Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd, Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke, Dirty Dancing legend Jennifer Grey and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off favourite Jeanie Bueller.
Liverpool’s Christmas Markets and the Toy Parade are free for the public to enjoy, but if you want to meet your favourite celebrity, you’ll have to buy a ticket. You can purchase Comic Con tickets here.