The annual festival event was cancelled following growing safety and organisational concerns
The Christmas Tractor Convoy outside Alder Hey Children’s Hospital(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The much-loved Liverpool Christmas Tractor Convoy has been cancelled indefinitely, sparking disappointment across Merseyside. Organisers cited growing safety and organisational concerns, along with a lack of official support, as the reason for pulling the plug on the annual festive event.
The convoy, launched in 2020 by local farmer Olly Harrison, quickly became a seasonal highlight, with dozens of tractors adorned in Christmas lights touring the streets of Merseyside. The event not only brought festive cheer to thousands but also raised more than £300,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
Inspired by a similar initiative on the Isle of Man, Olly has led the convoy each year with support from volunteers. However, following a change in Merseyside Police’s policy in 2022, the force withdrew its assistance with traffic management, forcing Olly to independently coordinate safety measures using bike marshals.
In a recent update from the farmer, Olly explained the event has been cancelled due to mounting fears and a lack of official support. He said: “Bit of bad news for the people of Liverpool.
“As you know, we get lights on these [tractors] every Christmas and drive through the streets and lots of people are already asking what date it’ll be.
Liverpool Christmas Tractor Convoy on the waterfront(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“Sadly, there won’t be one this year. It’s not going to be possible to hold it. The onus seems to be on me now for the crowds it generates and if anything was to go wrong it would be me that would end up in prison.
“It’s not a good thing. Sadly, all good things come to an end. We’ll never say never. If the council want to take it on board and we provide the spectacle in a way that’s possible we would do that but at the moment I can’t see that happening.
“The numbers it generates at Alder Hey are huge as well so we can’t risk anything going wrong. Thank you for everyone that’s been out over the years and yeah, watch this space if it does ever happen again. Yeah, sad times.”
Huge numbers of people braved the weather and lined the streets of Merseyside to watch last year’s Christmas Tractor Convoy.
Dozens of tractors decorated with sparkling lights travelled across the region to spread festive cheer and raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
The three-hour parade started and ended in Huyton, stopping in Halewood before heading into the city centre through South Liverpool. The route was changed this year to include a drive along The Strand for the first time.
After the tractors drove down The Strand, they headed up Leeds Street and Scotland Road to the quiet zone on Priory Road before arriving at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. From there, they drove to Huyton, where the parade ended.
The Christmas Tractor Convoy outside Alder Hey Children’s Hospital(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Since the announcement, fans of the event have taken to social media to share their sadness at news of the cancellation.
James Parr said: “So so sad, brought joy to thousands of children that did. All credit to Olly and all responsible for doing their profound best. Heroes the lot of you.”
Debbie Stringer said: “Loved going to watch these past few years, so sad it’s been cancelled.”
Nikki Riley said: “Very sad, we donate and go every year.”
David Elliott said: “I guess another victim of its own success. Thank you for all that have made it happen in the past it was wonderful.”
Rosey Gorry said: “Such a shame. It was getting bigger every year and so sad that it couldn’t grow a little bit bigger. Shame they couldn’t just do a little drive around Springy Park.”
Danny Powell added: “Kids will be gutted.”
Leah Fitzgibbon said: “Such a shame. Look forward to this every year my little boy would have loved it this year too, he was too little last year.”