The ECHO has rounded up some of the festive events taking place this weekend
04:00, 19 Dec 2025Updated 13:54, 20 Dec 2025
Christmas lights in Royal Albert Dock Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Christmas is just days away. Many of us will be doing some last minute shopping, spending time with loved ones or making final preparations ahead of the big day. But if you’re looking for a Christmas event or activity then there is plenty going on in and around Liverpool to keep you in the festive spirit.
From classic films at cinemas across Merseyside to Christmas Family Fun Days, there’s a range of different events taking place on Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21.
If you’re looking for a last minute grotto, we’ve also rounded up some that are taking place across Merseyside. The ECHO has rounded up some of the festive fun taking place across the weekend.
Albert Dock
Lights at Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock
The Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be lit up this weekend as it continues to showcase its stunning light installations. There are glittering Christmas lights with giant hanging baubles, a glowing walk-through arch, beautiful towering trees and more.
The Albert Dock will also host its Wish Upon A Christmas event from Sunday, December 21 until Tuesday, December 22. Young visitors will be able to visit its Wish Station, where friendly Christmas elves will be on hand to help write their dock-related wishes to Santa on cards.
Whether it’s a shopping spree in House of Spells or a year’s worth of pizza from Rudy’s, children can place their wish in a special post box and find out on December 23 if they’ve won. The winner will be announced on a spectacular projection on the Maritime Museum, via Dock Shorts from 5pm.
Location: Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
Date: Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Beauty and the Beast at The Atkinson
With “dazzling costumes, hilarious comedy, live music”, KD productions has returned with another festive show at The Atkinson in Southport. Expect music and dancing with the fairytale story of Beauty and the Beast coming to life. It’s created by the makers of the successful shows behind ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (2024) and ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ (2023). There are shows throughout the weekend.
Location: The Atkinson, Lord St, Southport PR8 1DB
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Boxpark Liverpool
The Icepark at Boxpark Liverpool
Until January 11, 2026, Boxpark Liverpool will host its festive ice rink. There will also be a Doggy Grotto on Sunday, December 21 from 11am until 2.30pm with tickets available online. Your four-legged friend will be able to meet Father Christmas, take some cute pictures in the Santa’s Grotto photobooth and leave with a doggy bag. Tickets include a festive drink, goody bag and photo opportunity.
Location: Cains Brewery Village, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool, L8 5XJ
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21 (Doggy Grotto on Sunday)
More information: Here
Cinderella at the Epstein Theatre
The fairytale classic Cinderella has been brought to life at the Epstein Theatre. Liverpool’s own Leanne Campbell will be starring as The Fairy Godmother and Katie McGlynn from Hollyoaks will be Cinderella. The festive show promises “dazzling costumes, belly laughs, magical moments, and that unmissable panto sparkle”.
Location: 85 Hanover St, Liverpool L1 3DZ
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Dick Whittington at St Helens Theatre Royal
The cast gather together on stage for the grand finale of Dick Whittington at St Helens Theatre Royal(Image: David Munn Photography)
St Helens Theatre Royal has multiple performances of its pantomime Dick Whittington this weekend. The pantomime brings a fresh twist of this classic story. Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden will play Dick Whittington, along with St Helens favourite Lewis Devine as Idle Jack.
Location: Corporation St, St Helens WA10 1LQ
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Fort Perch Rock
The Mess at Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton has a small-scale festive experience the family can enjoy. Each ticket includes a hot drink – mulled wine or hot chocolate for adults, and a small hot chocolate for children – plus a little gift for every child to take home.
Visitors will be able to meet the mischievous Grinch, take your own photos, enjoy some light-hearted antics, and take part in a festive game. With Christmas music playing and a cosy atmosphere inside the fort, it’s an easy, good old-fashioned bit of festive fun.
Food and drinks will be available to buy throughout, so families are welcome to stay, relax, and make an afternoon or evening of it. Tickets are available online.
Location: Fort Perch Rock, Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45 2JU
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
Odeon Cinemas
Decorated trees outside the Odeon cinema in Liverpool ONE(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Like many cinemas across the country, Odeon Cinemas will be showing screenings of classic Christmas films. The company is screening films such as Die Hard, Home Alone, Elf and The Snowman.
There are several Odeon Cinemas branches across Merseyside including Liverpool ONE and Liverpool Switch Island.
Location: Various
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Peter Pan
Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight has taken on the Adventures of Peter Pan for its Christmas pantomime. The fairytale brings sparkling costumes, dancing alongside hilarious comedy for the whole family. Wirral’s favourite Lewis Pryor plays Peter Pan and Darcey Blake will be Wendy.
Location: Greendale Rd, Port Sunlight, Wirral CH62 4XB
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Philharmonic Hall
Liverpool Philharmonic on Hope Street in the Georgian Quarter(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Liverpool Philharmonic is hosting two family concerts on Saturday and Sunday. The Santa’s Christmas Party family concerts will last for around one hour and designed for five to 10-year-olds.
With the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and our Children’s Choirs providing its festive soundtrack, families will get to enjoy seasonal singalongs, plenty of dancing, and fun and games.
Location: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Princesses Christmas Wish at St George’s Hall
St George’s Hall will host four Christmas princesses for a day of “sparkling performances” and “heart-warming holiday magic”. There will be three live shows taking place on Saturday, December 20.
The princesses include Belle, Elsa, Rapunzel and Cinderella. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite princess, sing along to iconic songs and dance along with the princesses.
Location: St George’s Hall, St George’s Pl, Liverpool L1 1JJ
Date: Saturday, December 20 (10am-11am, 1pm-2pm and 4pm-5pm)
More information: Here
Rock n roll Panto 2025 Jack and the Beanstalk at Liverpool Everyman
Liam Tobin as Dame Vera – picture by Ellie Kurttz(Image: www.elliekurttz.com )
There are final tickets remaining for the Rock ‘n Roll Panto on Saturday (*at the time of publication). The musical show is “part fairytale, part concert, and 100% fun” and has a talented cast of actors and musicians.
The pantomime follows Jack as he battles the greedy giant to get the gold and save the day. The audience should expect “cheeky one-liners, soaring solos and heaps of wacky costumes in a show for everyone from 3 to 103”.
Location: 5-11 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BH
Date: Saturday, December 20
More information: Here
Showcase Liverpool
Showcase Liverpool, located on East Lancashire Road, will be screening classic Christmas films this weekend. Home Alone will be screened on Saturday and Sunday. The Muppet Christmas Carol has three screenings on Saturday and four timings on Sunday.
It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, A Paw Patrol Christmas and more will also be shown at the cinema.
Location: Showcase Cinema de Lux, 340 E Lancashire Rd, Liverpool L11 9YJ
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Sleeping Beauty at Floral Pavilion
Kelle Bryan as Fairy Snowfall in Sleeping Beauty at the Floral Pavilion(Image: BRIAN ROBERTS)
Sleeping Beauty at New Brighton‘ “promises to be the most spellbinding pantomime ever to hit the Floral Pavilion stage”. The pantomime stars singer and television personality Kelle Bryan as the magical Fairy Snowfall. Olivier Award-winner and CBBC favourite Cleo Demetriou stars as Princess Rose.
Location: M&S Bank Arena, King’s Dock, Port of Liverpool, 16 Monarchs Quay, Liverpool L3 4FP
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the M&S Bank Arena
Snow White at the M&S Bank Arena with Helen Flanagan(Wicked Queen)centre,and ltr Andy Brennan(Dame Dolly),Bippo the Clown(Muddles),and Rebecca Lake(Fairy).(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The M&S Bank Arena’s Christmas pantomime will across the weekend. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stars Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan as Wicked Queen, Andy Brennan as Dame Dolly and Bippo as Muddles. The pantomime follows Snow White and the dwarfs as they try to stop the evil Wicked Queen.
There are currently two timings available on Saturday, and a further two available on Sunday. *At the time of publication.
Location: M&S Bank Arena, King’s Dock, Port of Liverpool, 16 Monarchs Quay, Liverpool L3 4FP
Date: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
More information: Here