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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Liverpool (2026)

Liverpool does Christmas round its grand buildings and waterfront, usually with skating, markets and a free parade from the shops at Liverpool ONE. The Everyman’s rock ’n’ roll panto is a local favourite that usually sells out its weekend shows, so book early, and keep the after-dark trail at Knowsley Safari in mind for a festive evening out.

Christmas events in and around Liverpool

  • The Rock 'n' Roll Panto: Beauty and the Beast
    📅 Sat 14 Nov – Sat 16 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Hope Street

    The Everyman's much-loved panto with a live band, this year telling the story of Beauty and the Beast.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Enchanted and Santa's Grotto at Knowsley Safari
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Thu 24 Dec · Light trail on selected evenings to 23 Dec; daytime grotto 21 Nov-24 Dec
    Santa & Christmas · Prescot

    An after-dark trail of illuminated animals through the foot safari, with a Santa's grotto visit and a cuddly toy available as an add-on.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Christmas Carol
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Sat 2 Jan
    Santa & Christmas · Prescot

    A riotous musical retelling of Dickens' festive classic in the beautiful wooden Cockpit Theatre, about 20 minutes from Liverpool city centre. Recommended for 7+.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Skate St George's
    📅 Sat 21 Nov – Sun 3 Jan · Daily except Christmas Day; usually from 10am or 12pm
    Santa & Christmas · Liverpool city centre

    An outdoor ice rink outside St George's Hall, with a Christmas market, Santa train, carousel, big wheel and a Christmas tree maze.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa's Story Time
    📅 Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec · Saturdays from 28 Nov, then daily 21 to 24 Dec; several sessions a day
    Character meet & greets · Prescot

    Not your average grotto: an interactive Elf Workshop with Head Elf Wiggles (wishlists, keepsakes, reindeer food), then stories with Santa and Mrs Claus, a photo and a gift.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Aladdin
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · New Brighton

    A traditional seaside panto just across the Mersey, with limited £15 stalls seats at every show.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Story Time with Santa
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec · Selected dates; sessions about 45-60 minutes
    Storytime & library events · Liverpool city centre

    Small-group festive stories and songs with Father Christmas in the grand Town Hall, for up to 20 children per session.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • A Very Messy Christmas
    📅 Tue 8 Dec – Sat 19 Dec · Tuesday to Saturday, 10am, 12pm and 2pm
    Santa & Christmas · Prescot

    Colour the Clouds' 40-minute show for babies and toddlers, about Eve, who loves calm and tidy but finds Christmas anything but.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Cinderella
    📅 Sat 12 Dec – Tue 29 Dec
    Shows, theatre & panto · Kings Dock

    A family pantomime at the waterfront arena's smaller Auditorium. It uses strobe lighting and pyrotechnics.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Tinsel
    📅 Tue 22 Dec – Sat 2 Jan · 10am and 12.30pm on selected dates
    Santa & Christmas · Prescot

    A new 45-minute festive show with live music, puppetry and storytelling about a little boy who dreams of being the fairy on top of the Christmas tree.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

Know one that’s missing? It takes a minute, and we check each one before it goes on the map. Add an event

Tips from people who’ve been

  • Book Santa early: the best grotto times often sell out by mid-November.
  • Check what’s included: a gift, a photo, a craft or a story, and whether grown-ups pay too.
  • Ask about quiet or relaxed sessions if loud music, crowds or queues are hard for your child.
  • Weekday visits and the first slot of the day are usually calmer than weekends.
  • Pantos often have relaxed and signed performances: look for them when you book.

Warm indoor places near Liverpool for a cold day

Within 20 km: Soft play: 16 · Museum & attraction: 32 · Swimming & leisure: 18 · Trampoline & inflatable park: 6 · Cinema: 10

Other places

Christmas with children 2026: Santa, pantos and lights · See everything on the map