Christmas themed family stories
Escape the seasonal hustle and bustle and listen to one of our festive themed tales. 1.45pm & 3pm.
World Museum 0151 478 4393
Customs Christmas crafts
Make your own salt dough ornament or eco-friendly Christmas card to take away in this crafty workshop. 1-4pm.
Seized Revenue and Customs Uncovered (inside Merseyside Maritime Museum) 0151 478 4499
Father Christmas at the Farm
The animals are waiting in our nativity scene with Father Christmas to greet you. 11am – 3pm.
Tatton Park 01625 534400
Tudor Christmas Weekend
Tudor decorations, children’s activities etc. 1.00 - 4.00
Speke Hall 0151 427 7231
A Medieval Christmas
Meet some medieval pilgrims as they visit Chester for the festive season; with music, mumming plays and much more. Free, drop-in event. 10.30-4.30pm.
Chester Cathedral, Chapter House
Santa Dash 08
5k fun run and 1m mini dash. For more information visit
www.runliverpool.org.uk
Winter Celebration
This annual event will be the usual lovely seasonal mix of craft stalls, entertainment, environmental workshops and visits from Father Christmas. 12noon – 4pm.
National Wildflower Centre 0151 738 1913
Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Mother Goose
In a magical land far far away T’was Birkenhead so the rumours say There lived a woman named old Mother goose Who had the heart of an ox but the face of a moose. Ma Goose is hot it’s really smoking!!! Bring you brollys for a right good soaking But we’ll need your help to right the wrongs Shout, boo and cheer and join in the songs. Shake your bootie and swing your maracas If you miss out on this… your just plain quackers!
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse 0151 709 4776
Search for Santa
A magical mission in the woods! Fun activity for children – bring a torch. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Booking essential. 5.30 - 7.30
Formby Point Squirrel Reserve 01704 878591
Cinderella
Britain’s No. 1 pantomime is coming to Liverpool to see out European Capital of Culture in glittering, star-studded style! Cinderella, featuring an all-star Liverpool cast opens on 11 December 2008, and promises to be a truly magical show. Traditionally the most popular pantomime title of them all, the Cinderella story has timeless appeal to old and young alike, with lavish, glittering costumes and spectacular staging, lots of laughter and its celebrity-filled cast, Cinderella at the Liverpool Empire is THE panto to see in the UK this Christmas. Various times
Liverpool Empire Theatre 0844 847 2525
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins may be nearing 70, but she’s still a highly sought after super-nanny. Cameron Mackintosh’s highly praised production is now on tour, after a successful West End run. For anyone who has somehow managed not to see the film, Mary Poppins is a magically endowed nanny who arrives to entirely revolutionise the lives of the Banks children creating a mystical atmosphere along with a little help from her friend Bert.
Manchester Palace Theatre 0844 847 2277
Children’s Christmas Party Disco
Fancy dress competition, colouring-in competition, lots of fun and games with DJ Steve. Free admission. Refreshments on sale - 12 noon.
Sefton Park Palm House 0151 726 2415
A Country Christmas
Follow the woodland trail to Father Christmas’s hideaway cabin. Visit the Elves Workshop & add your Christmas dreams to the wishing tree. Children’s Christmas craft activities and trails. Peruse the country craft stalls and local festive foods. Hot mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Lots of festive activities for all the family to enjoy.
Chirk Castle 01691 774706
Christmas Workshop
Make your very own Beatles-themed Christmas decorations and hang them on our special tree in Starbucks!
The Beatles Story 0151 709 1963
Journey to Bethlehem
Encounter the real Christmas Story in a real stable. All Hallows Church/Beechley Riding Stables, Harthill Road, Allerton, Liverpoool
0151 724 6391
A Tudor Christmas
Help us prepare for Christmas with characters from a Tudor household, and see how herbal remedies were used to keep people hale and hearty. Take this opportunity to see inside the historic ‘black and white’ townhouse of the Stanley family. Free, drop-in event. 10.30 am-4.30pm.
Stanley Place, Watergate Street, Chester
Father Christmas comes to Knowsley Safari Park!
Every weekend from Dec 15-16, Santa’s Husky Sledge will be bringing Father Christmas to Knowsley Safari Park. Santa will also be meeting visitors in his grotto every week day from Dec 17, from 12-4pm,
Knowlsey Safari Park 0151 430 9009
Frosty the Snowman Returns!
Family concerts are most suitable for children aged 4 – 10, but the whole family is welcome – fidgeting is allowed! With the help of songsheets, YOU the audience have the chance to join in the fun as well! Our NEW programme includes The Most Wonderful Time of The Year, Happy Holidays, and Slade’s So Here it is, Merry Christmas, Everybody’s Having Fun! Alongside Frosty The Snowman, When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney, Let it Snow, and even more Disney and TV/Film favourites! Why not bring along your homemade (or real!) sleighbells for another musical Sleighride and Jingle Bells, or come dressed as your favourite Christmas character too? 11.30am & 2.30pm
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic 0151 709 3789
The Santa Special Weekend
North West Museum of Road Transport, The Old Bus Depot, Hall Street, St.Helens, sees Santa riding into town. Enjoy a 20-minute Santa Bus Ride in a vintage heritage bus, with tea and coffee for adults and and fruit juice and a mince pie for children.
All info on website www.hallstreetdepot.info
Big Art Christmas Fun
Get arty with our family workshop. (over 5’s) 11am – 4pm. Walker Art Gallery
0151 478 4199
My First Carol Concert
With 5 TV’s Milkshake Treat your little ones to a unique yuletide concert hosted by their favorite Milkshake TV characters and presenters. For the first time ever, Milkshake Live brings together classic Christmas songs and festive fun in an enchanting concert for the whole family to enjoy. The popular Milkshake TV characters and presenters are joined by a fantastic 30 piece orchestra LIVE on stage! 11.00am & 2.00pm
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 0151 709 3789
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (1993)
The Film with Live Music Angels and sugarplums. Candy canes and ice. A magic prince, a dreamy young girl, a mysterious old man and a Christmas tree that grows sky high. Enter the world of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, the historic production featuring the world famous New York City Ballet. This movie version of the timeless Tchaikovsky Yuletide fantasy stars Macaulay Culkin and features LIVE music by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the first UK orchestra to present this version of The Nutcracker with live music. 7.30pm. (2.30pm on Sunday 4th)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 0151 709 3789
CBeebies Live!
The CBeebies Mega-stars are searching high and low for hidden treasure this Christmas – and they need your help to find it! So pack your bag, dig out your binoculars, and get ready to join Justin Fletcher, the Tweenies, Pingu, Andy Day, Postman Pat, Underground Ernie and many more of your CBeebies friends as you explore the world of CBeebies Live! 11.00am/2.00pm/5.00pm
ACC Arena Liverpool 0844 8000 400