Today marks the official start of Christmas in Liverpool City Centre as Liverpool ONE kicks off the festivities with an "extravaganza'.
Crowds are expected to come and see the lights in all their glory across the city as there will be a number of performances marking the start of the festive season. The shopping complex will host hundreds of kids in a singing and dancing festive extravaganza from 4pm to 8pm tonight.
Visitors can also expect to see the return of the Christmas reindeer light installations throughout various locations, neon trees on Paradise Street, festive angel wings and plenty of twinkling Christmas lights and decorations across Liverpool ONE.
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Food and drink venue Bar Hütte will also set up in Chavasse Park for the launch underneath the giant Christmas tree. The team will be hosting wreath-making sessions, movie Sundays, a festive after-school club, and sensory classes for the very first time this year.
We will be bringing you all the latest information on the events this evening and up to date information about the Christmas Markets by St George's Hall which do not open until tomorrow (November 18) at 11am.
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Liverpool is the place to be, says our readers
We have been live on Facebook from Liverpool ONE and the lights and decorations in the city centre have gone down very well with our readers.
Audrey Sandales said: "I was there earlier today. The Christmas decorations are fabulous."
Carol Gawthorne said: "Wow totally amazing great job."
Andrea Cahill said: "Oh I wish I was back In Liverpool forgot how beautiful it was during Christmas time."
The city is full of cheer
Our reporter Sophie McCoid has just been through the city centre and described the atmosphere in Liverpool as "joyful".
She said: "It is very busy, but excited and festive. It is wonderful to see the city so joyful with something Christmassy around each corner you turn."
"Joyful and festive atmosphere"
Our reporter Sophie McCoid has just been through the city centre and described the atmosphere in Liverpool as "joyful".
She said: "It is very busy, but excited and festive. It is wonderful to see the city so joyful with something Christmassy around each corner you turn."
The verdict is in
We have been live on Facebook from Liverpool ONE and the lights and decorations in the city centre have gone down very well with our readers.
Audrey Sandales said: "I was there earlier today. The Christmas decorations are fabulous."
Carol Gawthorne said: "Wow totally amazing great job."
Andrea Cahill said: "Oh I wish I was back In Liverpool forgot how beautiful it was during Christmas time."
WATCH LIVE from Liverpool One's Christmas extravaganza
WATCH FACEBOOK LIVE from Liverpool One's Christmas extravaganza
Bar Hutte is open
The bar and karaoke hut opened its doors Friday, November 10, and will remain open until Sunday, December 31.
Cosy karaoke huts for parties of up to eight people are available for guests wanting to sing their hearts out, party lodges can be booked for even larger groups, or you can take your four-legged friend to a 'Bark Hutte' where they'll be treated to treats, 'paw-secco' and photo opportunities.
More information and opening times can be found here
Who is performing later?
Joining the party in Liverpool city centre later will be pop-up pantos from the city’s pantomimes including Sleeping Beauty & Peter Pan at the M&S Bank Arena.
There will also be theatre acts from the cast from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory from the Liverpool Empire Theatre and Wind in the Willows from The Shakespeare North Playhouse.
The event will see three additional areas becoming a focal point for up-and-coming local talent over on Thomas Steers Way, Peter’s Lane and the Galleria by the entrance of ODEON featuring 100 youth theatre performers, three community choirs, 30 Christmas elves, and Santa.
Alongside this, professional aerial performances and magical pop-up pantos will complete the line-up, found across the Liverpool ONE complex. Guests will also have the chance to grab selfies in front of a series of festive light installations.
What about the Christmas Markets?
Liverpool's Christmas Markets return for another year by St George's Hall but do not open until tomorrow (Saturday, November 18) at 11am.
There is expected to be the return of the tipi bar, ski bar, windmill bar where guests can get a drink. New for 2023 is the Bavarian bar. The new addition will host local performers on the weekends while the karaoke ski-lifts will return for those wanting to take the music into their own hands.
The big wheel, snow slide and Santa Land rides will be back too. A full range of food stalls is yet to be confirmed but we can expect everything from hand-crafted chocolates and pretzels to burgers, hot dogs and a range of continental influences.
When: Saturday, November 18, until Sunday, December 24. 11am - 10pm.
Where: St George's Plateau and William Brown Street
What to expect
Today you can expect all the lights across Liverpool City Centre to be on, from the return of the giant reindeer to the new Christmas Trail.
And from 4-8pm today there will be a number of performances around the city to start the festive season and there are five performance locations;
- The Galleria (near ODEON) - hosted by Liverpool actress and comedian Kay Nicholson
- South John Street - hosted by The Great British Bake Off's Lizzie Acker and Gemma Cutting from The Guide Liverpool
- Peter's Lane
- Paradise Street - hosted by Jay Hynd from The Guide Liverpool
- Custom House Place - hosted by Leanne Campbell and Alex Toal from Radio City
You can expect performances from the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, dancing elves and a visit from Father Christmas.
What time?
Today's events start at 4pm till 8pm at various locations around the city centre. While the lights have been coming on all week and some may have already spotted them, today marks the official start of Christmas for the city centre.
