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Liverpool City Council has revealed the lineup for the city’s festive celebrations planned for 2026. This winter, residents and visitors can enjoy a diverse range of activities, from Story Time with Santa and Carols by Lantern Light to two major outdoor Christmas experiences and several pop-up seasonal markets. These events promise to offer something appealing for all ages and interests throughout the holiday season.
Following a competitive bidding process, the contracts for the 2026 festivities have been awarded to Underbelly and Icebox Live. These two operators will introduce fresh attractions at St George’s Hall and Pier Head, respectively. Both companies intend to collaborate closely with local community groups to integrate creative, social impact, and sustainability-focused initiatives, with further details expected to be announced soon.
One of the exciting new features is “Skate St George’s,” an outdoor ice-skating rink set against the impressive backdrop of the historic St George’s Hall. Meanwhile, on the waterfront, the renowned Three Graces will overlook “Liverpool Christmas Wonderland @ Pier Head,” which includes a covered ice rink accompanied by thrilling rides, games, and other interactive experiences. Complementing these attractions, seasonal pop-up markets showcasing local and independent businesses will take place across various city center locations, including Basnett Street and the Cunard Building on select dates.
Liverpool’s Christmas Markets are already a major draw, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually and significantly boosting the local economy through increased foot traffic, hotel bookings, and support for small businesses. Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, emphasized their importance: “Liverpool’s Christmas Markets are a hugely important part of our festive offer, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and helping to showcase everything that makes our city special at Christmas. We’re delighted to expand our offer this year as part of our ambition to make Christmas in Liverpool bigger and better than ever, building on our reputation as one of the UK’s leading festive destinations and creating a magical experience for everyone who lives in or visits our city this winter.”
Ed Bartlam, co-founder of Underbelly, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and the new festive attraction, stating: “We’re delighted to be bringing Skate St George’s to Liverpool this Christmas. Having spent years producing some of the UK’s best-loved festive experiences, we wanted to bring that same quality and care to Liverpool, adding something new to what is already a brilliant Christmas city. Set against the magnificent backdrop of St George’s Hall, we’re looking forward to working with the local community to create a new seasonal highlight that complements Liverpool’s festive calendar.” Similarly, Richard Elmer, founder of Icebox Live, reflected on the significance of returning to Liverpool: “It’s a great honour to be operating in Liverpool for the festive season once again, having first began on Pier Head in 2016. Having created and run Liverpool’s biggest Christmas event at Pier Head on the waterfront for many years, we’re delighted to be lighting up the Three Graces for all to see once more. Steeped in the city’s history, Pier Head is a truly spectacular setting – and working hand in hand with Liverpool’s local operators, we’re proud to create an event for the whole of the city, and its visitors, to enjoy for many years to come.”
Traders interested in participating in the St George’s Hall events are encouraged to reach out directly to Underbelly. Further details regarding the Liverpool Christmas Wonderland at Pier Head and opportunities for local businesses to engage in the pop-up markets will be provided closer to the event dates. Liverpool’s festive offerings are shaping up to make the city an even more vibrant and attractive seasonal destination in 2026.
Underbelly Ltd, founded in 2000, is a prominent UK-based live entertainment company known for producing major festivals, theatrical shows, and cultural events across the UK and internationally. Their portfolio includes iconic performances and large-scale public events such as the Edinburgh Festival and Pride in London. Icebox Live, under the leadership of Richard Elmer, similarly specializes in creating high-quality seasonal experiences. Since its origins in 1993, Icebox Live has developed well-known ice-skating and festive events at notable locations such as the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, delivering internationally acclaimed attractions with exceptional craftsmanship
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