Cheap Christmas days out Liverpool
Christmas can be expensive but it doesn’t need to be. Below you’ll find the cheapest grottos, light trails, free and low cost Christmas events and the discounts I find on some of the big days out across Liverpool and Merseyside (including southport and the Wirral) This post is part of my series of posts on Christmas events North West.
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Cinderella at Shakespeare North Playhouse – save up to 55%!
When: selected dates until 10th January 2026
Watch a live 2-hour pantomime performance of a reimagined classic Cinderella story. Interactive family entertainment with audience participation.
Buy here – * Cinderella
Catalyst Science and Discovery £5 per person
Community pricing – Throughout November and December 2025, £5 per person for the local community (proof of address needed and tickets must be purchased at reception, not online).
They have Christmas themed science shows and workshops too.
Full details here – Catalyst community entry price
Cheapest light trails in Liverpool and Merseyside
FREE Liverpool’s Brightest Light Trail, Royal Albert Dock – limited details for 2025
Full details – Royal Albert Dock Light Trail – Visit Liverpool
Cheapest Santa’s grotto in Liverpool and Merseyside
Santa Grotto at John Lewis, Liverpool ONE – book now for 2025
When: 19th – 24th December 2025
Where: John Lewis, Liverpool ONE
Cost: £12 per child plus a £1.20 booking fee. £3 per adult plus a 30p booking fee.
John Lewis and The LEGO® Group present Santa’s Enchanted Grotto. You’ll take to the skies on an unbelievable adventure to reach Santa’s Post Room– based on our exclusive LEGO® set. You’ll journey through this world before finally meeting the jolly man himself. We won’t give all the magic away, but you’ll leave with a special LEGO® set.
Book here – Meet Santa In Store
Bootle Strand grotto – book now for 2025
When: from 6th – 23rd December 2025
Where: In Another Place, L20 4SS
Cost: £6-£9 per child
The grotto is a full Christmas experience with Tin soldiers and Elves helping prepare for Father Christmas’s arrival.
Book here – The Strand Grotto 2025 – Bootle Strand Shopping Centre
Other cheap Christmas events in Liverpool and Merseyside
Christmas at The storybarn – book now for 2025
Where: The Storybarn, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, L18 3JB
When: 30th November to 21st December 2025
Cost: £6 per child, £5 per adult
Cosy up in the magical Storybarn to explore our favourite festive stories, sing Christmas songs and create a beautiful keepsake craft to take home.
Best suited to children 4 – 9 years.
Book here – Christmas at the Storybarn
Christmas Incy Wincy Spider at The storybarn – book now for 2025
Where: The Storybarn, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, L18 3JB
When: 28th November to 21st December 2025
Cost: £6 per child, £5 per adult
Enjoy Christmas stories, sing seasonal nursery rhymes and create a festive craft to take home.
Best suited to children 1 – 4 years.
Book here – Christmas at the Storybarn
Liverpool Winter Festival
When: 21st November 2025 – 5th January 2026
Where: Pier Head
Liverpool’s iconic Pier Head will transform into a sparkling Christmas village this winter – full of festive lights, rides, large ice rink, markets, food, Bavarian bar, tipis and live entertainment.
Entry is completely free, so everyone can enjoy the atmosphere, but the real magic happens when you book our special experiences.
Skate beneath the stars on the ice rink, meet Santa or the Grinchmas in our cosy themed grottos, or celebrate in style inside your own Luxe Dome Pod.
Full details here – Liverpool Winter festival
Free Magical Thursday Evenings at Liverpool ONE
When: Every Thursday from 20 November -18 December
Thursday evenings come alive with magical moments in the run up to Christmas. Highlights include giant illuminated penguins, carol-oke sessions, pass the parcel and festive surprises for visitors of all ages. Each Thursday offers unforgettable festive experiences for the whole family.
Free Christmas Trail at Liverpool ONE
When: Saturday 15 November – Sunday 4 January
The popular Christmas Trail returns, creating a fun adventure around Liverpool ONE’s decorations and shop windows.
This interactive journey takes families on a magical quest discovering festive characters across the destination, complete with riddles and games for youngsters to enjoy. Perfect for keeping little ones entertained while Christmas shopping.
Full details and more here – Christmas at Liverpool ONE
Art Sparks Christmas – details for 2025
When: 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st & 23rd December 2025
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
This December explore your creativity as a family with the special festive themed facilitated activities and make a marvellous masterpiece to take home. Plus you’ll have some time to explore Big Art and all the wonderful resources for yourself.
Full details here – Big Art Special: Art Sparks Christmas | National Museums Liverpool
Little Liverpool Christmas special – book soon for 2025
When: 2 – 23rd December 2025 (Tuesday to Sunday only)
Where: Museum of Liverpool
Little Liverpool Christmas specials are for visitors aged from birth – 6 years,
£2 per child
Book here – Little Liverpool Christmas special
12 days of Christmas trail – Southport – details for 2025
When: from 15th November 2025
This year there are crochet displays celebrating the theme of the 12 days of Christmas.
The displays will be in place in windows of town centre businesses from 15 November, with visitors encouraged explore the town centre in search of all twelve trail points. More details on the trail will be announced in the coming weeks.
Details as they are released here – Southport BID Christmas
More things to do in and around Liverpool this Christmas
I’ve also got a guide to cheap Christmas days out in Manchester if you’re happy to travel a little and one for cheap Christmas days out Cheshire.
Find my full guide to Christmas events Liverpool here.
Find my guide to New Year’s Eve events for families in Liverpool here
