WE'VE been to so many Christmas events already this year that it's getting hard to hide the resting Grinch face. But for the rest of you, your presents is requested for the most wine-derful time of the year. Holidays are coming and the festive fun is about to get ramped up to eleven, as the first of Liverpool’s Christmas lights are switched on tonight, Friday 12 November. And it is going to be LIT, as the kids say.

We know they will bring plenty of joy to everyone across the city centre as we countdown to Christmas

Christmas arrives at Liverpool ONE with an evening of festive fun, including resident elves, tap dancing turkeys and pop-up pantos. The estate will be transformed into a festive wonderland with a little help from some life size squirrels, walking presents and live entertainment. Special guests include The Hammond Dance School, Radio City, and Santa and Mrs Clause.

Christmas Countdown Liverpool One November Lights Switch On — **The tree-mendous Christmas countdown is on** Image: Liverpool ONE

Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be illuminated with the return of the much loved Light Trail around its historic colonnades from tonight, and shining a spotlight on Liverpool’s independents with their festive menus, unique gifts and the dock's world-class attractions.

Liverpool Christmas market also launches today in a new location at St Johns Gardens, William Brown Street and the North Entrance of St Georges Hall. The market is open from 11am every day and closes at 9pm Sunday to Wednesday and 10pm Thursday to Saturday, so plenty of time to get your shopping done and enjoy a few mulled wines.

Liverpool Bid Company Christmas Lights Church Street — **Time to spruce things up** Image: Liverpool BID Company

Liverpool BID Company has a cracker of a programme planned for the festive season. Paperwork Theatre is creating a real-life advent calendar with their Christmas Countdown, a series of 12 pop up events in the city centre.

Taking place at 6pm each evening from Thursday 2 December, the programme is delivered in partnership with Open Culture and Liverpool BID Company, with support from Liverpool Everyman Playhouse and Culture Liverpool.

The street events will bring music, dance, theatre, flash mobs and festive joy to the people of the city. Over 60 artists will take part in the events until Thursday 23 December. Jointly installed and co-funded by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool City Council, the performances will have a suitably festive backdrop of decorations, column features and baubles across Liverpool city centre.

Liverpool Bid Company Christmas Lights Be An Angel — **Shake it like a pole-aroid picture** Image: Liverpool BID Company

The city’s traditional 15 metre real Christmas tree returns to Church Street, with its twinkly festive cheer and nativity will be switched on from 25 November.

In Williamson Square the 16 meters high, sparkling LED Christmas tree returns, the perfect location for any festive selfie.

New to Liverpool’s Commercial District in 2021, a 16 metre artificial tree is installed on Old Hall Street.

Two Be An Angel selfie stations will be installed, on Castle Street and at Clayton Square. The neon angels are designed to make the perfect backdrop to any festive photos for shoppers, visitors and Christmas party goers.

At St Johns Shopping Centre, the Elfie Selfie will run across three weekends on 4/5 December, 11/12 December and 18/19 December.

For those wanting to get crafty at Christmas, Metquarter is hosting festive workshops at our fave foodie hall, The GPO. From how to make jewellery, Christmas candles, festive lanterns and wreath making, the workshops will be held through December.

Liverpool Bid Company Christmas Lights Williamson Square — **But wait - there’s myrrh** Image: Liverpool BID Company

Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID Company, says that they’ve seen people steadily return to the city centre over the course of the past quarter, which bodes well for the festive season.

“We are delighted to be working with Open Culture, Liverpool City Council, along with our partners, on shining a spotlight on our city’s artists, performers and creatives who will be turning our city’s streets into a stage for celebration,” said Bill.

“We work with Open Culture on LightNight each year, so we know they will bring plenty of joy to everyone across the city centre as we countdown to Christmas”.

You can download a festive map route to your phone at liverpoolbidcompany.com/christmas-2021