Create your holiday itinerary in Birkenhead! Our guide features all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're a Birkenhead regular or a one-time guest, this guide maximizes your holiday enjoyment.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On is a spectacular way to kick off your holiday season, illuminating the streets with festive cheer. Experience the magic of Santa’s Grotto, where children can meet Santa and share their wish lists. And the Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering unique gifts, delicious food, and charming holiday atmospheres. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Birkenhead
- Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Santa’s Grotto
- Christmas Market
- Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
- Christmas Carol Concert
- Festive Afternoon Tea
- Winter Solstice Lantern Parade
- Carols by Candlelight
- Festive Film Screenings
- Gingerbread House Workshop
Birkenhead Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-wide countdown and synchronized illumination
Description:
Birkenhead's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On transforms the town center into a dazzling spectacle. The entire community gathers for a synchronized countdown, culminating in a brilliant illumination that spans the streets. Visitors can join local choirs in singing carols as the lights flicker to life. This tradition dates back to the 1950s when Birkenhead first introduced electric Christmas lights to boost post-war spirits. The air fills with the aroma of roasted chestnuts as families stroll beneath the glowing canopy.
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Birkenhead Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional and modern crafts
Description:
Birkenhead's Christmas Market blends time-honored craftsmanship with contemporary artistry. Local artisans showcase their wares, from hand-blown glass ornaments to cutting-edge digital art prints. Visitors can try their hand at traditional candle-making using beeswax from local apiaries. The market honors Birkenhead's industrial past by featuring metalwork crafts, a nod to the town's shipbuilding heritage. Stalls brim with unique gifts that capture the essence of Merseyside's creative spirit.
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Birkenhead Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era setting
Description:
Step into the pages of Dickens' classic tale at Birkenhead's immersive production of "A Christmas Carol." The performance unfolds in a meticulously recreated Victorian street, complete with gas lamps and cobblestones. Audience members become part of the story, interacting with characters and exploring period-accurate sets. The production draws parallels between 19th-century London and Birkenhead's own industrial past. Visitors can sample traditional Victorian refreshments during intermission, experiencing the tastes of a bygone era.
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Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol Concert
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical and contemporary carols
Description:
Birkenhead's Christmas Carol Concert bridges centuries of musical tradition. The program interweaves timeless classics with modern compositions, creating a unique auditory tapestry. Local composers debut original works inspired by Birkenhead's maritime history. The concert features a rare performance on the town hall's restored 19th-century pipe organ. Audience members can join in a community sing-along of lesser-known regional carols, preserving Merseyside's musical heritage.
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Carols by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Performance in a historic, candlelit venue
Description:
Carols by Candlelight in Birkenhead transports audiences to a bygone era. The event takes place in a meticulously restored Victorian church, illuminated solely by hundreds of beeswax candles. The acoustics of the historic space enhance the purity of unaccompanied voices. Singers perform a repertoire that spans centuries, including rare carols with roots in Merseyside's maritime traditions. Visitors can explore the church's crypt before the performance, discovering artifacts that tell the story of Birkenhead's religious history.
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Festive Film Screenings
What to Expect:
Screenings in unconventional locations with themed experiences
Description:
Birkenhead's Festive Film Screenings reimagine classic holiday movies in unexpected venues. Watch "It's a Wonderful Life" in a restored Art Deco bank or "Miracle on 34th Street" in a Victorian department store. Each screening is paired with a themed experience that brings the film to life. Viewers can explore sets inspired by the movies, interact with costumed characters, and sample cuisine featured in the films. The event celebrates Birkenhead's rich architectural heritage, utilizing spaces that played significant roles in the town's development.
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Birkenhead Other Holiday Activities
Santa’s Grotto
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experience with Mrs. Claus
Description:
Santa's Grotto in Birkenhead offers more than just a photo opportunity. Children embark on an interactive storytelling journey with Mrs. Claus, exploring the history of Christmas traditions. You'll discover how Birkenhead's maritime heritage influenced local holiday customs. Kids can help the elves sort letters from around the world, learning about different cultures. The grotto's walls showcase vintage photographs of Christmases past in Birkenhead, connecting visitors to the town's rich history.
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Festive Afternoon Tea
What to Expect:
Locally-sourced, historically-inspired menu
Description:
Birkenhead's Festive Afternoon Tea elevates the traditional experience with a locally-sourced, historically-inspired menu. Each dish tells a story of the region's culinary heritage, from port-infused fruit cakes to savories featuring Cheshire cheese. The tea selection includes a bespoke blend created to commemorate Birkenhead Park, the world's first publicly funded park. Guests dine amidst displays of vintage Birkenhead pottery, connecting them to the town's artistic past. The scent of freshly baked scones wafts through the air, enticing visitors to indulge in this gastronomic journey through time.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Parade
What to Expect:
Handcrafted lanterns inspired by local folklore
Description:
Birkenhead's Winter Solstice Lantern Parade illuminates the longest night with a procession of handcrafted lights. Each lantern draws inspiration from local folklore and legends, bringing Merseyside's mythical past to life. Participants can join workshops to create their own lanterns using traditional techniques. The parade route winds through historic streets, highlighting architectural gems often overlooked in daylight. This event revives an ancient tradition of light festivals that once marked the turning of the year in the region.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Parade
Gingerbread House Workshop
What to Expect:
Architectural designs inspired by local landmarks
Description:
Birkenhead's Gingerbread House Workshop challenges participants to recreate local landmarks in edible form. Expert bakers guide you through constructing miniature versions of iconic buildings like Birkenhead Priory or the Queensway Tunnel. The workshop uses locally-sourced ingredients, including honey from Wirral apiaries. Participants learn about the architectural history of Birkenhead as they craft their gingerbread structures. The finished creations are displayed in a public exhibition, showcasing the town's architectural heritage through a deliciously creative lens.
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Santa’s Workshop
What to Expect:
STEM-focused toy-making activities
Description:
Santa's Workshop in Birkenhead puts a modern spin on toy-making with STEM-focused activities. Children engage in hands-on projects, from coding simple robots to designing 3D-printed ornaments. The workshop emphasizes Birkenhead's legacy of innovation, referencing local inventions and discoveries. Participants can contribute to a community art installation made entirely of recycled materials. You'll explore how traditional toymaking techniques have evolved with technology, bridging past and present in a creative, educational environment.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Tree Festival (Bebington)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly tree designs using recycled materials
Description:
Bebington's Christmas Tree Festival showcases innovative, eco-friendly designs. Local schools and community groups compete to create the most striking tree using recycled materials. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with proceeds supporting local environmental initiatives. The festival highlights Bebington's commitment to sustainability, a tradition dating back to the town's early conservation efforts in the 1970s. You'll discover trees crafted from everything from old bicycle parts to discarded books, each telling a unique story of creativity and environmental consciousness.
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Christmas Pantomime (New Brighton)
What to Expect:
Interactive elements blending local history with classic tales
Description:
New Brighton's Christmas Pantomime injects local flavor into beloved stories. The production weaves Wirral's history and landmarks into classic tales, creating a unique narrative. Audience participation reaches new heights with digital elements allowing viewers to influence the plot through their smartphones. The pantomime pays homage to New Brighton's entertainment heritage, referencing the town's famous Tower Ballroom and seaside attractions. Elaborate costumes incorporate designs inspired by local flora and fauna, bringing the region's natural beauty to the stage.
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Santa Dash (Liverpool)
What to Expect:
Charity run with participants in full Santa costumes
Description:
Liverpool's Santa Dash turns the city into a sea of red and white as thousands of participants don full Santa costumes. The event supports local charities while creating a spectacle that transforms the urban landscape. Runners pass iconic landmarks, offering a unique perspective on the city's architecture. The dash honors Liverpool's tradition of community spirit and philanthropy, dating back to the Victorian era. Participants can join a post-run celebration featuring live music from local bands, showcasing the city's vibrant music scene.
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Christmas Food Fair (Wallasey)
What to Expect:
Showcase of Merseyside's culinary innovations
Description:
Wallasey's Christmas Food Fair spotlights Merseyside's culinary innovations. Local chefs and food artisans present modern twists on traditional dishes, using ingredients sourced from the Wirral peninsula. Visitors can participate in workshops on sustainable cooking practices, learning how to reduce food waste during the holidays. The fair pays tribute to Wallasey's fishing heritage with a special focus on seafood delicacies. You'll discover how local food traditions have evolved over centuries, reflecting the region's changing cultural landscape.
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Winter Concert (Prenton)
What to Expect:
Collaboration between classical orchestra and local rock bands
Description:
Prenton's Winter Concert breaks musical boundaries by bringing together a classical orchestra and local rock bands. This unique collaboration creates a soundscape that bridges genres and generations. The program features original compositions inspired by Wirral's landscapes and history. Audience members can participate in a pre-concert workshop, learning to play a simple piece performed during the finale. The event takes place in a repurposed industrial space, honoring Prenton's manufacturing past while looking to its creative future.