There is just one week to go until Christmas – and here are 10 perfect places to enjoy the festive season in Southport!
There is lots happening locally to put smiles on families’ faces, with the school Christmas holidays beginning, from Santa’s grotto, to entertaining pantomimes, to the brand new Play Haus or Candy Cane Club:
1 – Play Haus at Southport Market
Are you ready to play, Southport?
Step into the Play Haus at Southport Market this December and January — the ultimate competitive games zone!
Play Haus opens in the Extravaganza space at the book of the venue on Wednesday 17th December 2025 and runs through until Sunday 4th January 2026, across the Christmas holiday period.
Opening hours will be between 10am and 9pm each day, making it a great meeting place for people of all ages, whether it’s for daytime fun, or a great night out.
People and groups are able to book tickets here:
https://www.seetickets.com/timeslot/play-haus-southport
2 – Santa’s Grotto at Wayfarers Arcade
Enjoy Santa’s Grotto at Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport town centre for the final time this weekend (Saturday 20th December and Sunday 21st December 2025).
The Grotto costs £10 per child and includes the chance to follow the elf trail, visit the magic wishing well, and meet Santa, who will give each child a present.
The grotto is at 34 Wayfarers Arcade, on the right hand side of the ground floor.
It is run by Play On Productions.
This Saturday (20th December) you can also enjoy entertainment including:
11am-1pm – Enchanted Face Paints
11.15am-1.45pm – Elmo The Elf
11.15am-12pm – So Talented Dance Academy
12pm-12.15pm- Magic Movers
12.30pm- 1.45pm – Surfin’ U3A
1.45pm-2.45pm – Occasional Choir
3pm-4pm – Ukulele Buddies
The historic Wayfarers Arcade, which celebrated its 125th anniversary two years ago, is home to several superb local businesses including shops, art galleries, cafes, health and beauty venues, a barber, a hairdresser, the Little Museum of Buffoonery, and The Engine Room co-working space.For more details on what you discover at Wayfarers Arcade please visit: Home | Wayfarers Arcade | Wayfarers Arcade
3 – Breakfast with Santa
Breakfast With Santa returns to Southport this weekend, and will be available for five mornings in a row in the run-up to Christmas.
This festive family event will take place at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant, on the Promenade in Southport, every day from this Saturday (20th December 2025) through to Christmas Eve.
Join Santa and his Elves for breakfast, a festive hot chocolate, a small gift and a ride on the famous Silcock’s Carousel.
It costs £12.50 per child with bookings available here: Breakfast with Santa Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
4 – Candy Cane Club returns
The new Candy cane Club is bringing Christmas to Southport this December.
The fun new venue has been created at the new Catherine’s Bar & Events venue, next door to Connolly’s Irish pub (formerly The Coronation) on King Street, opposite Southport Market.
It will offer perfect festive party nights every Friday and Saturday night in December – this Friday and Saturday is the final weekend!
JJ The Elf and Xander Claus will be leading the festivities with friends, groups, people on work nights out and others able to book here: Catherine’s Bar & Events event tickets from TicketSource.
This premium red-and-gold Christmas pop-up experience takes over every weekend leading up to Christmas Day.
5 – Jack & The Beanstalk opens at Southport Little Theatre
Southport’s classic family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk opens at The Little Theatre on Hoghton Street in Southport this weekend.
Running from this Friday (19th December 2025) to 4th January 4th 2026, this timeless pantomime by Southport Dramatic Club promises to be a hit for all ages.
With a perfect blend of slapstick comedy, memorable songs, and dazzling costumes, it’s the ultimate holiday treat for families.
Book tickets at: Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk – Southport Dramatic Club – Little Theatre Southport
6 – Santa’s Grotto at Southport Market
Step inside the magic and come visit Santa, Mrs Claus, and the Elves at Southport Market on Market Street in Southport town centre.
The grotto is open up to Christmas Eve, with no bookings needed, just turn up from 10.30am, until 4pm.
There is no booking required – just wander in and soak up the festive fun, for £12 per child.
Every child will receive a present from Santa, along with the opportunity to take some photos with Santa.
Visit: Events from October 20th 2021 – April 4th 2023 – Southport Market
7 – Southport Christmas tree and trail
After November’s Christmas Spectacular by Southport BID, don’t miss the brand-new interactive music show on the LED Christmas tree in the Town Hall Gardens which animates in colour to music.
You can also enjoy a 12 Days Of Christmas Trail throughout the town centre with festive themed crochet creations by Southport Hookers.
Visit: Southport Business Improvement District (BID) | Southport BID
8 – Beauty and the Beast panto
The Atkinson in Southport is inviting audiences to “be their guest” this Christmas as it unveils the full cast for its 2025 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.
The show brings together familiar characters and exciting new faces, creating engaging dynamics, captivating storylines, and plenty of laughter for the whole family.
Packed with laughs, songs, and sparkle, Beauty and the Beast promises a joyful festive experience for the whole family, allowing everyone to step into a tale as old as time this Christmas.
Tickets are on sale now at theatkinson.co.uk or via the Box Office.
Beauty and the Beast runs at The Atkinson, Southport, from Friday, December 5 to Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
9 – Southport Santa Sleigh
The brand new Southport Santa Sleigh has been officially unveiled!
The stunning new sleigh has been created by the talented team at EFT Group in Southport after an urgent appeal by Southport Hesketh Round Table.
Their previous sleigh, which has brought festive joy to hundreds of thousands of local families over many years, was sadly no longer fit for purpose.
EFT Group was happy to step in and create a new one for the Round Table and their famous ‘Dancing Santa’.
You can now see the Santa Sleigh on its routes around Southport this December.
Visit: (20+) Facebook
10 – Christmas Movie Magic at Bijou Cinema
There’s more vintage festive fun at the Bijou Cinema from mid-December, where you can enjoy classic Christmas movies like Meet Me In St Louis, Christmas In Connecticut, The Bishop’s Wife, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Shop Around The Corner as well as more modern favourites like Elf, Home Alone, Gremlins and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. https://southportbijoucinema.co.uk/
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