With the final week to go before Christmas there are lots of festive themed fun and attractions to enjoy in Southport!
They are perfect reasons to head into town and have some fun in between enjoying your Christmas shopping and gathering for Christmas meals or drinks with friends – please support our local Southport businesses this Christmas!
The fun includes ice skating at Victoria Park; drive-in Christmas movies at Victoria Park; a Southport Gingerbread Trail; pantomimes at The Atkinson and Southpot Little Theatre; Santa and Elf visits at Southport Market; festive films at Bijou Cinema Southport; Christmas carriage rides; Christmas grotto; and much more!
All this and the chance to enjoy some Christmas shopping in Southport town centres, or surrounding villages such as Ainsdale, Birkdale, Churchtown or High Park, while grabbing something to eat or drink at a local restaurant, cafe or bar.
If you’re out this weekend please post your pictures into our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group!
Ice skating at Victoria Park
An ice skating rink, run by Ice Skating Southport, has opened at Victoria Park in Southport.
Photo by Andrew Brown Media
North West Marquee Hire and Southport TV, the team behind the hugely popular Oktoberfest in Victoria Park in October, are carrying on their German-themed experience this December.
Ice Skating Southport is an epicentre of all things entertainment this Christmas, with ice skating for all the family (over 4 years old) in a heated Bavarian themed marquee every day until 23rd December, when there will be a closing party, check their website for times.
Expect German food and beer, themed party nights at the weekend, DJs, singers, loads of seating and tables and much much more, so even if you don’t want to ice skate, come dine and drink and watch the ice skating or one of the many entertainers on stage.
Ice Skating starts at £9 for under 12s, £12.50 for everyone over 12 and a family of 4 tickets is £38.
Kids helmets are offered at no charge and there are penguin skating aids available should you wish to hire one at £4.
Check their socials Facebook – Ice Skating Southport and Instagram – IceSkatingSouthport and their web site www.IceSkatingSouthport.com
Drive In Christmas Movies
The ultimate Christmas drive-in cinema is coming to Southport this December
The ultimate Christmas drive-in cinema is in Southport this December!
The event will feature all of your festive favourites on the BIG screen at Victoria Park in Southport with the last day today, Sunday, 18th December 2022.
Bookings are available here: www.moonlightdrivein.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty panto at Southport Little Theatre
Sleeping Beauty by the SDC is at Southport Little Theatre from 16th December 2022 to 2nd January 2023
Leading director and playwright Guy Unsworth is renewing his links with local theatre this Christmas when his pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is performed by the Southport Dramatic Club.
It takes place at the Little Theatre Southport, the place which first ignited his interest in the theatre, from Friday 16th December 2022 through to 2nd January 2023.
Born and bred in Southport, Guy performed as a youngster in many productions at the Hoghton Street venue for the Southport Dramatic Club.
As Guy says: “Custard pies, a cute penguin, and a happy ending – what’s not to love?!’”
For tickets ring 01704 530521 or book online at www.littletheatresouthport.co.uk.
Christmas Carriage Rides, Christmas Grotto and Gingerbread Trail
Families can enjoy a Southport Gingerbread Trail this year, courtesy of Southport BID. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Southport BID has organised a whole host of fun festive activities designed to make your visit to town a magical one!
Children will love discovering 10 different Gingerbread figures along with a throne and a sleigh throughout Southport town centre.
Their names are from countries around the world, having been chosen by pupils at Holy Trinity primary School in Southport.
You can download a Gingerbread Trail Map and discover other BID Christmas activities on their website here.
People can also enjoy an Illustrate Illuminate Trial, finding Christmas decorations that have been created by young people.
There are other BID activities such as a Christmas Grotto, Christmas Carriage Rides, Elf Parties etc, subject to booking and availability.
Read More: Southport BID CEO thanks businesses for investing in Southport this Christmas
Win your Christmas presents at Silcock’s Funland
Silcock’s Funland in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
People can have fun while winning their Christmas presents at Silcock’s Funland in Southport.
The popular family attraction on the Promenade is open every day this winter, with the exception of Christmas Day.
Creating a grand entrance to Southport Pier, Southport’s largest family amusement centre is a perfect place for visitors to enjoy whatever the weather.
The attraction offers a wide variety of children’s games, children’s rides and Southport’s best Ticket Game Zone where the games are fun to play and easy to win.
Inside Funland you will find the £1 Snack Bar which offers toasties, paninis, sandwiches, skinny fries, jacket potatoes, snacks plus hot and cold drinks from just £1 each.
Visitors can have a giggle walking through the Funland Hall of Mirrors.
Aladdin panto at The Atkinson
Aladdin at The Atkinson in Southport
Bring the whole family to Aladdin, an action-packed pantomime staged in The Atkinson in Southport until 31st December 2022.
TV and film sensation Patsy Kensit stars as the Genie of the Lamp!
Joining Patsy on stage are a fabulous cast of panto pros. Merseyside dancer and actor Dominic Gore charms as our hero Aladdin. Talented singer Mia Malloy is the beautiful Princess Jasmine. Southport’s very own Tom Burroughs deserves all the boos and hisses as the evil Abanazer. The hilarious Michael Chapman and Lewis Pryor will have you laughing out loud as Widow Twankey & Wishee Washee. Local broadcaster Claire Simmo dazzles as the Spirit of the Ring.
Aladdin tells the legendary rags to riches story of a Chinese street urchin who falls in love with a beautiful princess. Will Aladdin overcome the evil Abanazar and be free to marry his Jasmine? Will the Genie of the Lamp gain her freedom? Will Widow Twanky & Wishee Washee get the laundry done in time?!
Visit: www.theatkinson.co.uk
Santa and elf visits at Southport Market
Southport Market has been transformed into a stunning Christmas wonderland by local company Enhance Events. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Southport Market is once again turning into a winter wonderland this festive season for those of all ages!
With special visits from Santa Claus and his elves, as well as a magical line up of Christmas film showings, Southport Market is the place to be in December.
Little ones are being invited to bring their Christmas wish lists and meet with the big man himself between Saturday 10th and Friday 23rd of December.
Elsewhere the Market’s Extravaganza events space will play host to a series of festive film showings, completely free of charge, between Saturday 10th December and Wednesday 4th January.
The Market has been beautiful transformed into a winter wonderland by Enhance Events in Southport.
For football fans, the World Cup Final is being screened at the Market on Sunday (18th December 2022).
More: Southport Market hosts Christmas fun including Santa visits, festive movies and wreath making
Sparkling Christmas tree and lights along Lord Street
The Southport BID Christmas tree, installed in the Town Hall Gardens in Southport town centre by lighting firm IllumiDex UK Ltd. Photo by Matt Dodd
Southport is the sparkliest town in the UK this year thanks to a Southport BID initiative to create a ‘boulevard of lights’ along Lord Street.
The BID contracted Southport firm IllumiDex UK Ltd to install 300,000 lights along the entire length of Lord Street, while also installing a giant 18 metre high Christmas tree with mesmerising colour-changing displays thanks to 25,000 LED pixels, and illuminated Christmas decorations through Southport town centre.
Enjoy Christmas in style at The Grand
The Grand in Southport at Christmas. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
December has arrived and the countdown is on for the biggest day of the year!
Southport’s hottest new venue, The Grand on Lord Street has put together a festive programme of fun to make your Christmas celebrations stress free and fabulous!
Steeped in twinkly lights, and opulent trees and garlands The Grand exudes festive grandeur for added sparkle,
The stunning, recently opened and oozing in art deco elegance, Princess Grace Function Suite will be hosting a series of sensational Gala Dinner party nights with some of the country’s leading tribute acts performing a selection of the biggest hits across the decades.
Full Christmas details are available to download here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2d4444762b.html
Take a ride on Silcock’s Carousel
Silcock’s Carousel in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
One of Southport’s most iconic attractions will remain open in the lead-up to Christmas and throughout winter.
Herbert Silcock’s 121-year-old Carousel will thrill visitors every weekend and will also be open every day except Christmas Day during the school Christmas holidays.
The remarkable ride was built in 1901, in the reign of Queen Victoria, and has entertained hundreds of thousands of delighted families ever since.
It stands proudly at the entrance to Southport Pier, next to Silcock’s Funland and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant.
Silcock’s Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “We are delighted that the Carousel is open for people to enjoy.”
Tickets for all riders on Silcock’s Carousel are £2 each. Small children must be accompanied by an adult.
Christmas Movies at Southport Bijou Cinema
Bijou Cinema in Southport
Southport Bijou Cinema has revealed its lengthy list of Christmas movies and shows that people can enjoy this December!
The independent cinema, on Post Office Avenue in Southport town centre, has become famous for the top quality of its festive family favourites.
This year guests can enjoy films for film fans of all ages, including a double bill of Home Alone and Home Alone 2; Die Hard (yes, of course it’s a Christmas movie); Arthur Christmas; Gremlins; Elf; It’s A Wonderful Life; and more.
Southport Bijou Cinema Manager Andy Harrison said: “We Bijou a Merry Christmas!
“The Bijou Christmas line-up is here and tickets are now available!
Read More: See the full Christmas line up at Southport Bijou Cinema here.
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