The best Christmas markets to visit in Liverpool bring festive food, local gifts, ice skating, family attractions and Christmas events to some of the city’s best known locations. From St George’s Hall to the Pier Head and Liverpool ONE, there is plenty happening across the city throughout November and December. Stay at PREMIER SUITES Liverpool and you can enjoy the celebrations from a central base on Hatton Garden, with the main festive areas within easy reach.
Liverpool is a great city for a Christmas break. You can spend your day browsing market stalls, shopping for presents and stopping for festive food before heading to an ice rink or enjoying the lights around the city centre. Add restaurants, bars, theatres and Liverpool’s waterfront and you have plenty to fill a weekend away.
Here are some of the best places to add to your Christmas plans this year.
Skate St George’s and the Christmas Market
St George’s Hall remains one of the main places to celebrate Christmas in Liverpool in 2026, but visitors can expect a new festive experience this year.
Skate St George’s runs from 21 November 2026 until 3 January 2027, bringing an outdoor ice rink to St George’s Plateau. The setting alone makes it worth visiting, with the rink sitting in front of one of Liverpool’s most recognisable buildings.
The Christmas market will feature local traders, giving you the chance to browse for gifts and treats while enjoying the atmosphere around the plateau. If you are working through your Christmas shopping list, it is a good place to look beyond the usual high street shops.
Food and drink are also part of the experience. Stop for a mulled wine or hot chocolate, visit the roof top bar or pick up something to eat as you explore.
The Big Wheel will return as part of the attractions too, giving you a chance to see Liverpool from above as the city lights up for Christmas.
For families, couples and groups of friends, St George’s is an easy place to spend a few hours without needing to plan too much in advance.
Go Ice Skating at St George’s
One of the biggest additions to Liverpool Christmas 2026 is the Skate St George’s ice rink.
Set outdoors on St George’s Plateau, the rink gives visitors another reason to spend time around the Christmas market. You can book a skating session before warming up with a drink and browsing the market afterwards.
It works well as part of a full festive day in Liverpool. Start with some Christmas shopping, head to St George’s for a skate and then make your way into the city centre for dinner.
PREMIER SUITES Liverpool is located on Hatton Garden, just a short walk from St George’s Hall, so you can easily head back to your apartment after your visit.
Liverpool Christmas Wonderland at the Pier Head
Liverpool’s waterfront will also play a major role in Christmas celebrations this year.
Liverpool Christmas Wonderland at the Pier Head is a new festive attraction for 2026. It takes place beside the Three Graces and the River Mersey, giving the event one of the most recognisable backdrops in Liverpool.
The main attraction will be a covered ice skating rink, which means you can enjoy a skate without worrying too much about December weather.
There will also be thrill rides, games and other festive experiences around the Pier Head. Food options will give visitors somewhere to stop between attractions, making it easy to spend a good part of your afternoon or evening here.
The waterfront setting makes this one of the Christmas events to add to your list if you are visiting Liverpool for a festive city break. The Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building sit beside the event, while Royal Albert Dock is also nearby.
Take a walk along the waterfront before visiting the Christmas Wonderland, then continue towards Liverpool ONE for shopping or dinner.
Christmas at Liverpool ONE
Christmas shopping is probably going to feature somewhere in your Liverpool break, and Liverpool ONE gives you more than 170 shops, bars and restaurants in the city centre.
At Christmas, the area around Chavasse Park becomes part of Liverpool’s wider festive programme.
Look out for seasonal events throughout December, including family activities and Christmas pop ups around the park. Festive film events and outdoor entertainment have also formed part of the Christmas programme around Liverpool ONE, so it is worth checking what is taking place during the dates of your stay.
Chavasse Park is also surrounded by restaurants, giving you plenty of choice when you need a break from shopping.
Liverpool ONE is particularly useful if you are travelling as a family or group. Some people can tackle the Christmas shopping while others stop for food, visit the cinema or explore the events around the park.
You can then continue towards Royal Albert Dock and the Pier Head without needing to take transport across the city.
Make a Day of Liverpool’s Christmas Events
One of the benefits of Liverpool at Christmas is how easy it is to combine several festive areas in one day.
You could start your morning around St George’s Hall before walking through the main shopping streets towards Liverpool ONE. Stop for lunch, finish some Christmas shopping and explore the events around Chavasse Park.
From Liverpool ONE, continue towards Royal Albert Dock and the waterfront before finishing at Liverpool Christmas Wonderland at the Pier Head.
There is no need to rush between each stop. Liverpool city centre is compact enough to explore on foot, and you will pass plenty of cafés, shops and places to eat along the way.
As the light fades, the Christmas decorations and city lights add to the atmosphere, so it is worth leaving some of your exploring until the evening.
Warm Up in Liverpool’s Restaurants and Pubs
Christmas markets are not the only reason to visit Liverpool during the festive season.
The city centre has restaurants, cafés and pubs covering almost every type of food you could want. Castle Street, Dale Street, Liverpool ONE and the areas around the waterfront all have plenty of options.
Stop for a long lunch between Christmas markets or book somewhere for dinner after ice skating.
You can also make the most of Liverpool’s nightlife, live music and theatre scene. The Liverpool Empire Theatre is close to St George’s Hall, while other venues across the city have Christmas shows, concerts and events throughout the season.
Christmas Shopping in Liverpool
If you still have presents to buy, Liverpool gives you plenty of places to find them.
Alongside the local traders at the Christmas markets, you can browse Liverpool ONE, Church Street and the surrounding shopping areas.
The market stalls are a good option when you want something different, while Liverpool ONE covers major brands and department stores.
Give yourself some extra room in your suitcase if you plan to shop. You may come back with more than you expected.
Stay at PREMIER SUITES Liverpool This Christmas
After a full day exploring the best Christmas markets in Liverpool, it helps to have somewhere comfortable to return to.
PREMIER SUITES Liverpool is located on Hatton Garden in Liverpool city centre. St George’s Hall, Liverpool ONE, the waterfront and many of the city’s main attractions can all be reached on foot from the apartments.
Instead of returning to a standard hotel room, you have your own serviced apartment with a fully fitted kitchen and open plan living and dining space.
It gives you more flexibility during your Christmas break. Make breakfast before heading out, keep drinks and snacks in your kitchen or enjoy a quiet evening in after a busy day around the markets.
The apartments are suitable for couples, families, friends and longer stays, so you can make your Christmas visit work around your own plans.
Plan Your Christmas Break in Liverpool
From skating outside St George’s Hall to festive attractions beside the River Mersey, there are plenty of reasons to plan a Christmas break in Liverpool.
Visit Skate St George’s for the Christmas market, local traders, Big Wheel and outdoor ice rink. Head towards the Pier Head for Liverpool Christmas Wonderland, where a covered rink, rides and festive experiences will bring Christmas to the waterfront. Make time for Liverpool ONE too, with Christmas shopping and seasonal events around Chavasse Park.
Stay at PREMIER SUITES Liverpool and you will have a central base for it all, along with the space and flexibility of your own serviced apartment.
Book your festive stay, wrap up warm and enjoy Christmas in Liverpool.
