Christmas is officially underway in Liverpool
Photographs by Activate Digital.
 

THE festive season is now officially underway in Liverpool following one giant spectacular street party.  More than 350 performers, choirs and pantomime characters took to the streets of Liverpool ONE to ensure Christmas 2018 started on a high!

A light installation, Polaris; Dare to Dream, was unveiled in Chavasse Park. The spectacle was created using 88 colour changing cubes, each weighing 65kgs and containing computer controlled LED lights. Also adding to the festivities were giant walk about characters, a piano playing Santa, panto characters from:- Unity Theatre, Empire Theatre, Everyman and ECHO Arena; and a few celebrities too; including Strictly’s Shirley Ballas.

Street theatre shows, extra special festive food and drink sampling and lots of live music, with everything from Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra and a 150 voice pop choir, to a saxophonist and string quartet, all adding to the atmosphere of the evening. And as an extra special touch this year, Liverpool ONE has formed a partnership with the NSPCC. In addition to making this the most memorable Christmas for everyone who visits Liverpool ONE this festive season, Liverpool ONE is also hoping to raise funds and awareness for the charity to ensure it lights up Christmas for those children most in need.

Donna Howitt, Marketing Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "At Liverpool ONE we really pride ourselves in bringing something new and different for our visitors every time they come; whether they are regulars or 1st timers; and this Christmas we are certainly pulling out all of the stops. We hope our partnership with the NSPCC will help the children they support to have a happier Christmas and bring a smile to the faces of everyone this festive season. This year, Liverpool’s Christmas event calendar is filled to the brim with activities in the run up to 25 December. There will literally be fun and festivities popping up around every street corner!”

A couple of the firm favourites are back too, including what is believed to be the UK’s largest Christmas tree, towering 30 metres tall on Paradise Street, together with the alpine-inspired carol-oke venue, Bar Hutte, located beneath the tree offering live music and festive cocktails. New for this year there is the ultimate selfie spot in the form of an extra special taxi; the festive booth will offer shoppers the opportunity to show off just how Christmassy (or not!) they are …. Are you Liverpool’s most festive family? Or are you the City’s biggest Bah Humbug?

Janette Drew, Community Fundraising Manager for the NSPCC added:- "We are delighted that Liverpool ONE has chosen to support us in shining a light for every childhood this year. We hope to encourage as many school and community choirs as possible to show off their talents and entertain Christmas shoppers. Every penny donated will go towards helping to protect children across the Liverpool Region. We know that one in 10 children in the UK have been neglected. And, for a child who’s being neglected, Christmas is yet another cold, dark and lonely time. Hopefully with the support from thousands of local school children, shoppers and diners, we can help to turn their lives around."

NSPCC special edition Christmas tree decorations, pin badges and bracelets, on sale at the Liverpool ONE's Information Centre, located on Wall Street and also from selected stores within Liverpool ONE, across the festive season. Bar Hutte will donate 10p from every soft drink sold during the festive period.

Further details about everything which is happening this Christmas, at Liverpool ONE, are available online now. Polaris' 'Dare to Dream' will be open until 6 January 2019. It is free and will be lit 24 hours a day with the best views after dusk and at night.  Liverpool ONE’s festive programme forms part of the vibrant and exciting offer across the City, this Christmas. Full details of the city’s offer are available from:- VisitLiverpool.Com.

Readers Photos:- "Astrid performs at Liverpool ONE's Xmas Light Switch-On 2018"

THESE 3 photos have been sent to us via proud Mum Amanda has sent us these 2 photographs of Astrid, from Southport performing at Liverpool ONE's Christmas Lights Switch-On, that took place on 16 November 2018. It is worth noting that Astrid is headlining Southport's Christmas Lights on 18 November, then to Blackpool on 1 December 2018.

Watch Southport BID's 60ft LED Conical Christmas Tree getting built up

ON 13 November 2018, The Festive Decorators UK and Ximenez Group, started putting up the highlight attraction of the Southport Christmas Lights Switch On 2018, the Lord Street Christmas Tree. This years is not a traditional tree as you can see, but is 1 of the biggest trees of its type in the UK. Even unlit this structure is amazing, but once light up, will look even more impressive and is a must see...

If you do not already know headliners for 2018's Southport BID's Christmas Light Switch On will not 1, but 3 of the biggest bands of the late 90's - S CLub, 911, and Livin' Joy! Children's headliners this year are the absolutely hilarious Cook and Line from CBeebies' Swashbuckle. Aimed at young children aged 2 to 7, Swashbuckle takes the form of a pirate game show pitting children against the 'naughty' pirates Cook, Line and Captain Sinker.

Cook and Line will be delivering a hilarious show perfect for grown-ups and little ones alike. Plus this year's presenter will be the star of Love Island's Scott Thomas...

All that and more will culminate in the switching on of this spectacular new feature tree Southport BID have invested in and their Town Centre lights. As an added surprise a firework display set to Christmas music from the British Musical Firework Championship's Sirotechnics will burst from the roof of The Atkinson!

The entertainment begins at 1pm on Lord Street, Sunday, 18 November 2018, with the lights being turned on at 5.30pm.

The Program on the main stage will be as follows:-

► 2.15pm Starkidz Christmas Show.

► 2.50pm STA Performing Arts.

► 3.00pm Scott Thomas arrives.

► 3.10pm Cbeebies Cook and Line.

► 3.40pm SDC Panto.

► 3.50pm Astrid.

► 4.00pm STCC Panto.

► 4.15pm Livin' Joy.

► 4.40pm 911.

► 5.00pm Father Christmas.

► 5.05pm S Club.

► 5.30pm SWITCH ON and FIREWORK!

For even more information about what Southport has to offer over Christmas, visit:- VisitSouthport.com Also, don't forget to check out next weeks for more information and also highlights...