Christmas is coming to Liverpool City Halls

LIVERPOOL'S most beautiful buildings are getting into the festive spirit with a whole ho-ho-host of Christmas events for all the family. St George's Hall, Liverpool Town Hall and Croxteth Hall have a festive offering for all of the family, ranging from live music, films, theatrical experiences, to a unique sporting:- 'In conversation with�' event and a nativity scene. The Christmas events start on:- Sunday, 26 November 2023:-

Celebrating Christmas... 26 November, 4pm until 7pm; at:- St George's Hall. Prices range from:- �13.50 to �21.50. The Salvation Army's Strawberry Field are joining forces with St George's Hall Charitable Trust to support families and youth in Liverpool. They will be performing a festival carol concert with performances by the Liverpool Walton Band of The Salvation Army. The evening will also showcase music by singer Asa Murphy and Britain's Got Talent contestant Charlie Green.
Christmas at Croxteth Hall... 1 December to 31 December 2023, from 9.30am until 3.00pm, at:- Croxteth Hall... THIS EVENT IS FREE... Croxteth Hall is celebrating Christmas with a family-friendly, cost free nativity scene in the heart of the community. Youngsters will also get the chance to write to Father Christmas. The Hall will be closed between Christmas and New Year. No booking is necessary.
Story Time with Santa... 3 December to 24 December 2023; 11:30am until 4pm; Liverpool Town Hall. Prices range from:- �6.50 to �24.50. Father Christmas and Buddy and Elf will make a welcome return to Liverpool Town Hall, captivating audiences with enchanting tales and festive songs by a warm log fire. Each session, lasting about 45 minutes, assures quality time with Father Christmas. Early booking is advised.
Classical Christmas... 5 December 2023; 6.30pm until 8.00pm; at St George's Hall, Liverpool. Prices range from:- �17.50 to �22.50. St George's Hall is hosting a magical evening of classical Christmas music featuring:- Danielle Thomas, a classically trained singer, and Chorus Master Professor Ian Tracey on the Willis Organ. Along with a Liverpool Choir, they will perform classical music in beautiful surroundings.
Christmas Ceilidh... 8 December 2023; from:- 7.00pm until 11.00pm; at:- St George's Hall. Prices range from:- �22.00 to �25.00. St George's Hall annual Christmas Ceilidhs have become legendary in Liverpool and this year is no exception. This is 1 of the biggest Ceilidhs in the country hosted within the equally vast and magnificent splendour of the Great Hall. A Ceilidh band and caller will be on hand to teach visitors all the steps to some of the best known dances.
Christmas Crooners: A Tribute Night... 9 December 2023, from:- 7:30pm until 11.30pm, at:- St George's Hall, with tickets at:- �27.50. St George's Hall has launched a spectacular line up of experienced tribute acts that have honed their craft to play homage to some of the greatest musical legends of all time, including:- Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons and Michael Bubl�.
The Luna Cinema, running from:- 14 December to 2 January. Various times between:- 3pm until 10pm, at Liverpool Town Hall. Tickets:-�11.00 to �17.50... Courtesy of ITVX, The Luna Cinema is sprinkling the festive stardust over a magical cinema experience this winter. Visitors can enjoy all their festive favourites on the big screen, in 1 of the City's most spectacular venues. Feel good festive films from Elf to Home Alone, Love Actually amongst others, will all be showing in the spectacular setting of Liverpool Town Hall.
The Snow Queen. An Enchanted Christmas Experience... 16 December to 24 December 2023, from 9.30am until 9:45pm; at St George's Hall. Tickets run from:- �22.90. The whole family is in for an extraordinary, unforgettable Christmas adventure. The Snow Queen is a festive theatre performance like you've never seen before, where the audience becomes an integral part of the 45 minute story, and enchantment waits at every turn. Quiet performances are available.
T'was The Night Before Christmas... 16 December to 24 December 2023, at:- Croxteth Hall. Tickets from:- �12.00... This interactive journey weaves through the house, you can expect to meet charmed characters ensuring everything is ready for the arrival of the guest of honour; Father Christmas himself!
Jags & Jimmy's Blue Christmas... 28 December 2023, from:- 6:30pm until 10:pm - St George's Hall; tickets run from:- �41.25. In a huge coup, ex-Everton captain and former England International Phil Jagielka, will take part in a special:- 'In conversation with�' event to talk about his impressive career. It's the 1st time he has spoken publicly for the 1st time since departing the club in 2019. He'll be joined by Everton legend - and newly retired kitman Jimmy Martin - who will be discussing and reminiscing about all things Everton.
St George's Hall Burns Night... 19 January 2023, from:- 6:30pm until 11pm; St Georges Hall, tickets are from:- �22.55... Back by popular demand, the annual St George's Hall Burns night, Ceilidh will be bigger and better than ever with poetry, the remarkable pipe band, and of course the Ceilidh band. We will have you dancing into the wee small hours!

For more details, head to the St George's Hall website.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "The City Hall's programme has grown year on year and it's fantastic to see such a diverse range of family friendly events to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. I'm delighted to see Croxteth Hall get in on the Christmas action this year and it will undoubtedly offer a stunning backdrop to these high quality events, which I'm sure will prove to be really popular with the local community and visitors. This programme spreads festive joy and also acts as a key economic driver, not only enabling us to reinvest in our much loved Halls, but will also benefit the local hospitality sector."

Formby Christmas Festival 2023

THE 2023 Formby Christmas Festival is due to be held on:- 2 December 2023, within the surroundings of Formby Pool's gardens.

There is no charge to attend this event and you will have lots to see and do. The event will consist of Live music throughout the day and will have VIPs like the:- Mayor of Sefton, and Miss Liverpool City Region attending.

The event will have:- a Lego building area, a kid's fun fair, along food and craft stands, and that is not forgetting the Santa Express, along with the big man himself Father Christmas!

Headline acts will include:- the Merseycats and Southport's jazz singer Astrid Allegrah.

This year's event is being held with the thanks to many local groups, including:- the Formby Parish Council, but most importantly our hosts, the Formby Pool Trust�

Charity Reveals 1 in 7 Parents / Carers Won't Be buying Presents for their Children this Christmas

FAMILIES across the UK are facing increasing financial hardship and new research from Family Action reveals that 1 in 7 parents / carers surveyed, said they won't be able to afford to buy presents for their children this Christmas due to financial constraints.

In addition, a � of parents / carers surveyed said they won't be able to afford to buy presents for their children's grandparents, and almost a � of parents / carers surveyed said they won't be able to afford to buy presents for their partner this Christmas, due to financial constraints.

Family Action is launching its annual:- 'Make Theirs Magic' campaign to support families facing hard times this Christmas. The charity provides emotional and practical support to over 60,000 families across the country and this Christmas it is looking once again to distribute thousands of toys to families through the Family Action Christmas Toy Appeal.

Mum, Hayley, said:- "I've been handling Christmas a bit differently this year. I've even bought some presents in the January sales. I've got no idea how Christmas is going to look at the moment. I've cut back, but I don't know where we'll find the money and I don't think we're seeing family at Christmas. It's still a special day, it's a home day for us."

David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action, said:- "Every family deserves comfort and joy at Christmas, but with the high costs of food and utilities, many will find their holiday season stressful and difficult. We work with thousands of families across the country, and from the research findings and feedback from our frontline staff, we know only too well the challenges families are facing. It is a stark reality that 1 in 7 parents won't be able to afford gifts for their children this Christmas, and that for over half of parents / carers, they expect that their mental health and wellbeing will be negatively affected, due to the worry of financial constraints."

Mum, Cathryne, said:- "At the moment I can't work so I could never afford the gifts my children were given by people donating to the Toy Appeal. It takes away the guilt I feel as no parent wants to be in that position."

David Holmes CBE adds:- "It does seem, this year, that Christmas magic is in short supply, but this is where Family Action comes in. This Christmas we're offering a sleigh load of practical and emotional support to families through our FOOD clubs, financial grants, FamilyLine, and our Christmas Toy Appeal. By supporting our:- 'Make Theirs Magic' campaign, people can help with a special gift that could bring Christmas cheer to a child and their family. Together, we can keep the magic of Christmas alive. Thank you."  

Visit Family Action Make Theirs Magic and keep the magic of Christmas alive by donating to Family Action.

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook or Twitter.