Every winter, we take great pride in transforming Liverpool city centre into the festive, welcoming and vibrant destination that so many people love. When the Christmas lights switch on, it marks the beginning of a season that brings families together, boosts our local economy and showcases the very best of our city.

And behind those sparkling moments is a commitment we’ve made for many years: ensuring Liverpool shines brighter than ever.

Our Investment:

This year, we are proud to fund 85% of Liverpool city centre’s Christmas lights display. Over the past five years, we’ve invested over £745,000 into creating a Christmas experience that supports businesses, brings joy to visitors and boosts footfall across the city.

When people come into Liverpool to shop, dine, explore and make memories, the environment around them truly matters. Our investment in lighting and animation is one of the ways we create a welcoming, warm and exciting atmosphere throughout the festive season.

Our lights now stretch across some of the most-loved parts of Liverpool, helping to create a cohesive, citywide festive trail. This year, we’re lighting up:

  • Hope Street
  • Hardman Street
  • Bold Street
  • Church Street and its side streets
  • Williamson Square
  • Lime Street
  • Castle Street
  • Derby Square
  • Old Hall Street
  • St Paul’s Square

These displays not only make the city more inviting – they support the businesses that make Liverpool such a unique and vibrant place to visit.

Adding Festive Fun: The Return of The Elf on the Shelf

Alongside the lights, we’re bringing back one of Liverpool’s favourite festive characters: The Elf on the Shelf.

This December, our 15ft Elf will once again pop up across well-loved city locations, starting on December 1 at The Plaza. Throughout the month, the Elf will visit places including Hope Street, Liverpool Waters, Church Street, Williamson Square and Royal Albert Dock — finishing with a special Christmas Eve appearance at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Each stop comes with free family fun, entertainment and performances, helping to create magical moments for children and adults alike.

As our Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communication, Katie Bentley, shared:

“We loved how welcome Liverpool made The Elf on the Shelf last Christmas. This year, we want to make it even more theatrical and give people more chances to grab their Elfies and send those last letters to Santa.”

These interactive moments not only add festive spirit to the city — they also encourage footfall, social engagement and repeat visits throughout December.

For us, Christmas is about more than decoration. It’s about supporting our levy payers, creating an inviting environment for residents and visitors, and ensuring Liverpool feels alive with energy and creativity during its busiest season.

Now that all our Christmas lights are switched on across the city centre, Liverpool is officially glowing for the festive season — and we’re proud to play a central role in making our city shine.

Find out more about Christmas in Liverpool