Albert Dock is alight with festive lighting to highlight the attraction’s stunning architecture, complemented by festoon lights on resident tall ship Kathleen and May, and a shining beacon of light and lights in the shape of a Christmas tree on visiting vessel Stavros S Niarchos.
The spectacular 200ft Stavros S Niarchos, operated by the Tall Ships Youth Trust, is berthed at Albe rt Dock for the winter season. The ship is open to the public for free tours at weekends during the festive season. To meet public demand, tour times for 21 to 24 December have been extended to 12pm to 6pm.
Striking projections of snowflakes onto Albert Dock and a gingerbread house onto the Piermaster’s House, all add to the festive atmosphere.
There is also a festive themed cultural programme with Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum offering creative workshops during December and early January.
Tate Liverpool is hosting The Great Festive Family Escape. The free drop-in event runs twice over the festive period – 27 to 29 December, and 2 to 4 January, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. The workshop will see visitors create a shimmering abstract piece of artwork inspired by Mary Martin’s Inversions 1966, which is currently on display in the gallery’s DLA Piper Series: Constellations.
Youngsters are invited to Merseyside Maritime Museum for the Customs Christmas Crafts events on 21 December. The workshops take place from 1pm to 4pm, and visitors will take home the decorations they’ve made.
Peter Cronin, director of development and marketing for Albert Dock Liverpool, said:
“Albert Dock Liverpool is a fantastic place to visit this Christmas. The festive lighting around Albert Dock, together with the illumination on the tall ships, makes it a must-visit for all the family for a truly traditional Christmas. Free tours of tall ship Stavros S Niarchos provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. We look forward to welcoming visitors for a very special festive Albert Dock experience.”
Albert Dock is also the perfect place to find those unique Christmas gifts with its selection of independent shops, with items ranging from jewellery and cityscapes, to homewares and Liverpool themed items, and cultural gifts from the Tate Liverpool shop. And choose to celebrate Christmas at Albert Dock by choosing one of the stylish restaurants or bars to enjoy the festivities.
Jeremy Roberts, chairman of the Albert Dock Tenants Business Association, commented:
“Albert Dock Liverpool is a hive of activity this Christmas, and we look forward to welcoming families and groups of partygoers to come along and enjoy the festivities – day or night. The choice is very diverse, so come along and try something new at Albert Dock.”
