Liverpool City Council has unveiled its plans for the 2026 festive season in the city.
From festive events including Story Time with Santa and Carols by Lantern Light, to two large-scale outdoor Christmas activations and a series of pop-up seasonal markets, there is something for everyone in Liverpool this winter.
Following a competitive tender process resulting in contracts being awarded to Underbelly and Icebox Live, 2026 will see two new offers at St George’s Hall and Pier Head. Both operators plan to work closely with local community groups on creative, social impact, and sustainability initiatives, with details to be announced shortly.
A new outdoor ice-skating experience, ‘Skate St George’s’, will bring a stunning addition to the city-centre landmark, whilst the iconic Three Graces on the waterfront will overlook ‘Liverpool Christmas Wonderland @ Pier Head’ – a covered ice-skating rink along with thrill rides, games, and experiences.
A series of seasonal pop-up markets, featuring a wide range of local and independent businesses, will also take place at city centre locations including Basnett Street and Cunard Building on selected dates.
‘Skate St George’s’ will complement Liverpool City Halls’ festive programme, which has a packed line-up of events including A Christmas Carol and the much-loved Carols by Lantern Light.
Liverpool’s Christmas Markets attract more than 500,000 visitors each year and have become one of the city’s most significant seasonal attractions, helping to increase footfall and hotel stays, support local businesses, and enhance the overall visitor experience during the festive period, delivering a significant economic boost to the city.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “Liverpool’s Christmas Markets are a hugely important part of our festive offer, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and helping to showcase everything that makes our city special at Christmas.
“We’re delighted to expand our offer this year as part of our ambition to make Christmas in Liverpool bigger and better than ever, building on our reputation as one of the UK’s leading festive destinations and creating a magical experience for everyone who lives in or visits our city this winter.”
Ed Bartlam, co-founder of Underbelly, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Skate St George’s to Liverpool this Christmas. Having spent years producing some of the UK’s best-loved festive experiences, we wanted to bring that same quality and care to Liverpool, adding something new to what is already a brilliant Christmas city.
“Set against the magnificent backdrop of St George’s Hall, we’re looking forward to working with the local community to create a new seasonal highlight that complements Liverpool’s festive calendar.”
Richard Elmer, Founder of Icebox Live, said: “It’s a great honour to be operating in Liverpool for the festive season once again, having first began on Pier Head in 2016.
“Having created and run Liverpool’s biggest Christmas event at Pier Head on the waterfront for many years, we’re delighted to be lighting up the Three Graces for all to see once more.
“Steeped in the city’s history, Pier Head is a truly spectacular setting – and working hand in hand with Liverpool’s local operators, we’re proud to create an event for the whole of the city, and its visitors, to enjoy for many years to come.”
Traders who are interested in exploring opportunities at St George’s Hall should engage directly with the operator, for more information visit: skatestgeorges.co.uk
For more information Liverpool Christmas Wonderland @ Pier Head, visit: www.liverpoolchristmaswonderland.com
Local businesses or traders who are interested in operating at the pop-up seasonal markets, or at one of Liverpool City Council’s year-round market locations, should visit: https://liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-and-wellbeing/markets/trading-at-markets/. Dates for Basnett Street and Cunard Building markets will be announced shortly.
For more information on the wider festive event programme at Liverpool City Halls, visit: https://liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk/home/liverpool-city-halls-christmas-2026/
About Underbelly Ltd
Underbelly is a major UK-based live entertainment company founded in 2000 by Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood. The company produces and programmes acclaimed theatrical productions, live events, festivals and cultural experiences across the UK and internationally, often in site-specific and unconventional locations.
Underbelly has produced major festivals and events including at the Edinburgh Festival, Underbelly Festival in London and Hong Kong, Christmas in Leicester Square and Skate Leicester Square, and has delivered large-scale public events including Pride in London, West End Live, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Edinburgh’s Christmas, Dubai Expo and The Walk, and the UK’s first ever swarm drone show as part of Hogmanay’s online celebrations in 2020. Since 2025, Underbelly is also the programming producer for Nevill Holt Festival in Leicestershire.
Underbelly is one of the largest and longest-running producers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where for over 25 years it has presented landmark productions including Fleabag, SIX, My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?), Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! and Humans by Circa.
Alongside ATG Productions, the company is also co-producer of the Olivier Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, and in 2023 opened its first permanent venue, Underbelly Boulevard Soho, in London’s West End.
About Icebox Live
Icebox Live is a world-leading live events brand, built on the experience and foundations of The Icebox (established 1993). Under founder and industry pioneer Richard Elmer, the company has created some of the country’s most iconic seasonal experiences – from the original Cambridge North Pole and the Liverpool Ice Festival to Ice Skate Vauxhall, Ice Skate Wembley Park, and spectacular seasonal attractions at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace.
Having delivered unforgettable, award-winning events in more than 23 countries worldwide, Icebox Live is renowned for one-of-a-kind attractions, each delivered with world-class craftsmanship.
