Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool offers programme of free ‘family-friendly’ events in the weeks leading up to Christmas
Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock will hold free ‘family-friendly’ events during the festive season including a series of “magical workshops”.
December will see the dock’s Grand Hall transformed into a “bustling hub of festive fun” with a series of free workshops for both children and adults taking place across the first three weekends.
Little ones can even write their own letter to Santa and send them straight to the North Pole by posting them in a giant ice post box on December 17.
Those putting the finishing touches to their Christmas decorations can enjoy crafting their own tree and table decorations hosted by local artist Olga Snell. And budding florists can create their own festive door swag with local florist Pretty Pricks.
The Grand Hall itself will be given a magical makeover complete with a present drop off point for Radio City’s Cash for Kids charity in ‘Santa’s Workshop’. Dock visitors can leave presents between December 5 to 9 from 10am to 4pm to help Radio City’s ‘Mission Christmas’.
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Back this year is the dock’s much-loved light trail with two new nautical additions, representing the dock’s rich maritime history.
Joining the illuminated characters of Triton, Neptune, Bella and Bertie is a giant yellow submarine located next to The Beatles Story. And there is a twinkling jellyfish duo in-front of the Martin Luther King Jr building, nodding to the marine life that frequents the dock’s waters.
Visitors can head to albertdock.com/christmas-22 to download a light trail map and embark on a waterfront wander with spots along the way to pick up a hot chocolate from one of the food trucks or cafés, such as Rubens and Peaberry.
Post walk, warm up at one of the many restaurants and bars over a dinner of festive flavours with a diverse selection of cuisines from Gusto, Rosa’s Thai, Lunyalita and Madr. On weekends throughout December, there will be a variety of live music performances bringing the colonnades to life and providing a festive soundtrack for the light trail.
For those looking to get their Christmas culture fix, the dock’s museums and galleries offer an array of exhibitions to explore.
Head to Tate Liverpool to explore the shortlisted artists’ works for this year’s Turner Prize, with the winner announced on December 7, or visit the Maritime Museum to learn more about the unseen world of smuggling with their Seized! gallery.