Liverpool ONE is gearing up for its busiest period of the year with its Christmas plans including a toy parade, a new tree, a new ‘Wishmas’ event and ‘festive Thursdays’. Tony McDonough reports

Retail and leisure complex Liverpool ONE has unveiled its plans for the festive season.

In an attempt to replicate record footfall in the summer and autumn, Landsec-owned Liverpool ONE is offering a toy parade, a new tree, a new ‘Wishmas’ event and ‘festive Thursdays’ in the run up to Christmas.

Building on record-breaking summer footfall figures, the destination recorded more than 1m visitors during October Half Term between October 26 and November 1, marking its busiest ever week since the opening of Liverpool ONE in 2008.

On Saturday, December there will be a one-day “festive extravaganza” called Wishmas. This will include entertainment, giveaways and surprises, including the chance for people to win up to £1,000 towards their Christmas shopping.

This also sees the return of the Christmas Toy Parade, created and produced by Walk the Plank, on Saturday, November 14, bringing the streets of Liverpool city centre to life with dancing toys, Santa and magical characters.

Taking place at 12:30pm, 3pm and 5pm, the parade will follow a longer route across Liverpool ONE and Church Street as a joint collaboration with Liverpool Business Improvement District.

Festive Thursdays also returns this year on December 3, 10 and 17, including the return of Inka the Polar Bear, Christmas karaoke evening with Niall O’Callaghan and a Santa band takeover.

Liverpool ONE’s new festive decorations are already lighting up the city centre, including a new 30-metre walk-through Christmas tree on Paradise Street, festive reindeer, a bubble arch, selfie wings and twinkly lights, while at Chavasse

Park, Stone’s Throw Social, the new festive entertainment venue, offers visitors a range of activities, including curling, karaoke and shuffleboard, alongside food and festive drinks.

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Brendan Hattam, centre director at Liverpool ONE, said: “Christmas is always a magical time at Liverpool ONE and this year is no exception.

“Alongside the return of many festive favourites, we have introduced plenty of new events and decorations this year, including a brand-new walk-through Christmas tree at the heart of our centre.

“We welcome our partnership with Liverpool Business Improvement District to expand the route of the Christmas Toy Parade into the wider retail area, demonstrating our close collaboration with city partners to deliver a joined-up Christmas experience in the city centre.”