Two new ice rinks reshape Christmas in Liverpool

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-10 18:54 3 min read

Night view of Liverpool waterfront with lights reflecting in the calm dark water.

Liverpool’s Christmas programme is expanding in 2026 with two large outdoor attractions, seasonal markets and family events across the city centre. The programme is intended for residents and visitors, but public opening dates, admission prices and booking arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

The main locations are St George’s Hall, Pier Head, Basnett Street and the Cunard Building. Liverpool City Council has appointed Underbelly and Icebox Live to operate the new attractions following a competitive tender process.

Ice skating comes to St George’s Hall and Pier Head

Skate St George’s will introduce an outdoor ice-skating experience beside St George’s Hall. It will complement the Liverpool City Halls Christmas programme, which includes A Christmas Carol and Carols by Lantern Light.

Two new ice rinks reshape Christmas in Liverpool

At the waterfront, Liverpool Christmas Wonderland @ Pier Head will feature a covered ice rink overlooked by the Three Graces. Thrill rides, games and other experiences are also planned at the site. The covered rink and the outdoor St George’s Hall attraction are separate additions, giving visitors two city-centre skating locations to consider once dates and entry details are released.

The two operators plan to work with local community groups on creative projects, social-impact work and sustainability initiatives. Further details about those partnerships have not yet been released.

Seasonal markets spread across the city centre

Pop-up markets will operate on selected dates at city-centre locations including Basnett Street and the Cunard Building. Stalls are expected to feature a range of local and independent businesses, although individual traders have not been named.

The markets form part of the wider Liverpool 2026 Festive Programme, which also includes Story Time with Santa and events at the city halls. According to Liverpool City Council, the established Liverpool Christmas Markets attract more than 500,000 visitors annually, supporting local businesses while increasing city-centre footfall and hotel stays.

Confirmed attractions and locations

Attraction	Confirmed location or detail
Skate St George’s	Outdoor ice-skating experience at St George’s Hall
Liverpool Christmas Wonderland	Covered rink, rides, games and experiences at Pier Head
Seasonal pop-up markets	Basnett Street and the Cunard Building on selected dates
Liverpool City Halls programme	A Christmas Carol and Carols by Lantern Light
Story Time with Santa	Included in the wider festive programme

What visitors and traders can do next

Visitors can use the announced locations and programme highlights to decide which attractions interest them, but should wait for the organisers to publish the operating dates, admission prices and public booking arrangements before making firm plans. The council announcement does not provide confirmed transport or accessibility information either, so these details will also need to be checked when the full visitor guidance appears.

Businesses interested in trading at St George’s Hall have been directed to the Skate St George’s operator at skatestgeorges.co.uk. Local and independent traders seeking space at the seasonal pop-up markets can apply through Liverpool City Council’s market-trading route at liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-and-wellbeing/markets/trading-at-markets/.

Culture Liverpool News is the source of the programme announcement. Dates for the Basnett Street and Cunard Building markets are due to be announced later.

Source: Culture Liverpool News

Context & actions About this article

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This preview is based on Liverpool City Council’s published outline of the city’s 2026 festive programme.

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