Birkenhead town centre set to sparkle with festive fun
From enchanting markets to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as we near Christmas in Birkenhead town centre.
It is set to be a magical festive season with an exciting programme of events designed to bring joy, creativity, and community spirit to the heart of Wirral.
Highlights include special visits for youngsters, markets and events featuring some local crafts people and artists, and entertainment across the town centre.
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
Birkenhead is very much open for business, and this festive season is the perfect time to experience everything our high streets across the borough have to offer. We want to encourage as many people as possible to come along in the run-up to Christmas, explore our vibrant high streets, and discover the incredible range of independent shops, markets, and local businesses that make Wirral unique.
Every purchase made locally helps support jobs, strengthens our community, and keeps our economy thriving. So, whether you’re buying gifts, enjoying a meal, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere, please shop local and show your support for the fantastic traders here in Birkenhead and across the borough.
Helping get the events underway will be the Christmas Craft Market on Friday 28 – Saturday 29 November and Friday 5 – Saturday 6 December running from 10am to 4pm bringing a chance to discover unique handmade gifts and festive treats at Birkenhead Market, with free Christmas craft activities for children and live music. While Sunday December 7 sees the Record Fair return with vinyl, CDs, tapes and other merchandise.
The Market will also host a free Santa’s grotto on Saturday 29 November, 6 December and 13 December between 1pm to 3pm with a free present for every child. Tickets are free but need to be collected in advance from 11am at the event area in the covered part of the market to avoid long queues on the day.
Santa’s Elf School will also be in town – offering the little ones a chance to meet Santa and learn the secrets of being an elf at Pyramids Shopping Centre. The Pyramids Sant’s Elf School experience, located near the bottom of the escalators in the Pyramids, will be open on Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th and Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st , Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th of December. Visits to Santa’s Elf School cost £5.00 and can be booked online in advance at Buy Tickets – Santa's Elf School – The Pyramids Shopping Centre but walk-up tickets may also be available.
Cllr Mark Skillicorn, Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said:
This festive programme is a fantastic way to bring people together and support local businesses. From markets and music to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We want residents and visitors to experience the magic of Christmas right here in Wirral, and I encourage everyone to come along and make the most of these wonderful events.
Also back for popular return is the fantastic Wirral Youth Market on Saturday 13 December 10am to 4pm, with an opportunity to not only support over 70 of Wirral’s young entrepreneurs who will be showcasing their talents at Birkenhead Market but a chance to grab some amazing Christmas gifts. There will also be FREE fairground rides on the day, stalls in the market and food vendors St Werburgh’s Square (11am–5pm) accompanying the Youth Market on 13 December.
December 13 also sees the Christmas Creative Trail which along with the Youth Market includes the Christmas Makers Fair at Make Hamilton (69-71 Argyle Street), Pottery Open Studio at Rathbone Studio (28 Argyle Street),Quirky Gifts at Green Jam Creatives (50 Hamilton Street), BirkenHack on Mortimer Street and others. Future Yard will also host a Christmas Market on 13th December (free entry) on Argyle Street and on 14th December, Future Yard will host a special MOSH TOTS Christmas Special – you can visit their website for tickets which cost between £7 and £14. Future Yard also has a busy programme of festive events – get info from their website here: Christmas at Future Yard, Birkenhead | Future Yard
Saturday December 6 and 13 will see Birkenhead Town Centre come alive with Christmas Magic bringing street entertainment, music, and festive performances along Grange Road through to St Werburgh’s Square as well as free craft Workshops, build-a-teddy and Storytime with Mrs Christmas at the former GAME store. Entertainment starts at 11am with meet and greet with popular characters at the Bandstand and performances from local dance group Create Dance Wirral, Wirral Samba Drummers amongst others.
Fairground rides will be available at the cost of £3 each in St Werburgh’s Square on Saturday 6 December
Other festive events will see Balloon Modelling (Sat 20 Dec) and Pyramids Penguins with fun activities for children at Pyramids Shopping Centre on Saturday and Sunday December 20 and 21. Meanwhile, Frozen favourites Elsa, Anna and Olaf will be dropping in on Sunday December 14, and the Grinch will be making mischievous visits (on Saturday 6 December and Saturday 20 December). All activities are FREE unless stated.
And for any last minute Christmas shopping Birkenhead Market will be doing a special Sunday Opening on December 21.
Timetable of events
November
- Sat 29 Nov
- Christmas Craft Market at Birkenhead Market (10am–4pm)
- Santa’s Grotto at Birkenhead Market (1pm–3pm)
- Free present for every child (tickets collected from 11am at event area)
- Mrs Santa’s Duo handing out candy canes at The Pyramids (FREE)
December
- Sun 1 Dec
Santa’s Grotto & Elf School at The Pyramids Shopping Centre (11am–5pm, last entry 4pm)- Book online in advance
- Fri 5 – Sat 6 Dec
Christmas Craft Market at Birkenhead Market (10am–4pm) - Fri 5 Dec onwards
Elf Academy & Santa’s Grotto at The Pyramids Shopping Centre- Open on: Dec 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
- Location: near bottom of escalators in Pyramids
- Cost: £5 per visit (book online, walk-up may be available)
- Sat 6 Dec
- Santa’s Grotto at Birkenhead Market (1pm–3pm)
- Birkenhead Town Centre Christmas Magic (from 11am)
- Street entertainment, music, festive performances along Grange Road to St Werburgh’s Square
- Free craft workshops, build-a-teddy, Storytime with Mrs Christmas at former GAME store
- Meet & greet at Bandstand, Create Dance Wirral, Wirral Samba Drummers
- Fairground rides (£3 each) at St Werburgh’s Square
- Grinch appearance at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Sun 7 Dec
- Record Fair at Birkenhead Market
- Elf Academy & Santa’s Grotto at The Pyramids
- Sun 8 Dec
Santa’s Grotto & Elf School at The Pyramids Shopping Centre (11am–5pm, last entry 4pm) - Fri 12 – Sun 14 Dec
Elf Academy & Santa’s Grotto at The Pyramids - Sat 13 Dec
- Santa’s Grotto at Birkenhead Market (1pm–3pm)
- Wirral Youth Market at Birkenhead Market (10am–4pm)
- Over 70 young entrepreneurs, FREE fairground rides, stalls, food vendors at St Werburgh’s Square (11am–5pm)
- Christmas Creative Trail
- Includes:
- Christmas Makers Fair at Make Hamilton
- Pottery Open Studio at Rathbone Studio
- Quirky Gifts at Green Jam Creatives
- BirkenHack on Mortimer Street
- Includes:
- Future Yard Christmas Market (free entry) on Argyle Street
- Birkenhead Town Centre Christmas Magic (from 11am)
- Street entertainment, music, festive performances, free craft workshops, build-a-teddy, Storytime with Mrs Christmas
- Grinch appearance at The Pyramids
- Sun 14 Dec
- Frozen characters (Elsa, Anna, Olaf) appearances at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Future Yard MOSH TOTS Christmas Special (tickets £7–£14)
- Elf Academy & Santa’s Grotto at The Pyramids
- Fri 19 – Wed 24 Dec
Elf Academy & Santa’s Grotto at The Pyramids - Sat 20 Dec
- Christmas Puddings on Skates at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Festive Balloon Modelling at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Grinch appearance at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Pyramids Penguins Kids Club – Deck The Biscuits at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Sun 21 Dec
- Pyramids Penguins Kids Club – Deck The Biscuits at The Pyramids (FREE)
- Birkenhead Market special Sunday opening
- Wed 24 Dec
- Grinch appearance at The Pyramids (FREE)
