Birkenhead Announces Spectacular Festive Celebration Featuring Christmas Creative Trail and Community-Led Christmas Festivities on Hamilton Square 

Local residents and visitors are invited to kick off the holiday season with a series of community celebrations, festive shopping, and family entertainment as the Birkenhead Christmas Trail returns bigger and brighter than ever this December.

Spanning three key dates across December, Friday 4th, Saturday 5th, and Friday 18th December, the expanded lineup brings together three distinct streams of festive activity designed to celebrate local creativity, support independent businesses, and bring the community together.
 

1. The Creative Christmas Trail: Support Local, Gift Unique

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the Christmas Creative Trail returns on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th December. The trail highlights independent artist studios, makers, and creative retailers across the Argyle Street creative quarter. Designed for shoppers looking to avoid mass-produced high-street items, the trail offers a curated selection of unique, handcrafted gifts direct from local creators.
 

2. Hamilton Square Community Christmas Festivities

On Friday, 4th December, festivities expand into a major community celebration starting at Make It Happen on Market Street. Families can walk with the dinosaurs to the town hall, where Matt Granton will be serenading visitors to start the proceedings, and MP Alison McGovern will officially switch on the festive lights. This year marks a historic moment for the area: for the first time in 16 years, a landmark Christmas tree will stand in Hamilton Square. Craig Pennington of Future Yard will lead a celebration of the Town of Culture bid submission, and Reverend Paul Bentley will bless the community. Local food, drink, and retail venues will remain open late throughout Friday evening.
 

3. Santa’s Sleigh Procession & Festive Finale

The celebrations continue later in the month on Friday, 18th December, as Santa’s Sleigh makes a special journey through Birkenhead. Starting at The Core Project, the festive sleigh will travel through town before arriving at Hamilton Square. The community will come together to host visitors with Mr Shuey’s legendary ice cream van, Billy Myers singing, character entertainers from Wish Upon a Party, Vox Community Singers, hotdogs from The Burger Lab and cookies from The Bakehouse. Please check social media for running times.
 

EVENT SUMMARY

  • Dates & Times:
  • Friday, 4th December (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Creative Trail, Procession & Light Switch-On
  • Saturday, 5th December (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM): Creative Trail & Open Studios, check participating venues for specific times
  • Friday, 18th December (Times TBC): Santa’s Sleigh Procession & Community Festivities, check social media for specific running times.
     
  • Locations:
  • Creative Trail: 9 venues; Birkenhead Market, Future Yard, Make Hamilton, Argyle Street Studios, Rathbone Studio, Play Play Play Press, Birch Studios and Gallery, Green Jam Creatives, and C Saw Hairdressing.
  • Festive Trail & Switch-On: Starting at Make It Happen (Market Street), progressing to Hamilton Square.
  • Santa’s Sleigh Route: Starting at The Core Project, traveling through Birkenhead town to Hamilton Square.
     
  • Admission: Free