Royal Albert Dock announces huge light parade and Christmas events

The Royal Albert Dock has unveiled a glowing Christmas event schedule

The Royal Albert Dock has announced a ‘Light Up Your Christmas’ event featuring festive characters, new experiences and a series of new illuminated installations. The attractions begin on Saturday, November 29 when visitors can enjoy stilt walkers, bubble-blowing candy canes and roaming elves from 1pm to 5pm.

The waterfront will welcome Alder Hey Children’s Charity fundraising event, Santa Paddle, featuring a 2.5km parade of illuminated kayaks and canoes covered in Christmas decorations. The route will start from Queen’s Dock and make its way through Salthouse Dock and into the inner quay at approximately 6.30pm.

On the night, visitors can also meet a life-like animatronic polar bear, appearing for one evening only in 30-minute sessions at 5.15pm, 6.15pm and 7.15pm. A brass band will fill the docks with Christmas classics on the inner quay, and local Liverpool choir, Make Noise, will create an enchanting soundtrack.

From 4pm to 8pm, light-up snow queens on stilts will take over the waterfront. As part of the Dock Shorts campaign, a stunning projection will light-up the façade of the Maritime Museum to create a magical backdrop.

An Alder Hey projection will be showcased on November 29 to coincide with the Santa Paddle, followed by the dock’s Christmas-themed animation running from November 30 throughout December.

New Christmas lights around the dock will also add to the festive atmosphere. Interactive characters will return from 1pm to 5pm on weekends from December 6 to 14.

Visitors can expect to see the return of the candy canes and elves in addition to drumming toy soldiers and classic gingerbread men.

Celebrations will conclude from December 21 to 23, when the dock will grant one special wish for a lucky child, with more information to be announced soon.

Sean Morrison, estate manager at Royal Albert Dock, said: “Christmas is always a special time at the dock, and this year we’re excited to make it our most magical yet.

“Light Up Your Christmas brings families, local partners and the wider community together to showcase the true spirit of the season.

“We can’t wait to welcome visitors and see the dock filled with festive cheer.”

Andrew Goudie, North West Harbour manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “Our charity is extremely proud to support and host the first-ever Santa Paddle at the docks.

“It promises to be a magical experience for everyone attending the festivities that will light up the waterfront, which is always extra special at this time of year.”