CHRISTMAS INTIATIVES AND EVENTS
It is the investment of BID businesses that makes our town centre vibrant over the festive period.
Each Christmas, we organise activities and initiatives to encourage footfall, dwell time and increased spend by promoting the town centre to residents and visitors.
200,000
Additional festive lights illuminate Southport each year
25,000
Animated LED pixels light up the central Christmas tree each year.
£11,000
Raised for local charities from proceeds of Christmas events in 2022
Christmas Illuminations
The BID provides an illuminated 60ft Christmas tree, which is much-loved and attracts thousands of visitors every year. In addition, there are also eight Christmas trees across the town, including Ocean Plaza, Central 12 retail park, Lord Street roundabouts and Morrisons supermarket. We also provide comprehensive festive lighting displays throughout the town centre.
Festive Attractions
The BID delivers a programme of affordable and accessible Christmas attractions, to encourage residents and visitors of all ages to engage with Southport throughout the festive period. We work in partnership with Sefton Council and other local groups to promote all activities within Southport town centre.
- Santa’s Grotto and Frozen Grotto in Wayfarers Arcade, with close to 1,000 group bookings.
- A Festive Fun Day which launched the Christmas season and attracted thousands to the town centre.
- The Gingerbread Family Trail, with ten figures, a Gingerbread Sleigh, and Gingerbread Throne.
- A sold-out Christmas Carriage Ride which offered visitors a chance to experience the illuminations from a princess carriage.
- The Illustrate Illuminate Trail which celebrated the creativity of our young people.
- Sold-out Christmas Elf Parties, where children enjoyed a fun-filled hour with the festive Elves