The Reader reveals magical Christmas 2026 season at Calderstones Park

New Christmas concerts, festive cinema and family theatre join the seasonal celebrations, offering ways to get together at Liverpool’s Calderstones Park this winter.

Liverpool-based charity The Reader has unveiled its Christmas 2026 programme, inviting families, book lovers and festive visitors to connect, reflect and celebrate in Calderstones Park with a packed programme of literature, storytelling, live music, wellbeing events and Christmas traditions.

New for 2026

Live music takes centre stage throughout December with a series of enchanting Christmas Concert Evenings featuring performances from the Liverpool Wind Collective on Tuesday 1 December, vocal trio Cantanti on Wednesday 9 December and string quartet Cameo Strings on Monday 14 December. Each evening will be accompanied by festive readings in the warm surroundings of the Theatre Room overlooking The Reader’s magical garden.

Local community choirs will be performing in a festive garden teepee tent at The Reader’s new Community Christmas Choir Concerts on Saturday 19 and Monday 21 December. Choirs including Liverpool Rainbow Chorus and Liverpool Show Choir will be sharing Christmas classics and feel-good favourites to get you in the festive spirit.

A series of new events to mark the Winter Solstice will begin on Sunday 20 December with an evening with Zoë Howe (author, artist and Soho Radio's Rock 'n' Roll Witch) and Ajay Tegala (wildlife writer and presenter, BBC Springwatch). At Winter Solstice Celebration: Wonder of the Wild Year  the duo will weave together science and folklore in an illuminating evening celebrating how people and wildlife have embraced the Winter Solstice for generations.

On Monday 21 December, a Dawn Poetry Walk & Breakfast will include a guided sunrise walk accompanied by poetry inspired by winter, nature, hope and renewal followed by a warming breakfast. Rounding off the shortest day of the year, Poetry, Scouse & Solstice will offer a guided sunset walk with poetry, celebrating the changing seasons and return of the light, before heading back to the Mansion House for a hearty bowl of scouse.

The beloved Penny Lane lifestyle store A Slower Space will lead a Seasonal Wreath Making session on Sunday 6 December suitable for beginners and accompanied by cake and hot drinks. The workshop will cover a selection of floral techniques, and all materials will be provided to customise a unique natural wreath to take home and enjoy over the festive period.

Magical family experiences

Families can enjoy a festive programme packed with storytelling, theatre and seasonal celebrations.

In the Mansion House, the popular Brunch with Mrs Claus returns on Sundays 13 and 20 December with a fun feast of festive pancakes, storytelling, games and crafts giving families the chance to hear all about life at the North Pole from Mrs Claus herself. All children will receive a book from Mrs Claus as a gift to take home.

Christmas jumpers and silly hats at the ready! Families can dance the afternoon away at the festive Elf Disco on Tuesday 22 December where a live DJ will be playing pop party hits and Christmas classics for all the family. A storytelling and craft space will also be available throughout.  

December will feature two festive editions of Bookshop Bedtime Stories including a special session with acclaimed author and illustrator Harry Woodgate who will share their new book Grandad's Christmas on Tuesday 3 December.

Mini Movies, The Reader’s short and sweet screenings for the littlest cinema lovers inside the cosy Theatre Room will bring the animated adaptations of Julia Donaldson favourites Stick Man on Tuesday 8 and Monday 21 December and The Gruffalo’s Child on Tuesday 15 December. A Christmas Eve screening of the timeless classic The Snowman is the perfect way to bring the generations together. All Mini Movies screenings are relaxed, with a mix of bean bags and seats, books to browse and activity sheets.

Children's theatre company Altru Drama will present a playful new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland on 22 and 23 December, bringing Lewis Carroll's beloved classic to life through music, storytelling and theatrical adventure.

Over at the Storybarn, the annual sellout event Baby’s First Christmas returns on Thursday 17 December for parents and carers with babies under 1. Together they will enjoy Christmas rhymes and stories, and craft a special keepsake to remember this special time.

Throughout December, The Reader’s team of Storyhunters will bring the magic of Christmas to life through festive stories, songs and crafts at special seasonal editions of the ever-popular Incy Wincy Rymers sessions for 1–4-year-olds, and Christmas at the Storybarn which are suitable for older siblings too.

Books, stories and festive traditions

Literature remains at the heart of Christmas at The Reader and the season includes a special Book Flood inspired by the Icelandic Christmas tradition of exchanging books during the festive period. Taking place on 28 – 29 November - alongside the festive Makers Markets featuring local crafts and artisan goods - brand-new books will be available in return for an optional donation supporting The Reader's Christmas Fundraising Appeal.

The Bookshop Social: Mince Pies & Must-Reads on Thursday 10 December will offer a cosy, after-hours evening of literary exploration. The Bookshop team will curate festive favourites and share inspiration and recommendations for gifts, accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies.

December’s edition of the popular monthly Wellbeing Workshops will explore the Christmas classic The Mouse and His Child on Saturday 5 December through a relaxed Shared Reading session and a guided stroll through Calderstones Park, before creating a personal poetry collection to take home.

The programme also includes a special event with Colin Hall, co-author of a captivating memoir chronicling his early years as a member of the Quarry Men. The book Pre:Fab!: The Story of One Man, His Drums, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison is now being adapted into a documentary, and at PRE:FAB!: The Insider Screening on Thursday 26 November Colin will share exclusive clips alongside behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights into its making.

Music, cinema and festive evenings

There are plenty of ways to get together with friends and loved ones to celebrate the festive season including a second year of Christmas Cinema. Following on from another successful summer open-air cinema and Spooky Cinema programme, a giant, heated teepee tent will be built in The Reader’s magical garden for a festive season of big screen classics from 18 to 21 December including Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Screenings will be accompanied with music, homemade street food and festive specials, and a full bar for a truly magical movie experience.

Visitors can also enjoy Festive Music & Spoken Word on Tuesday 8 December combining live music from The Simashgu String Quartet along with traditional folk and blues musicians, interspersed with poetry and seasonal readings beneath twinkling lights in the Theatre Room.

There is still some availability for The Reader’s Christmas Party packages throughout December and revellers can choose between  Christmas Party Nights with a three-course meal from The Reader’s on-site chefs and late-night bar or the new Christmas Beats & Bites event with festive canapes and a live saxophonist and bongos to really get the party started. Exclusive bespoke parties are also available for those who wish to book out the whole venue for a celebration.

Annie Bowden, Programme & Participation Manager at The Reader, said: "Christmas at Calderstones is always a special time of year. We're delighted to welcome visitors back for another season full of stories, creativity, music and festive traditions.

"Whether you're making memories with young children, enjoying live performances, finding the perfect Christmas gift or taking time to slow down and reflect during the Winter Solstice, there's something for everyone. Every visit also helps support The Reader's work bringing the benefits of Shared Reading to people across the UK."

The full Christmas 2026 programme is now on sale at thereader.org.uk/Christmas2026. Every ticket purchased helps support The Reader's charitable work bringing Shared Reading to children, families and adults in communities across Liverpool and beyond.