New Christmas concerts, festive cinema and family theatre join the seasonal celebrations, offering ways to get together at Liverpool\u2019s Calderstones Park this winter.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n New for 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Live music takes centre stage throughout December with a series of enchanting Christmas Concert Evenings<\/strong><\/a> featuring performances from the Liverpool Wind Collective<\/strong> on Tuesday 1 December<\/strong>, vocal trio Cantanti<\/strong> on Wednesday 9 December<\/strong> and string quartet Cameo Strings<\/strong> on Monday 14 December<\/strong>. Each evening will be accompanied by festive readings in the warm surroundings of the Theatre Room overlooking The Reader\u2019s magical garden.<\/p>\n Local community choirs will be performing in a festive garden\u00a0teepee tent at The Reader\u2019s new Community Christmas Choir Concerts<\/strong><\/a> on Saturday 19 and Monday 21 December. <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n A series of new events to mark the Winter Solstice will begin on Sunday 20 December<\/strong> with an evening with Zo\u00eb 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<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 the duo will weave together science and folklore in an illuminating evening celebrating how people and wildlife have embraced the Winter Solstice for generations.<\/p>\n On Monday 21 December<\/strong>, a Dawn Poetry Walk & Breakfast<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The beloved Penny Lane lifestyle store A Slower Space<\/strong> will lead a Seasonal Wreath Making<\/strong><\/a> session on Sunday 6 December <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Magical family experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n Families can enjoy a festive programme packed with storytelling, theatre and seasonal celebrations.<\/p>\n In the Mansion House, the popular Brunch with Mrs Claus<\/strong><\/a> returns on Sundays 13 and 20 December <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Christmas jumpers and silly hats at the ready! Families can dance the afternoon away at the festive Elf Disco<\/strong><\/a> on Tuesday 22 December <\/strong>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. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n December will feature two festive editions of Bookshop Bedtime Stories<\/strong><\/a> including a special session with acclaimed author and illustrator Harry Woodgate who will share their new book Grandad’s Christmas <\/em>on Tuesday 3 December<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Mini Movies<\/strong>, The Reader\u2019s 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<\/strong><\/a> on Tuesday 8<\/strong> and Monday 21 December<\/strong> and The Gruffalo\u2019s Child<\/strong> on Tuesday 15 December<\/strong>. A Christmas Eve screening of the timeless classic The Snowman<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Children’s theatre company Altru Drama will present a playful new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland<\/em><\/strong><\/a> on 22 and 23 December<\/strong>, bringing Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic to life through music, storytelling and theatrical adventure.<\/p>\n Over at the Storybarn, the annual sellout event Baby\u2019s First Christmas<\/strong><\/a> returns on Thursday 17 December<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Throughout December, The Reader\u2019s 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<\/strong><\/a> sessions for 1\u20134-year-olds, and Christmas at the Storybarn<\/strong><\/a> which are suitable for older siblings too.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Books, stories and festive traditions<\/strong><\/p>\n Literature remains at the heart of Christmas at The Reader and the season includes a special Book Flood<\/strong><\/a> inspired by the Icelandic Christmas tradition of exchanging books during the festive period. Taking place on 28 \u2013 29 November<\/strong> – alongside the festive Makers Markets<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The Bookshop Social: Mince Pies & Must-Reads<\/strong><\/a> on Thursday 10 December <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n December\u2019s edition of the popular monthly Wellbeing Workshops<\/strong><\/a> will explore the Christmas classic The Mouse and His Child <\/em>on Saturday 5 December<\/strong> through a relaxed Shared Reading session and a guided stroll through Calderstones Park, before creating a personal poetry collection to take home.<\/p>\n 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 <\/em>is now being adapted into a documentary, and at PRE:FAB!: The Insider Screening<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on Thursday 26 November<\/strong> Colin will share exclusive clips alongside behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights into its making.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Music, cinema and festive evenings<\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/strong>. Following on from another successful summer open-air cinema and Spooky Cinema programme, a giant, heated teepee tent will be built in The Reader\u2019s magical garden for a festive season of big screen classics from 18 to 21 December<\/strong> including Elf<\/strong><\/a>, Home Alone<\/strong><\/a>, Love Actually<\/strong><\/a> and The Muppet Christmas Carol<\/strong><\/a>. Screenings will be accompanied with music, homemade street food and festive specials, and a full bar for a truly magical movie experience.<\/p>\n Visitors can also enjoy Festive Music & Spoken Word<\/strong> on Tuesday 8 December<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.thereader.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/christmas-banner-1.png\")
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