WARRINGTON WEEKEND WONDERLAND
IS ALL SET TO RETURN IN A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS FUN OVER THE WEEKEND OF SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER AND SUNDAY 26TH NOVEMBER!
This Christmas weekend cracker is being brought to you by Warrington Business Improvement District, with support from Culture Warrington, Warrington Borough Council and UK SPF funding. And what better way to start the festive season than with a whole weekend of Christmas activity and events taking place across Warrington town centre.
Download our town centre event map to discover when and where the activities are taking place below.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Saturday 25th November - 10AM TO 9PM
Christmas Artisan Markets – | 10AM – 7PM
Warrington BID has joined forces with Independent Street Markets to showcase local artists and makers who will be providing a unique selection of foods and crafts over the weekend, whilst also creating a fantastic Christmas day out for all. With over 70 Christmas market stalls along Bridge Street, Marketgate, Buttermarket Street and into the Time Square Quarter.
So, expect amazing local food – freshly baked produce from micro bakeries, tasty street food, epic cakes, award winning pies, fresh roasted coffee, treats and delicacies, artisan gin, olives, and deli. There will also be beautiful, handcrafted jewellery, unique arts, craft, hand poured candles, cheese truckles, mulled wine, local photography, dog treats and much more.
Christmas In The Park – FREE | 10AM – 4PM
The Friends of the Town Hall, Warrington, will host Christmas In The Park at the Pavilion Bank Park from 10am to 4pm. Father Christmas and his grotto, street entertainers, craft stalls, choirs and a brass band will be there on the day to entertain families and visitors alike. There will also be treats from the Christmas eatery on site, from mulled wine, bbq and much more.
Funfair | 10AM – 9PM
Sharlands Funfair will land in Warrington, with a collection of fairground rides, including a jumping Santa ride, ice spinners, hook-a-Santa, candy canes, and plenty of tasty treats!
Community & School Christmas Choir Performances – FREE | 10AM – 5PM
Join us over in Old Market Place at Golden Square, where there will be a host of community and school choirs performing on the stage, spreading their festive joy.
Music | 10AM – 5PM
Join Radio Warrington at Marketgate, where they’ll be broadcasting live, entertaining us with Christmas songs throughout the day, building up to the lantern parade at 5pm.
The Return of ‘At No.25 Christmas Installation’ at Queens Garens– FREE | 11AM – 8PM
Back by popular demand, we see the return of Culture Warrington’s at No.25 Christmas Installation from last year but with a slightly different twist for 2023. Created by local artists Erica Wilkinson and Lauren Muir with support from Warrington and Vale Royal College students, Queens Gardens comes alive with a Narnia themed winter wonderland installation with live performance. *Situated in Queens Gardens, opposite the Parr Hall.
Children’s Christmas Workshops – FREE |11AM – 4:30PM
Culture Warrington will be continuing their popular children’s workshops at New Art Spaces (former M&S unit). This is a great opportunity for all the family to create Christmas crafts together that can be used for the Town Centre Parade at 5pm (this is a free family-friendly drop-in activity)
Father Christmas and his Sleigh – FREE | 1:30PM – 6PM
Father Christmas will park his sleigh in town with his Reindeers (props), so you can take a seat and snap a precious memory. Father Christmas will be exploring the town centre and what we have on offer, chatting to all our children and finding out if they are on the naughty or nice list. He will also be joining you all on the Christmas parade.
Street Entertainers – FREE | 1PM – 5PM
Special guests will be joining us on the streets of Warrington from 1pm. We have all your favourite Christmas characters including Santa’s Elves, the grinch and a few surprises!
Katumba Drummers – FREE | 4:30PM
Performing at Time Square from 4:30pm, Katumba Drumming & Movement will create an explosion of rhythmic revelry described by onlookers as ‘hypnotic’, ‘transfixing’ and ‘empowering’. There Brazilian drums, spectacular choreography and a colossal sound will set the streets a blaze!
Christmas Parade – FREE | 5PM
Starting on Bridge Street at 5pm, the parade will set off with Katumba drummers leading the way down Rylands Street to the Town Hall where everyone will assemble on the front lawn for the Projection switch on.
The Parade will be filled with Christmas cheer, Father Christmas and his elves, the Grinch and the Mayor of Warrington.
A Spectacular After Dark, Light & Sound Show – FREE | 5:15PM – 9PM
A magical light and sound show of a festive story celebrating Christmas and New Year will be projected across the front of the Town Hall building from 5.15pm on the 25th and 26th November.
The festive show projection will last 15 minutes on a rolling basis until 9pm, so that passers-by who arrive near the end won’t need to wait long to see it start again. The bespoke animation produced by Culture Warrington has been specially designed for Warrington by Double Take Projections and will fit perfectly into the stonework of the Town Hall featuring a bespoke poem by local storyteller Flick Goodman, photos of Warrington’s past & artwork by local children.
sunday 26th November – 11AM TO 9PM
Christmas Artisan Markets – | 11AM – 5PM
Warrington BID has joined forces with Independent Street Markets to showcase local artists and makers who will be providing a unique selection of foods and crafts over the weekend, whilst also creating a fantastic Christmas day out for all. With over 70 Christmas market stalls along Bridge Street, Marketgate, Buttermarket Street and into the Time Square Quarter.
So, expect amazing local food – freshly baked produce from micro bakeries, tasty street food, epic cakes, award winning pies, fresh roasted coffee, treats and delicacies, artisan gin, olives, and deli. There will also be beautiful, handcrafted jewellery, unique arts, craft, hand poured candles, cheese truckles, mulled wine, local photography, dog treats and much more.
Funfair | 10AM – 9PM
Sharlands Funfair will land in Warrington, with a collection of fairground rides, including a jumping Santa ride, ice spinners, hook-a-Santa, candy canes, and plenty of tasty treats!
Community and School Christmas Choir Performances – FREE | 10AM – 5PM
Join us over in Old Marketplace at Golden Square, where there will be a host of community and school choirs performing on the stage, spreading their festive joy.
Music | 10AM – 5PM
Join Radio Warrington at Marketgate, where they’ll be broadcasting live, entertaining us with Christmas songs throughout the day.
The Return of ‘At No.25 Christmas’ Installation at Queens Gardens – FREE | 11AM – 8PM
Back by popular demand, we see the return of Culture Warrington’s at No.25 Christmas Installation from last year but with a slightly different twist for 2023. Created by local artists Erica Wilkinson and Lauren Muir with support from Warrington and Vale Royal College students, Queens Gardens comes alive with a Narnia themed winter wonderland installation with live performance.
On Sunday 26th only At No.25 in Queens Gardens will featuring a living snow globe and mystical Snow Queen. Ethereal and magical, the Snow Queen in her snow globe enchants and mesmerizes as she mingles with visitors at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Gliding gracefully through events, she creates her special brand of magic and with it, lasting memories. She encourages all those who gaze upon her to interact with her.
Beautiful music fills her space, lights illuminate her and snow rains down on the mystical Snow Queen, while she smiles and reaches into the hearts of onlookers, leaving an indelible mark on those who get lost in her vision.
This year, At No.25 has moved to Queens Gardens featuring a living snow globe and mystical Snow Queen. Ethereal and magical, the Snow Queen in her snow globe enchants and mesmerizes as she mingles with visitors. Gliding gracefully through events, she creates her special brand of magic and with it, lasting memories. She encourages all those who gaze upon her to interact with her. Beautiful music fills her space, lights illuminate her and snow rains down on the mystical Snow Queen, while she smiles and reaches into the hearts of onlookers, leaving an indelible mark on those who get lost in her vision. *Situated in Queens Gardens, opposite the Parr Hall.
Children’s Christmas Workshop – FREE |11AM – 4:30PM
Culture Warrington will be continuing their popular children’s workshops at New Art Spaces (former M&S unit). This is a great opportunity for all the family to create Christmas crafts together that can be used for the Town Centre Parade at 5pm (this is a free family-friendly drop-in activity)
Street Entertainers – FREE | 1PM – 5PM
Special guests will be joining us on the streets of Warrington from 1pm. We have all your favourite Christmas characters including Santa’s Elves, the Grinch and a few surprises.
A Spectacular After Dark, Light and Sound Show – FREE | 5PM
A magical light and sound show of a festive story celebrating Christmas and New Year will be projected across the front of the Town Hall building from 5pm on the 25th and 26th November. The festive show projection will last 15 minutes on a rolling basis until 9pm, so that passers-by who arrive near the end won’t need to wait long to see it start again.
The bespoke animation produced by Culture Warrington has been specially designed for Warrington by Double Take Projections, and will fit perfectly into the stonework of the Town Hall featuring a bespoke poem by local storyteller Flick Goodman, photos of Warrington’s past & artwork by local children
Getting Here
The best way to join us at Warrington Weekend Wonderland is by using the many public transport options available across the borough of Warrington.
Bus
Warrington bus interchange is located on Winwick Street (WA1 1TS).
Please check https://www.warringtonsownbuses.co.uk/services for the latest timetable and information.
Train
Warrington Weekend Wonderland is accessible by two train stations. Warrington Central station sits on the Northern line, operating on the Liverpool to Manchester Line.
Warrington Bank Quay station, operates on the West Coast Main Line with express services to London Euston, Birmingham New Street and Scotland.
Car
Nearest car parking facilities are:
Time Square Multistorey Car Park (WA1 2HN)
https://www.warrington.gov.uk/carparks
Golden Square Multistorey Car Park (WA1 1UZ)
https://gswarrington.com/your-visit/#parking
Greener Travel
There are lots of green ways to travel into Warrington town centre including cycling and walking.
For further information visit: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/cycling
Be The First To Know
Sign up to our mailing list or catch us on socials to ensure you’re the first to know all about the free activities taking place over the Weekend Wonderland, and where everything will be located.