Review of 'The Light Before Christmas (2024)'

https://liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/plan-your-visit/lightbeforechristmas/

This is the third straight year (previously 2022 and 2023) attending “The Light Before Christmas” at Liverpool Cathedral. It is also the third year the event has been held. Last year we were slightly disappointed after the amazing first year which saw the lights matching the architecture much more carefully. Since then it has been more a projection on the wall rather than attempting to utilize the architecture – Still impressive, just not, perhaps, as interesting.

We have learned the best way to soak it in is to just stop and watch, letting the lights and music wash over you. Ideally, lying down on the floor on the now more plentiful giant bean-bags for just that purpose (in the main entrance and in the central part of the church). We had to wait for a few minutes while a young child to finish jumping up and down on one before we could do this but it was well worth the wait.

The show displayed on the north wall, the first you see on entrance to the dark cathedral (there are signs and stewards to make sure you go the right direction including with torches to helpfully light up the stairs), is the most secular this year not featuring so much a story as images from Christmas past but Santa and his reindeer do make an appearance.

From here you enter into the main part of the church were the light display is focused around the altar but spreads out to the walls along the length of the church. The best place to view this is right in the middle of the church outside the café as there are no service lights intruding from the side. This display is a bit more religious with the appearance of the wise men (which attendees may recall from last year) and the Mother Mary.

From here you are directed to the hall to the left of the altar where lights are projected down the hallway.

Behind the altar this year they have a tunnel of fairy lights which is a bit of a nice addition.

The final hallway is the most overtly religious, solely focusing on the baby Jesus and mother Mary.

The trail ends with a visit to the font and, if you wish, the lighting of a candle.

So, not a lot of change this year, but still put us a bit more in the Christmas spirit. It is best to enjoy this at a relaxed and leisurely pace, stop and take it all in rather than walk through at speed. It is really quite an impressive display in an impressive space and is worth stopping to enjoy it.

From a practical perspective, it is best to purchase the tickets in advance as it is only on for a little more than a week and popular slots likely sell out quickly (the stewards scan them as you enter). Show up early for your slot as there may very well be a queue (entrance is at the west door, exit is through the front, north door). All toilets are open as is the café and shop during the event.

Despite humming and hah-ing about coming each year it is likely we will be back again in 2025…I just wish they would use the space more effectively, CELEBRATE the wonderful architecture of the cathedral rather than plaster it with abstract shapes and lights. I think I may have said this last year…

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2024-11-30

Location: Liverpool (England)

Address: St James Mt, Liverpool L1 7AZ ENGLAND

Telephone: +44 (0) 151 709 6271

URL: https://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/

Liverpool Cathedral large, 20th century Church of England gothic cathedral (not to be confused with the nearby, modern Roman Catholic “Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral”) on the top of a hill overlooking the core area of Liverpool. It hosts normal church services and is free to visit but also hosts special events throughout the year.

There is a large on-site outdoor car park for visitors but you easily walk up to it or choose from multiple public transport options.