Review of 'The Light Before Christmas (2025)'

https://liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/plan-your-visit/lightbeforechristmas-2/

This is our fourth straight year (previously 2022, 2023 and 2024) attending “The Light Before Christmas” at Liverpool Cathedral. It is also the fourth year the event has been held…and it is getting more than a bit repetitive. It is the same idea as all of the other years - The emptied interior of the cathedral has light displays projected onto the walls and ceiling with an immersive soundtrack.

The cathedral is entered via the lower entrance, just off the car park, around the right corner of the front of the cathedral (you come OUT of the main entrance when you have completed your visit). Through the basement your timed ticket is scanned then you are guided up the steps to the ground level of the cathedral (there is also an elevator/lift if needed).

There are a number of separate displays that you visit in order - On the western wall in “The Well”…

…on the full central interior of the cathedral all the way to the altar…

…then a light along the “North Choir Aisle” to the left of the altar…

…leading to the “Ambulatory” behind the altar (this year this is a square tunnel of white Christmas lights where we are encouraged to “take selfies”)…

…then the “South Choir Aisle” (showing some interesting abstract designs)…

…the “Derby Transept” (always quite modern, this year an abstract sculpture comprising lighted rods)…

…another tunnel which in other years has been very religious but a bit less so this year…

…and then finally the “Baptistry” where we are encouraged to stop for a few minutes, perhaps light a candle…

The cathedral gift shop and bistro was open during the show. As in other years, there were a number of large “bean bags” on the floor outside the bistro where you could lie down and take in the whole experience - The immensity of the space, the lights on the ceiling above and all around you…Of course, only if you could find a bean bag not occupied by playing children. We did and spent a relaxing good number of minutes completely absorbed…

My companion described the experience in what I think were accurate terms: It was like being in a kaleidoscope of abstract colours and shapes. Which is fine, I suppose, but the lights were generally NOT sensitive to the architecture but could have been projected onto any surface with largely the same effect…there was nothing particularly “Liverpool Cathedral” to them. It would also have been nice to have had perhaps more of a discernible theme, sure there were the images of the wise men, a “Merry Christmas” here, pictures of the Madonna, etc, but these got lost somewhat in the random shapes and colours that overwhelmed everything. The music was ok but, frankly, unmemorable. In all, it didn't seem to make us particularly Christmas-y.

A nice experience that looks amazing but it could be so much more with the addition of story, lights that are in sympathy with the architecture rather than simply projected over it…I hope I do not sound like a grinch. It is still HUGELY popular, particularly with families with small children though most of them seemed to not be too impressed with what they saw, preferring instead to play in the large open spaces.

Rating: “A bit better than average”

Review Date: 2025-11-30

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.