Christmas 08 in Liverpool

[Kev]

Liverpool will stage its "biggest and best" Christmas celebrations to bring 2008's culture year to a festive climax, organisers have said.

More than 50 different acts, a market, two grottos, an outdoor ice rink and real reindeer will all feature in the programme of events.

It starts on Thursday with the switch on of the Christmas lights, which will include new retail site Liverpool One.

Entertainment will be laid on every Thursday for Christmas shoppers.

Liverpool City Council said the key entertainment areas would be Clayton Square, Church Street, Lord Street, Bold Street, Williamson Square and Whitechapel.

It is hoped the combination of entertainment and the new Liverpool One centre will encourage tens of thousands of new shoppers to choose the city to buy presents.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: "Liverpool is staging its biggest and best ever Christmas programme to reflect the dramatic improvements the city has undergone, and also to bring our Capital of Culture year to a fitting festive climax with a special atmosphere in the run up to Christmas."

BBC Liverpool.

I hope we can get a few pics posted of Chrimbo!