Culture Liverpool are excited to invite ‘expressions of interest’ from experienced festive event organisers, to create a magical Christmas experience on Pier Head, Liverpool. If you are passionate about spreading festive fun and have the expertise to create a festive wonderland, we want to hear from you!
This unique opportunity involves designing and managing an enchanting Christmas offer, with a spectacular feature centrepiece, set against the iconic waterfront backdrop.
Ideal bidders will have a proven track record in delivering large-scale festive events, showcasing exceptional organisational skills, creativity, and attention to detail. Suppliers should be able to bring innovative ideas to life, ensuring a memorable and joyful experience for visitors of all ages.
‘Expressions of interest’ should be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 28 July 2025 and include your relevant experience, proposed ideas, and a preliminary commercial offer. Alternatively, if you wish to have an initial scoping conversation with Culture Liverpool, please contact Angie Redhead to arrange a call by emailing cultureliverpool@liverpool.gov.uk.
We look forward to seeing your creative proposals and working with you to celebrate the festive season together!
Summary of requirements & conditions:
- A festive décor / look and feel, which complements and is sympathetic to the stunning historic Pier Head surrounding.
- To include a large, festive themed centrepiece, such as an ice rink, grotto or other appropriate ticketed family experience.
- A selection of high-quality food and beverage outlets that enhance the festive experience, including vegetarian, vegan and zero alcohol options.
- A small selection of stalls should be gifts, crafts or souvenirs.
- No more than four high-quality, festive themed bars, that operate within Licensing recommendations.
- Weekend facilitation of small, local independent makers and artisans in a designated area. Culture Liverpool and Liverpool Markets will work closely with you to ensure this does not compete with your own traders’ offer.
- An inclusive festive experience ensuring wheelchair access, sensory-friendly areas, clear signage, and diverse activities for all ages.
- A suitable level of PA to play festive music throughout the space, and a designated performance area to accommodate singers, musicians or a choir.
- For any sponsorship or branding to be of high quality and festive themed.
- Use of more environmentally friendly power solutions.
- An independent Safety Officer and Event Manager should be involved throughout planning, implementation, operation and de-rig.
Bidder responsibilities:
- All regulatory requirements and Licenses.
- The overall planning and management of the event throughout the operation, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment.
- Facilitation of Culture Liverpool programmed entertainment such as singers, performers, school choirs and charity choirs.
- Unhindered access to surrounding businesses such as the Museum of Liverpool, Mersey Ferries, Fab Four Café, Liverpool Cruise Port and the Three Graces etc.
- The event organisers must use LSSL for cleansing on site whilst operating on the Pier Head.
Parameters & restrictions:
The following elements should not be included in your bid as they will not be permitted:
- Site build on the Pier Head cannot commence until after Remembrance Sunday (Sunday 9 November 2025).
- No single use plastics – cups, plates, cutlery, packaging etc. must all be sustainable and environmentally friendly.
- No ‘scream rides’.
- No ‘funfair rides’, unless they are sympathetic to the look and feel of the Pier Head environment*.
- Culture Liverpool are not obliged to license anyone for this ‘expression of interest’.
*Any site branding, promotion, or sponsorship, as well as any proposed fairground rides are to be agreed in advance with Culture Liverpool.
Pier Head event space:
You can view the Pier Head event space here.
Deadline:
‘Expressions of interest’ should be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 28 July 2025 and include your relevant experience, proposed ideas, and a preliminary commercial offer. ‘Expressions of interest’ should be emailed to cultureliverpool@liverpool.gov.uk.
