Liverpool in December is one of Britain's better winter city breaks, largely because it gets on with being a good city without needing a specific season to justify it. The Albert Dock is lit up, the Christmas markets run through the city centre, and the music and culture scene, which is genuinely the reason to visit Liverpool, doesn't take December off. It's cheaper than London and more interesting than most people who haven't been expect.

Weather

Cold and typically northern English: overcast, with rain a realistic possibility most days. December temperatures sit around 4°C to 8°C. The wind off the Mersey adds to the chill on exposed waterfront stretches. A good waterproof jacket and warm layers are the standard kit. The Albert Dock and the waterfront are worth doing in any weather, and the city's indoor attractions, particularly the museums, are completely unaffected by what's happening outside.

Crowds and Prices

Very manageable. Liverpool attracts fewer December tourists than you'd expect for a city with its cultural credentials. The Christmas market in Liverpool ONE and around the Town Hall is busy on weekends but accessible. The Beatles Story at the Albert Dock, the Walker Art Gallery, and the Museum of Liverpool are all manageable in December without significant queues. Accommodation is cheap relative to London or Edinburgh, and the city's pub and music scene is at full stretch through the month.

What's On

Liverpool's Christmas lights span the city centre through December. The main Christmas market around Liverpool ONE and the adjacent streets runs through most of the month. The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall programmes Christmas concerts through December, and the Echo Arena hosts larger Christmas events. The real December draw is the live music scene: the Cavern Club and the venues around Matthew Street and the Baltic Triangle run events most nights of the week. For Beatles pilgrims, December is one of the quieter and cheaper months to do the full circuit: the Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Penny Lane, and Strawberry Field.

One Thing to Watch

The Albert Dock area is pleasant but exposed to the wind off the Mersey in December. The museums and galleries inside the Dock are the main reason to be there, and they're free. The Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum are both excellent and keep normal winter hours.