The A-Z of cosy things to do in Liverpool this winter

It’s a well-known fact that November can be the worst month at university for most students – it’s getting dark earlier, the pub gardens are freezing cold, you’ve got assignments and deadlines for every single module under the sun, and it’s not close enough to December to start getting excited about Christmas just yet.

However, you can conquer the winter blues pretty easily with our A-Z guide to the best winter activities in Liverpool, from cosy nights in to wholesome trips out with your flatmates, there’s something for everyone to help make the dark nights and cold mornings that little bit more bearable.

A: Browse an artisan winter market

With plenty of options for winter artisan markets inside St. George’s Hall and the Calderstones Mansion House in Calderstones Park, there’s always going to be a seasonal excuse to drag your housemates around a fancy old building and have a gander at some crafty creations and cosy bakes. Whichever you’re closest to, you know you want a cheeky walk around – or just go to both, because who can say no to live entertainment and local arts and crafts?

B: Bake some seasonal sweet treats

Invite your friends over for an evening of baking sweet treats and decorating, find a local bake sale for charity to help out with, or, if you have a favourite recipe, why not have a little solo baking session in your pyjamas?

C: Christmas markets

Most Read

From £60k to £1.5million: How much the I’m A Celeb 2024 campmates are being paid

Right, here’s how popstar priest Reverend Richard Coles made his secretly whopping fortune

Tulisa ‘raging’ about I’m A Celeb axe and has wiped all evidence of the show from her Insta

Located just in front of St. Georges Hall, the Christmas markets this year will be opening very soon! Try out some homemade treats, support independent small businesses, browse the stalls for unique gifts, and play all the funfair games your inner child desires. The festive atmosphere will be sure to take your mind off uni, especially if it snows! Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances we cannot guarantee the snow, but it’s the thought that counts.

D: Decorate your living space

Winter may be cold and dark, but your living space doesn’t have to be! So take some time to redecorate specifically for the winter season. DIYs can be fun and rewarding, such as making origami stars, garlands, or repurposing jars into tealight holders.

E: Eggnog

Try out making eggnog for a fun night in.

F: Film night

Grab your blankies and besties for a night of your favourite feel-good winter films. Use it as an excuse to eat all the sweet treats you baked the day before, and you might even discover your new favourite Christmas film.

G: Befriend a Gonk

If you haven’t already fallen victim to buying festive gonks from Home Bargains, we’ve discovered a gonk workshop at Make on The Corner in Huyton. You can book in for a two hour workshop to design, make, and paint your very own clay gonk. These creatures come from Nordic folklore and protect your home from evil spirits – ideal for anyone living in a slightly creepy student house this year.

H: Go for a hot drink with a friend

Whether you’re a tea, hot chocolate, or coffee person, we know much difference a hot drink and a chat with a friend can make to a cold winter day, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Invite a friend over and put the kettle on or cosy up in one of the many lovely cafes along Lark Lane (a personal favourite is the hot chocolates at Petit Cafe).

I: Go ice-skating

There’s the ice rink at Otterspool in December, but otherwise you might have to travel a little bit further. Still, ice-skating always makes for a fun day out with friends or family.

J: Do a jigsaw puzzle

In my opinion, there’s nothing cosier than a night in doing a jigsaw puzzle to relax.

K: Kiss under the mistletoe 

Sounds pretty explanatory, just make sure it isn’t an ex-situationship x

L: Visit Liverpool’s own Lapland

Did you know Liverpool has its very own Lapland? Every weekend from the 1st to the 24th of December, you can go to Otterspool to meet the elves, Santa, and Mrs Claus! There will be tons of activities including a festive show and even an ice skating rink. Worth a trip just to grab a hot chocolate I reckon.

M: Make a mood board

When you find yourself overwhelmed with uni work and losing motivation, take a step back and refresh your perspective. Pinterest or a good old fashioned collage are perfect for this. Just find images that represent how you envision your future, such as your dream house or dream career, or even just what you want to make of the next week.

Cut, glue, stick and doodle as you please! Making mood boards can be a great way to take a break from the busy world and spend some time with yourself and your dreams – a perfect activity to do before New Year’s too!

N: Nature walks

Wrap up warm in your coats and scarves and enjoy some fresh air exploring the local parks. It can be a nice opportunity to catch up with a friend, or get some alone time and clear your head along with a bit of light exercise. Stopping along your way to look closely at the plants, birds and insects is a simple way to return to the present moment and practice gratitude.

O: Orange peel ornaments 

These are super easy to make, have a lovely citrusy aroma and add a charming, rustic look to your space! So what’s not to love? A quick search on Pinterest and you’ll find loads of cute projects for inspiration.

P: See a pantomime

It’s finally pantomime season! There are lots showing this winter at the Liverpool Empire and the Everyman Theatre.

Q: Win (or lose) a Christmas pub quiz

There’s something about cosying up in a pub over the winter that just heals my need to hibernate during Christmas. Grab your friends and flatmates and drag them down to a festive pub quiz before the end of the semester, and you never know, you might even win a bar tab or a cheap bottle of wine.

R: Cook a roast dinner

It wouldn’t be winter without a bit of home in the form of a roast dinner, would it? Whether you gather your housemates and delegate some jobs to prep a huge flat Christmas dinner, or trek down to Toby Carvery for a student roast, you can’t say no to some Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes when it’s cold and gloomy outside.

S: Sing carols

I feel like it’s a rule in student houses for one of your flatmates to start blasting Christmas songs on the 1st November without any warning at all. Nevertheless, get Alexa to make you a festive mix to play in the kitchen to romanticise cooking your fourth bowl of pesto pasta for the week.

T: Go thrifting

After a new winter wardrobe? There’s no better time to go searching for some cosy grandad jumpers and funky jackets than now – grab a coffee, have a wander down Bold Street, and find yourself some bargains in the vintage and charity shops in town.

U: Try something unusual 

Time goes faster when we’re stuck in a routine, so it can be easy to miss the small moments. Doing something unusual outside of that daily routine can make time feel slower and help you really enjoy each opportunity. If there’s a recipe you’ve been wanting to make, or a sport you’ve always wanted to try out, now is the perfect chance to get the most out of these cold, dark weeks by doing something you’ve never done before.

V: Become Victorian for the day

Ladies, gentlemen, and gentlefolk, celebrate this year’s holidays with elegance and timeless charm. On the 7th and 8th of December from 11am, Sudley House in Mossley Hill is hosting a traditional Victorian Christmas with carol singers, crafts, and storytelling. You can discover local history while exploring a beautifully decorated original Victorian home. We hope you have your time machines ready, because we do!

W: Winter

Complete a challenge called winter where you actually attempt to enjoy every day of winter x

X: A Christmas (Xmas – I know it’s a reach, but what else starts with X? really?) Carol

If you’re not scared of ghosts like we are, between the 14th and 29th December in St. George’s Hall, you can go and see A Christmas Carol live, to truly get into the festive spirit. If this isn’t quite up your street, cosy up on the sofa and watch The Muppets’ version – arguably better in some peoples’ eyes.

Y: Make a Yule log to share with family and friends

Or eat the whole thing to yourself, we won’t judge you.

Z: Make some Zimtsterne

Also known as German cinnamon stars, Zimtsterne are delicious spiced biscuits made of ground nuts that are guaranteed to warm your spirit with a nice cup of tea. They are naturally gluten and dairy free, too. Try an authentic recipe when you have a moment free – your housemates will thank you for this one, and most likely eat most of them.

We’re hoping that this inspires you to drag yourself out of that winter slump, and embrace the festive period a bit more than last year. If all else fails though, you can drape some fairy lights over that collection of empty booze bottles you have in your kitchen, and call it a night.