One Magical City | DreamWorks Lights, Liverpool

A large Shrek figure appears to peek over the roof of a historic building in Liverpool. Green text reads, "One Magical City DreamWorks Lights Liverpool," celebrating the magic of DreamWorks Lights in the heart of Liverpool.

After our lovely evening in Liverpool, and spending the morning shopping and playing on the rides, we had tickets booked for DreamWorks Lights and so off we popped to St Georges Hall to see them in all of their glory.

In this UK first, St George’s Hall welcomes DreamWorks Lights – a stunning walkthrough lantern experience for all ages. We popped by the Christmas market on the way in which is situated just in front of the building.

Colourful illuminated lantern figures at DreamWorks Lights in Liverpool depict a panda in a sedan chair carried by pig-like characters, with a dragon head above and a goose dressed in green, all set against the Magical City's bright decorative lights.

Colourful lantern figures of animals, inspired by DreamWorks Lights and the animated film "Kung Fu Panda," stand together in a dark room in Liverpool—including a panda holding trays of food, a goose in a red dress, and smaller animals.

Once inside I realised just what all the fuss was about. All of our film favourites, from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar, had been transformed into huge illuminated figures in the Grand Hall of the iconic Grade I listed building.

A child looks up at a large, illuminated sculpture of a panda from DreamWorks Lights in Liverpool, surrounded by glowing decorations and a tree with sparkling branches.

Four illuminated lantern sculptures of animated animal characters, including a rhinoceros and panda with a green staff, glow brilliantly against a dark background at DreamWorks Lights in Liverpool’s Magical City.

Po from Kung Fu Panda is one of T’s favourite characters and so he loved walking round to see what he was getting up to throughout the lanterns. The sheer size of the lanterns was astounding, they were so precise and well thought out, bringing the characters alive.

Illuminated sculptures of Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, and Shrek stand under a glowing artificial tree at DreamWorks Lights, creating a Magical City atmosphere against a dark background in this enchanting Liverpool exhibition.

Two colourful, cartoon-like figures resembling dwarfs stand on either side of a glass coffin containing Snow White, referencing the fairy tale. The scene, part of DreamWorks Lights in Liverpool, is brightly lit against a dark background.

All aspects from the films were catered for and it was great to see most of the characters from the films turning up, not just the main ones. There was even Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs there and Puss in Boots too.

J loved Shrek and ‘roared’ whenever he saw him. It was like we were watching the films all over again as we walked around as we slowly started remembered each and every scene from the films.

A smiling boy poses in front of illuminated figures, including a large Pinocchio and three glowing pig characters, at Liverpool's DreamWorks Lights event, with a "Shrek" sign visible in the background.

Illuminated figures of Shrek, Fiona, and their three children stand on either side of a glowing tree at Liverpool's DreamWorks Lights, all smiling and lit up in vibrant colours against a dark background.

There are clear signs directing you which way to go throughout the displays. This helped to make it run in a one way system so that you weren’t constantly trying to find your way around. There are even toilets half way around for if the children get caught short.

A large illuminated dragon, a smiling donkey, and a woman with red hair in a tower window are featured in DreamWorks Lights Liverpool—a colourful, whimsical display with dramatic lighting and enchanting fantasy elements.

With tickets to DreamWorks costing from £8.00, it is well worth the money. But do make sure you book online so you know that you’ll definitely be able to get in on the busy days. Although it was busy when we arrived, it wasn’t too overcrowded which meant that we could take our time looking around.

The venue of St George’s Hall is super easy to find as it is located directly across from Lime Street Station so you’ll have no problem locating it, not that you’ll miss it anyway as there is a giant Shrek on top of the building!

The DreamWorks Lights Lantern Experience is part 2 of our One Magical City series. Click here to read part 1 – celebrating Christmas in Liverpool and check out here for part 3 – enjoying a family meal at TriBeCa Pizzeria.