All you need to know about Liverpool ONE Toy Parade

It will be the first Christmas Toy Parade, like this one pictured in Manchester, held by Liverpool ONE

Liverpool city centre is set to be filled with festive cheer as it hosts the Christmas Toy Parade.

The parade will take over Liverpool ONE with an array of dancing toys, glittering decorations and shimmering lights and more than 100 children will take part of the procession.

Created and produced by outdoor arts specialists, Walk the Plank, the streets will be filled with festive characters, music, and special visitors and marks the start of Liverpool ONE's festive programme of events.

Ahead of the parade which supports Claire House Children's Hospice find out all you need to know about getting there and what you can expect to see.

When does the parade take place?

There will be three 40-minute parades taking place at 13:00 GMT, 15:00 and 17:00 on Saturday 15 November.

What will be in the parade?

Characters like this Christmas tree, pictured in Manchester, will feature in the Liverpool parade

Among some of the characters will be toy soldiers and a robot.

There will be a "larger-than-life" Christmas tree, and a sugar plum fairy.

What are the other highlights of the parade?

Young dancers from Topaz Dancentre, Wallasey School of Ballet, and MD Productions will strut their stuff along the route.

Handmade props from Girls with Dreams Club and Claire House Children's Hospice will also feature, adding extra sparkle and creativity to the parade.

How do I get there and where do I park?

The Christmas Toy Parade will mark the start of Liverpool ONE's programme of Christmas events

Liverpool ONE is in the heart of the city centre and near the waterfront.

It has 3,000 parking spaces in its Q-Parks located on The Strand, John Lewis & Partners and Hanover Street and several bike parking spots but it is also easily accessible on public transport.

Liverpool ONE has a bus station and if you are travelling by train, James Street railway station is the nearest one as it is five minutes walk away.

Moorfields also a short walk, while Lime Street railway station is about a 15-minute walk.

Do I need a ticket for the parade?

It is a free event and no tickets are required.

What else is Liverpool One offering families this Christmas?

Festive Thursdays at the shopping centre features enchanting walkabout characters such as giant penguins

The parade signals the start of Liverpool ONE's festive events this year with a host of activities to get you in the Christmas swing.

Christmas on the Park is now back in Chavasse Park until 31 December with Bar Hütte nestled under the 25-metre Christmas Tree in addition to children's rides, festive games, food and treats on Chavasse Park.

Festive Thursdays feature magical moments from 20 November to 18 December including enchanting walkabout characters such as giant penguins on the first one and polar bears on 4 December.

There is a Carol-oke evening hosted by Niall O'Callaghan on 27 November, a festive game of pass the parcel on 11 December and a Santa band on 18 December.

The Christmas Trail returns, too, taking families on a quest with riddles and games to discover festive characters across Liverpool ONE.

The Letters to Santa letterbox will be installed outside the Odeon to allow young children to send their wish list to Santa.

The Christmas Trail returns for families to discover festive characters across the shopping centre