2026: Cheshire's New Must-Dos

Visit a new restaurant in Chester

Dining out in Chester has never been more exciting, with a wave of new openings transforming the city’s food scene. Maray, known for its vibrant small plates inspired by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours, brings the spirit of Paris’s Le Marais to Chester. Expect a lively dining room, sharing plates, and a drinks list full of interesting wines and cocktails with favourites like the “Disco Cauliflower”, falafel, seasonal meat and fish, and plenty of plant‑based, gluten‑free options.

noted, a new venture from chef Andrew Sheridan and the Open Restaurant Group, offers farm‑to‑fork dining using produce from its Worcestershire farm, Sow. Its menu of small and large plates blends seasonal British ingredients with international creativity, perfect for both date nights and relaxed dinners with friends.

From the team behind Porta, The Jolly Gardeners has been reimagined as a modern British pub focusing on quality beer and inventive takes on classic dishes, from refined snacks to hearty Sunday roasts.

And coming in 2026, The Ivy Collection will open its signature brasserie‑style restaurant in Chester, joining its Manchester and Liverpool sites. Expect elegant comfort food, seasonal menus and late‑night cocktails, bringing The Ivy’s signature glamour to the heart of the city.

See what's cooking in Chester

Discover the magic of Lapland Manchester

Lapland Manchester is a magical Christmas experience at Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield.

Now in its second year for 2026 after a hugely successful 2025, the 4.5-hour immersive adventure includes live elf performances, toy-making workshops, ice skating, gingerbread decorating, reindeer encounters and a personal visit with Father Christmas, perfect for family memories from mid-November to Christmas Eve. Keep your eyes peeled early for tickets though, tickets went on sale last year in March and sold out in under 3 hours! Make sure you sign up for updates via their website. 

Why not stay overnight and weave in more Christmas cheer, from twinkling light trails and bustling Christmas markets to family pantomimes there is plenty going on in Cheshire over the festive period to warrant a little staycation.

Musical Magic at Storyhouse

Take in a show at Storyhouse, Chester's award-winning cultural hub, combines an 800-seat main auditorium, a 150-seat studio theatre, a boutique 100-seat independent cinema, the city library, two bars and a restaurant.

Coming to Storyhouse this April is the hit New York and Las Vegas sensation, Friends The Musical Parody. A side-splitting musical comedy packed with iconic moments from all ten seasons of the beloved television series. Featuring an entirely original musical score, the show follows the escapades of the world’s most famous group of twenty-somethings.

If you love musicals, the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical, Operation Mincemeat, is coming in May. It’s London’s biggest hit with 88 Five-Star reviews making it the best-reviewed show in West End history. Now also a Tony Award® -winning musical on Broadway!

Plus, ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show returns in July as part of a new world tour.

Northwich and Winsford: Markets reborn

Here in Cheshire, revamped and new market halls in Crewe, Chester, Warrington and Knutsford have been a huge hit. Our market halls buzz with independent traders, seasonal markets and pop-up dining that showcase the best of Cheshire produce from artisan breads and street food to live music and family entertainment.

These spaces have transformed high streets into destinations, and this year Northwich and Winsford join the party with their own new market halls, both due to open this Summer.

Wildlife at your window - The Reserve, Chester Zoo

The Reserve at Chester Zoo is a stunning collection of 51 luxury safari-style lodges that opened in August 2025, offering overnight stays right alongside the zoo’s Heart of Africa savannah. Choose from savannah-view lodges where giraffes, zebras and antelope roam just beyond your balcony, or peaceful lakeside options, complete with immersive packages featuring behind-the-scenes tours, ranger talks and exclusive animal encounters. Unwind in the Tsavo Lounge or Amboseli Restaurant with sundowners by the firepit, knowing every booking funds Chester Zoo’s vital work protecting species in Africa and the UK, a perfect new way to experience Cheshire’s world-class wildlife in 2026.

Just So Festival is back!

The Just So Festival returns to Rode Hall this August after taking a break in 2025, ready to reclaim its crown as the UK’s most imaginative family arts festival.

This year brings a bold new site layout with fresh areas alongside reimagined favourites, grouped together into four Just So neighbourhoods:

Hoo Ha – The joyous central hub of Just So! Come together to eat, dance, and celebrate.

Craftivism – A place for making, creating and learning, full of curiosity and experimentation.

Shifting Sands – Meet us by the lake at this place of strange and ridiculous ritual, home to a quite spectacular party.

The Spellbound Forest – A beloved and magical part of Just So, with curious characters and whispered tales.

Expect a packed music line-up, storytelling around the crackling embers of the legendary campfire, enthralling theatre and performance, relaxing yoga and wellbeing sessions, hands-on craft workshops, and some new Just So traditions.

Plan Your Festival Weekend

Toddler Takeover: TOTFest Lands in Cheshire

TOTFest Cheshire is the UKs biggest all inclusive festival created especially for little ones aged 1 to 5 and their grown ups. This year it is coming to Cheshire for the first time, taking place at Chester Racecourse this July, you can expect a full day of play, shows, rides and discovery designed around early years.

Perfect for families across the North West, TOTFest Cheshire brings together over 50 activities, performances and play zones in one unforgettable summer day out.

Designed entirely for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, TOTFest is a free roaming festival with pushchair friendly pathways, baby and toddler play zones, family facilities and more.

Secure your spot

Try Something new

Forget the usual New Year’s resolutions - the diets, step goals, and self-improvement plans can wait. 2026 is your year to try something new, something joyful, and something a little more Cheshire. From pottery to paddleboarding, forest bathing to foraging, our county is bursting with experiences to spark your creativity, boost your wellbeing, and reconnect you with nature, heritage, and community.

So, instead of vowing to give things up this January, why not add a few new adventures to your list? Here are 22 new hobbies and experiences to discover across Cheshire in 2026.

Little Town, Big Adventures

Apple Tree Town is a new children’s role play centre that opened at Bridgemere Garden Centre, Nantwich last October, bringing its immersive mini-town experience to Cheshire families for the first time! It’s a town of fun for the whole family. Little adventurers can step into a world of excitement, from shopping for groceries at the village shop to getting furry friends checked at the local vet. But watch out for those sneaky robbers – can you help catch them? Adventure awaits!

Luxury Lodges on a Legendary Estate

Discover a new luxury holiday experience at Bolesworth Escapes, three beautiful holiday properties located on the Bolesworth Estate, each one unique and offering the perfect base to explore Cheshire, North Wales, and beyond.

Liongate Lodge is a stunning one-bedroom retreat located within the private grounds of Bolesworth Castle. This elegant hideaway offers couples a rare opportunity to stay on the private estate – a truly one-of-a-kind escape.

Just minutes from the castle and nestled beside the scenic Sandstone Trail, the other two properties each offer their own unique charm:

Bolesworth Bothy – designed for couples seeking peace and privacy.

Sandstone 34 – a spacious three-bedroom cottage, perfect for families or small groups of friends.

Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic getaway, an active walking or cycling break, or simply a place to unwind in the countryside, Stay at Bolesworth offers luxury, seclusion, and an unforgettable location.

Step into Alice’s Parlour at Oddfellows

Alice’s Parlour at Oddfellows Chester is a new whimsical, Alice in Wonderland-inspired dining space that opened within the quirky Georgian townhouse hotel Oddfellows, on Lower Bridge Street.

Step into a topsy-turvy world where harlequin ceilings drip with diamonds, roses sprout from tables, floating books defy gravity, and teacup chandeliers cast a magical glow, all designed to spark wonder and escape the everyday. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it serves curious afternoon teas, comforting Sunday roasts, and an à la carte menu of playful twists on British classics, making it a standout spot for immersive, Instagram-worthy meals in Chester’s heart.

Fun and games

Chester is turning up the entertainment dial in 2026 with three fresh venues blending drinks, dining and high-energy play.

Rooftop Social Club sits atop Pepper Street Car Park, serving independent street food like Detroit-style pizza and tacos alongside cocktails, shuffleboard, pétanque and curling lanes under a retractable roof, now with winter igloos and après-ski vibes for year-round skyline fun.

Challenge Point delivers a bonkers gameshow gauntlet where teams of 2–6 tackle seven wild 5-minute mini-games from Supermarket Sweep-style scanning sprees and pitch-black laser mazes to trivia button-bashing with top scorers battling for The Point.

Spinners, Chester’s latest games playground (opening this year), is the ideal spot for fun with friends, families or workmates. Dive into their take on classics like Duckpin Bowling, Electric Darts, Clay Shooting, Interactive Mini Golf, Electric Boules and Shuffleboard.

Expect seriously Instagrammable interiors, cosy corners and big flavours: artisan pizzas, signature Spinners Burgers, loaded sides, plus classic (and theatrical) cocktails, all served with good vibes. Whether it’s date night, birthday party, team social or family day out, Spinners will be Chester’s go-to activity bar.

A meaningful trip to Forest Distillery

Forest Distillery isn’t new to Cheshire, in fact it is a popular and beloved family business that was established in 2014, starting with small-batch gin distilled from the family kitchen table using foraged botanicals from Macclesfield Forest. What is new is their inclusion in the Meaningful Travel Map, an interactive online tool by Tourism Cares that connects travel professionals with vetted, sustainable and community-led experiences worldwide. If you’ve not visited yet, now is a great time to take part in one of their many immersive experiences for gin, whisky and cocktail lovers, hosted by their passionate "Weasels" team.

Canaletto's Cheshire Connection

Tatton Park’s landmark exhibition, Beyond the View: Canaletto opens March until November 2026. Celebrating world class art in Cheshire, you can experience the extraordinary journey of Samuel Egerton from Cheshire to Venice and his connection to the celebrated artist Canaletto.

Explore rare paintings, letters, and artefacts alongside cutting-edge digital installations that bring overlooked stories to life. Discover the English love affair with Venice, and see Tatton Park’s two Canaletto masterpieces in a whole new light.

Chester's Retail Renaissance

Harrods' "H beauty" store opens in Chester in February 2026, just in time for Valentine’s Day, inside the former Browns of Chester building on Eastgate Rows. It brings luxury beauty products, expert consultations, interactive spaces like a champagne bar and blow dry bar, plus iconic pink branding with a giant teddy bear to this historic site.

That’s not all: Chester has welcomed several exciting new retail openings over recent months, boosting the high street vibe.

Lucy & Yak, the sustainable ethical clothing brand, opened its 12th store in July 2025, blending soft pink charm, local artist murals and a Re:Yak recycling hub.

IKEA's compact "plan and order point" launched at Greyhound Retail Park in October 2025, offering instant-access furniture, meatballs and home inspiration – no full warehouse needed.

Independents like Karigawarla, Thingummys and Louison Family concept store debuted on St Werburgh Street, alongside Aldous Books, Books on the Walls, Sweaty Betty, Utility, The Pottery Rooms, Bohemia Boutique, Poke Bowl, ABBA Cakes and Acai Grove, all proof Chester's retail scene is thriving into 2026.

Cheshire's Restaurant Week Revolution

Warrington launched its first Restaurant Week in October 2025, organised by We Are Warrington BID to spotlight local dining with special deals across family-friendly spots, date nights, budget bites and more.

Participating venues like The Botanist, Gravity Social, Krapow Thai and Warrington Market offered themed menus, cocktails and money-saving deals.

Following its success, Chester launches its own Restaurant Week during February half term (16-22 Feb), spotlighting the city’s foodie scene with offers across the city’s dining spots, perfect for date nights, family lunches or midweek treats.

Skyglow Festival comes to Cheshire

SkyGlow Music Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of music, lights, and entertainment and its coming to Cheshire for the first time in August. As the sun sets, the festival transforms with breathtaking tethered hot air balloon night glow displays, lighting up the sky in perfect rhythm with music and atmosphere.

By day, enjoy live performances, funfair rides, stunt shows, and delicious food from a wide range of street vendors. As night falls, SkyGlow delivers its signature glowing spectacle, an unforgettable visual experience for all ages.

Big Moon. Big Fun, Big Events

The Museum of the Moon artwork by artist Luke Jerram is coming to Chester Cathedral for the first time this March.

Marvel at its beauty or visit one of the many events and activities that will be taking place in the moonlight, including family events, talks, concerts, and more.

Measuring six metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Each venue also programmes their own series of lunar inspired events beneath the moon.

New name, same great festival

Cheshire and North Wales Food Festival brings a fresh new look and the same much-loved foodie weekend that Chester racegoers and visitors have enjoyed for years.

Formerly known as the Taste Cheshire Food Festival, the Cheshire and North Wales Food Festival keeps the popular Easter weekend format but arrives with new management, a new name and renewed energy.

Visitors can still expect a packed programme of chef demos, tastings and family-friendly fun, with even more focus on local flavours from across Cheshire and neighbouring North Wales.

The festival will continue to transform Chester Racecourse into a foodie paradise, with stalls showcasing artisan produce, street food, sweet treats, craft drinks and more from regional and national exhibitors.

Alongside the food and drink, the weekend will feature live music, fairground rides, hands-on activities and a welcoming atmosphere for couples, families and groups of friends.

From Canaletto's Venetian glow at Tatton to SkyGlow's balloon-lit beats, Chester's rooftop revelry to Bolesworth's luxe hideaways, this year promises pure joy for foodies, families and thrill-seekers alike. Bookmark these gems, snag those tickets early, and make the most of Cheshire's cracking new lineup!