A Family Christmas in Chester

Perfect for a family Christmas escape, there’s a host of magical festive events and things to do in Chester this year.

This Winter, Chester Zoo and Sony Music present Lanterns and Light, which promises to be bigger and brighter than ever with never seen before light and sound experiences that will surround you in festive magic.

The streets will be transformed by enchanting parades throughout the season and Santa Claus will, of course, be visiting the city. Enjoy brunch or Afternoon Tea with the big man at the stunning Chester Cathedral, or visit him in his one of his city centre Grottos to make those Christmas wishes. And get ready for a tale as old as time as Beauty and the Beast comes to Storyhouse for the festive season. With family friendly festive menus and places for the whole family to stay, the city is the perfect place to spend some family time together this Christmas.

Magical moments with Santa

This Christmas in Chester, families can enjoy two delightful Santa’s grottos that bring festive magic to the city centre, perfect for low-cost holiday fun.

Chester's ever-popular Santa's Enchanted Grotto will be returning to Chester City Centre this Christmas, for it's fifth year! From Friday 21st November through to Christmas Eve, get ready to step into the spotlight for an immersive, festive, movie-inspired journey guided by the Jolly Enchanted Elves, ending with a personal visit with Santa himself. The grotto will be located within St Michael’s Row inside the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, filled with seasonal sparkle and Christmas spirit. Adult £6, Child £14

Step inside the festive Assembly Hall to meet Santa’s helpful elves, Sparkle & Jingle at Chester Town Hall! They’ve set up their arts and crafts workshop and they can’t wait to meet you! Create a magical Christmas t-shirt, ready to wear on Christmas eve, then craft a festive gift bag and get ready to meet the big man himself! You’ll ascend the magical staircase to meet Santa in his enchanting Grotto. You’ll get to have a beautiful photo with Santa and receive a present from him too! It is highly recommended to book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings cannot be made on the day. Adult £10, Child £17

Both grottos provide wonderful, affordable opportunities for families to celebrate the season, making them standout festive stops during a visit to Chester this Christmas.

Travel the world with Lanterns and Light

A firm festive favourite in Chester for young and old alike, The Lanterns are back with a twist from 13 November – 3 January 2026. So much more than just a Christmas light trail, Lanterns & Light is an outdoor light experience that will amaze and delight you at every turn.

Interact with playful puppets, drift through the Ribbon Tunnel, gaze at kaleidoscope stars and explore the Laser Garden - plus discover new installations for 2025, including Airquarium, Bubble Walk and Submergence.

Enjoy seasonal street food, warming drinks and make magical Christmas memories with loved ones.

Make some sweet Christmas memories at The Ice Cream Farm

There’s a lot happening this Christmas at The Ice Cream Farm. At the world’s largest ice cream parlour, just a stone’s throw from the city centre, kids can visit Santa and his elves in the magical workshop (SEN Sessions available), have breakfast with the man himself and make cookies with Mrs. Claus.

Santa Special at ChesterBoat

Take a family-friendly cruise along the River Dee with ChesterBoat this festive season. Children will have the chance to meet Santa, who will bring them each a festive book to read over the holidays. The Lady Diana will be spruced up with lights and tinsel, and the ChesterBoat elves will be on hand with refreshments, songs, and fun activities.

Take a journey with the Snowman

Making its welcome return to Chester Cathedral on 23 December is The Snowman Tour accompanied by a live orchestra. As an extra bonus, performances will include an additional short film, again accompanied live by the orchestra.

This year as an extra bonus, performances include Prokofiev’s classic symphonic fairy tale, Peter and the Wolf, played live by the musicians and accompanied by a brand new animated film.

With a fun, festive medley created by CBeebies Musical Storyland composer, Daniel Whibley, to open the show – and a special visit from the Snowman himself! – this magical show is perfect for the whole family to enjoy together, creating memories to treasure. After the performance, everyone is welcome to come down to meet the musicians, see their instruments and admire their amazing costumes too!

Also at Chester Cathedral is their magical annual Christmas Tree Festival. Explore the forest of locally sourced Christmas trees decorated in the theme of sustainability. A delightful family friendly event. This is the annual crowd pleaser and the highlight of the Cathedral's events calendar. Walk around the venue and soak up the heritage in the Refectory cafe… perhaps over coffee and a cake!

See a real Chester spectacle

A wonderful spectacle for the family, Chester is renowned for its parades and this year will see the return of some of the very best. First there is the 12 Days of Christmas Parade on 20 November, then there's the Lanterns Parade on 27 November where hundreds of school children parade through the city centre with their hand made lanterns. Then, on 6 and 11 December the Winter Watch and Saturnalia Parades will take place. Dating back to the 1400s, it’s a spectacle of lights and colourful characters.

Stop in for brunch with the big man

The festivities continue in Chester Cathedral as every Sunday from 1 December to Christmas Eve Santa will be hosting brunch in the Cathedral’s Cafe 1092. Recommended for kids aged 1-10, Santa will make the rounds giving gifts while you enjoy a delicious brunch. If you can't make Brunch, you can also have Afternoon Tea with him between 1pm and 3pm.

A tale as old as time

This Christmas, Storyhouse nvites families to be guests at "Beauty and the Beast," a magical and heartwarming festive production running from Friday 5 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. This sparkling show brings the much-loved fairy tale to life with laughter, spectacular surprises, and plenty of audience interaction, including dancing candelabras and clocks. The production features a fresh adaptation by acclaimed playwright Anne Odeke and direction by John Young, ensuring a high-quality theatrical experience.

With tickets starting from £15, "Beauty and the Beast" is a must-see family Christmas event in Chester, delivering a festive adventure filled with unforgettable moments, enchanting characters, and plenty of chances to cheer, sing, and dance along

Stay in Chester for longer

Chester offers families a superb choice of hotels blending comfort, convenience, and unique character—making your city break as enjoyable for children as it is for grown-ups. Here are three standout options for family-friendly places to stay:

The DoubleTree by Hilton pairs modern comfort with classic style, providing spacious family rooms, lush gardens to explore, and a swimming pool. Its on-site restaurants feature kid-friendly menus, and the hotel’s location makes it easy to reach Chester Zoo and city centre attractions.

The Crowne Plaza Chester offers a central location with panoramic views over Chester, ideal for families wanting city access and relaxation. Family rooms are available, and the hotel boasts an indoor pool perfect for unwinding after days out.

Oddfellows Chester is a quirky boutique hotel that makes family stays fun, with imaginative decor and playful private gardens. The hotel’s connecting rooms and family apartment suit all sizes, while kids will love the whimsical design and parents appreciate the great onsite dining. Its location on Lower Bridge Street puts you close to Chester’s historic centre and major sights.

Alongside these favourites, you'll find a wide choice of other family-friendly hotels in Chester offering flexible room options and convenient locations for family stays.

Save with the Park & Ride

If you want to save on parking, you can always use Chester’s Park and Ride service from one of four locations.

Travel by rail and save

You can also save on train travel and save the stresses of driving. Transport for Wales operate regular services to Chester from Cardiff, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and more, and you can save by booking direct and in advance.