A Family Christmas in Chester

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.

Step inside a gingerbread wonderland this Christmas, as Grotto on the Square arrives in the heart of Chester from Friday 20 November until Christmas Eve. Brought to you by Chester BID and Eastgate Square, this brand new festive experience begins with a ride in Santa's Enchanted Elevator, where twinkling lights and festive music carry families on a magical journey through the North Pole. When the doors open, Santa's gingerbread home awaits, along with a personal visit from the man himself and a special gift for every child. With a programme of festive entertainment running alongside, accessible SEN sessions and rates for school groups, it's a Christmas tradition every child can enjoy. Bookings are now open, so make sure your little ones don't miss their moment with Santa.

Prefer a more traditional visit? Chester Town Hall is opening the doors to Santa's grotto on 12 and 13 December and 19 and 20 December. Your visit begins in the festive Assembly Hall, where Santa's helpful elves, Sparkle and Jingle, have set up their arts and crafts workshop and can't wait to say hello. From there, little ones can climb the enchanted staircase to Santa's cosy grotto, where a present and a beautiful photo with the big man are waiting. With just four dates this year, it's well worth planning ahead.

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

As the evenings draw in, follow the glow to Chester Zoo, where Lanterns & Light transforms the zoo into a larger-than-life winter world of sound, colour and wonder. A brand new route leads you past mesmerising light installations, returning favourites and more interactive puppets than ever before, with fairground rides for all ages, festive food and drink, and a chance to meet Father Christmas along the way. For the first time, the trail is also hosting two adults-only evenings on Thursday 19 November and Tuesday 8 December, so round up your friends and make it a festive night out. Best of all, every ticket helps fund Chester Zoo's conservation work, protecting threatened wildlife and restoring habitats in more than 20 countries, so while you're enjoying the lights, you're giving wildlife a brighter future too. Tickets start from £19.50 for children and £27.50 for adults, with babies under 12 months going free. Book your tickets and see Chester Zoo in a whole new light.

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 21 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.

As an extra festive treat, performances also include Fleece Navidad, a hilarious Shaun the Sheep Christmas short film, accompanied live by the musicians.

The fun continues with a joyful festive medley, a fun introduction to the orchestra by CBeebies Musical Storyland composer Daniel Whibley, a special visit from The Snowman himself, and the chance for everyone to join in singing Walking in the Air at the end of the show.

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, then there's the Lanterns Parade where hundreds of school children parade through the city centre with their hand made lanterns. Then, 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  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.

Let your hair down

And get ready to let your hair down as Rapunzel swings into Storyhouse from 4 December to 3 January, packed with music, mischief and festive magic for all the family.

Rapunzel runs from Friday 4 December to Sunday 3 January 2027, and Storyhouse's own promotional copy invites families to "let down their hair", so the line echoes the show's messaging. The production is described as fast, funny, and full of dance moves, magical mischief and a soundtrack of big hits, which is where "music, mischief and festive magic" comes from.