Christmas in Cheshire
Christmas Escapes and Traditions
Cheshire is the place to be this Christmas!
Did you know Chester has been celebrating Christmas with a parade since the 1400s? Few places mark the season with so much history and good cheer, and Cheshire is the perfect place to start a few festive traditions of your own.
In Chester, the Christmas Market fills Town Hall Square with locally made gifts and seasonal treats, while the city’s famous festive parades bring medieval characters, Roman revellers, drums and fire to the streets.
As the evenings draw in, Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo transforms the zoo after dark, and woodlands and attractions across the county glow with their own festive light trails.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the panto. Storyhouse brings Rapunzel to Chester, and theatres across Cheshire are ready with dames, villains and plenty of “he’s behind you!” Discover more pantomimes and Christmas performances, and don’t forget to check where Santa will be visiting this year. In Cheshire, it’s not just his grottos he’ll be popping up in.
Tick off your Christmas list on Chester’s Rows, where you’ll find two shopping streets in one, or head to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet for more than 140 designer and premium brands with up to 60% off. Towns and villages across Cheshire and Warrington light up their streets too, with independent shops and restaurants ready to welcome you in from the cold, while many of our stately homes and gardens host special festive events.
One day is rarely enough. From a cosy cottage for the whole family to a luxury hotel room for two, find the best places to stay in Chester and Cheshire this Christmas.
So, where will your Cheshire Christmas begin?
Christmas in Chester
Chester is the perfect place to embrace the magic of Christmas, with the city’s historic streets aglow, festive parades bringing cheer, and spectacular events creating memories for all ages.
Family Christmas
Light trails, Santa’s grottos, pantomimes and Christmas markets. Plan a magical family Christmas in Cheshire.
Lapland Manchester
In the depths of The Enchanted Forest, a secret magical world awaits...
Land of Lights
The popular Land of Lights festival returns to Warrington this winter, with Gulliver’s World once again hosting the breathtaking spectacle.
Lanterns and Light
Chester Zoo's winter light trail returns for 42 nights with a redesigned route, new life-sized animal puppets and, for the first time, two adults-only evenings.
Christmas Blogs
Chester's Eastgate Square is preparing for a magical Christmas, with beautiful decorations, free family activities and live entertainment throughout November and December.
It's arguably the most important meal of the year and so it's important to get it right.
Shop local this Christmas. Discover Chester’s best independent butchers, greengrocers, cheesemongers and wine merchants for a festive feast with real local flavour.
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.
Make a wish...Christmas has arrived at Bents
Christmas has officially arrived at Bents Garden & Home, with the doors now open to another spectacular festive season.
A Family Christmas in Cheshire
Let us help you 'Light up your Christmas in Cheshire'! Perfect for a family break, there’s a whole host of magical festive events and things to do in Cheshire this Christmas for all the family.
This festive season, give Christmas gifts that truly sparkle with local charm and unforgettable experiences across Cheshire.
This year, hang up the apron and let one of Cheshire's pubs, inns and country house hotels take care of Christmas lunch for you.
Christmas Offers
Expiry Date: 31st Dec 2026
With a festive twist on our delicious traditional afternoon tea, you can indulge in warming winter cakes, seasonal sandwiches and mulled wine.
Expiry Date: 21st Dec 2026
Make time for some indulgence amidst the Christmas chaos. There’s no better way to celebrate than enjoying an elegant afternoon tea with a fun festive twist. Perfect for a post-Christmas shopping treat.
Expiry Date: 25th Dec 2026
The main event. The meal you’ve been waiting a year for. Join us for a festive feast to remember.
Expiry Date: 23rd Dec 2026
Make time for some indulgence amidst the Christmas chaos. There’s no better way to celebrate than enjoying an elegant afternoon tea with a fun festive twist. Perfect for a post-Christmas shopping treat.
Expiry Date: 25th Dec 2026
The main event. The meal you’ve been waiting a year for. Join us for a festive feast to remember.
Expiry Date: 31st Dec 2026
Whether you’re getting together with friends, celebrating with family, or planning with colleagues, make a meal of any occasion with lunch and dinner at our award-winning restaurant.
Expiry Date: 3rd Jan 2027
Treat you and yours to a fabulously festive afternoon tea, hand-crafted by our team of expert chefs.
Expiry Date: 25th Dec 2026
Celebrate Christmas Day in the Grand Ballroom at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere
Christmas Events
Show White
Dates: 6th Dec - 19th Dec 2026
Anton Benson Productions returns with a seasonal panto.
Aladdin
Dates: 30th Dec - 10th Jan 2027
Two Corrie stars will lead the cast when Parr Hall’s much loved family panto returns this festive season.
Chester Christmas Market
Dates: 19th Nov - 22nd Dec 2027
A magical Christmas all wrapped up! Chester Christmas Market will be back in the heart of Chester this year.
Sleeping Beauty
Dates: 11th Dec - 3rd Jan 2027
It’s double the fun (and double the laughs!) as panto favourites Malcolm Lord and Ste Johnston return to the Lyceum stage with their trademark festive chaos in Sleeping Beauty.
All Our Christmas Events
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