Unwrap a Chester Christmas on a Budget

Christmas can take its toll on budgets and as we all feel the pinch, we want to enjoy Christmas to the fullest while getting the best value for money. Luckily this year in Chester there are a variety of ways to enjoy Christmas that won’t break the bank. There’s a host of affordable events, attractions and more, and some completely free things to do this Christmas in Chester. We’ve put together a selection of ways to enjoy the festive season in Chester while saving, too:

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See all the trees

For just £5 per person (adults and £1 children over 5 years, under 5s FREE), you can experience the magic of Chester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival. Open from 22 November – 5 January, there will be over 90 trees fully decked out throughout the historic halls of the Cathedral.

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Discover the Rows

Not only are the rows the perfect place to find your Christmas Gifts, they are also steeped in history with things to discover at every turn.

You can use our special Audio Tour to take a circular journey through an urban landscape that is unique in the world. Chester’s historic four main streets, built on the foundations of the Roman fort Deva Victrix, are lined with a precious network of buildings that will lead you down the centuries from medieval times to the present day.

These multi-storey terraces are lined with medieval fabric, which peeps through here and there, and outer clothing that is a veritable fashion show of the architectural styles of the past 800 years. Yet, there is something very rare about their design; they have open galleries at the first-floor level, known as a Row. 

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Celebrate with the Christmas Market
 

The Chester Christmas Market is back from 15 November – 22 December. There’s 70 stalls filled with local, independent and artisan wares including craft spirits, hand-crafted homewares, fragrances, jewellery, local produce and more. It’s a great place to enjoy the festive atmosphere and there’s no entry charge.

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Not forgetting the regular Market Hall

The multi-award-winning Chester Market is a great place to grab lunch as everyone can have what they fancy! Choose from pizza, pasta, seafood, Thai, Mexican, Vegan and more, not forgetting locally made ice cream and a range of delicious cakes! It's also a great place to go in the evenings to socialise, with live music at weekends! And on Tuesdays some of the traders have some fantastic special offers such as two wraps for £15 from Guroma, two burgers for £15 from Nice Bites, 20% off all dishes at Fresh Pasta Kitchen, Mac and Cheese with Dirty Fries for £15 from Cheezy Bandits to name a few!

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Take your place at one of Chester’s famous parades

A real Chester spectacle, the annual festive parades in the city are not to be missed, plus they’re all free. Firsty, there’s 12 Days of Christmas Parade on 21 November, then the Lanterns Parade on 28 November, and the Winter Watch and Saturnalia Parades on 5 and 12 December. Expect colourful characters, magical lights, rambunctious Romans, and lots of festive cheer.

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Save and celebrate with Cheshire Oaks

Cheshire Oaks is perfect for finding a deal. There are over 140 boutiques with big name and luxury brands at up to 60% off RRP, which makes saving on your Christmas shopping easier. You can easily get to Cheshire Oaks from Chester using the 1 and 1X bus service with tickets from just £3.30, or if travelling by car parking is free.

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Stay in Chester for longer

One day in Chester at Christmas is just not enough, you need to stay for at least one night! 

Moxy is one of Chester's newer hotels offering modern comfort and convenience, and surprising you with playful touches and quirky details. It’s a hotel that welcomes you with a smile and a free drink, but also respects your privacy and space.

At Moxy Chester, you’ll find everything you need to make your stay enjoyable and productive. You’ll also love Moxy Chester’s Play Zone, where you can unwind after a long day with arcade games, photobooth, table football, and pool table. Or if you prefer board games, you’ll find plenty of them throughout the hotel. Plus you can bring your pooch if you don't want them to miss out on the festive fun!

Or stay at Roomzzz, in the city centre by the racecourse, it's the perfect base for a festive stay in Chester. At Roomzzz you get more than a room with a whole studio to yourself with your own bathroom and kitchenette, plus there are family studios with plenty of space for the whole family to stay together.

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Park for FREE at Chester Racecourse

FREE city centre parking will be available during the weekends building up to Christmas, making coming into the city centre even more affordable. Free parking will take place at Chester Racecourse Car Park courtesy of ChesterBID.

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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.  

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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.

Explore more of Christmas in Chester here