Chester officially named among the UK's most festive cities as the holiday season begins!

Chester has just been named among the top 5 most festive cities in the UK this season, according to new research by LNER.

The research, commissioned by train company LNER, looked at 88 towns and cities’ chance of a white Christmas based on snowfall on Christmas Day since 1960, the number of carol events, Christmas light switch-on dates, popular Christmas-related search trends, and the duration of the local Christmas market. Data was gathered from trusted sources such as the Met Office, AllEvents, Google search trends, and local councils. This data was then weighted against the population and calculated to give each city a score out of 100. 

Please check out the full study here

The UK's top 10 most festive cities 

1. Edinburgh (66.8/100)
2. Aberdeen (64.4/100)
3. York (64.1/100)
4. Birmingham (62.1/100)
5. Chester (59.6/100)
6. Bath (59.1/100)
7. Stockport (58.6/100)
8. Newcastle upon Tyne (56.0/100)
9. Leeds (55.8/100)
10. Harrogate (55.7/100)

Chester's Festive Stats and Facts

• Chester has a 28.1% chance of having a white Christmas.
• This year's highlight is the XXL Christmas Pop Carol Concert at Chester Cathedral, featuring up to 200 choir voices, soul-stirring gospel renditions, and a large-scale stage production complete with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. 
• Chester's streets is lit up from 15 November, with even more sparkle during the 12 Days of Christmas Parade on 21 November. 
• Chester's top 5 most popular Christmas movies are Elf (3840 yearly searches), Love Actually (3840 yearly searches), The Grinch (2520 yearly searches), Die Hard (2040 yearly searches) and The Holiday (2040 yearly searches).

Highlights in the study include:

• Taking the top spot, Edinburgh has a 47% chance of having a white Christmas, and one of the longest-running in the UK, lasting a total of 51 days.
• Aberdeen has the UK's highest chance of a white Christmas, with more than a 50% chance of snow, helping the city to secure second place and an impressive score of 64.4 out of 100.
• London is the first city to light up its streets, starting as early as November 5th.
• Manchester residents search for Christmas-related topics the most in the entire UK, with an average of 7240 monthly queries. 

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: "Christmas in the UK is a magical time, with every town and city showcasing its own unique blend of traditions, festive markets, and seasonal events. Whether you're drawn to twinkling Christmas lights, festive carol concerts, or the charm of local markets, there's something special in every corner of the country."

"Our research provides a helpful guide for those looking to make the most of the festive period, highlighting the best destinations to visit for a truly unforgettable Christmas experience. It's the perfect inspiration for anyone planning to explore the UK this winter."

For more information, please see the full report here