Christmas in Chester

Chester’s Christmas Market opens on Friday 15 November marking the start of the Christmas celebrations in Chester. The Chester Christmas Market is open seven days a week; Sunday to Wednesday 10.30am to 6.30pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.30am to 8pm.

The festive favourites are all set to return this year starting with the Twelve Days of Christmas parade on Thursday 21 November starting on Bridge Street at 7pm. Organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ is the first of four parades to return this year.

Community groups and local artists will parade through the city centre from Bridge Street, travelling towards the Cross, Eastgate Street, St Werburgh Street, past the Town Hall and ending in Watergate Street. Father Christmas join the parade, greeting the audience.

Don’t worry if you only catch a brief glimpse of Father Christmas during the Christmas parade, he will be visiting Chester Town Hall in December (6, 13, 14, 20 and 21 December). Step inside the festive Assembly Hall to meet the helpful elves, they are setting up their arts and crafts workshop. Craft a giant, snow filled bauble ready to hang on your tree, package your own bag of magical reindeer food, colour and sparkle a festive gift bag and write a letter to Father Christmas. Then, climb the magical staircase, and meet the big man himself.  There will be a photo with Father Christmas plus a present from him.

Father Christmas will also be returning to his grotto in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre from 22 November until 24 December (details on the Chester BID website) plus appearances at Chester Cathedral and Grosvenor Museum.

The Chester Christmas lights are being kindly sponsored this year by Aaron & Partners and Bennett Brooks, plus other professional services firms including Savills, Manleys Solicitors and Leonard Curtis.

Festive events: 

Thursday 21 November 7pm
12 Days of Christmas parade, starting from Bridge Street.

Thursday 28 November 7pm
Lantern Parade, starting from Town Hall Square

Thursday 5 December 7pm
Winter Watch Parade, starting from Town Hall Square

Thursday 12 December 6.30pm
Roman Saturnalia Parade, starting from the Grosvenor Museum

Thursday 12 December, 7pm
Winter Watch Parade, meeting the Romans in Town Hall Square

Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health) said: “Our Christmas Market is a magnet for residents and visitors alike, as soon as the stalls open you can feel the Christmas excitement starting. In Chester of course we also have the Chester Indoor Market that is currently celebrating its second birthday and has welcomed a staggering five million visitors since opening.” 

Chester Indoor Market will be host choir performances, the return of the Christmas bauble in Exchange Square and a makers markets every weekend also in the square in the run-up to Christmas. 

Added Councillor Denson: “It will be getting festive across the borough from this weekend with Hoole (16 November) starting a series of light switch on events followed by the 12 Days of Christmas Parade in Chester (21 November). Neston, Frodsham, Northwich, Ellesmere Port, Willaston, Huntington and No Mans Heath all have festive events this month. Whilst Little Sutton Village have their very first Christmas Lights switch on this month.” 

Chester Park and Ride will be running late night services over Christmas, the last bus from Foregate Street will be 9pm on Thursdays from 21 November and then during Christmas week Monday 16, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18, Thursday 19, Friday 20 December, Monday 23 December to 9pm.

Full timetable: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport/buses/park-and-ride

Starting from 15 November for the five weeks to Christmas the security bollards at Town Hall Square in Chester will be raised preventing access to vehicles after 10.30am until 8pm (Sunday to Wednesday between 10.30am and 6.30pm).

On Saturday’s from 16 November until 23 December, the bollards by Hunter Street, opposite Storyhouse will be closed, from 10.30am to 8pm, and on Sundays, from 12pm to 6pm, for the duration of this period. On 23 December the bollards will be closed from 10.30am to 8pm.

Christmas lights and events

November

16         Hoole Christmas lights switch on
21         12 Days of Christmas Parade – Chester
22         Lostock Gralam Lights Switch on
23         Northwich Christmas
23         Tarporley Lights Switch on
23         Hartford Christmas Lights Switch On
29         Garden Quarter Christmas
29         Ellesmere Port Christmas Light Switch On
29         Little Sutton Village
29         Willaston Lights Switch On
30         Christmas in Neston
30         Christmas in Frodsham
30         Huntington Christmas Light Switch On
30         No Mans Heath Christmas Lights switch on
30         Davenham Christmas Lights Switch On

December

1 Chester Santa Dash
1 Malpas Christmas Market
5 Westminster Park Lights Switch On
7 Winsford Christmas Street Festival
7 Tarvin Christmas Market
7 Ho Ho Helsby
8 Tarporley Christmas Festival
8 Dunham on the Hill Lights Switch On

(Subject to change)