What's On
Chester Events
What's On in Chester
Chester has a way of making every visit feel like an occasion. With a packed calendar of events throughout the year, timing your trip around what's on adds a whole new layer to the city.
For theatre, film, live music and cultural events under one roof, Storyhouse is Chester's beating cultural heart. This multi award-winning venue brings together a theatre, cinema, library and restaurant in a beautifully repurposed 1930s building, with something new on the programme every week.
When the weather turns, Chester takes its events outside. Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is one of the most loved summer experiences in the north west, with performances set against the backdrop of one of Chester's most beautiful Victorian parks. Moonlight Flicks brings outdoor cinema to the city, where you can settle in under the stars for a film night unlike any other.
Food lovers should mark the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival in their calendar, a celebration of the region's finest produce, artisan makers and culinary talent. And for those who want a dose of spectacle, there is nothing quite like a race day at Chester Racecourse, the oldest in Britain, where the atmosphere is as much a draw as the racing itself. The city also hosts the Regatta and a marathon that has been voted the UK's number one road race.
This is just the start. Chester's events calendar runs all year, and there is always a reason to visit.
Experiences
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Lunch with a view
Amboseli restaurant welcomes non-residents of the Reserve at Chester Zoo for lunch throughout the week.
Vineyard & Wine Tasting Tours
Set within the beautiful grounds of Cheshire our Vineyard and wine tasting tours offer a truly memorable experience for wine lovers.
£75.00 From price per person
Afternoon Tea at the Oakfield
With pride and passion, the Oakfield serves freshly prepared locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits. The Oakfield has been lovingly restored and our garden room offers incredible views of our award winning gardens.
£25.00 From price per person
Afternoon Tea in Cafe 1092
Enjoy Afternoon Tea in a thirteenth century monks’ dining hall.
£22.00 From price per person
Unmissable Events
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Storyhouse in the Park
Dates: 27th Jun - 6th Sept 2026
Chester's magical theatre-in-the-round returns to the heart of the picturesque Grosvenor Park.
Moonlight Flicks at Rooftop Social Club
Dates: 2nd Jul - 3rd Sept 2026
This year, Moonlight Flicks kicks off the summer as Rooftop Social Club brings some of the most loved and cult classic films to the heights of the city centre.
Spirit of Summer
Dates: 25th Jul - 31st Aug 2026
This summer, Chester Cathedral becomes a place to rest, play and reconnect
Eastgate Square: Eastgate Garden
Dates: 3rd Aug - 27th Aug 2026
Eastgate Garden located in Eastgate Square, is an immersive seasonal experience in the heart of Chester.
Trails
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1 Miles
Caldy Nature Park is a small area of wetland, woodland and meadows close to Chester city centre. The active Friends group organise events and activities throughout the year including practical task days.
The Whitegate Way
5 Miles
Welcome to Whitegate Way, where heavy goods trains laden with salt once lumbered to Cuddington to join the Chester - Manchester line.
3.3 Miles
This is the ultimate way to explore the whole of the city, taking you from the Visitor Information Centre along the Shropshire Union Canal, River Dee, through Grosvenor Park and even around the racecourse.
Three Counties Connected
Travelling to Cheshire by train? Below you will find all the attractions, eateries and events that you will find within close proximity of Chester, Crewe and Nantwich Railway Stations.
Businesses in What's On in Chester
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Turtle Bay
Serving up fiery flavours, tropical cocktails, and our brand-new Beach Brunch (Bottomless Brunch but better). Come on down, take the weight off, have a drink and feel the Caribbean wash over you.
Maray
Founded in Liverpool in 2014, Maray is an award-winning Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired small plates restaurant inspired by the eclectic Marais district in Paris.
Grosvenor Museum
Explore the lives and death of soldiers during the Roman occupation including a superb collection of memorial stones.
Ring O'Bells
Ring O' Bells is situated in a picturesque village, Christleton. Escape the madness of the city centre with a 10 minutes drive. Perfect for any occasion and celebration!
The Queen at Chester Hotel
The hotel is famous for its rich heritage, stunning public areas serving great food, afternoon teas and signature cocktails, with its hidden gem - the terrace, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city.
Restaurant Noted
A small neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Chester city centre, brought to you by Chef Andrew Sheridan and Open Restaurant Group.
Deva Roman Experience
The DEVA Roman Experience will take you on a voyage back through time 2000 years ago to Roman Britannia where the fortress of DEVA Victrix is welcoming visitors from far and wide.
Leonardo Hotel Chester
Based near the city centre, Leonardo Hotel Chester is within walking distance of the most popular shopping destinations, and transport facilities.
Offers in What's On in Chester
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Expiry Date: 31st Jan 2029
10am - late
Expiry Date: 19th Sept 2026
This is running on various dates throughout the year. 2pm Sitting
Expiry Date: 30th Dec 2026
Celebrate in style with our most opulent spa break, the Pamper & Prosecco package!
Expiry Date: 31st Dec 2026
What better way to celebrate the end of the week & say "Thank Hicks it's Friday" than listening to the sounds of the Deep South with a drink (or two) in hand!
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do in Chester in the evenings?
Chester comes alive after dark. Storyhouse runs a varied evening programme of theatre, film and live events throughout the year, and there are ghost tours, riverside bars, independent restaurants and late-night dining across the city centre. On race days, the evening atmosphere around the city is particularly special.
- How do I find out what events are on during my visit?
The Visit Cheshire events calendar is the best place to start. You can browse by date, category or interest to find everything from major festivals and race days to markets, outdoor cinema and cultural events happening across the city and wider Cheshire.
- Is Chester good to visit at Christmas?
Chester at Christmas is something special. The city's medieval streets and black-and-white architecture make a naturally beautiful setting for the festive season, with its popular Christmas market, events and an atmosphere that is hard to match anywhere in the north west.
- Are there free events in Chester?
Yes. Heritage Chester hosts a variety of free events throughout the year, as does the Grosvenor Museum. Markets and community events are regularly held at Exchange Square outside the Market, while the city is especially known for its vibrant parades that wind their way through town in June and during the festive season.
- What's on in Chester this weekend?
The best place to check is the Visit Cheshire events calendar, where you can browse everything happening across the city by date. Chester tends to have something on most weekends year-round, whether that's live music, a market, a race day or a performance at Storyhouse or Grosvenor Park. It is always worth a look before you visit.
- What are the biggest events in Chester during the year?
A few dates stand out in the Chester calendar. Chester Races are one of the highlights of the social calendar, drawing visitors from across the country for racing and a great atmosphere at the oldest racecourse in Britain. The Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival is a favourite for food lovers. Deva Fest brings the city's music scene into the streets. Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre runs through the summer and sells out quickly. And Christmas in Chester has a charm that is genuinely hard to match anywhere in the north west.
- What outdoor events take place in Chester in summer?
Summer is when Chester really comes into its own outdoors. Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is the standout, with performances set against one of the city's most beautiful backdrops. Moonlight Flicks brings outdoor cinema to the city on warm evenings. Race days at Chester Racecourse fill the city with energy. Carriage Shed hosts outdoor concerts and community events throughout the season. And the buskers at The Cross and along the main streets add a spontaneous soundtrack to any summer day in the city.
- Are there family-friendly events in Chester?
Plenty. Grosvenor Museum has a programme of events throughout the year (many of them free!) and the Christmas season brings markets, lights and festive events that younger visitors love. Throughout the year Chester's calendar includes seasonal activities, outdoor performances and events at Storyhouse that are designed with families in mind. The Visit Cheshire events calendar lets you filter by what works for your group.
- Does Chester have a food festival?
Yes. The Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival is one of the highlights of the city's events calendar, bringing together the finest local produce, artisan makers and culinary talent for a celebration of everything that makes this region such a strong food destination. It is a must for anyone who takes their eating and drinking seriously. There are also regular Farmer and Makers Markets that run throughout the year.