Chester’s Christmas Market opens on Friday 15 November marking the start of the Christmas celebrations in Chester.

The 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 will 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. For full details of Chester BID’s Christmas activities including free parking at the racecourse see : https://thechesterblog.com/2024/11/01/chester-bid-reveals-christmas-activities-including-free-parking/ At the Cathedral the popular Christmas Tree Festival will be returning from 22 November to 5 January . This years theme is Discover Christmas: What Christmas means to you.

Christmas events at Storyhouse include “the Christmas show you’ve been dreaming of” : Sleeping Beauty “A spectacular experience for all ages based on the timeless fairytale. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that will transport you to a world of wonder, packed with pop favourites, audience interaction and dazzling dances.” The show runs from the 6-29 December:

https://www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/sleeping-beauty/

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 MuseumThursday

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

Cllr 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.

Christmas events:

November

• 16 Hoole Christmas lights switch on
• 21 12 Days of Christmas Parade – Chester
• 22 Lostock Garlam 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 On29 Little Sutton Village
• 29 Willaston Lights Switch On
• 30 Christmas in Neston30 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 Guilden Sutton light switch on 6pm
• 7 Tarvin Christmas Market
• 7 Ho Ho Helsby8 Tarporley Christmas Festival
• 8 Dunham on the Hill Lights Switch On(subject to change)