Community-focused heritage organisation seeks funding for year-round free festivals and activities

Heritage Chester CIC has today launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to deliver spectacular heritage programming throughout 2026, making Chester’s extraordinary 2,000-year story accessible and fun for everyone.
The campaign, hosted on Spacehive, aims to raise £10,000 to fund 50-plus events across the year – with 80% completely free or under £5. By securing at least 50 community backers, Heritage Chester hopes to unlock significant funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Community Innovation Fund, demonstrating the strong community support behind the project.

The flagship event is a spectacular Community Launch Day in Exchange Square on Saturday 23rd May, featuring BBC Gladiators 2025 winner Amanda Wah leading gladiator-inspired family fitness sessions. The day will include jesters, puppet shows, ceramic tile workshops, stained glass crafting, henna art, community choir performances, bubbleologists, and mechanical organ entertainment, with heritage talks and films taking place inside Chester Picturehouse – all completely FREE from 11am-4pm.

“Every child in Chester should have the chance to fall in love with their city’s extraordinary heritage”, says Jen McAndrew, Project Consultant. “Not through expensive attractions, but through bubble shows in the square, gladiator fitness with a BBC star, making Medieval tiles, and experiencing heritage as adventure. With community backing, we can reach in excess of 5,000 people across more than 50 events throughout the year.”

Heritage Chester has consistently delivered highly-rated heritage programming. Their 2025 Chester Heritage Festival attracted thousands of attendees, receiving excellent feedback from families who found events perfectly suited for children. Heritage Open Days 2025 engaged 6,844 people across 100 events, with overwhelming positive response and visitors declaring it ‘The best Heritage Open Days yet!'”

The 2026 programme includes:

• FREE Community Launch Day (23rd May) – Spectacular festival in Exchange Square with Amanda Wah, winner of BBC Gladiators 2025
• Chester Heritage Festival (May-June) – Family-friendly programming including Roman games at Britain’s largest amphitheatre
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• Summer Celebration (July-August) – FREE drop-in activities during school holidays when families need them most
• Heritage Open Days (September) – Access to normally closed historic buildings with treasure hunts across the city
• Rowvember (November) – Medieval craft workshops and activities celebrating Chester’s unique Rows architecture
• To back the campaign and help Heritage Chester reach their 50-backer goal, visit spacehive.com/heritagechester