Chester’s Christmas Market opens on Wednesday 18 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 Christmas Market is a finalist in the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2027 being held in February. The market has been shortlisted for the Best Event and Festival Award.
Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health) said: “Chester Christmas Market opening starts the countdown to Christmas. The festive parades start on Thursday 19 November with the 12 Days of Christmas, followed on each Thursday by the Lantern Parade, Winter Watch and Saturnalia. There are magical Christmas grottos and the traditional festive show at Storyhouse is Rapunzel, running from Friday, 4 December to Sunday, 3 January.”
The festive events start with the Twelve Days of Christmas parade on Thursday 19 November starting on Bridge Street at 7pm. The ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ is the first of four parades returning 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 be joining the parade, greeting the audience.
Father Christmas will then be in his grotto at Eastgate Square, from Friday 20 November to Thursday 24 December (details on the Chester BID website).
Father Christmas will also be visiting Chester Town Hall for a traditional grotto experience 12, 13, 19 and 20 December. Town Hall Grotto Tickets: https://chestertownhall.com/santas-grotto-2026/ . He will also be making a special appearance at Storyhouse for an accessible Santa experience, designed by parents of children with special educational needs. Taking place at the Garret Theatre on Saturday 5 December( sold out)
Festive events:
Thursday 19 November 7pm
12 Days of Christmas parade, starting from Bridge Street.
Thursday 26 November 7pm
Lantern Parade, starting from Town Hall Square
Thursday 3 December 7pm
Winter Watch Parade, starting from Town Hall Square
Thursday 10 December 6.15pm
Roman Saturnalia Parade, starting from the Grosvenor Museum
Thursday 10 December, 7pm
Winter Watch Parade, meeting the Romans in Town Hall Square
Chester’s award-winning Indoor Market will open every day, including Mondays, in the run-up to Christmas from 23 November to 24 December and will be welcoming choir performances, the return of the Christmas bauble in Exchange Square and a makers market every weekend also in the square in the run-up to Christmas from 21 November to 19 December.
Chester Park and Ride is running late night services over Christmas, the last bus from Foregate Street will be 9pm on Thursdays from 19 November to 17 December.
Full timetable: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport/buses/park-and-ride
Starting from 18 November until Christmas eve 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 Saturdays from 21 November, 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.
