Dates for market, parades and Santa’s grottos – The city’s festive celebrations get underway next week
ANNOUNCED! Dates of Christmas Events in and around Chester
Alright folks, listen up, because this is the time of year when things start getting festive, and you can just F E E L the energy shift, especially around Cheshire West and Chester.
Kicking things off this Friday, November 15th, Chester’s Christmas Market is opening up. And look, if you haven’t been before, this market is like a magnet pulling people in — it’s got that Christmas vibe that just hits different. We’re talking about parades, Santa’s grotto, all the stuff that just puts you in that holiday mood. Councillor Lisa Denson said it herself: “The second those stalls open, the Christmas excitement starts rolling.”
And it’s not just Chester getting into the holiday spirit — Cheshire West has a whole lineup of Christmas lights switch-ons and events that you’ll want to mark on your calendars. We’re talking about Hoole, Neston, Northwich, Frodsham, Ellesmere Port, Huntington, and a bunch of other spots turning the lights on and making it feel like Christmas all over the place.
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Market Opening | Wednesday, November 19 | 10:30am onwards | Town Hall Square |
| 12 Days of Christmas Parade | Thursday, November 20 | 7:00pm | Starting from Bridge Street |
| Lantern Parade | Thursday, November 27 | 7:00pm | Starting from Town Hall Square |
| Winter Watch Parade | Thursday, December 4 | 7:00pm | Starting from Town Hall Square |
| Roman Saturnalia Parade | Thursday, December 11 | 6:30pm | Starting from Grosvenor Museum |
| Winter Watch meets Romans | Thursday, December 11 | 7:00pm | Town Hall Square |
I’ve seen a lot of Christmas markets – German ones, Austrian ones – but there’s something completely different about celebrating inside actual Roman ruins. It’s like, imagine drinking mulled wine where centurions used to march.
The market itself is centered around the Town Hall Square, and man, the architecture here is mind-blowing. You’ve got these Victorian-era black and white buildings that look like they’re straight out of a Harry Potter movie. But here’s the fascinating part – beneath those buildings are actual medieval cellars. The layers of history here are incredible, each one telling its own story.
Now, let me tell you about the food situation because it’s absolutely amazing. You’ve got these traditional German bratwurst stands right next to local Chester vendors selling something called “Chester Rows Roast” – it’s this incredible sandwich with locally sourced roast beef. The contrast is fascinating, it’s like watching different cultures do this beautiful dance together. And the smell, oh man, the SMELL! It’s this combination of cinnamon, roasted nuts, and grilled meat that hits your senses like a heavyweight champion, but in the best possible way.
You know what’s really fascinating though? The way these markets affect human behavior. I’ve been reading some studies about how communal gatherings in winter were crucial for human survival back in the day. It’s like our ancestors knew they had to come together during the coldest, darkest time of the year to share resources and maintain social bonds. And here we are, thousands of years later, still doing the same thing, just with better lighting and more varieties of hot chocolate.
Speaking of hot chocolate, they’ve got this local chocolatier who makes this drink that’ll change your life. It’s like 70% cocoa solids, mixed with full-fat milk and something they call “Chester cream” – I’m telling you, it’s like drinking liquid happiness. The guy who makes it told me they source their cocoa beans from this small farm in Ecuador. Isn’t it wild how globalized our world has become? Like, these ancient Roman walls are witnessing trade connections that the original builders couldn’t even imagine.
The market has these wooden chalets – about 80 of them – all lined up like little soldiers. Each one is like its own little universe of craftsmanship. You’ve got everything from hand-blown glass ornaments to local honey producers. There was this one guy who makes these incredible beeswax candles, and he was telling me about how bees are basically superorganisms. Did you know that bees can recognize human faces? That’s crazy, man.
The whole experience peaks when the sun goes down and they light up these massive Christmas trees. They’ve got one right by the famous Eastgate Clock – which, by the way, is the most photographed clock in England after Big Ben. The way the lights reflect off the ancient stones, it creates this atmosphere that’s both mystical and primal. It’s like your DNA recognises something ancient about gathering around lights in the darkness.
If you’re ever in Chester Christmas season, you absolutely have to check this out. The market runs from 19th November to 22nd December 2025, and it’s free to enter. Just make sure you bring cash for the mulled wine – trust me, you’re gonna want multiple cups of that stuff. It’s like a warm hug for your insides.
Location: Town Hall Square, Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HJ
Dates: 19 Nov – 22 Dec 2025
Hours:
Sunday–Wednesday: 10:30am – 6:30pm
Thursday–Saturday: 10:30am – 8:00pm
Stalls: ~80 traders
Cash or card? Many take cards now, but cash is still handy for food, drinks & mug deposits.
Grosvenor Shopping Centre – 21 Nov to 24 Dec
Town Hall Magical Grotto – 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 Dec
Meet elves Sparkle & Jingle, make a Christmas t-shirt, craft a gift bag, photo + present!
Book Town Hall Grotto →
Additionally, from November 22 until December 21:
Saturdays (Hunter Street opp Storyhouse): 10:30am – 8:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Little Roodee Car Park (Castle Drive, CH1 1SL) – dedicated coach area with café (free drinks for drivers), accessible toilets, CCTV.
Prices: Up to 3h £6.50 | 3–6h £9 | Over 6h £11 | Multiple entry all day £10
Drop-off points include Vicar’s Lane, Grosvenor Street, Pepper Street, Little Roodee, Foregate Street, Hunter Street, Nicholas Street, St Martins Way, Delamere Street, City Road/Queen Hotel.
Visitor Information Centre: Town Hall Square, Northgate Street, CH1 2HJ
Public toilets: Chester Market (closed Mon), Chester Railway Station, Little Roodee, The Groves, Bus Interchange
Accessibility booklet: “Chester City Centre Access” available from the Visitor Information Centre or online.
“Christmas officially starts in Chester with the opening of the Christmas Market. All of the popular parades are back this year; 12 Days of Christmas, Lanterns, Winter Watch and Saturnalia. There is a magical Christmas grotto and the traditional festive show at Storyhouse is Beauty and the Beast starting on December 5 until January 4.”
— Councillor Lisa Denson
We wish everyone a truly magical Christmas season in Chester! ✨