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Christmas can take its toll on budgets and as we all feel the pinch, we want to enjoy Christmas to the fullest while getting the best value for money. Luckily this year in Chester there are a variety of ways to enjoy Christmas that won’t break the bank. There’s a host of affordable events, attractions and more, and some completely free things to do this Christmas in Chester. We’ve put together a selection of ways to enjoy the festive season in Chester while saving, too:
See all the trees
For just £3 per person (adults and children over 5 years, under 5s FREE), you can experience the magic of Chester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival. Open from 24 November – 7 January, there will be over 90 trees fully decked out throughout the historic halls of the Cathedral.
Take in a Christmas show and save
Storyhouse’s Christmas productions are a staple of the Chester Christmas calendar and this year they present Cinderella from 1 December – 6 January. Let Storyhouse whisk you away to the ball this Christmas with a seasonal spectacular – the most famous fairy-tale of them all: Cinderella. Packed with pop favourites and overflowing with magical moments, this enchanting family-friendly Christmas show promises to send you home with a smile on your face and joy in your heart, and with plenty of dancing, clapping and laughing along the way.
Celebrate with the Christmas Market
The Chester Christmas Market is back from 17 November – 21 December. There’s 70 stalls filled with local, independent and artisan wares including craft spirits, hand-crafted homewares, fragrances, jewellery, local produce and more. It’s a great place to enjoy the festive atmosphere and there’s no entry charge.
Experience Christmas on the Rows
Explore the Rows this Christmas and discover magical windows dressed in all their festive finery. Local illustrator, Nikki Pinder, has worked with businesses on the Rows to create a beautiful festive window trail with hidden details for you to discover. Discover all of the windows at the businesses on the trail sheet and find all the hidden items for your chance to win a £50 Chester Gift Card. Trail sheets can be collected from Chester Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall or from participating businesses.
Led by Musical Director, Matt Baker, local choirs will pop up on The Rows filling the streets with Christmas carols and your hearts with Christmas cheer! Matt will be leading Chester’s LGBTQ+ Choir: The Proud Marys, local women’s choir: A Handbag of Harmonies and The University of Chester Choir through a series of heart warming performances to bring you all the festive feels as you enjoy your Christmas shopping on Chester Rows.
If you’re looking for a great free activity there’s also the Rows Time Travelling Treasure Hunt trail. It’s completely free and great for families to explore the Rows. You can download the trail map and activity sheet or pick one up from the Chester Visitor Information Centre. For the grown-ups there’s also the Discover the Rows walking audio tour, which is also completely free and can be enjoyed alongside the Time Travelling Treasure Hunt.
Take your place at one of Chester’s famous parades
A real Chester spectacle, the annual festive parades in the city are not to be missed, plus they’re all free. There’s the Lanterns Parade on 30 November, and the Winter Watch and Saturnalia Parades on 7 and 14 December. Expect colourful characters, magical lights, rambunctious Romans, and lots of festive cheer.
Celebrate Christmas with the Grosvenor Museum
The Grosvenor Museum, which is already a great affordable attraction that operates on a suggested donation basis, are offering a range of Christmas activities this festive season.
Wander through a peaceful indoor forest and discover activities for mini-explorers amongst the trees, plus wintery things from the museum’s collections from 9 December to 21 January 2024. There will also be seasonal family crafts in the forest clearing on 9 & 16 December.
Save and celebrate with Cheshire Oaks
Cheshire Oaks is perfect for finding a deal. There are over 140 boutiques with big name and luxury brands at up to 60% off RRP, which makes saving on your Christmas shopping easier. Plus, this Christmas the Winter Village is back including an Alpine inspired German market, bookable chalets, giant Ferris wheel, and of course the Christmas tree, which stands at over 100ft tall, to add to the festivities. You can easily get to Cheshire Oaks from Chester using the 1 and 1X bus service with tickets from just £3.30, or if travelling by car parking is free.
Travel back to a Christmas past
English Heritage look forward to welcoming you to a family friendly "Christmas at the Castle" event on 2 December. Come and listen to Medieval music in the courtyard, meet St Nicholas, and hear about how Christmas was celebrated during the Medieval and Victorian periods. Visit the Agricola Tower and its Medieval Chapel. The second-hand book shop will also be open and have a go at some traditional crafts.
Park for FREE at Chester Racecourse
FREE city centre parking will be available during the weekends building up to Christmas, making coming into the city centre even more affordable. Free parking will take place at Chester Racecourse Car Park
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Save with the Park & Ride
If you want to save on parking, you can always use Chester’s Park and Ride service from one of four locations.
Travel by rail and save
You can also save on train travel and save the stresses of driving. Transport for Wales operate regular services to Chester from Cardiff, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and more, and you can save by booking direct and in advance.
Explore more of Christmas in Chester here
Related
Let Storyhouse whisk you away to the ball this Christmas with a seasonal spectacular which celebrates the most famous fairy-tale of them all – Cinderella.
A magical Christmas all wrapped up! Chester Christmas Market will be back in the heart of Chester this year.
Chester is under threat from the Time Watchers, a mysterious society of time travellers who hide in pockets of time.
Join our circular journey through an urban landscape that is unique in the world.
Hundreds of school children parade through the city centre with their hand made lanterns. Starting from the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square.
Watch the Lord of Misrule and his ghoulish friends hit the cobbles for a riotous romp with a mischievous coterie of fire breathers, devils, skeletons, ice queens, Jack Frosts as the procession dances through the city centre.
The Winter Watch parade joins forces with the Roman Saturnalia parade taking the city from the 1400's back to its Roman occupation in 47/48 AD.
English Heritage look forward to welcoming you to our family friendly "Christmas at the Castle" event.
The centre's iconic and much-loved Christmas tree, which stands at over 100ft tall, is currently under construction in readiness for this year's festivities to be officially kickstarted on November 3.
Chester Cathedral is many things to many people; a vibrant community of worship, an ancient abbey, an archaeological treasure, a cultural hub, a centre of musical excellence and a unique blend of medieval and modern history.
Led by Musical Director, Matt Baker, local choirs will pop up on The Rows filling the streets with Christmas carols and your hearts with Christmas cheer!
Explore the Rows this Christmas and discover magical windows dressed in all their festive finery.
Comments
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