Show will go on in Chester this Christmas

Chester is open to visitors this Christmas – there's a Christmas market, leading rep theatre Storyhouse is putting on a production of "A Christmas Carol”, and “The Lanterns” light spectacular returns to Chester Zoo.

There are lots of treats in store in Chester this Christmas, and the place to find out what’s going on is the new inspiration-filled Chester Christmas Calendar, available to browse at Visit Cheshire’s dedicated Christmas page, www.visitcheshire.com/chester/christmas.

The Christmas Market returns to Chester this year, 26 Nov-22 Dec, and, like all the events in the city, government Covid-19 safety guidelines will be in place. Handmade crafts, food and other gift ideas will be on sale at the traditional wooden cabins set around a Christmas tree in the shadow of Chester’s beautiful Victorian Gothic town hall. Plus Foodie Friday and Social Saturdays return to the nearby indoor market, 6 Nov-19 Dec, with live music and street food from around the world to feast on.

The Lanterns at Chester Zoo (above left), 13 Nov-23 Dec, will transform this wildlife haven after dark into 13 magical worlds with exotic illuminated animal characters to encounter. Meanwhile, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, the classic children’s tale by Judith Kerr, will also come to the Grosvenor Museum, 4 Nov-4 Jan, featuring artwork from the book and a life-size model tiger.

Storyhouse, the city’s award-winning cultural hub, will stage an original production of Charles Dickens’ favourite yuletide story A Christmas Carol, 7 Nov-17 Jan (above centre). While The Snowman will be screened with live orchestral accompaniment, 21 Dec, at medieval Chester Cathedral, which will also host its annual Christmas Tree Festival, 28 Nov-3 Jan.

Taste Cheshire Farmers Market will offer plenty of inspiration for the Christmas table, 14-15 Nov. Meanwhile, Tours Around Chester will be hosting the Taste Of Christmas Walking Tour, 11-19 Dec, a three-hour guided showcase of the city’s food, including stop-offs to try local flavours. Plus there’s gift shopping to be done in the boutiques in Chester’s medieval and Tudor galleries, known as the Rows, and at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet (above right), which offers up to 60 per cent off top designer brands. Cheshire Oaks will also host a variety of festive activities including a drive-in cinema and Winter Village.