Chester is set to be the brightest star in the UK this Christmas thanks to a brand new Christmas Market outside the Town Hall and a new Winter Wonderland event to be staged on the historic racecourse.

The city’s unique festive events’ programme adds extra sparkle and features the traditional Roman Saturnalia torch light parade where Chester's Roman Legionnaires reclaim the city as they parade through the streets with flaming torches; and the Winter Watch Parade with dance performances, fire-breathers and sword fighting in the shopping streets of the history city centre.

 

A highlight will be the varietyof stalls at the brand new Christmas Market, this year being run by Marketing Cheshire, with over 40 traditional wooden chalets positioned outside Chester’s Town Hall.

The new Chester Christmas Market will take place from 21st November until 21st December offering a variety of quality products, including crafts, clothing, jewellery, giftware and local food and drink from carefully chosen suppliers. Grosvenor Shopping Centre in the centre of the city will also be opening late to allow festive visitors to shop until they drop this year.

 

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the Winter Wonderland at Chester Racecourse entering through an enchanted forest to experience a traditional fairground plus an outdoor ice rink, Santa Letter Workshops and Santa Land, where children will get the chance to meet Father Christmas himself along with his real reindeers in the only Santa’s grotto in the city this year. For the grown ups there is an igloo-style vodka ice bar and an array of festive food and drink offers available as well as a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party planned.

 

There will be fairground rides and amusements including a life size snow globe and ice slide, with plans for a 4D movie experience featuring short animated Christmas movies.

 

We hope the event will attract an extra 200,000 visitors, benefiting Chester as a whole, ands we are working with Marketing Cheshire and Cheshire West and Chester Council to lay on free parking and a free shuttle bus into the city centre.”

 

Another annual favourite is the enchanting Lantern Magic event at Chester Zoo, where generations of families can share in the unforgettable night time journey passing by a host of animal shapes glowing in the dark and listening to the nocturnal sounds of the zoo. Visitors will be able to visit the elephants as well as the bats and children will be able to try lantern-making, meeting friendly festive characters along the way and enjoying tasty treats as they add their Christmas wishes to the giant wishing tree.

 

Several events will be taking place within the city’s historic buildings including the 1000 year old Chester Cathedral where shoppers can sing carols and enjoy the spectacle of more than 30 majestic Christmas trees lighting up the cloisters. Visitors to Chester will be able to experience a fun-packed programme of events whilst taking in the stunning architecture and enjoying the culinary delights of this classical, contemporary city.

For more information on Chester’s Christmas event programme go to the website at: http://www.christmasinchester.com

 

New Chester Christmas Markets (21st November – 21st December)

 

Lantern Magic at Chester Zoo

http://www.chesterzoo.org/must-sees/christmas-lantern-magic

 

Available dates:

 

•           Thursday 12th December 

•           Friday 13th December 

•           Saturday 14th December

•           Sunday 15th December

•           Thursday 19th December

•           Friday 20th December

•           Saturday 21st December

•           Sunday 22nd December

•           Monday 23rd December

 

Winter Wonderland at Chester Racecourse (21st November – 5th January 2014)

http://www.winterwonderlandchester.com

 

Grosvenor Shopping Centre

The Merry Kissmass Competition runs from 18th November to 19th December

http://www.thegrosvenorcentre.co.uk

 

Chester Cathedral

http://www.chestercathedral.com/christmas-2013.html

 

Winter Watch Parade (in the evening on Thursday 5th and Thursday 12th December in the city centre)

 

Roman Saturnalia Parade (the evening of 18th December)

Saturnalia is an ancient Roman celebration which consisted of feasting, visiting friends and giving gifts. The parade is led by Chester’s very own Roman soldiers, Deva Victrix.

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For further information please contact:
Gerald Tattum
Tel: 01244 405634
Email: g.tattum@marketingcheshire.co.uk