What's on in Chester
November 2026 to October 2027
Live music, theatre, festivals, racing and seasonal events in and around Chester. Think the Christmas Market, Winter Watch parades, summer concerts and county shows. Each month opens to show its events with a short note, and each event links to its official page for times, tickets and access.
May suitFamiliesCouplesFriends
The Christmas Orchestra in the cathedral, Lanterns & Light at Chester Zoo, and the Christmas Market opening.14 events
- Worst Record Covers in the WorldUntil 17 January 2027A free, light-hearted exhibition at the Grosvenor Museum, open since 26 September. Donations are welcome.
- St Michael's Arcade Air Raid Shelter Open House8 November 2026, 1pm to 3pmStep into the Second World War air raid shelter beneath St Michael's Arcade on Bridge Street on Remembrance Sunday, with Home Guard reenactors. Level access throughout.
- Jane Eyre10 to 21 November 2026A stage version of Charlotte Brontë's novel in Storyhouse's Main Theatre.
- Mares' Trophy Day, Bangor-on-Dee Races11 November 2026A winter jump racing day at the small country racecourse at Bangor-on-Dee, just over the Welsh border south of Chester.
- James Walsh and Ben Ottewell12 November 2026, 8pmThe voices of Starsailor and Gomez share an intimate night at The Live Rooms, an independent music venue by Chester station.
- Lanterns & Light13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027Chester Zoo's separately ticketed evening light experience. Zoo admission and this event are not included with the stay.
- Chester Zoo afternoon ticket with Our Story17 October 2026 to 31 January 2027Zoo entry from 1pm with Our Story with David Attenborough, a 50 minute immersive show. Tickets come from the zoo and are not included with the stay.
- Chester Christmas Market18 November to 22 December 2026Around 80 wooden chalets around Town Hall Square. Open 10.30am to 6.30pm Sunday to Wednesday, and until 8pm Thursday to Saturday.
- 12 Days of Christmas Parade19 November 2026, 7pmA free evening parade of community groups and local artists, setting off from Bridge Street at 7pm.
- Around the World in 80 Days: The Christmas Mansion21 November to 31 December 2026Tatton Park's mansion dressed for Christmas. A good festive day out east of Chester, near Knutsford.
- Christmas Tree Festival25 November 2026 to 3 January 2027Decorated trees fill Chester Cathedral. Last entry 5.30pm, and 3.30pm between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
- The Christmas Orchestra26 November 2026A touring Christmas concert in Chester Cathedral, with an early show at 7pm and a late show at 9.15pm.
- Lantern Parade26 November 2026, 7pmLocal school children carry handmade lanterns from the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square at 7pm. Free to watch.
- The Festive Meeting, Bangor-on-Dee Races28 November 2026A Saturday race day at Bangor-on-Dee, just over the Welsh border south of Chester.
Christmas by Candlelight in the cathedral, the Harry Potter forest trail at Bolesworth, and the Winter Watch parades.14 events
- Martyn Joseph at Telford's Warehouse1 and 2 December 2026The Welsh singer songwriter plays two evenings in the canal side warehouse bar at Chester's Canal Basin.
- Winter Watch Parade3 December 2026, 7pmChester's medieval Winter Watch ceremony returns as a free evening parade from Town Hall Square at 7pm.
- Christmas by Candlelight4 December 2026A candlelit Christmas concert in the nave of Chester Cathedral.
- Rapunzel4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027Storyhouse's 2026 Christmas pantomime, with captioned performances and separately listed accessible performances.
- Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience10 December 2026 to 28 February 2027An evening woodland trail of lights and magical creatures at Bolesworth Castle, near Tattenhall in the countryside south east of Chester. Book ahead.
- Winter Watch and Saturnalia Parade10 December 2026, 7pmThe second Winter Watch evening, joined by Chester's Roman Saturnalia parade. Free to watch from 7pm.
- Christmas Jumper Day, Bangor-on-Dee Races11 December 2026A festive Friday race day at Bangor-on-Dee, just over the Welsh border south of Chester.
- Chester Cathedral's Annual Christmas Carol Concert12 December 2026, 7.30pmThe cathedral's own carol concert. Booking opens on the cathedral's event page.
- The Snowman with live orchestra21 December 2026, 2pmThe much-loved film shown with a live orchestra in the nave of Chester Cathedral. A gentle family treat.
- New Year's Eve at Alexander's Live31 December 2026, from 7pmA live party band and a midnight countdown at Alexander's, the independent music and comedy venue in Rufus Court. Over 18s only.
- Chester Christmas Market18 November to 22 December 2026Around 80 wooden chalets around Town Hall Square. Open 10.30am to 6.30pm Sunday to Wednesday, and until 8pm Thursday to Saturday.
- Lanterns & Light13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027Chester Zoo's separately ticketed evening light experience. Zoo admission and this event are not included with the stay.
- Chester Zoo afternoon ticket with Our Story17 October 2026 to 31 January 2027Zoo entry from 1pm with Our Story with David Attenborough, a 50 minute immersive show. Tickets come from the zoo and are not included with the stay.
- Christmas Tree Festival25 November 2026 to 3 January 2027Decorated trees fill Chester Cathedral. Last entry 5.30pm, and 3.30pm between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
Last days of the cathedral's Tree Festival, Rapunzel at Storyhouse, and the hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie.6 events
- Rapunzel4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027Storyhouse's 2026 Christmas pantomime, with captioned performances and separately listed accessible performances.
- Lanterns & Light13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027Chester Zoo's separately ticketed evening light experience. Zoo admission and this event are not included with the stay.
- Chester Zoo afternoon ticket with Our Story17 October 2026 to 31 January 2027Zoo entry from 1pm with Our Story with David Attenborough, a 50 minute immersive show. Tickets come from the zoo and are not included with the stay.
- Christmas Tree Festival25 November 2026 to 3 January 2027Decorated trees fill Chester Cathedral. Last entry 5.30pm, and 3.30pm between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
- Everybody's Talking About Jamie25 to 30 January 2027The hit musical on tour at Storyhouse's Main Theatre.
- Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience10 December 2026 to 28 February 2027An evening woodland trail of lights and magical creatures at Bolesworth Castle, near Tattenhall in the countryside south east of Chester. Book ahead.
Rapunzel, Lanterns & Light and the Tree Festival finish on 3 January. Worst Record Covers closes on 17 January.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, a magical woodland light trail at Bolesworth Castle.1 event
More dates to be confirmed.
Jazz and blues in Nantwich, the Chester 10K through the city, and an award winning play at Storyhouse.3 events
- Chester 10K14 March 2027A city-centre road race with current entry, route and spectator information published by Active Leisure Events.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time16 to 20 March 2027The award-winning play on tour at Storyhouse's Main Theatre.
- Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival25 to 29 March 2027A long weekend of live music across the market town of Nantwich, south east of Chester.
Major dates still to be confirmed.Dates pending
The Boodles May Festival opens the racing year on the Roodee, the Chester Half Marathon, and Roman Day at the races.5 events
- Boodles May Festival, Chester Races5 to 7 May 2027Chester Racecourse opens its season with three days of flat racing on the Roodee: Trials Day, Ladies Day and the Ladbrokes Chester Cup.
- Chester Half Marathon16 May 2027A half marathon through Chester and the surrounding countryside, with live entry and race information held by the organiser.
- Chester Folk Festival28 to 31 May 2027A long weekend of folk concerts, sessions, dance and workshops in the village of Kelsall, in the Cheshire countryside east of Chester.
- Roman Day, Chester Races29 May 2027A themed Saturday race day on the Roodee, celebrating the Roman story of the city around it.
- Xander's Big Tribute Festival30 May 2027, from 1pmA full afternoon and evening of tribute bands and big sing along anthems at Alexander's Live in Rufus Court.
The Royal Cheshire County Show for all ages, Forest Live in Delamere, and three sociable race days on the Roodee.5 events
- Royal Cheshire County Show15 and 16 June 2027Cheshire's big two-day farming and country show, held at Tabley near Knutsford.
- Forest Live at Delamere Forest16 to 20 June 2027Outdoor concerts in Delamere Forest: Ronan Keating and Blue (16 June), Rudimental (17 June), Madness (19 June) and Pete Tong Ibiza Classics (20 June).
- Summer Saturday, Chester Races26 June 2027A Saturday of summer flat racing on the Roodee, a short walk from the city centre.
- Bolesworth International Horse Show30 June to 4 July 2027World class show jumping in the grounds of Bolesworth Castle, with shopping, food and family activities around the arenas.
2027 dates are still pending for heritage, triathlon and river events, and CAMRA's Chester Beer Festival at the Town Hall (5 and 6 June in 2026).
The RHS Flower Show returns to Tatton Park, The Brit Fest for families, and live music after the racing on the Roodee.8 events
- Bolesworth International Horse Show30 June to 4 July 2027World class show jumping in the grounds of Bolesworth Castle, with shopping, food and family activities around the arenas.
- Llangollen80: Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra8 July 2027A headline concert for the 80th Llangollen International Eisteddfod, in the Royal International Pavilion.
- Music Weekend, Chester Races9 and 10 July 2027Two July race days on the Roodee, each with live music after the racing.
- Llangollen80: 80th Anniversary Gala Concert10 July 2027Sir Bryn Terfel leads the anniversary gala, with orchestra and massed male voice choirs.
- The Brit Fest15 to 18 July 2027A family music festival at Ashley Hall Showground, near Hale in north Cheshire.
- RHS Flower Show Tatton Park21 to 25 July 2027The RHS flower show returns to Tatton Park after a three year break.
- Together Again Festival23 to 25 July 2027A family friendly music and arts festival with six stages and a dedicated family field at Bolesworth Castle. Line up still to be announced.
- Midsummer Meeting, Chester Races24 July 2027A Saturday of flat racing on the Roodee in the middle of Chester's summer.
Theatre and river dates are still pending.
Simply Red live on the Roodee, the races' Family Fun Day, and Deva Fest for families at Cholmondeley Castle.4 events
- Family Fun Day, Chester Races1 August 2027A Sunday race day on the Roodee aimed at families, with entertainment for children alongside the racing.
- Simply Red: Summer Funk '277 August 2027An open-air Simply Red concert on the Roodee at Chester Racecourse.
- Deva Fest5 to 8 August 2027A family music, food and lifestyle festival at Cholmondeley Castle, near Malpas, south of Chester.
- Powells Jewellery Ladies Day, Chester Races21 August 2027A dressed up Saturday race day on the Roodee at the height of summer.
2027 dates are still pending for Chester Pride (15 August in 2026, at Castle Square), open water swimming and outdoor cinema.
Heritage Open Days opens closed doors for free, and the Autumn Festival and the Season Finale close the racing year on the Roodee.3 events
- Heritage Open Days10 to 19 September 2027Ten days when Chester places that are usually shut open their doors, free. The programme changes every year.
- The Autumn Festival, Chester Races10 and 11 September 2027Two days of autumn flat racing on the Roodee as the season turns.
- The Season Finale, Chester Races18 September 2027The last race day of Chester's flat season on the Roodee.
Marathon dates are still pending.Dates pending
Ideas for your days in Chester.
Chester's walls, the timber framed Rows and the River Dee are all a short walk from the house. On a longer stay, the North Wales coast, Liverpool and Cheshire's castles are around an hour away by car.
A slow city break for two.
Historic streets, independent restaurants and your own sofa to come back to.
A couples break in Chester →
A cosy family base inside the walls.
Two bedrooms, a free travel cot and high chair on request, and the zoo bus a 12 minute walk away.
A family break in Chester →
Christmas in Chester, at your own pace.
The market, the parades and the cathedral's trees, with a warm home to come back to.
Plan a Christmas stay →
Winter in Chester, crisp walks and cosy afternoons.
A route through the walls and the Rows, with warm indoor stops ready for when the weather turns.
Plan a winter break →Visit. Explore. Enjoy.
Quick answers about Chester.
When are the Chester Races in 2027?
The 2027 race days are out, and every one is in the calendar above. The season opens with the Boodles May Festival on 5 to 7 May and closes with the Season Finale on 18 September. The racecourse entrance on Watergate Square is a 15 minute walk from the house.
Check tickets at Chester Racecourse
Which Chester Christmas events are free?
The 12 Days of Christmas Parade on 19 November, the Lantern Parade on 26 November and the Winter Watch parades on 3 and 10 December are all free to watch. Each one starts at 7pm in the city centre.
Where do we park on a busy event day?
Booking direct includes one free private parking space, about 10 metres from the front door. The car stays there and you walk: the Rows are 5 minutes away and the racecourse entrance 15, so there's no event day parking to find.
See walking routes from the house