“Last updated: 15 November 2025”
Chester Christmas Market 2025 runs Wednesday 19 November to Monday 22 December in Town Hall Square (CH1 2HJ). Expect 70+ wooden chalets, festive food and craft makers beside the Cathedral and new Chester Market. Chester zoo is only 10 minutes away by car.
Key Facts at a Glance
| 2025 Dates | 19th Nov – 22nd Dec 2025 |
| Opening Hours | Daily 10:30 am – 6:30 pm (Fri/Sat until 8 pm) |
| Location | Town Hall Square, Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HJ |
| Stalls | 70 + traditional wooden chalets |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Nearest Station | Chester Railway Station (12‑min walk / 5‑min bus). Get Directions. |
Why Visit in 2025?
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Bigger artisan mix – Organisers are adding more local makers after the success of the 2024 craft focus, so expect fresh jewellery, ceramics and eco‑gifts.
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12 Days of Christmas Parade (21st Nov) – A costumed procession that lights up each street it passes, officially switching on the city’s Christmas lights.
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Lantern Parade & Cathedral Tree Festival – Hundreds of hand‑made lanterns (28th Nov) plus 80+ decorated trees inside Chester Cathedral from 22 Nov – 5 Jan.
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Compact & walkable – Nowhere else lets you browse Roman walls, medieval Rows shopping arcades and a Christmas market within a 10‑minute stroll.
What You’ll Find at the Stalls
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Hand‑Crafted Gifts – Wooden toys, leather journals, poured‑in‑Cheshire candles, and Nordic knits. Many vendors return yearly, such as Avorium glassworks and Viking Drinking Horns.
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Local Produce – Cheshire cheese truckles, small‑batch chutneys and award‑winning Cheshire Farm ice‑cream.
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Festive Tipples – Warm up with spiced rum, local gin tastings, or a classic glühwein in the dedicated drinks tent.
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Street Food – Bratwursts sizzling over char‑coal, churros dusted in cinnamon sugar, vegan loaded fries, and gooey Yorkshire pudding wraps.
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Eco & Up‑cycled Finds – Look for stalls flagged “Green Chester” for planet‑friendly stocking fillers.
Pro Tip: Card payments are widely accepted, but a small float of cash speeds up busy times.
Food Stalls
- Christmas Market Bar
- Christmas Roast
- Greek Gyros
- Humbugs
- Jack Potato
- Macaroons
- Mini Dutch Pancakes
- Noodle Bar
- North Pole
- Norwood
- Shires Kitchen
- The Chester Churro Shop
Gift Traders
- Amber Jewellery
- BLC
- Bryncir Garden Centre
- Celtic Spirit Company
- Cheshire Candle Company
- Chester Zoo
- Cloverzone
- Crafter Stone
- Digby & Champ
- Edgesarms
- Elegance Natural Skin Care
- Eyellusion Adventure
- Gangplank Spirits
- Gingerbread House Confections
- Henry & Jenkins Cheese
- Indian Gypsy
- JD3D Print
- Johnsons Toffees
- Josh Johnson Ceramics
- Keepsakes
- Kin Toffee Vodka
- Kushty Locks
- Lafi Crafts
- Lucelas
- Luminology
- Moose & Bear Design
- Mrs B’s Bakehouse
- Nidhoggr Mead Company
- Olia Candles
- Omeda Crafts
- Pictorium
- Roccabella
- Sahi
- Sox UK
- Suay Design
- Terrasa Ltd
- Textura
- The Bethlehem Shop
- The Brandy Snap Company
- The Crusty Pie Company
- The Festive House
- The Great British Cheese Company
- The Quirky Cutlery Store
- The Salford Rum Company
- The Silver Guru
- The Spanish Hamper
- The Sunrise Patisserie
- Tiger Mountain
- UFO Fudge
- Voysak
- Vybird
- With Sweet Company
🍽️ Eat, Drink & Be Merry
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The Rows After Dark – Half‑timbered galleries overlooking the market turn into fairy‑light caverns for après‑shopping cocktails.
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Mulled Wine Bar – A covered tipple tent with live acoustic sets after dusk.
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Cheese & Chutney Pairing Nights – Pop‑up tastings at nearby Chester Indoor Market every Thursday in December.
🎶 Entertainment & Special Events
| Date | Event | Need‑to‑Know |
|---|---|---|
| 15th Nov | Town Hall Tree Switch‑On | Where the giant spruce lights up—arrive early for choir carols. |
| 21st Nov | 12 Days of Christmas Parade | Streets close 6 pm–8 pm; best view outside Storyhouse theatre. |
| 28th Nov | Lantern Parade | Kid‑friendly; lantern‑making workshops from 4 pm. |
| 1st Dec | Santa Dash | Fun‑run through city walls, raises funds for local hospices. |
| Every Sat | Buskers’ Corner | Rotating folk, brass bands and gospel choirs outside the Cross. |
🚗 Getting There & Around
By Train
Direct services run from London Euston (2 hrs), Liverpool Lime Street (40 min) and Manchester Piccadilly (1 hr). Chester Station is flat‑route accessible; follow City Road then Frodsham Street signs.
By Car & Park‑and‑Ride
Four Park‑and‑Ride hubs (e.g., Wrexham Road, Boughton Heath & Upton (Zoo)) operate every 12 minutes and drop outside the market—cheaper and quicker than city‑centre parking.
On Foot
Chester’s compact centre means most attractions, including the Cathedral, Roman Amphitheatre and the Market, are ≤ 15 minutes apart.
Accessibility: Level access is provided around Town Hall Square; an on‑site Changing Places toilet is planned for 2025.
🏨 Where to Stay
Where to stay near the market.
Luxury
| Hotel | Why Pick It | Walk to Market |
|---|---|---|
| The Chester Grosvenor ★★★★★ | Iconic 5‑star, Michelin‑starred dining, spa thermal suite. | 1 min |
| Oddfellows Chester ★★★★ | Quirky Georgian townhouse with secret garden bar. | 5 min |
Mid‑Range
| Hotel | Highlights | Walk |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Indigo Chester ★★★★ | Boutique design, Forge Restaurant (2 AA Rosettes). | 4 min |
| ABode Chester ★★★★ | Top‑floor brasserie with racecourse views. | 10 min |
| Moxy Chester ★★★ | Fun social lobby, 24‑hr bar, family rooms. | 15 min |
Budget
| Hotel/Hostel | Perks | Walk/Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Express Chester Racecourse ★★★ | Free breakfast & parking, racecourse setting. | 9 min |
| YHA Chester Trafford Hall Hostel | Dorms & private rooms in an 18‑acre estate. | 15 min drive / 20 min bus |
Tip: December weekends sell out by September; set a price alert on Booking.com for mid‑week bargains.
👨👩👧👦 Family‑Friendly Extras
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Santa’s Grotto – Book timed slots online once released (usually early October).
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Chester Zoo Lanterns – 15 min by bus; combine tickets for savings.
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Ice‑Skating at Northgate Arena – Pop‑up rink from 25 Nov; discount with Park‑and‑Ride ticket.
🌱 Sustainable Market Tips
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Bring a reusable cup—most drinks vendors knock 20p off.
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Look for the Made in Cheshire green leaf logo to support low‑mile gifts.
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Catch the train + Park‑and‑Ride to reduce city congestion.
Chester Christmas Market 2025 – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is Chester Christmas Market 2025?
Chester Christmas Market runs from Wednesday 19 November to Monday 22 December 2025.
Q2. Where exactly is Chester Christmas Market held?
You’ll find it in Town Hall Square on Northgate Street (CH1 2HJ), right next to Chester Cathedral.
Q3. What are the opening times for the 2025 market?
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Sunday–Wednesday 10:30 am – 6:30 pm
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Thursday–Saturday 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
Q4. Do I need a ticket, or is entry free?
Entry is completely free—just turn up and soak in the festivities.
Q5. Is Chester Christmas Market dog‑friendly?
Yes—well‑behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout the market.
Q6. How do I get there by public transport?
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Train: Chester Railway Station is about 12 minutes’ walk or a 5‑minute bus ride from Town Hall Square.
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Bus: Alight at Chester Bus Interchange, then walk eight minutes to the market.
Q7. Where can I park for Chester Christmas Market?
Skip city‑centre car parks and use one of four Park‑and‑Ride sites (e.g., Sealand Road, Upton Zoo). Buses run every 10‑12 minutes and late on Thursdays in December.
Q8. Are there toilets and accessible facilities on‑site?
Yes—heated portable toilets, accessible units and a Changing Places facility are provided behind the Town Hall.
Q9. Do stalls accept card payments?
Most vendors take contactless and chip‑and‑pin, but bring a small amount of cash in case terminals go down during peak periods.
Q10. What food and stalls can I expect in 2025?
Over 70 wooden chalets selling Cheshire cheeses, artisan gins, Nordic knitwear, bratwurst, churros, vegan street food and eco‑friendly gifts.
Chester Christmas Market Address
Chester Christmas Market, Town Hall Square, Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HJ
Telephone Number – 01244 405 600
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