Chester is a great destination for this winter if you want to get away from the big cities and crowds. The Chester Christmas Market is in the city centre near the Town Hall.
In this guide, I list all the information you need for planning your visit, including confirmed 2024 dates and opening times.
Chester Christmas Market 2024
Dates and Location
Chester Christmas Market dates: 15th November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Town Hall Square and Northgate Street.
Opening times:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10:30am to 6:30pm.
Thursday to Saturday: 10:30am to 8pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Switch on date: 16th November 2024 (unconfirmed). Full details available here.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: Great for purchasing small handmade gifts and stocking fillers.
Recommended tour: City cruise on the River Dee.
Specialities: Mulled gin is unique to Chester but traditional mulled wine, spiced rum and hot chocolate are also available. Gingerbread, fudge, pies and cakes are always freshly prepared.
Where to stay: The Coach House Inn is located directly across from the stalls.
Convenient Hotels
Most visitors to Chester stay within the Roman City Walls, and I recommend this area for a short stay.
The Coach House Inn is a great option here. From this small hotel, you step out directly to some of the main sights, including Chester Cathedral.
For more ideas on where to stay, read my guide to hotels in Chester, catering to various budgets and tastes.
Visit another event this year. Choose from this UK Christmas Markets List. Discover where to go, things to do and the best ways to experience British food, history and culture.
Location Map
Christmas in Chester
The city has Roman sights like the Roman Amphitheatre, City Walls, Corner Tower and the Roman Gardens.
The city centre is compact, walkable, surrounded by open green spaces, and decorated with festive lights.
The market chalets are mostly spread along Northgate Street and around the Town Hall Square, with roughly 70 chalets.
A traditional Christmas tree stands at the centre, contributing to the market’s atmosphere.
Diverse traders are in the square around the Town Hall, New Arcade and the Forum. Their offerings range from unique, locally made produce to handmade crafts and jewellery. Full details of what to buy are listed further below.
Food at the Stalls
- Roasted Chestnuts: Classic street snack.
- Chester Pies: Chester is famous for its savoury pies.
- Hot Mulled Wine: Ideal for a cold winter’s evening.
- Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Melted to perfection on your choice of bread.
- Welsh Rarebit: Given Chester’s close proximity to Wales, it’s not uncommon to find Welsh Rarebit on toast.
- Bratwurst Sausages: German-style sausages.
- Churros with Chocolate Sauce: The sweet Spanish treat.
- Toffee Apples: A local treat.
- Hot Chocolate: An absolute classic during the festive season, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows.
- Pierogies: Delicious Polish dumplings, sweet or savoury.
- Chocolate-Dipped Fruit: Fresh fruit, such as strawberries and bananas, dipped in chocolate.
- Mince Pies: A classic British snack.
- Crepes: Popular fillings include Nutella, strawberry jam, and savoury options like ham and cheese.
- Gingerbread Cookies: Another market favourite.
Gifts and Stocking Fillers
- Handmade Crafts: Talented local artisans present their crafts.
- Locally Made: The Chester region is known for its quality local produce, such as artisanal cheese, homemade chutneys, and small-batch jams.
- Unique Jewellery: A huge range available.
- Festive Decorations: Fairy lights, wreaths and baubles.
- Luxury Skincare Products: Beautifully packaged soaps, balms, bath bombs and creams.
- Local Artwork: Expect to find a range of artwork.
- Honey: Small jars of locally produced honey and honey-based products.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
If you want to leave a review of Chester Xmas Market, feel free to comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Chester, UK. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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