Chester’s Christmas Lantern Parade

Chester’s festive Lantern Parade takes place on Thursday 28th November, when school children from across the area will parade through the city centre with their hand-made lanterns for the annual Christmas Lantern Parade.

The parade leaves from the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square at 7pm. The parade route follows St Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street, Bridge Street, then turning around and heading for Northgate Street, with the Parade ending back in Town Hall Square.

The lanterns have all been made by children in workshops led by local artist Russell Kirk. The schools taking part are from Mill View Primary, Hoole Primary, The Firs, Upton Westlea Primary, Dee Point Primary, Mickle Trafford Village School, Acresfield Primary, Belgrave Primary and Tarporley Primary. 

Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health) said:

“Our Christmas celebrations are now well underway. We have the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square, Father Christmas has a busy schedule with a grotto in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre and visits lined up for the Town Hall and Grosvenor Museum.

“Thank you to all the children for making their lanterns and joining this year’s parade. I’m sure it’s going to look fabulous.   

“The Lantern parade is followed by our Winter Watch parades and we will also welcome back the Romans as they bring their own Saturnalia celebrations to Chester in December.”

The Lantern Parade is one part of Chester’s Christmas celebrations that include the Christmas market in Town Hall Square, Chester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival, Santa’s Grotto in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Town Hall and Grosvenor Museum, Sleeping Beauty at Storyhouse, The Winter Watch Parade (5 December) and the combined Saturnalia and Winter Watch Parade (12 December).

The Chester indoor market is open every day including Mondays until 30 December, plus Makers’ Markets every weekend in Exchange Square outside the market, and the return of the popular bauble light feature in the square, perfect for a festive selfie.

Music and choir performances in the run-up to Christmas including the Dee Sign Choir on 7 December at 11.45, and five local primary school’s choir on 12 December at 6.45 pm.

Chester Park and Ride is running late night services over Christmas, the last bus from Foregate Street will be 9pm on Thursdays and then during Christmas week Monday 16, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18, Thursday 19, Friday 20 December, Monday 23 December to 9pm. 

Pictured - Chester Lantern Parade (2023).