Chester’s Winter Watch Parade

The Chester Winter Watch Parade takes to the city centre streets on Thursday 4th December at 7pm, with a second chance to see it on Thursday 11th December.

 Both parades start from the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square.

The Winter Watch parade includes a cast of characters originating from the 1400’s with the addition of Jack Frost, an Angel, Fire Skeletons, Dragon, Ice Queens, Devils, and Cooks with their Victorian Christmas Dinner. The parade is led by Chester’s Karamba Samba dressed as a ghost band. The Winter Watch parade is unique to Chester.

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

“We started the festive celebrations with the 12 Days’ of Christmas parade and the Lantern Parade. Now we welcome the popular Winter Watch Parade, unique to Chester.  Chester’s Karamba Samba are well known for leading our Midsummer Watch parade, but now they turn into a ghost band to lead the Winter Watch parades.

“The Chester Christmas Market stays open until 8pm so there is a chance to visit the Market and watch the parade. If you miss the first Winter Watch parade, there is a second one on Thursday 11th December when the night is shared with the Roman Legion celebrating Saturnalia.”

The origins of the Winter Watch Parade can be traced back to archive records from the 1400’s when the early police force, Chester’s City Watch looked after the keys of the city at Christmas. They marched around Chester to make sure it was secure; this was followed by a banquet and celebration of Christmas by the city leaders.

Chester Park and Ride is running late night services over Christmas, the last bus from Foregate Street will be 9pm on Thursdays.

Pictured - Chester Winter Watch (2024).