Christmas what’s on guide for Chester

By Angela Ferguson

Christmas is fast approaching and at this time of year the We Are Chester team love nothing more than to head out to some of the many festive events happening in and around the city over the coming weeks.

Whether you enjoy wandering around the Christmas Market with a mulled wine while admiring the festive lights and colourful Alpine chalets or you’re heading out to any of the upcoming Christmas shows and concerts, we should have something for everyone in our Yuletide guide here.

The city looks especially beautiful at this time of year, with twinkling fairy lights and colourful shiny baubles signalling the start of Christmas.

So grab a cuppa and have a read as you choose which events and happenings you fancy going along to.

Festive events in and around Chester

Christmas fairs

The Garden Quarter Christmas Market is taking place at beautiful St Thomas’s Church on Parkgate Road on Saturday, November 25. The fair runs from 10.30am-3pm and will include festive food, an array of stalls, entertainment and Santa’s grotto. NB It’s cash only.

Concerts

A Choral Christmas – Chester Operatic Society

The talented folks at Chester Operatic Society will be putting on their annual Christmas concert at St Mary Without-the-Walls on Overleigh Road in Handbridge (CH4 7HL).

A Choral Christmas takes place on Friday December 8 and Saturday December 9. Tickets cost £16.50 and include a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine.

Tickets can be booked via the website here.

Chester Male Voice Choir’s Christmas Concert with special guest Dylan Cernyw

Chester Male Voice Choir are putting on their Christmas concert on Friday, December 15. The choir welcome special guest – acclaimed harpist Dylan Cernyw – and their musical director is talented musician Joe Mann, who has been involved with Chester Mystery Plays.

The concert takes place at St Columba’s on Plas Newton Lane (CH2 1SA) with doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12 and £6 for under 18s.

We’re told there’s plenty of free parking. Tickets can be purchased from the Chester Male Voice Choir website here or from the Visitor Information Centre on Town Hall Square.

Chester Wind Band’s Christmas Concert

Chester Wind Band will be holding their Christmas Concert at St John’s Church on Vicar’s Lane in Chester at 7.30pm on Saturday December 9. Tickets cost £5 on the door or can be purchased online from Ticketsource.

Big Christmas Singalong at Storyhouse

The Big Christmas Singalong takes place on December 3. Storyhouse is inviting people to join them under their grand Christmas tree for a magical evening of carols and festive favourites, with Chester-based musical maestro Matt Baker. Expect Silent Night and Good King Wenceslas sung by a choir of hundreds.

A Handbag of Harmonies at Rowton Hall Hotel

Chester’s talented Handbag of Harmonies choir will be singing at a special lunch event at Rowton Hall Hotel on Thursday, November 30. Tickets cost £28 and include a two-course lunch with tea, coffee and mince pies. To book tickets call 01244 335262.

Tip Top Productions’ first ever Christmas concert

St Mary’s Creative Space in Chester is the setting for Tip Top Productions’ first ever Christmas concert. It’s on at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8.

Speaking about the festive concert, Tip Top’s artistic director Steve Davies said: “We are delighted to be staging our very first Christmas Concert in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s Creative Space in Chester. The programme will feature a wonderful mixture of carols, festive pop songs, bits from familiar Christmas films and songs from wintery musicals.

“There may even be a chance for audience participation so why not join us for what promises to be a truly festive evening.”

The concert will be produced for Tip Top by Luke Disley with musical direction by Tim Jones.

Full details of Tip Top Productions’ Christmas Concert and their big production for 2024, Sweet Charity can be found on their website here, where tickets can be booked online for both events.

Christmas shows

Cinderella at Storyhouse

Cinderella opens at Storyhouse on Friday December 1, running through until Saturday 6 January 6 in what is billed as an unmissable new adaptation by Samantha O’Rourke.

Expect some toe tapping tunes from the likes of ABBA, Harry Styles, Madonna, Elton John, Taylor Swift and Phil Collins.

Commenting on what audiences can expect, Storyhouse say: “With its pumpkins, glass slippers, fairy godmothers and naughty stepsisters, the Cinderella story has entranced generations of youngsters since it was first made popular more than 300 years ago.

“And this special Storyhouse version promises to be a real seasonal showstopper.

“Packed with pop favourites and overflowing with magical moments, the glorious family-friendly Christmas show guarantees plenty of audience participation, sending young and old alike home with a big smile on their face.

“Cinderella promises to be a highlight of the festive season, offering a blend of beloved traditions and exciting new elements. It’s a must-see event for families and friends looking to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a delightful, hilarious twist.”

The show will be directed by Hannah Noone, who returns to Storyhouse after last year’s Christmas show The Snow Queen.

And Storyhouse’s creative director Suzie Henderson, said: “This Christmas show is filled with pop favourites and audience participation. We can’t wait to share this magical experience with our community.”

Cinderella is at Storyhouse from 1 December 1 to January 6. The five-week run will include British Sign Language, captioned and relaxed performances.

Tickets are from £15, with discounts for groups, schools, over 60s, Storyhouse members and Young Storyhouse card members.

For more information visit the Storyhouse website here.

Little Red at Theatre Porto

Theatre Porto’s most popular winter show ever – Little Red – returns this festive season. The show will be staged at Theatre Porto, located at Whitby Hall on Whitby Park on Stanney Lane.

Theatre Porto say: “Join Little Red as she puts on her bright red coat once again, to go adventuring in the deep dark woods.

“Follow our feisty heroine as she follows the path to Grandma’s house, meeting talking sheep, dancing trees and the charismatic, jazz-singing ‘Wolfie’ along the way.

“With irresistible adventure, superb visual storytelling and songs that you’ll be humming all winter, Little Red is the perfect festive treat for families who want something a little different.

“What would you choose? The promise of adventure or the safety of the path?

“Don’t miss our thrilling and irresistible production which has delighted audiences young and old across the land – get your tickets now!”

It’s being put on in conjunction with HOME Manchester.

Little Red is suitable for ages four plus and runs from December 8 to January 13.

To get tickets, priced at £10 and £7 for concessions, visit the Ticketsource website here. Theatre Porto also operates a pay what you like option, with a suggested cost of £5 per ticket.

Sleeping Beauty at Theatr Clwyd

Theatr Clwyd’s ever-popular rock ‘n’ roll panto returns, with this year’s offering – the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty – described as being bigger and more breathtaking than ever.

This year the action transfers to the Big Top at the theatre on the hill in Mold undergoes a major transformation.

Theatr Clwyd has even penned the following poetic taster of what we can expect from their take on this classic story:

A curse that can only be broken by true love’s kiss,

In a pantomime adventure that you won’t want to miss!

You’ll sing and dance from your big top seat,

To our wonderful rock ‘n’ roll Christmas treat.

Don’t delay, don’t wait, don’t snooze,
buy your tickets right now, to avoid the winter blues!

It’s been written by Christian Patterson, who has penned previous pantos, Robin Hood and Beauty & The Beast). Expect a fun-filled evening for all the family with the biggest rock, pop and soul songs, fantastic frocks, spectacular sets and the anarchic panto puppets.

For one-year only, the show will be in a huge, heated, circus big top tent next to the theatre.

The panto runs from Thursday, November 30 to Saturday, January 6, with tickets costing from £15 available from the Theatr Clwyd website here.