Why the Chester Christmas Market Should Be on Your Festive List

As the nights begin to darken and we start to feel a chill in the air, it’s not hard to cast our minds towards the upcoming festive season and the cosiness it brings. If you’re already filled with festive spirit, one too many mince pies and thoughts of putting up your tree by the time November comes around, then you can be sure you won’t want to miss a trip to the Chester Christmas market. 

Think twinkling light, handmade crafts, and mulled wine on tap; this is the perfect way to welcome the festive season. So, join us as we reveal all the Chester Christmas Market has to offer, along with plenty of ideas for things to do around the city, too.

What to Expect at The Chester Christmas Market 

When: 19th of November 2025 - 22nd of December 2025

Where: Town Hall Square, Northgate Street , Chester , Cheshire, CH1 2HQ

Opening Hours: Sunday - Wednesday: 10:30 am - 6:30 pm | Thursday - Saturday: 10:30 am - 8:00 pm

Chester’s Christmas Market takes over the Town Hall Square from 19th November to 22nd December 2025, and it’s the perfect place to soak up some festive cheer. You’ll find rows of cosy wooden stalls selling everything from handmade gifts to local crafts, with the smell of sizzling street food filling the air. It’s the kind of spot where you can pick up a quirky stocking filler, warm your hands on a festive tipple, and just enjoy the buzz of the season. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or just fancy a wander on your own, it’s one of those markets that makes Christmas feel truly magical.

Things to Do in Chester Before or After You Visit The Chester Christmas Market

Whether you’re making a Christmas break of it or just visiting for the day, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Chester, before or after your visit to the Christmas market. 

Foot Darts Experience in Chester
If you’re looking for some light-hearted fun before heading to the market, the Foot Darts Experience in Chester is a brilliant choice. It’s a quirky, laughter-filled activity that’s perfect for working up an appetite before indulging in mulled wine and street food.

Northern Belle Train Fine Dining Experience
For a truly magical treat, pair your market visit with a Northern Belle Train Fine Dining Experience. Step aboard this luxury train for a feast of fine dining, then return to Chester to stroll under the twinkling lights for the perfect balance of elegance and festive charm.

Outdoor Adventure Quest
Add some adventure to your Christmas market trip with an Outdoor Adventure Quest. Exploring Chester through puzzles and challenges is a fun way to see the city in a new light before relaxing with a festive tipple at the market.

Go Ape (Delamere Forest, Cheshire)
If you fancy a dash of adrenaline, head to Go Ape in Delamere Forest, just a short drive from Chester. With treetop adventures, zip lines and high ropes, it’s a thrilling way to start the day before soaking up the cosy festive atmosphere back at the market.

Breakout Escape Room in Chester
Get your brain buzzing with a Breakout Escape Room challenge. After cracking codes and racing against the clock, the festive stalls and a steaming cup of mulled wine will feel like the perfect reward.

Indoor Karting Experience in Chester
Rev up your festive day out with an Indoor Karting Experience in Chester. The adrenaline rush of speeding around the track is a fun contrast to the slower pace of browsing the market’s handmade crafts and street food stalls.

Supercar Driving Experience
For something truly unforgettable, treat yourself to a Supercar Driving Experience. With cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin to choose from, it’s the ultimate thrill before heading to Chester for a more traditional kind of magic at the Christmas market.

Airline Pilot Flight Simulator Experience
Take to the skies virtual with an Airline Pilot Flight Simulator Experience in Chester. After trying your hand at flying, wandering the Christmas market with a festive tipple in hand will feel like a smooth landing to a magical day.

Things to Do Near Chester

If you’re looking for things to do near Chester on your way to or from the market, we have plenty of exciting experiences, perfect for making a full day of adventure.

Immersive Cocktail Experience at Moonshine Saloon - Liverpool
For something a little different, head to Liverpool's Moonshine Saloon for an immersive cocktail adventure. Step into the Wild West, don your cowboy hat, and enjoy tailor-made cocktails, for a playful contrast to the cosy, festive vibes of Chester Christmas Market.

Music Icons Tour Experience - Liverpool
If you’re travelling through Liverpool, the Music Icons Tour is a must. Celebrate the city’s legendary music scene, from The Beatles to modern-day stars, before making your way to Chester for mulled wine, wooden stalls, and festive tipples.

Q Hotels Spa Break - Crewe
After a day of market browsing and festive shopping, nothing beats unwinding with a Q Hotels Spa Break in Crewe. Just a short trip from Chester, it’s the ideal way to balance the Christmas buzz with a touch of calm and relaxation.

4x4 Off Road Introductory Driving Session - Wrexham
If adventure is more your style, try a 4x4 Off Road Driving Session nearby. Tackle muddy tracks and challenging terrain before heading into Chester to reward yourself with street food and the twinkle of Christmas lights.

So, if you’re ready to embrace the magic of the season, Chester Christmas Market is the perfect blend of twinkling lights, festive flavours and unique gifts. With so many things to do in Chester and around the city, it’s more than worth planning a visit, whether for a fun-filled day out or a festive weekend escape. 

And if you’re looking to keep the celebrations going, there are plenty of other Christmas markets in 2025 to explore across the UK, from Manchester and Nottingham to Birmingham and beyond, each offering its own festive sparkle. So grab your hats, scarves and mittens and get ready for a season filled with twinkling lights, festive flavours and magical memories up and down the country.