|
Christmas 2011
For details of Chester’s Big Wheel 2011, the Chester Christmas Market 2011 and Wrexham Victorian Christmas Marketon 2011 CLICK HERE
Big Wheel in Chester
Taking a trip on Chester’s Big Wheel will show you sights of Chester rairly seen before. With views right along the River Dee, the hills of Wales, the city’s skyscape and out onto the Cheshire plains, this will be a memorable experience you’ll want to repeat again and again.
Lit up by thousands of twinkling lights, you can take a ride in one of the many gondolas around the wheel, or if you’re looking for something special then ride in the VIP gondola for an experience like no other. With blacked out windows and chilled champagne, this will be an early Christmas treat you’ll never forget.
Prices:
£4 Children under 1.4m
£5 Student and Concessions
£6 Adults
£36 Private Gondola hire
£40 VIP Gondola
£55 VIP Gondola with Champage
Children under 3 are FREE
Wheel will be open from 10am until 11pm each day.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening Times:
Ice Skating
There’s nothing like gliding across the ice under a winter’s sky, and this year, when you visit Chester, you can do just that as the market will feature its very own ice rink. Feel the wind in your hair on a romantic festive date or take your family along to experience the thrill of skating on ice.
10am until 9pm Sunday – Wednesday 10am until 9.30pm Thursday – Saturday
Prices:
£6.50 Age 4 to 16
£6.50 Concessions
£8.50 Adults
£28 Family ticket of four
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Santa's Grotto
No winter wonderland would be complete without Father Christmas and this year, little ones will get the chance to meet the big man himself at Santa’s Grotto, a delightful snow capped house where Santa will greet children and present them with a gift to keep them happy until Christmas Day.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victorian Christmas Village
Just a few steps away from Chester’s shopping streets, the area outside the County Crown Court (Castle Square) will be transformed into a bustling Victorian market complete with over 40 timber clad stalls selling the finest Cheshire and British produce. From delicious cheeses and hand-crafted goods to toys and gifts, Chester’s Victorian market will give you a wonderful Christmas experience and the perfect gift ideas for the festive season.
Walking through the market, you will feel as though you’ve stepped back into Chester’s historical past as the whole market will come alive with carol singers and street entertainers to keep little ones amused. You can stay for a bite to eat at a selection of stalls selling tasty food treats and can warm up on a cold winter’s day, or night, with a delicious and fruity hot mulled wine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact
Ticket Office:
Chester Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall
Northgate Street,
Chester,
Cheshire
CH1 2HJ
Tel: 0845 647 7868
By Mail
Chester City Management
Renaissance House
Vicars Lane
Chester
CH1 1QX
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chester’s Winter Watch Parade - December Thursday 2nd and Thursday 9th
Dating from the 1400’s Chester’s Winter Watch Parade was held at Christmas. The City leaders would hand over the keys to the City to the City Watch (early police force) after processing around the City to ensure it was secure. There followed a banquet and celebration of Christmas, knowing the City was safe.
The Winter Watch Parade was re-created by the Council in the 1990’s. Unlike the Midsummer Watch that was re-created following the details in the City archives, the Winter Watch has been turned into a fun parade in the lead up to Christmas. Using some of the characters from the Summer Watch, this is a smaller evening parade. The cast of characters changes slightly but generally consists of-
Karamba Samba
The Lord of Misrule
Cooks Band
Devils
Dragons
Angel
Tree of Life
In addition the parade has added a spectacular fire breathing finale, with the Chester Re-enactment group joining as the Chester Watch and a group of giant skeletons.
The Parade starts at 7pm, from the Eastgate Clock. It is usually performed on the first two Thursday’s in December. The parade continues around the City centre including St Werburgh Street, Northgate Street and Bridge Street. The finale taking place in Eastgate Street outside Brown’s of Chester.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roman Saturnalia Parade Thursday December 16th Time 18:30 21:00
Chester's Roman guard reclaim the city as they parade through the streets with flaming torches in this annual celebration.
Roman Amphitheatre - Chester, Chester Centre
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Events in Chester
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER
11 Nov – 3 Jan
Christmas Village
Ice Rink, Big Wheel & Victorian Christmas Stalls – Castle Square, Chester
From 11 Nov – 23 Dec
Christmas walking tours
Every Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays 1.30pm Adults £5, Concs £4, Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children) £13
Thursday 18
Lantern Parade - 7pm
Starting from Chester Cathedral, local school children parade with their hand made lanterns.
The Flint Street Nativity, Forum Theatre (18 – 27 November)
www.chestertheatre.co.uk
Wednesday 24
Musicians from Cheshire Youth Orchestra - 7.30pm
St Mary’s Centre. Tickets £5 www.chestermusicsociety.org.uk
Thursday 25
Lantern Parade 7pm
Starting from Chester Cathedral.
DECEMBER
Wednesday 1
Abbey Gate College, Christmas music, 7.30pm
St Mary’s Centre. Tickets £5 www.chestermusicsociety.org.uk
Thursday 2
Winter Watch Parade 7pm
Starting from the Town Hall Square, A noisy and colourful twist on Chester’s history. Karamba Samba, Cooks, Jesters, Unicorn and Dragons join the Christmas shoppers.
Thursday 9
Winter Watch Parade 7pm
Your last chance to experience the unique Chester parade
Friday 10
Frost Fair, Chester Zoo (10 December – 2 January) Ice Rink, Victorian style rides, Father Christmas Grotto, Christmas Market. Free admission to the fair.
11 - 24 December
Chester Zoo - Get into the festive spirit and meet Santa this Christmas at Chester Zoo. Daily from 10 - 5pm, Santa arrives on 4 December so book now for your visit www.chesterzoo.org/christmas
Saturday 11
Dick Whittington, Forum Studio Theatre (11 - 30 Dec)
Adults £8, Concessions £7, Family Ticket £25. www.tiptopproductions.co.uk
|