Festivals and Events

Chester hosts a huge variety of festivals and events throughout the year.

Themes are wide and varied, including: Folk music, literature, film, the summer, winter and Christmas!

You will find more information on all of these below and links to more information on this site.

Midsummer/Winter Watch Parades

First held during the mayoralty of Richard Goodman in 1498, it was organised by the City Guilds and took place in the years when the famous Mystery Plays were not performed.

After a lapse of 300 years, the Midsummer Watch Parade was revived in 1990. The Giants and Beasts were re-built by local schools and community groups and a spectacular new Merchants Mount was re-created. Surviving documentary evidence was used to ensure that the essential character of this unique Parade is as true to the original as possible.

There is a second chance to see some of the Summer Watch characters as they come together in December for the Winter Watch Parades, a smaller version with a Christmas feel including Cooks, chefs and Christmas puddings.

See the Midsummer Watch Page for more information.

Chester Mystery Plays

The Chester Cycle of Mystery Plays is the most famous of the public festivities which brightened the lives of citizens in the Middle Ages.

The origins of many of these events are uncertain, but by the Tudor period they were accepted as traditional and customary.  By the last quarter of the 16th century there was increasing opposition to the events on religious grounds and sometimes for public order concerns.

The earliest reference to a Chester play performed by the guilds occurs in a document of 1422.

The Mystery Plays are held every five years, with the next due in 2013. The last performances were in 2008.

See the Chester Mystery Plays Page for more information.

Chester Film Festival

The Chester Film Festival is organised by the Chester Film Society. Have a look at their website (External Link) to see what's happening.

Chester Folk Festival

Held in the Spring of every year the Folk Festival showcases some of the biggest talent in Folk Music world.

For more information see the official Folk Festival website  (External Link)

Chester Summer Music Festival

The Chester Summer Music Festival is held each year, and it brings some of the biggest names in music to Chester.

Look up the Chester Festivals website  (External Link) for more information on this years events.

Chester Youth Fringe

The Youth Fringe has been running since 1996 and is funded by Chester Festivals Ltd and through the Regional Arts Lottery Programme. We are committed to developing innovative, imaginative and enjoyable ways of giving young people (aged 12-21) opportunities to improve their creative and artistic skills through a variety of high quality workshops and events.

See the Chester Youth Fringe Festival page for more info

One Earth

An environmental, art day at Grosvenor Park in July organised by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Chester City Council, arts and crafts plus music, a free day for all the family.

Chester Literature Festival

Chester's Literature Festival takes place around the City during October, visit the festival web site and our what's on pages for full details of the festival. Details will be posted late summer.

Look at the Chester Festivals  (External Link) website for more information on this years events

Chester and District Festival of Trees

In Chester and its surrounding district, trees are celebrated every November in the largest tree festival in Britain.  The Chester and District Festival of Trees is a local community organisation that was established in 1995 out of a desire to raise awareness.

Lantern Parade (Christmas Street Festival)

The Parade comprises staff and children from local schools, parents, individuals and community groups carrying lanterns made in special workshops, plus a Christmas marching band playing seasonal music. In addition, Street Theatre and musicians, choirs, and other local music groups perform seasonal music including carols, Mediaeval and Renaissance pieces.