The countdown to Christmas has begun, we have an exhaustive list of all the festive local events including Christmas Lights switch on’s, Festive Markets, Santa Fun Runs, Christmas Shopping, Big Wheel, and of course where and when you can see Santa and this year Mrs Clause makes an appearance
If you know of any festive events we have not included, please let us know. You can even list it free yourself here
Chester’s Big Wheel
Daily from 11th November until 4th January
Taking a trip on Chester’s Big Wheel will show you sights of Chester rarely 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
Children under 3 are free
£4 Children under 1.4m
£5 Student and Concessions
£6 Adults
£36 Private Gondola hire
£40 VIP Gondola
£55 VIP Gondola with Champagne
Santa & Mrs Claus at Trentham Gardens
Every weekend until Christmas
Visit Santa and Mrs Claus in their wonderland grotto where children can experience the magic of meeting Santa, making a Christmas wish and taking away a gift.
£5.00 per child
Trentham Estate
Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke on Trent, ST4 8JG
Santa Claus at Stapeley Garden Centre
Every weekend until Christmas
Come and join the entertainment including Charlie Cheesecake Christmas Laughter Shows, Punch and Judy, magic shows, Christmas organ playing and more.
Plus visit Santa in his Grotto every weekend 11am-4.30pm and 12.30-4.30 every Friday, also for the whole of Christmas week.
Admission to see Santa in the Grotto is FREE, but if you would like to experience our new ride to see Santa and receive a present from Santa, this will cost £4 for children and £1 for adults.
Stapeley Water Gardens
92 London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 7LH
Santas Grotto at Chester Zoo
Friday 4 to 24 December
Visit Santas Grotto and see the Zoo this festive season. Meet Father Christmas and receive a free gift in the fabulous 100 foot long grotto, packed with animated polar bears, reindeer and elves wrapping presents in Santa's workshop.
Santas Grotto - (including free gift) £7.00 per person
Santas Grotto and Zoo Admission - £16.50 per child (includes optional donation)
Chester Zoo
Upton by Chester, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1LH
Meet Father Christmas at the Farm
4th / 5th and 11th / 12th and 18th / 19th December
Father Christmas and his elves are visiting their two and four-legged friends at the farm - and you are invited.
Children can meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a special Christmas gift. The farm animals, including the donkeys, pigs and horses and Tatton’s famous rare breed animals are on show, while some are the star attractions of the nativity scene. Feed the goats, visit Aunt Mary by the fireside in her cottage, listen to the story-teller and have the children’s faces painted.
Child £3.50 / Adult £4.50 adult
Tatton Park, Knutsford, WA16 6QN
For the 3 weekends in December prior to Christmas come and join Santa and Mrs Claus for festive stories and sing-along fun!
The festive cruise lasts 50 minutes and every child will get a present from Santa. Booking is strongly advisable.
Anderton Boat Lift
Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6FW
Santa at Biddulph Grange
11th / 12th and 19th / 20th December
11:30 to 15:00
Follow the trail to find Santa in his secret grotto waiting to hear what you want for Christmas. Normal Admission Charges Apply
Biddulph Grange Gardens
Grange Road, Biddulph, Staffordshire, ST8 7SD
Father Christmas comes to Dunham
18th and 19th December
12:00 to 15:00
Meet Father Christmas and let him know what’s on your wish list.
Dunham Massey
Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ
Christmas Grotto - Nantwich
27th November
10:00 to 16:00
Come and see Father Christmas and his elves in his grotto in this beautiful timber-framed building in conjunction with the Nantwich Rotary Club.
Nantwich Bookshop
46 High Street, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5AS
Father Christmas Float
23rd December
10:00 to 16:00
Rotary Club of Nantwich Father Christmas float
Nantwich Town Square.
Nantwich Santa Dash
19th December
10:15 to 12:00
Santa Dash in Nantwich town centre, supported by UK Triathlong Race Series, Cheshire East Council and Nantwich Town Council.
The race incorporates 2 or 4 laps starting and finishing at Nantwich Town Square, running through the historic streets of Beam Street, High Street, Oakmarket, Waterlode and Mill Street.
More info click here
Crewe Hope House Santa Fun Run
12th December
11:00 to 12:30
For the second year, the streets of Crewe will be full with Santas. This one mile course through the town centre is suitable for all ages and is family friendly.
Crewe Town Centre
More info click here
Shavington Christmas Craft and Gift Fair
21st November
A chance to buy a few more stocking fillers at the Christmas craft and gift fair.
Free admission. Refreshments available.
Shavington Village Hall
Main Road, Shavington, Cheshire, CW2 5DU
Sandbach Chritmas Famers Market
11th December
8:30 am to 1:30 pm - Sandbach Market Square
More info click here
Italian Christmas Market
20th and 21st November
Starts 10:00am
Blakemere Craft Centre
Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2EB
