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As winter settles, the historic streets of Chester become home to one of the UK's standout Christmas markets. Located right at the Town Hall Square, the Chester Christmas Market is a blend of seasonal traditions and modern delights.
We can help you organise your entire trip to this popular festive destination. From travel to the itinerary, this guide will give you everything you need for a wonderful wintry time.
How to get to the Chester Christmas Market
From London, the train journey to Chester takes a little over two hours. If you're travelling from Manchester Piccadilly, the journey to Chester takes about one hour and 30 minutes.
Those setting off from Birmingham New Street can catch a direct train to Chester, which takes little more than two hours. Visitors coming from Liverpool Lime Street can reach Chester in a direct train journey of 45 minutes
Once you’ve touched down at Chester Station, it’s a 20-minute walk to the market. But if you want to avoid the walk in the wintry air, there are regular buses from the station to the centre of town.
What to do at the Chester Christmas Market
Prepare for a heartwarming, nostalgic experience at the Chester Christmas Market. With a backdrop of Chester’s historic town hall and Chester Cathedral, it boasts over 70 traditional wooden chalets.
And as you wander, you'll find yourself beneath a dazzling Christmas tree that stands in the heart of the square.
The stalls beckon with a promise of local crafts, delicacies, jewellery, and more.
If you get thirsty while walking through the market, you can enjoy mulled wine or regional cask ales at the Real Ale Bar. But if you prefer something stronger, there’s the gin and rum cabin.
When you're looking for a bite to eat, you can also enjoy the many food stalls that populate the market. You’ll be met with the likes of hog roast aromas, an array of tantalisingly sweet treats, and more.
For an added dose of festivity, consider pairing your visit with a show. Chester often lines up classics like Cinderella and The Snowman for the season.
About the Chester Christmas Market
Since its establishment in 1999, the Chester Christmas Market has become a centrepiece of the town's festive calendar. With its rich history and yearly success, it has gained a reputation as one of the top UK Christmas markets outside of a major city.
For 2023, the market will be open from Friday 17th November and Thursday 21st December. The opening hours are:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10:30 am to 6:30 pm
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:30 am to 8 pm
With its central location, situated right outside Chester's town hall, finding the market will be effortless:
Ways to save on your train ticket to the Chester Christmas Market
Plan your festive escapade without hurting your pocket. Families going to the market can book Family tickets, offering bundled savings for up to two adults and three children.
For solo travellers or smaller groups, consider purchasing your tickets in advance or using a Railcard. Remember, Off-Peak hours also offer reduced fares, and if you’re heading with friends, band together and grab a Group ticket.
Get the App
Organise your journey with ease. By downloading our Avanti app, you can enjoy the best ticket fares, seat selection, and effortless payments.
With no booking fees and the instant ability to change your journey, this is the perfect travel companion for your trip to Chester.
