Chester Christmas Market
Opens early
England, United Kingdom
Chester Christmas Market 2026
Last updated · How we compile this guide
When is the Chester Christmas market in 2026?
Chester Christmas Market on Town Hall ran 19 Nov – 22 Dec 2025 last season. We haven't confirmed the 2026 dates yet; markets usually keep a similar pattern. Entry is free. The first Sunday of Advent in 2026 is 29 Nov 2026.
Chester's Christmas market sets up on Town Hall Square near the cathedral and the black-and-white medieval Rows, making it one of the prettiest market settings in north-west England.
19 NovOpened (2025)
22 Dec 2025Closed
Dates, location and website
Dates shown are from the 2025–26 season unless 2026 dates are marked — check the official website before you go.
Plan your visit to Chester
Getting there
Chester is about 45 minutes from Liverpool and an hour from Manchester by train, and around two hours from London Euston. The station is a 15-minute walk from the town centre.
When to go
Weekday afternoons are the quietest. Arrive before dark to walk the Rows — two-tier medieval galleries of shops — and stay for the lights on Eastgate Street.
Make a day of it
Walk the city walls, the most complete Roman and medieval walls in Britain, past the Eastgate Clock, and visit Chester Cathedral. Liverpool's and Manchester's markets are easy add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Chester Christmas market 2026?
Last season Chester Christmas Market ran from 19 Nov 2025 to 22 Dec 2025. Expect similar timing in 2026 — the first Sunday of Advent is 29 Nov 2026 — and confirm the dates on the official website before you book.
Is the Chester Christmas market open after Christmas?
No — last season it closed on 22 Dec 2025, so plan your visit before Christmas Day.
Is the Chester Christmas market free?
Yes, entry is free — you only pay for food, drinks and gifts.