Christmas shopping in Chester

Chester is the ideal place to do your Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere. It has a wide range of shops from all the familiar high street names to specialist boutiques and gift shops such as the Kite shop, Lush and Nauticalia, perfect for finding original gifts.

In the build up to Christmas the city centre is hung with lights and the half timbered shops and unique two level 'rows' ooze Christmas spirit. There are Christmas trees and all sorts of events to help you into a festive mood.

Above: Chester's christmas lights seen through the city wall.

Here are a few typical pre-Christmas events:

A Lantern parade and Winter Watch parade through the city centre in November and December.

Chester Cathedral is an atmospheric venue for christmas music concerts. For example, in 2005 they hosted a concert of 18th century Christmas music, played on reproduction instruments and presented in full period costume by candlelight.

Chester Zoo puts on a variety of Christmas events, for example, in 2007 they held a frost fair with an outdoor ice rink and of course a visit to Father Christmas.

Our self-catering holiday cottage is currently available for Christmas shopping breaks in November and December 2008.

More info

• Chester Music Society has details of Christmas concerts in the area to get you in to the festive spirit.
• Lush in Foregate Street sells delicious handmade soap and cosmetics.
• Nauticalia in Bridge Street (upper rows) stocks maritime inspired gifts. 
• Kite's Aloft, also in Bridge Street (upper rows), has a wide choice of kites.
• The Grosvenor shopping centre web site has an online store directory.