Here’s our round-up of some of the Christmas services and events in local towns and villages
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Alderley Edge
London Road will be lit up on Thursday November 21 in an event, from 6pm to 7.30pm, involving entertainment, a hog roast, mince pies, mulled wine and an appearance by Father Christmas.
Altrincham
The lights go on on Saturday November 23, with a lantern parade from 4.45pm, finishing in Stamford Square, where the switch is thrown at 5.15pm.
Cheshire Oaks
The UK’s largest artificial tree will be brought to life with over 100,000 twinkling lights as Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet launches the Christmas season with its annual switch on event. This year, for the first time ever, visitors will be able to marvel at the enormity of the tree from the inside as a magical archway makes it Europe’s first walk-in Christmas tree. Thursday 14th November at 7.30pm
Chester
Christmas begins on Thursday November 21 in Chester with the switch-on of the lights in the city centre at 6pm followed by a parade through the city at 6.30pm.
The Winter Watch Parade, a ceremony which goes back to the 1400s, takes place on December 5 and December 12, departing from the Town Hall and featuring dancers, fire-breathers and sword fights. A Roman Saturnalia Parade on December 19 will see Roman legionnaires with flaming torches.
Knutsford
The lights go on the evening of Saturday November 30. A reindeer parade into Canute Place will precede live entertainment by schools and other groups. It’s part of Knutsford Christmas Weekend, which also includes a festive market in Princess Street and a crib service on Sunday December 1 at 4pm.
Tatton Park, Knutsford
Father Christmas arrives at the stately home, complete with reindeer, amid a lantern parade from 6pm on Friday November 29. There are Christmas concerts in the Tenants’ Hall by the Northern Chamber Orchestra and Choir on December 12, City of Chester Male Voice Choir on December 13 and Roberts Bakery Band on December 14, and carols in the Stableyard on Sunday December 22 from 3pm.
Wilmslow
The Christmas lights switch-on will be on Thursday November 28, with live entertainment and a reindeer parade to Bank Square. The fun begins at 5pm
FESTIVE MARKETS
November 15 to December 22: Manchester’s Christmas markets run at eight sites, including Albert Square and St Ann’s Square. Stallholders from around the world. Expect lots of sausages and mulled wine.
November 16 and 17: Blakemere Village, Northwich, has its Christmas extravaganza weekend, with special offers and discounts in the shops and a festive market with food and crafts. There is a Christmas food and craft market on the weekend of November 23 to 24, and craft markets with food from Taste Cheshire on December 7 to 8 and December 14 to 15.
November 21 to December 21: Christmas market open in Chester, this year revamped with new wooden chalet-style stalls housing traders selling giftware, clothing, food and drink. There’s more festive markets at Chester Racecourse, where November 21 also sees the start of a Winter Wonderland, complete with ice rink, fairground rides and Father Christmas.
November 22 to 24: A large craft and gift marquee is promised at Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, as part of this chance to see the stately home decked out for Christmas. While walking around the house, you will be entertained by choirs and musicians, and mulled wine and mince pies are among the goodies on offer in the Butler’s Pantry.
November 23: Handmade in Handbridge is the theme of a Christmas fair at St Mary Without-the-Walls Church in Handbridge, Chester, featuring ceramics, textiles, jewellery, chocolates and confectionery.
November 30- December 1: Christmas market in Princess Street, Knutsford, with local crafts and fine foods, plus live entertainment in Canute Square to coincide with the Christmas lights switch-on on the Saturday.
December 7: Christmas market in Market Street, Marple, with entertainment by local schools, brass bands and a lantern processions at dusk. On the same day, Cheadle goes Victorian with a market atmosphere throughout the village, street entertainments, funfair rides and carols, from 11am to 8pm.
December 7-8: Christmas food festival at Arley Hall, 10.30am to 5pm on both days.
CHURCHES
An Advent carol service and candlelight procession will be held at St Mary’s Church, Stockport, on Saturday November 30 at 5.30pm.
Chester Cathedral, has carol services on Sunday December 1 at 6.30pm and December 15 at 3.30pm, and the Nine Lessons and Carols on December 23 at 6pm and Christmas Eve at 3.30pm.
The annual Advent carol service at St Oswald’s Church, Malpas, takes place on Sunday December 1 from 6.30pm, with a Christingle service on Sunday December 8 at 11am.
Carols in Wonderland at All Saints Church, Daresbury (where Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll was born in 1832) on Saturday December 14 from 4pm.
Nantwich Choral Society Family Carol Concert on December 21 6.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Nantwich
St Wilfrid Church, Mobberley, has a service of Nine Lessons ands Carols on Sunday December 22 at 6.30pm, and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.
A family carol service at 4pm on Christmas Eve followed by a 6.30pm service at St John Church, High Legh.
The three Masses at St Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception Church, Crewe, on Sunday December 22 include a Polish Mass at 12.45pm.
If we’ve missed anything out please leave a comment below
