Celebrate the season

Alderley Edge

The fifth Christmas Tree festival is held at Alderley Edge Methodist Church from December 6-8, with dozens of decorated trees on show. There’s a lunchtime recital by Elfair Dyer (harp) and Helen Wilson (flute) on December 6, and carols around the trees at 3.30pm on December 8.

Altrincham

Carols in Goose Green on December 21 from 3.30pm with a brass band and seasonal cheer.

Broughton

The popular Celtic Christmas Fayre takes place at Broughton Shopping Park, near Chester, from November 27 to December 1, with 100 of the area’s best food producers, plus craft and gift stalls, Christmas trees and Santa’s grotto.

Cheadle

Cheadle goes Victorian with a market atmosphere throughout the village, street entertainments, funfair rides and carols, from 11am to 8pm on December 7.

Chester

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.

Chester Cathedral has carol services on 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.

Daresbury

Carols in Wonderland at All Saints Church, Daresbury (where Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll was born in 1832) on December 14 from 4pm.

Heswall

Carol singing with the Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass Band at St Peter’s Church gates on December 11 from 7.15pm.

Knutsford

The Christmas lights go on the evening of 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 December 1 at 4pm.

Liverpool

The Ice Festival runs at Liverpool One until January 5, with an ice rink on Chavasse Park (plus little rink for inexperienced skaters), an ice bar created from crystal clear sculpted ice, a ski resort-style Après bar and Santa’s grotto.

On December 17, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral stages a charity carol concert involving youth choirs and musicians.

Malpas

The annual Advent carol service at St Oswald’s Church, Malpas, takes place on December 1 from 6.30pm, with a Christingle service on December 8 at 11am.

Marple

Christmas market in Market Street on December 7 with entertainment by local schools, brass bands and a lantern processions at dusk.

Mobberley

St Wilfrid’s Church, Mobberley, has a service of Nine Lessons and Carols on December 22 at 6.30pm, and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.

Northwich

Blakemere Village has craft markets with food from Taste Cheshire on December 7-8 and December 14-15. Santa and his helpers arrive at the village in Sandiway in a horse-drawn carriage with the opening of the grotto on the weekend of December 16-17.

Northwich, Arley Hall

Arley Hall has a Christmas food festival on December 7-8, 10.30am to 5pm on both days, featuring food from local producers, real ale, chef demonstrations, children’s cookery lessons, cake competitions and Men Vs Food eating contests, not forgetting Santa’s grotto, gift stalls and mulled wine.

Stalybridge

The farmers’ market in Armentieres Square on December 8 coincides with a Santa Dash - a fun run at 11.45am to raise funds for the Reuben’s Retreat charity.

Stockport

An Advent carol service and candlelight procession will be held at St Mary’s Church, Stockport, on November 30 at 5.30pm.

Tatton Park, Knutsford

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 December 22 from 3pm.