The Annual Chester Lantern Parade returns to Chester next week

School children will parade through Chester city centre on Thursday 30 November for the annual Christmas Lantern Parade.

The parade leaves from the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square at 7pm with children carrying their handmade lanterns. The route follows St Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street, Bridge Street, then turning around and heading for Northgate Street, with the Parade ending back in Town Hall Square.

The lanterns have all been hand made by children in workshops led by local artist Russell Kirk. The schools taking part are from Hoole Primary, Belgrave Primary, Dee Point Primary, Upton Westlea Primary, Cherry Grove Primary, Acresfield Primary, The Firs Primary, Mickle Trafford Village School, and Tarporley Primary.

Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health) said: “Thank you to all the children for making their lanterns and joining this year’s parade. I’m sure it’s going to look fabulous as they join the already buzzing Christmas market.

“The Lantern parade is followed by our Winter Watch parades and we will also welcome back the Romans as they bring their own Saturnalia celebrations to Chester.”

The Lantern Parade is one part of Chester’s Christmas celebrations that include the Christmas market in Town Hall Square, Chester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival, Santa’s Grotto in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Cinderella at Storyhouse, Choirs on the Rows, The Winter Watch Parade (7 December) and the combined Saturnalia and Winter Watch Parade (14 December).

Chester Park and Ride will be running late night services over Christmas, the last bus from Foregate Street will be 9pm on Thursdays from 16 November and then each night during Christmas week 18 to 22 December up to 9pm.