If you’re popping over to Chester for the Easter break you’ll find fun for everyone, whatever your age: from theatre trips, bunny bikes and Easter crafts to food and drink festivals and live music.
Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to when you spend your time in the city centre…
1. Drop in for an Easter Bonanza at The Grosvenor Museum
You can just turn up for your chance to make a range of Easter crafts that include baskets, nests and bunnies. This family-friendly event costs £2 per person and takes place on the ground floor of the museum, in the Newstead Gallery.
Where: The Grosvenor Museum, 27 Grosvenor St
When: 12-14 April, 11am-2pm
2. Taste the very best of Cheshire at a fun-filled food and drink festival
More than 150 exhibitors will be highlighting the best food and drink Cheshire and beyond has to offer at the 2022 Taste Cheshire Food & Drink Festival. This year sees the return of the ever-popular chef demonstration stage, with both celebrity and local chefs taking part. Last year, chefs Paul Rankin and John Torode demonstrated their culinary talents to just some of the thousands of festival-goers who poured into the racecourse to enjoy the three-day event.
Once inside, you can also sign up for FREE cooking classes for both kids and adults.
Tickets are available to now to buy online at the official website. You can buy tickets for individual days or for the whole three-day festival.
Where: Chester Racecourse
When: 16-18 April . Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Monday 10am-5pm
Taste Cheshire Food & Drink Festival
3. Admire the marvellous modern mosaics at Chester Cathedral
Constellations is the name of the exhibition that brings together works of contemporary mosaic by internationally recognised artists from across the UK and abroad. Step inside the Chapter House to soak up the materials, textures and colours used by modern mosaic artists who will be presenting new work on the theme Constellations. Entry is FREE but donations are welcome.
Where: Chapter House, Chester Cathedral
When: Open now until 24 April, during normal cathedral opening hours
🔵 CHESTER GIFT CARD ACCEPTED HERE
4. Get in the fun zone at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre
Who says the kids have to have all the fun at Easter? Shoppers of all ages can have a go at rabbit hopscotch, ride around on an Easter racetrack on bunny bikes or just chill out in a spring colouring zone.
The centre will be transformed into an Easter adventure with plenty of free activities to keep both you and the kids entertained. The shopping centre lies within the city walls, in the heart of the city and houses some of the best shops in Chester. There’s also 24-hour parking with more than 440 spaces.
Where: The Grosvenor Shopping Centre
When: April 3-18 (excludes Easter Sunday)
Find out here which shops at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre accept The Chester Gift Card
5. See Gangsta Granny in action at Storyhouse
Everyone will love the award-winning West End production of the story by David Walliams, a best-selling author for children. Meet Ben, who finds out his Granny has a secret that will set him on the path to an adventure of a lifetime.
Where: Storyhouse, Hunter Street
When: 14-17 April
🔵 CHESTER GIFT CARD ACCEPTED HERE
6. Soak up the music and atmosphere at Alexander’s Live
There’ll be no shortage of talent paying tribute to the likes of David Bowie, Prince, Queen, UB40 and Fleetwood Mac at Alexander’s Easter Trib fest.
There’s an outside bar, BBQ and wood-fired pizza oven, too. Tickets are £25. Details on how to book are on the website.
Where: Alexander’s Live, Rufus Court
When: Sunday 17 April, from 1pm
7. Follow the true story of Easter with the Chester City Passion
This fascinating event once again returns to the streets of Chester, commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Watch for free as the procession starts under the iconic city centre Eastgate Clock, moves up to The Cross then up Northgate Street to the Town Hall before ending in front of the cathedral.
Where: Starts from Eastgate Clock
When: Good Friday, 15 April, 10.30am
8. Hop on a bus for a city-wide sightseeing tour
One of the best ways to see a city is from on board an open-top bus. There are 12 stops on the City Sightseeing Chester bus route, and you can get on and off whenever you like, giving you plenty of time to explore. Along the route you’ll get to see highlights such as the city walls, the Groves, the cathedral and the amphitheatre. The route starts and ends at City Road and the audio guide is in English.
Where: City Road
When: Now until 1 November
9. Chill out with some retail therapy and a bite to eat
Chester city centre is a brilliant place to shop, eat and drink – and that’s more than enough for a lot of Easter visitors. It has a wide range of shops to entice you, from big brand names to independent gems, and when you’ve had your fill of the shopping, you can fill your tums at one of the great places to eat and drink. With cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, you won’t go hungry and may even find a new favourite place to relax and unwind.
Where: Chester city centre
When: Open daily throughout the year
