Chester's Christmas festivities will begin this November with the return of the Christmas Market and a series of parades.

The Christmas Market opens on Wednesday 18 November, with the Twelve Days of Christmas parade taking place the following evening, Thursday 19 November.

Starting on Bridge Street at 7pm, the event is the first of a series of parades returning this year.

Community groups and local artists will parade through the city centre, travelling from Bridge Street towards the Cross, along Eastgate Street and St Werburgh Street, past the Town Hall and finishing on Watergate Street.

Father Christmas will also visit Chester Town Hall on various dates throughout December for a traditional grotto experience.

He will make a special appearance at Storyhouse on Saturday 5 December, for an accessible Santa experience at the Garret Theatre. The event has been designed by parents of children with special educational needs.

The Christmas bauble will also soon return to Exchange Square, which will also host a makers market every weekend in the run-up to Christmas.

Chester Park and Ride will run late-night services over the festive period, with the last bus from Foregate Street leaving at 9pm on Thursdays between 19 November and 17 December.

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Security bollards at Town Hall Square will also be raised from Wednesday 18 November, until Christmas Eve, preventing vehicle access after 10.30am.

The restrictions will remain in place until 8pm from Thursday to Saturday, and until 6.30pm from Sunday to Wednesday.

On Saturdays from 21 November, the bollards by Hunter Street, opposite Storyhouse, will also be closed to vehicles between 10.30am and 8pm.

On Sundays, the restrictions will apply from midday until 6pm.

Festive events:

• Thursday 19 November 7pm - 12 Days of Christmas parade, starting from Bridge Street
• Thursday 26 November 7pm - Lantern Parade, starting from Town Hall Square
• Thursday 3 December 7pm - Winter Watch Parade, starting from Town Hall Square
• Thursday 10 December 6.15pm - Roman Saturnalia Parade, starting from the Grosvenor Museum
• Thursday 10 December, 7pm - Winter Watch Parade, meeting the Romans in Town Hall Square