Chester's festive celebrations will commence with the opening of its Christmas Market next week.

Launching on Wednesday 19 November, the market will be open seven days a week, from 10.30am to 6.30pm on Sunday to Wednesday, and from 10.30am to 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The following day will see the Twelve Days of Christmas parade, the first of four parades returning to the city this year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas parade is the first of four parades returning to the city this year (Nub News)

Sponsored by Chester BID, the parade will take place on Thursday 20 November and start on Bridge Street at 7pm.

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

"Christmas officially starts in Chester with the opening of the Christmas Market," said Councillor Lisa Denson.

"All of the popular parades are back this year - 12 Days of Christmas, Lanterns, Winter Watch and Saturnalia.

"There is a magical Christmas grotto and the traditional festive show at Storyhouse is Beauty and the Beast starting on 5 December until 4 January."

The Christmas bauble will also return to Exchange Square (Nub News)

Chester's indoor market will host choir performances, the return of the Christmas bauble on Exchange Square, and a Makers Market every weekend in the run-up to Christmas.

You can find Father Christmas in his grotto at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre from 21 November, until 24 December.

He will also be visiting Chester Town Hall for a traditional grotto experience on select dates throughout December, where children can meet Santa's elves, Sparkle & Jingle.

There will be an arts and crafts workshop where attendees can make their own magical Christmas t-shirt, or craft a festive gift bag.

Chester's festive celebrations will commence with the opening of its Christmas Market (Nub News)

Chester Park and Ride is running late night services over Christmas, with the last bus from Foregate Street at 9pm on Thursdays from 20 November to 18 December. 

The full timetable can be found here.

List of festive events in Chester

• 12 Days of Christmas parade, starting from Bridge Street (Thursday 20 November, 7pm)
• Lantern Parade, starting from Town Hall Square (Thursday 27 November, 7pm)
• Winter Watch Parade, starting from Town Hall Square (Thursday 4 December, 7pm)
• Roman Saturnalia Parade, starting from the Grosvenor Museum (Thursday 11 December, 6.30pm)
• Winter Watch Parade, meeting the Romans in Town Hall Square (Thursday 11 December, 7pm)