Eastgate Square will host a wide range of free family activities and live entertainment this festive season.

Kicking off the festivities is Grotto on the Square, which will return from 20 November until Christmas Eve, welcoming families for a magical encounter with Father Christmas.

On Saturday 21 November, a large gingerbread man and his festive friend will roam the centre as part of The Great Gingerbread Giveaway, handing out sweet treats to celebrate the grotto's opening weekend.

Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Holiday Wonderland will also take over the Square from 19–22 November. The festive pop-up will feature personalised engravings, prizes, makeovers and Christmas gifting.

The Christmas Bauble Boutique arrives on Sunday 29 November, offering shoppers a complimentary personalised Christmas bauble when they spend £30 or more across Eastgate Square on the day.

On Saturday 5 December, the familiar Christmas troublemakers Harry and Marv will roam the shops, posing for photographs, winding up the grotto elves and causing plenty of mischief.

On the same day, The North Pole Glitter Bar will offer free glitter makeovers for both children and adults.

Young bakers can get creative at The Christmas Cookie Factory on Sunday 6 and Saturday 19 December, with free workshops giving children the opportunity to decorate three festive 3D biscuits to take home.

On Sunday 13 December, Belle and Cinderella will perform two magical live performances, featuring songs from their own films and Christmas classics, alongside opportunities to meet the princesses and capture festive photographs.

Santa's Gift Wrapping Station will open on Sunday 20 December, with complimentary gift wrapping available for shoppers spending £30 or more across the centre that day.

Alongside the headline activities, the Salvation Army Band will fill Eastgate Square with traditional Christmas music on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 12 December.

Lisa Rogers, Centre Manager at Eastgate Square, said: "We absolutely love this time of year at Eastgate Square, and we're so excited to see the centre dressed for Christmas again.

"Chester is such a beautiful city at Christmas, and we want Eastgate Square to be a really special part of that experience.

"We've put a lot of thought into this year's programme, with everything from traditional Christmas music and magical family encounters to creative workshops and lovely little treats for our shoppers.

"Whether you're visiting to do your Christmas shopping, meeting friends for a coffee or bringing the family into Chester for a festive day out, we hope you'll come and enjoy everything we've got planned."

• Every Friday from 20 November - 'Feelgood Fridays' with live music from 1pm to 3pm
• Saturday 21 November - The Great Gingerbread Giveaway from 11am to 4pm
• Saturday 28 November and Saturday 12 December - Salvation Army Band from 12pm to 2pm
• Sunday 29 November - The Christmas Bauble Boutique from 11am to 4pm
• Saturday 5 December - Harry & Marv: The Eastgate Bandits from 11am to 4pm
• Saturday 5 December - The North Pole Glitter Bar from 11am to 4pm
• Sunday 6 and Saturday 19 December - The Christmas Cookie Factory - free biscuit decorating sessions
• Sunday 13 December - Once Upon a Christmas: Belle & Cinderella from 11:30am to 3:30pm
• Sunday 20 December - Santa's Gift Wrapping Station from 11am to 4pm
• 19-22 November: Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Holiday Wonderland
• 20 November-24 December: Grotto on the Square

Full event details, including session times and participation information, can be found here.