GALLERY: Chester's Saturnalia parade 2024

Chester saw its final festive parade of the year on Thursday 12 December.

The Saturnalia parade began at Grosvenor Museum, arriving in Eastgate Street at 6.30pm, where the Emperor addressed his subjects.

The Winter Watch parade joined forces with the Roman Saturnalia parade at the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square at 7pm, with the two parades marching through the city centre.

Chester's Karamba Samba dressed as a ghost band to create fast-paced drum beats and mournful jazz tunes on Chester's streets.

The Winter Watch parade included characters from the Midsummer Watch Parade also dating from the 1400s, with the additions of Jack Frost, an angel, fire Skeletons, a dragon, ice queens, devils and cooks with their Victorian Christmas dinner.

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Saturnalia was the feast at which the Romans commemorated the dedication of the temple of the god Saturn.

It was marked by tomfoolery and reversal of roles, with slaves and masters switching places. Clothing was relaxed and included the peaked woollen cap that symbolised the freed slave.

You can find a gallery of the evening at the top of the article.