Top Christmas Holiday Destinations in Cheshire

Cheshire offers many festive activities throughout December that are sure to put you into the spirit. Discover Tudor houses decorated for Christmas, enjoy breakfast with Santa or take an unforgettable stroll through an enchanted forest!

Chester and Ellesmere Port offer numerous opportunities to visit Santa at his various grottos around Chester and Ellesmere Port.

Bolesworth Castle

Bolesworth Castle transforms into a festive winter wonderland at Bolesworth Country House for the holidays, providing visitors with a family-friendly event featuring mesmerising light projections and installations, an interactive village where guests can sip warm mulled wine, roast marshmallows and meet Rudolph and Santa’s reindeers! Additionally, guests will have an opportunity to follow Rudolph around his journey around Bolesworth Castle’s grounds.

Walton Gardens hosts one of the season’s must-see holiday attractions: Luminate Cheshire. This captivating display of illuminated sculptures and lighting installations promises an enchanting experience for visitors of all ages, running from November 19th until January 8th this year.

There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as attending one of Chester’s festive markets to get into the holiday spirit! From traditional stalls and crafts vendors, to delicious seasonal snacks and festive goodies – Chester Christmas Markets have something to offer everyone – plus they provide the ideal opportunity to find gifts for loved ones!

If you’re seeking some added thrills this year, take part in the Lantern Parade. Guided by local children, this breathtaking procession includes performances by brass bands, actors and choirs; making for an exciting way to experience Chester at night and put you into an uplifting festive spirit!

Once the festivities of your day of festivities have concluded, Edgar House offers the perfect place for relaxation with family and friends. Situated close to all of Cheshire’s top holiday spots, making this luxurious boutique accommodation a prime choice for short Christmas breaks.

Though we aren’t currently taking reservations for Christmas 2022, our team would love to assist in creating an incredible Cheshire vacation experience in early 2023! Check our availability page here to start the planning process.

Cheshire provides the ideal escape from the holiday hustle, with beautiful forests and nature reserves that provide scenic escapism. Take your walking boots on an adventure through Delamere Forest, Blakemere Moss or Old Pale Hill pine forests for stunning panoramic views over Cheshire countryside; alternatively enjoy scenic strolls along either Cheshire Way or Chester Canal for more leisurely excursions.

Blakemere Village

Blakemere Village offers the ideal winter wonderland full of sentimental gifts for every taste imaginable, offering everything from children’s toys and jewelry to homeware, fashion, antiques and antiques. Indulge yourself with their cozy cafes and restaurants after an exhausting shopping session!

This year’s Blakemere Village Winter Trail features an entrancing fairy tale theme inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Boasting stunning lights, multi-sensory displays, and melodious music reminiscent of Alice’s adventures in Wonderland, the Blakemere Winter Trail will capture your imagination while you wander its woodland trails and state rooms of the museum.

Cheshire at Christmastime isn’t complete without experiencing one of its festive light trails, with Audlem setting an exemplary example by lavishing every shop and tree with sparkling fairy lights to vie for ‘Best Village’ honors each year. Residents pay a voluntary annual fee in order to keep Audlem looking its finest!

Cheshire’s stately homes get festively decked out for Christmas too, hosting various themed events throughout the season. Tatton Park transforms into panto-land with rooms decorated in festive finery for Once Upon a Pantomime while Dunham Massey takes you through an enchanted forest thanks to its Winter Trail featuring glowing bridges and hundreds of color-changing globes – an event not to be missed this holiday season!

Other great family-friendly events for the holidays include Santa’s Grotto at Ellesmere Port Museum, where children can meet Santa and share their wish lists with him. Skating under the stars at Cathedral Gardens Ice Rink or visiting Tinsel Town at The Trafford Centre are other fantastic family-oriented options in Manchester.

If Chester’s bustling streets seem too daunting for you, why not opt for the more relaxed shopping experience provided by Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet near Ellesmere Port. Boasting over 145 designer and high street stores, Cheshire Oaks will have everything on your Christmas gift list covered in no time at all. Or alternatively head down to The Rows in Chester for an exquisite shopping trip among medieval half-timbered buildings?

Chester Zoo

As soon as the temperature drops, Chester Zoo transforms into an exquisite winter wonderland for their popular Lanterns and Light event. Experience an extraordinary lantern-lit journey through nine fantastical worlds filled with animal inspired illuminations and festive fun!

At this spectacular and heartwarming event, orangutans, lions, dolphins and woolly mammoths play the central roles. Visitors can experience stunning light installations while taking in all that the zoo offers in terms of scenery.

From Moonlit Meadow to Cloud Cuckoo Land, each magical setting showcases incredible illuminated characters and installations. Additionally, Rainforest Aglow trail returns, showcasing vibrant flowers and vines lit up by glowing lanterns such as giant snails or even an entire troupe of emus!

Chester Zoo experience days make an unforgettable Christmas present idea, from dining with Asiatic lions to meeting Rothschild’s giraffes – sure to please animal lovers of any sort. Plus, all purchases made through Chester Zoo contribute towards wildlife preservation – so your purchases help prevent wildlife extinction too!

Cheshire offers festive markets and shops filled with something for you or someone special, from elegant boutiques to artisan produce – you are bound to find an incredible array of gifts in their historic cities and market towns. Take a break from your shopping with some delicious Cheshire Farm Ice Cream (famously famous local treat).

At Christmas time there are numerous ways to visit Santa. A visit to his grotto can get the kids excited for Christmas while more unusual experiences like meeting him at a farm, aquarium or cruise ship may also provide great memories.

As a truly unforgettable and personal present this holiday season, why not give someone special in your life the experience of visiting a zoo or museum? Blue Planet memberships make a perfect present for nature enthusiasts while theatre tickets at Storyhouse Theatre would make a fantastic treat for theatre enthusiasts.

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is an excellent way to complete all of your Christmas shopping in one visit, offering up to 60% less than RRP on premium and high street brands. Plus, visitors can shop even longer this year; weeknight hours start at 9pm until December, with 10pm becoming part of its regular operating hours!

As shoppers complete their purchases, they can visit the Christmas Village for a warm drink and delicious meal, featuring bookable terrace-style outdoor dining huts. Indulge in festive activities such as arts and crafts or face painting artists at Guest Services all day long; while kids can meet Santa himself himself on certain dates throughout December.

This year, the center will support Autism Together by devoting one hour every night it’s open specifically for anyone with sensory or access needs to enjoy. An accessible Christmas tree and interactive gift experience are both planned in order to make our centre an even more welcoming place for everyone.

Fun doesn’t stop there: McArthurGlen’s own ice rink returns this year after being absent since 2021, along with its iconic 90ft Christmas tree and winter village/carousel combo, as well as an award-winning international play designers Carve’s unique play area designed specifically to create an enjoyable shopping experience for younger shoppers.

Visitors to The Hammond School Choir can look forward to an incredible range of entertainment at The Big Act’s holiday light switch-on show, highlighted by celebrity singer Jordan Phillips of ITV’s The Voice fame as well as local favourites The Hammond School Choir and regional theatre school The Big Act. A stunning fireworks display will light up the skies above The Centre when their Christmas lights are switched on!

Cheshire Oaks is best experienced during evening hours when crowds tend to be reduced. For visitors hoping to avoid traffic and parking queues, our insider recommends arriving before general opening times.