Experience Chester at Christmas with late night shopping and extended Park & Ride
Residents and visitors are being encouraged to make the most of Chester's festive atmosphere this Christmas as late night shopping returns to the city centre from Thursday 19 November until Thursday 17 December 2026.
With shops staying open later, sparkling Christmas lights, festive food and drink, and a packed programme of seasonal events, Chester offers plenty of reasons to enjoy an evening in the city in the run up to Christmas.
To help make visiting easier, Chester's Park & Ride service will be operating extended hours on Thursday late night shopping evenings, giving people a convenient way to travel into the city centre without the hassle of finding parking.
Whether ticking off a Christmas shopping list, enjoying a meal with friends, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere, Park & Ride provides an easy and affordable way to make the most of an evening out in Chester.
Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said:
Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Chester. The city comes alive with festive lights, late night shopping, great food and drink and a fantastic atmosphere. We're fortunate to have such a vibrant city centre and I would encourage people to support our shops, restaurants, cafés and other local businesses during the festive season. By extending Park & Ride services on late night shopping evenings, we're making it even easier for residents and visitors to enjoy everything Chester has to offer without the stress of driving around looking for parking. Whether you're picking up presents, meeting friends after work or enjoying a festive evening out with family, Chester is a great place to spend time this Christmas.
Extended Park & Ride services will operate on all Thursday late-night shopping evenings, providing a convenient and reliable way to travel to and from the city centre.
More information, timetables and routes are available on the Council’s website.