Chester Christmas Lights 2019
No sooner we start talking about Christmas and before you know it, there is more to get excited about. Firstly, a few days ago I mentioned the Hoole Christmas Lights switch on. In case you didn’t know, it is the 20th birthday of the Hoole Christmas Lights. You can read more about it HERE. Now, we can reveal more about the Chester Christmas Lights switch on.
Chester Christmas Lights
Yes, Chester Christmas Lights. This year’s extravaganza has been changed quite a bit from previous years. Just in case you couldn’t attend last year’s main event – the switching on of the lights, you can find my posting of the event HERE.
If you don’t reading the whole post from last year, you may only want to see the video I made……
So Chester Christmas Lights 2019. There is so much going on behind the scenes, even as we speak……so to speak.
For those that were thinking it’s a simple case of flicking a switch and everything happens by magic, no siree. There’s so much work to do.
Edit – For any children that might be reading, it is really all done by magic. Take no notice of these grown ups. Santa books a date telling us when he is coming and then…..well, works his magic basically.
Somebody asked me last year whether it was the real Santa on the roof of the Town Hall (watch the video above).
My answer to that. Two words. “Of course”
Chester Christmas Lights 2019-Schedule Of Events
OK, for all you grown ups out there living in a fantasy world thinking there’s a load of work to be done for the Christmas showpiece (wink….wink…we know better hey kids!!).
The first task every year is to check that all the LED Christmas Lights work. All 80,845 of them. Elfie….Elfie…..be careful, what you doing…..if you’re not careful you’ll…..all 80,844 of them.
Not to worry, we’ll soon get another one. So, a total of 80,845 lights are checked and confirmed that they work. Not quite sure why most of them in Frodsham Street don’t normally work the night after switch on mind you. But never mind. I’m sure they’ll have it cracked this year.
As there are other events going on this year, here’s a timetable of what to expect.
Chester Christmas Lights – Timetable
October 14 – The Christmas Lights installation starts.
November 12 – The building of the popular Christmas Market commences. Also, the Christmas tree is delivered. So, there will be road closures at 6am as the tree arrives. Roads will re-open at 7am to allow deliveries, then close again at 10:30am.
So far, so good!!!
November 14 – The main Christmas Lights will be switched on in time for the opening of the Christmas Market. Also, Ches-STAR will be turned on at the same time. What is Ches-Star? Have a look below…..
So now you know. Good innit. Maybe the photo doesn’t do it justice but it is quite spectacular.
What else is there to look forward to…..
November 16 – The Christmas Market opens.
November 21 – which is a Thursday, so late night shopping. There will also be a 12 Days Of Christmas Parade, spot Santa and fireworks at the Amphitheatre. No need to drive into town either if you don’t want to as there will be an extended Park and Ride service.
November 28 – A Lantern Parade, late night shopping again as it’s Thursday and an extended park and Ride.
December 1 – Santa Dash. This is well worth catching if you get chance. I’ll be writing a separate post about this. If you happen to see a Santa seemingly puffing and panting struggling around the course long after all the others have finished – don’t be alarmed. Some say he’s lagging behind and out of shape. I prefer to say that I’m……er, I mean…..he’s probably just soaking up the atmosphere and taking my…..er….his time!!!
December 5 – Winter Watch Parade, late night shopping and extended Park and Ride.
December 12 – Winter Watch and Saturnalia (not sure what that is) Parades, late night shopping and extended Park and Ride.
Getting Close Now – Santa’s Really Warming Up
December 16, 17 and 18 – Extended Park and Ride service.
December 19 – A Thursday, so late night shopping and extended Park and Ride.
December 20 – Extended Park and Ride.
December 22 – A Sunday and it is the last day of the Christmas Market.
December 23 – All the Christmas Market stalls are taken down and packed away for another year.
Edit – At this point kids, we know that really Santa is just limbering up. Making room for all those mince pies and checking his maps of how to get to Hoole, Blacon, Saltney, Lache, Huntington and all other places in Chester. His reindeers are all ready to go and looking forward to their Carrotfest extravaganza.
So, there you have it. Chester Christmas Lights 2019. It’s not far away now. So, make a note in your diaries of all those dates above. Last year lights switch on was a great event and well worth a visit. I’m guessing this year’s will be just as spectacular.
