Eastgate Square unveils its Christmas 2026 programme

Chester's Eastgate Square is preparing for a magical Christmas, with beautiful decorations, free family activities and live entertainment throughout November and December.

The shopping centre's Christmas decorations will be in place by Friday 6 November, with further enhancements to its festive displays this year, transforming the historic shopping destination into a beautifully dressed setting for the season.

The decorations will also be ready in time for Eastgate Square to mark the first anniversary of its new name on 7 November, as the centre is filled with a little extra sparkle this year following the opening of several new brands to the scheme, including H beauty and Mango.

From giant gingerbread characters and mischievous Christmas bandits to princess performances, personalised gifts and festive workshops, the programme promises something for all ages, with activities taking place across five consecutive weekends from 19 November.

Grotto on the Square will return from 20 November until Christmas Eve, welcoming families for a magical encounter with Father Christmas, while a packed calendar of additional entertainment will bring even more festive atmosphere to the centre.

The celebrations begin on Saturday 21 November with The Great Gingerbread Giveaway, as a larger-than-life gingerbread man and his festive friend roam the centre, meeting shoppers and handing out sweet treats to celebrate the grotto’s opening weekend.

Beauty lovers will also have something special to look forward to, with Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Holiday Wonderland taking over the Square from 19–22 November. The beautiful festive pop-up will feature personalised engravings, prizes, makeovers and gorgeous Christmas gifting.

For those looking for something a little more personal, 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.

December brings a host of playful experiences, including Harry & Marv: The Eastgate Bandits! on Saturday 5 December. The familiar Christmas troublemakers will be roaming the shops, posing for photographs, winding up the grotto elves and causing plenty of festive mischief.

On the same day, The North Pole Glitter Bar will offer free glitter makeovers for children and adults alike, whether it’s a little extra Christmas sparkle for younger visitors or a glamorous finishing touch before an evening out in Chester.

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.

And on Sunday 13 December, Once Upon a Christmas will bring Belle and Cinderella to Eastgate Square for two magical live performances, featuring songs from their own much-loved films, Frozen favourites and Christmas classics, alongside opportunities to meet the princesses and capture festive photographs.

As the big day approaches, 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, while Feelgood Fridays will bring live music to the centre every Friday from 20 November to 18 December, between 1pm and 3pm.

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.

What’s On at Eastgate Square this Christmas

Every Friday, 20 November – 18 December

Feelgood Fridays – live music, 1pm–3pm.

Saturday 21 November

The Great Gingerbread Giveaway, 11am–4pm.

Saturday 28 November + Saturday 12 December

Salvation Army Band, 12pm–2pm.

Sunday 29 November

The Christmas Bauble Boutique, 11am–4pm. Free personalised bauble with a qualifying £30 same-day spend.

Saturday 5 December

Harry & Marv: The Eastgate Bandits!, 11am–4pm.

The North Pole Glitter Bar, 11am–4pm. Free glitter makeovers.

Sunday 6 + Saturday 19  December

The Christmas Cookie Factory, 11am–4pm. Free biscuit decorating sessions.

Sunday 13 December

Once Upon a Christmas: Belle & Cinderella, 11:30am–3:30pm.

Sunday 20 December

Santa’s Gift Wrapping Station, 11am–4pm. Free gift wrapping with a qualifying £30 same-day spend.

More festive experiences:

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 at eastgatesquarechester.co.uk.