School children from across Chester will parade through the city centre on Thursday 2 December for the return of the Christmas Lantern Parade led by a Christmas band.
The children leave from Chester’s Christmas Market at 7pm with their handmade lanterns, the parade route includes St Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street, Bridge Street, then turning around and heading for Northgate Street, with the Parade ending back at the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square.
Schools taking part this year are Cherry Grove Primary, Acresfield Primary, Dee Point Primary, St Clares Primary, Upton Westlea Primary, Lache Primary, Belgrave Primary and Tarporley CE Primary.
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said, “It is good to see the Lantern Parade returning. The lanterns have all been hand made by the children to be carried in the parade.
“We are expecting one of the largest Lantern Parades this year with eight local primary schools taking part. I’m sure they will have a warm welcome and don’t forget the Christmas Market will stay open until 8pm.”
The Lantern Parade is one part of Chester’s Christmas celebrations that include the Christmas market in Town Hall Square, Lanterns at Chester Zoo, Chester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival, Santa’s Grotto in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Oliver Twist at Storyhouse, Winter Watch Parade (9 December) and the combined Saturnalia and Winter Watch Parade (16 December) plus the Roving Moon that will be moving around the city centre every week.
Although not compulsory, in the interests of COVID-safety anyone attending Christmas events is encouraged to take a rapid lateral flow test beforehand, wear a face covering – particularly if it is crowded, wash hands regularly and social distance where possible.
Around one in three people have COVID-19 without any symptoms. A lateral flow test is designed to identify these cases and prevent anyone from spreading the virus unknowingly. For information about lateral flow tests and how to access them visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/c19testing 
If you do have symptoms, please do not attend. Self-isolate straightaway and book a laboratory-processed PCR test by ringing: 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
For details about Christmas events in Chester visit: https://www.visitcheshire.com/christmas/christmas-in-chester
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