One of country’s oldest festive parades first held in Chester over 500 years ago

Chester’s much-loved Winter Watch parade returns to the city next week. The festive celebration takes place from 7pm on Thursday (December 5), with a second chance to see it the following Thursday.

Both parades start from the Christmas Market in Town Hall Square. The origins of the Winter Watch Parade can be traced back to archive records from the late 1400s when the early police force, Chester’s City Watch, looked after the keys of the city at Christmas.

They marched around Chester to make sure it was secure. This was followed by a banquet and celebration of Christmas by the city leaders.

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The Winter Watch parade includes characters from the Midsummer Watch Parade also dating from the 1400s with the additions of Jack Frost, an angel, fire skeletons, a dragon, ice queens, devils, and cooks with their Victorian Christmas dinner.

The parade is led by Chester’s Karamba Samba dressed as a ghost band. Both the Midsummer Watch and the Winter Watch parades are unique to Chester.

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Starting with the 12 Days of Christmas parade and the Lantern Parade we now welcome the Winter Watch Parade, unique to Chester and always popular. Chester’s Karamba Samba lead both the Midsummer Watch and the Winter Watch parades, but for the night parade they turn into a ghost band.

“The Chester Christmas Market stays open until 8pm so there is a chance to visit the Market as the parade arrives. If you miss the first Winter Watch parade, there is a second one on Thursday 12 December when the night is shared with the Roman Legion celebrating Saturnalia.”

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