2026 Festival

Family-Friendly Events

Our family friendly programme brings Chester's heritage to life in ways that engage and inspire every age. Expect fun, hands-on events that make our city's incredible story impossible to resist, whatever your age!

See More:
Family-Friendly | Guided Tours | Talks and Experiences

MAY:

JUNE:

Saturday 23rd May

Chester Heritage Festival Launch Day!

11:00 am

4:00 pm

Join us on Exchange Square and inside Picturehouse for a day full of FREE activities for all ages!

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Sunday 24th May

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Craft your own Viking brooch

12:00 pm

3:00 pm

Get creative and craft your own Viking brooch using recycled materials with local artist Clare Owens — inspired by Chester's Viking heritage.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Monday 25th May

Roman Zumba

11:30 am

12:00 pm

Join Legionary 'Gluteus Maximus' for 30 minutes of heart pumping fitness and mind-blowing Roman history.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Stained Glass Craft Workshop

12:00 pm

3:00 pm

Create stained glass-inspired paper crafts with artist Clare Owens, taking inspiration from Trena Cox's beautiful designs.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Gladiator School

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

Join Grosvenor Museum and Deva Roman Experience to find out what it's really like to be a gladiator — training, fighting and surviving the arena!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Tuesday 26th May

Create a Coat of Arms

10:30 am

3:30 pm

Stop dragon your feet and joust down to the Grosvenor Museum to design your very own coat of arms! Free drop-in craft activity for all ages.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Accessible

Family Activities in the Cathedral

11:00 am

1:00 pm

Create stained glass, design badges, decorate wooden animals, and build arches at Chester Cathedral's holiday family activities in the Nave!

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Medieval Stories & Activities in Upton

2:30 pm

3:30 pm

Gather round for tales of adventure from almost a thousand years ago, brought to life by Carla from Travellers Through Time.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Accessible

Family Activities in the Cathedral

2:00 pm

4:00 pm

Create stained glass, design badges, decorate wooden animals, and build arches at Chester Cathedral's holiday family activities in the Nave!

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Gladiator School

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

Join Grosvenor Museum and Deva Roman Experience to find out what it's really like to be a gladiator — training, fighting and surviving the arena!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly

Medieval Stories & Activities in Helsby

11:00 am

12:00 pm

Gather round for tales of adventure from almost a thousand years ago, brought to life by Carla from Travellers Through Time.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Accessible

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Wednesday 27th May

Create a Coat of Arms

10:30 am

3:30 pm

Stop dragon your feet and joust down to the Grosvenor Museum to design your very own coat of arms! Free drop-in craft activity for all ages.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Accessible

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Gladiator School

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

Join Grosvenor Museum and Deva Roman Experience to find out what it's really like to be a gladiator — training, fighting and surviving the arena!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly

Family Activities in the Cathedral

11:00 am

1:00 pm

Create stained glass, design badges, decorate wooden animals, and build arches at Chester Cathedral's holiday family activities in the Nave!

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Discover Roman Chester

11:00 am

3:00 pm

Roman Chester comes alive at the Amphitheatre — gladiator school, excavation finds and a workout with BBC Gladiators 2025 winner Amanda Wah!

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Family Activities in the Cathedral

2:00 pm

4:00 pm

Create stained glass, design badges, decorate wooden animals, and build arches at Chester Cathedral's holiday family activities in the Nave!

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Thursday 28th May

English Civil War Spycraft

11:00 am

3:00 pm

Can YOU can be trusted with a secret? Drop in to the office of secrets for your spy training.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly

Gladiator School

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

Join Grosvenor Museum and Deva Roman Experience to find out what it's really like to be a gladiator — training, fighting and surviving the arena!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Paper Mosaic Craft Workshop

12:00 pm

3:00 pm

Get creative with local artist Jen McAndrew in this colourful paper mosaic making workshop — a fun, hands-on activity for all the family.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Accessible

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Friday 29th May

Roman Zumba

11:30 am

12:00 pm

Join Legionary 'Gluteus Maximus' for 30 minutes of heart pumping fitness and mind-blowing Roman history.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Gladiator School

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

Join Grosvenor Museum and Deva Roman Experience to find out what it's really like to be a gladiator — training, fighting and surviving the arena!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Family Friendly

The Missing Building Workshop

12:00 pm

3:00 pm

Be part of an international creative project — join artist Neuza Morais to imagine Chester's missing buildings in this free drop-in workshop.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Saturday 30th May

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Roman Day at the Races!

11:30 am

5:00 pm

Gather the troops and canter on down to the racecourse to experience an action- packed historic family fun day with thrilling racing and exciting activities for young racegoers.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Lego™: Let's Build Chester!

12:00 pm

4:00 pm

Let’s Build Chester! Chester has amazing buildings, but what do YOU think it needs? Join us to bring your ideas to life in Lego ™.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Discover Viking Chester

10:00 am

2:00 pm

Chester's Viking story comes alive at the Amphitheatre — costumed interpreters, crafts, talks and walks for all the family.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Sunday 31st May

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Monday 1st June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Tuesday 2nd June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Wednesday 3rd June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Thursday 4th June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Friday 5th June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Saturday 6th June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Lego™: Let's Build Chester!

12:00 pm

4:00 pm

Let’s Build Chester! Chester has amazing buildings, but what do YOU think it needs? Join us to bring your ideas to life in Lego ™.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Sunday 7th June

Family Heritage Trail

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Explore Chester's most iconic landmarks on this free self-led heritage trail — can you collect all the clues and discover the city's secrets?

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly

Little History Games

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Discover Little History Games throughout Grosvenor Park! Follow simple instructions, play historic games with friends, and enjoy free outdoor fun.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly