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2026 Festival

Talks and Experiences

Curious about Chester's heritage? Our talks and experiences bring together some brilliant minds and unforgettable moments. Expect expert speakers, engaging discussions, and hands-on experiences that make our city's remarkable past feel closer than ever.

 

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Family-Friendly | Guided Tours | Talks and Experiences

MAY:

JUNE:

Saturday 23rd May

Talking Chester

Talking Chester

11:00 am

to

5:30 pm

A full day of talks, films and Q&As celebrating Chester's stories, characters and communities — from Vikings to department stores, gladiators to giant puppets.

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Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Chester Heritage Festival Launch Day!

Chester Heritage Festival Launch Day!

11:00 am

to

4:00 pm

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

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Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

CMS Choir Concert – Hallelujah

CMS Choir Concert – Hallelujah

7:30 pm

to

​

Relax with beloved choruses and anthems — Parry, Brahms and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus — all accompanied by the magnificent Chester Cathedral organ.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Sunday 24th May

Visit King Charles Tower

Visit King Charles Tower

11:00 am

to

1:00 pm

Did King Charles I stand on this tower and watch the Battle of Rowton Moor? Come and see for yourself whether this may have been possible.

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Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible, Family Friendly

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Visit Chester’s Camera Obscura

Visit Chester’s Camera Obscura

11:15 am

to

1:15 pm

Installed as a tourist attraction around 1840 on top of a medieval tower, Chester’s camera obscura now serves this purpose again.

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Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Family Friendly

Monday 25th May

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Circle Dance for Threads through Creation

Circle Dance for Threads through Creation

1:30 pm

to

3:30 pm

Celebrate Jacqui Parkinson's Threads through Creation through circle dancing — a joyful and unique way to experience this stunning textile artwork.

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Tags:

Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

10:00 am

to

1:30 pm

From William Tyndale's revolutionary 1526 New Testament to the present day — explore the fascinating history of the English Bible using Chester Cathedral's own Library collection.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Tuesday 26th May

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

10:00 am

to

1:30 pm

From William Tyndale's revolutionary 1526 New Testament to the present day — explore the fascinating history of the English Bible using Chester Cathedral's own Library collection.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Life, Death and Consciousness

Life, Death and Consciousness

6:30 pm

to

7:30 pm

Ghosts, near-death experiences, telepathy and the nature of consciousness — join Chester Cathedral's Assemble panel for a fascinating exploration of what happens next.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Wednesday 27th May

Chester’s 3 Rs - An Illustrated Talk

Chester’s 3 Rs - An Illustrated Talk

2:30 pm

to

4:00 pm

An illustrated talk to explore the city’s Roman legacy, the significance of the Rows & the impact of the half-timber vernacular Revival.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

10:00 am

to

1:30 pm

From William Tyndale's revolutionary 1526 New Testament to the present day — explore the fascinating history of the English Bible using Chester Cathedral's own Library collection.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

A Trek Through Triassic Chester - A Talk

A Trek Through Triassic Chester - A Talk

7:30 pm

to

8:45 pm

Chester's red sandstone is everywhere — but what is it, where did it come from, and why did it shape the city the way it did? Find out here.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Discover Roman Chester

Discover Roman Chester

11:00 am

to

3:00 pm

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

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Tags:

Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Our City, Our Story: Deva Victrix in VR

Our City, Our Story: Deva Victrix in VR

11:00 am

to

3:00 pm

Step back 2,000 years and experience Roman Chester like never before — enter a stunning VR reconstruction of Deva Victrix's legendary amphitheatre.

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Tags:

Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Thursday 28th May

An Evening with the Dee Trust

An Evening with the Dee Trust

7:00 pm

to

9:00 pm

Join us for an evening celebrating the River Dee and the work being done to protect and restore one of the UK's most iconic rivers.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Friday 29th May

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Saturday 30th May

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Discover Viking Chester

Discover Viking Chester

10:00 am

to

2:00 pm

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

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Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Sunday 31st May

The Great Big Chester Quiz with Sh*t Chester

The Great Big Chester Quiz with Sh*t Chester

6:00 pm

to

9:00 pm

Think you know Chester? Prove it at this one-of-a-kind fundraising quiz night benefiting Heritage Chester, hosted by Sh*t Chester.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Monday 1st June

Dark Chester: An evening of storytelling

Dark Chester: An evening of storytelling

7:30 pm

to

8:30 pm

An evening of dark tales, hidden histories and a book signing with Chester guide and author David Atkinson. Chester's shadowy past awaits.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

10:00 am

to

1:30 pm

From William Tyndale's revolutionary 1526 New Testament to the present day — explore the fascinating history of the English Bible using Chester Cathedral's own Library collection.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Lunch at The Forge and Amphitheatre Tour

Lunch at The Forge and Amphitheatre Tour

12:30 pm

to

4:00 pm

Join us at The Forge Restaurant in Chester for a special lunchtime event combining seasonal dining with an exclusive guided museum experience.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Guided Tour, Talks and Experiences

Textiles Conservation in Action: Q&A sessions

Textiles Conservation in Action: Q&A sessions

2:00 pm

to

2:45 pm

Chester Cathedral invites you to meet accredited textiles conservator Alison Lister for an informal 45-minute Q&A. Come curious!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Tuesday 2nd June

Old News: Tragedy & Comedy in Chester Press

Old News: Tragedy & Comedy in Chester Press

11:00 am

to

12:00 pm

Extraordinary tales from ordinary lives — Chris Fozzard uncovers the human stories hidden in 18th-century Chester newspapers.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Textiles Conservation in Action: Q&A sessions

Textiles Conservation in Action: Q&A sessions

10:00 am

to

10:45 am

Chester Cathedral invites you to meet accredited textiles conservator Alison Lister for an informal 45-minute Q&A. Come curious!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Wednesday 3rd June

Visit the Riverside Museum

Visit the Riverside Museum

1:00 pm

to

4:00 pm

View the museum’s curiosities from the world of medicine, nursing, midwifery, and social work and ask your questions of volunteers who will be in attendance.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Textiles Conservation in Action: Q&A sessions

Textiles Conservation in Action: Q&A sessions

3:00 pm

to

3:45 pm

Chester Cathedral invites you to meet accredited textiles conservator Alison Lister for an informal 45-minute Q&A. Come curious!

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

England's Fever Hospitals: Rise and Demise

England's Fever Hospitals: Rise and Demise

4:00 pm

to

5:30 pm

Fever hospitals, forgotten patients and the communities they served — a fascinating talk by Professor Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Textiles Conservation in Action: Workshop

Textiles Conservation in Action: Workshop

10:30 am

to

12:30 pm

Hands-on textiles conservation workshop with accredited conservator Alison Lister — perfect for those with some existing textile skills.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

10:00 am

to

1:30 pm

From William Tyndale's revolutionary 1526 New Testament to the present day — explore the fascinating history of the English Bible using Chester Cathedral's own Library collection.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Thursday 4th June

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Apocalypse Now: A Symposium

Apocalypse Now: A Symposium

9:30 am

to

4:00 pm

What does the Book of Revelation mean today? A fascinating symposium with Prof. Paul Middleton and Dr Siobhan Jolley at Chester Cathedral.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Talks and Experiences

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

Tyndale 1526: 500 years of the English Bible

10:00 am

to

5:00 pm

From William Tyndale's revolutionary 1526 New Testament to the present day — explore the fascinating history of the English Bible using Chester Cathedral's own Library collection.

Book Tickets ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences

Friday 5th June

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Saturday 6th June

Visit the Riverside Museum

Visit the Riverside Museum

10:00 am

to

4:00 pm

View the museum’s curiosities from the world of medicine, nursing, midwifery, and social work and ask your questions of volunteers who will be in attendance.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Talks and Experiences, Accessible

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

Sunday 7th June

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

Threads Through The Bible at Chester Cathedral

9:30 am

to

5:30 pm

Experience a breathtaking journey through the story of creation, redemption and revelation in this remarkable textile exhibition.

Find Out More ➔

Tags:

Accessible, Family Friendly, Talks and Experiences

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