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Home > Festival > Chester’s fantastical Winter Watch Parade

Chester’s fantastical Winter Watch Parade

By Caroline King - December 11, 2018Posted in : Festival, Heritage

When: 13th December 2018, from 6.30pm

Where: Chester city centre, Cheshire (starts from the Grosvenor Museum)

£: Free to watch

What is it?

Join a host of characters including the Lord of Misrule, devils, dragons, Romans, a group of giant skeletons and the Skeleton Emperor in Chester as the Winter Watch Parade takes place.

The parade usually begins at the Forum Shopping Centre, before continuing to St Werburgh Street, Northgate Street and Bridge Street. Expect performances of dance, fire-breathing and sword fights along the way.

This quirky Christmas custom dates back to the 1400s when the city leaders would parade around the city, making sure it was secure, before the keys to the city were handed over to the city watch.

The custom has only been revived in recent times, but it is already a popular event in the city’s calendar.

More info: www.midsummerwatch.co.uk and www.cheshire-live.co.uk

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