NEXT weekend is going to be a big one for Chester festivals, with Chester Pride and Deva Fest both taking place.

Chester Pride is making a full return after previous events were limited due to Covid restrictions, promising to entertain thousands over a two-day festival on August 13-14.

Chester Prides city centre parade will be returning.

Chester Pride's city centre parade will be returning.

A city centre parade is always one of the main highlights of the event, which this year is celebrating its 10th birthday. The Bank of America parade will start at noon from Castle Square and make its way to the Town Hall via the Amphitheatre, before returning to Castle Square.

Alexandra Burke.

Alexandra Burke.

The free event will see music stars Alexandra Burke, The Overtones and Sonique, along with Pure Paloma, Kitty Scott Claus, Kelly Wilde, Sharon Wallace, Lloyd Daniels and more taking to the M&S Bank Stage from 1-7.30pm at Castle Square.

Other events include the Glitter Lounge, featuring host Ripper Moff, plus Frisky Whispers, Ginger La Rouge, Mysti Vine and Hayley Russell, plus the Rainbow Circle, market stalls, food and drink stalls, a fun fair, a health, life and well-being zone, an alcohol-free chillout zone and more.

Sunday will be the family day, featuring acts Booty Luv, Rastamouse, Sami Brookes, The Hammond School of Dance, Definitely Dolly, Izzy Jones, Drag Queen Story Hour UK, a children's magic act and Pop Vox Choir.

There will also be market, food and drink stalls, a fun fair, animal displays and a candlelit vigil on the Sunday, with activities running from 1-6pm.

For more information on the festival, visit www.chesterpride.co.uk/

Also taking place on the same weekend is the return of Deva Fest, a three-day music, food and lifestyle extravaganza coming to Chester Lakes in Dodleston, not far from the Posthouse Roundabout, from August 12-14.

Friday will be Old School Dance Anthems day, featuring Symphonic Ibiza and Sonique, while mums and dads can also introduce youngsters to their Ibiza youth with a special I’m a Little Raver family rave.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

An all-female line-up on Saturday features Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Heather Small and Betty Boo but also Shola Ama, Monika Evans, Jade Moss and Chester duo Belle Voci.

Betty Boo.

Betty Boo.

Festival Sunday sees Chester band Mississippi Riot kick off more than six hours of live music which includes sets from Dodgy and Scouting for Girls.

Scouting for Girls.

Scouting for Girls.

Mermaid Cove is a new attraction for 2022, featuring aquatic acrobatics from mermaids and mermen in an incredible custom-made 10,000-litre, 10-metre-long tank – Europe’s largest.

The Mermaid Cove.

The Mermaid Cove.

There will also be bubble discos, meet-and-greets, games and interactive fun on each day of the festival.

Saturday, August 13 is Pirate Day and the swashbuckling fun includes parades, swaggering street performers and piratical fancy dress with pieces of eight prizes for festivalgoers in the best piratical outfit.

Chester’s Midsummer Watch Parade team will oversee the walking of planks and other pirate shenanigans, along with a craft workshop, 6ft long live pirate art, photo board and a walkabout, and there will be a battle royale between Pirates and Mermaids.

The Deva Fest fairground will be open across the whole three days boasting free rides including a Ferris wheel, dodgems, waltzers and a Go Gator mini coaster for the smallest festivalgoers.

A second, open-air, stage will host a mixture of up-and-coming bands, DJs and local talent.

Deva Fest 2022 also features the Deva Laughs comedy tent with live acts from 6-10pm daily, the new Gin and Prosecco Festival, plus food and drink options including bars run by Chester’s own Liquor & Co.

Wrexham’s Xplore Science Discovery Centre will be on site across the whole weekend. Lift off on a galactic trip across the universe in the planetarium, stopping at the sun, moon and fascinating planets along the way.

Laughter Tots will be at the festival over all three days providing messy, craft and sensory play activities for babies and little ones.

And Stagecoach Chester will be nurturing the talent of the future by offering free drama, dance and song workshops for four to 18-year-olds.

Deva Fest’s family-friendly commitment also includes conveniences plus an NCT Chester breastfeeding and changing tent.

Parking is free and there will be a daily £1 shuttle bus to and from the Chester Lakes site from as far afield as Wrexham, Chester and Ellesmere Port.

For more information about Deva Fest, including snapping up the very last tickets available, visit www.devafest.co.uk

Finally, it should be noted Chester FC will play host to their first home game of their National League North season.

The Blues have made great strides on and off the field during the off-season, and will look to welcome as many supporters as possible for their home game against Brackley Town. Kick off is at 3pm, and for more information, visit https://www.chesterfc.com/