SCHOOL children from across Chester will parade through the city centre on Wednesday for the return of the Christmas Lantern Parade led by a Christmas band.

The children will depart from Town Hall Square at 7pm on November 30 with their handmade lanterns.

The parade route includes St Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street, Bridge Street, then turning around and heading for Northgate Street, with the parade ending back in Town Hall Square.

The lanterns have all been hand made by the children from Hoole Primary, Belgrave Primary, St Clares Primary, Dee Point Primary, Upton Westlea Primary, Cherry Grove Primary, Acresfield Primary.

The Lantern Parade is one part of Chester’s Christmas celebrations that include the Christmas market in Town Hall Square, Chester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival, Santa’s Grotto in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, The Snow Queen at Storyhouse, Winter Watch Parade (December 8) and the combined Saturnalia and Winter Watch Parade (December 15).

There is a Makers Market each weekend at the new Exchange Square, Northgate, plus a new Christmas Bazaar around The Rows, taking place on Thursday’s and weekends during November and December.

The activities include Christmas carols, crafts, face painting and storytelling.