Chester Buzzing: A Spring Showcase of Exciting Events #Blog

Victoria Hayes
11th March 2025

Last night, Chester’s vibrant community of businesses and stakeholders gathered at Storyhouse for Destination Chester’s Spring Showcase, a glimpse into the city’s packed calendar of upcoming events. Hosted by the energetic Izzy Grey of We Love Good Times, the evening was a testament to Chester’s growing dynamism.

Storyhouse: A Hub of Culture

Annabel Turpin, CEO of Storyhouse, kicked things off by highlighting a season brimming with diverse offerings. May will see the Storyhouse Women festival, featuring over 20 events celebrating women and girls. The Chester Literature Festival has shifted to May, with a headline appearance from the beloved Ruth Jones of Gavin and Stacey fame (more details to follow!). And, of course, the ever-popular Theatre in the Park returns, bringing classic tales like Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes, and Alice in Wonderland to life. Last year’s season alone drew an impressive 25,000 visitors, demonstrating its widespread appeal.

A Feast for the Senses

Gareth Boyd of Walking Food Tours UK showcased his curated tours, inviting locals and visitors alike to explore Chester’s “amazing food and drink scene.” These tours offer a unique way to experience the city’s culinary delights.

Intellectual Stimulation and Wildlife Wonders

The University of Chester presented its Festival of Ideas (July 3-6), promising a diverse program celebrating learning and new perspectives. A promotional video featuring Gyles Brandreth highlighted the festival’s commitment to thought-provoking experiences.

Chester Zoo unveiled exciting developments, including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (until April 6) and the imminent opening of the Heart of Africa habitat. This major redevelopment, encompassing a fifth of the zoo’s footprint, will provide new homes for giraffes, zebras, flamingos, and black rhinos. The highly anticipated Reserve, the zoo’s first foray into overnight accommodation, is also nearing completion, with many lodges already booked until 2026.

Local Businesses Thriving

Izzy from Salt House Tapas shared the restaurant’s warm reception since its opening last autumn. They’re expanding their offerings with private hire of their Bodega space and monthly wine tasting events. A special Cheshire Day celebration on March 30th will highlight local produce.

Chester Racecourse outlined its plans for its 486th year, including themed entertainment, music, and its ongoing role in hosting community events like the Chester Half Marathon and Food and Drink Festival.

Marketing Cheshire and Destination Chester: Driving Growth

Christian Marcucci, Managing Director of Marketing Cheshire, announced the launch of a new website and a focus on Cheshire Day. He also emphasized the drive to establish a Film Office for Cheshire, capitalizing on the region’s popularity for film and TV productions. A “Media getaway” in July will showcase Chester to over 100 travel writers and journalists.

Colin Potts, head of Destination Chester, highlighted the city’s expanded offerings, noting significant improvements in Chester BID footfall data over the past year.

A Rich Tapestry of Events

Other speakers revealed a plethora of exciting events:

• Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival: Celebrating its 25th year at Easter, with camping and new activities.
• Chester Heritage Festival: (May 25 – June 8) Marking its 10th year with storytelling, film shows, tours, and more.
• Grosvenor Museum: Hosting “Gladiators of Britain” (September-January 2026) in partnership with the British Museum, and an amphitheatre exhibition in 2026.
• Chester Cathedral: Featuring the “Peace Doves” installation (May 2 – June 17) and the return of “Making Tracks” in July.
• H Beauty: Opening in the former Brown’s building in late autumn.
• Deva Fest: (August 7-10) The award-winning music festival returns with acts like The Happy Mondays and Gloria Gaynor.

The Destination Chester Spring Showcase made it clear: Chester is a city on the rise, offering a diverse and exciting range of experiences for residents and visitors alike.