The much-loved annual Chester Heritage Festival is making a welcome return to the city this spring and summer.
Once again, the multi-date event is inviting local Cestrians and visitors to immerse themselves in the northwest metropolis’s 2000 rich years of history, which began with its origins as the Roman fortress Deva Victrix.
The 2026 edition of the event promises a programme full of activities and entertainment for all ages and interests. Special guests of the festival will include Ben Kane, the bestselling Irish historical fiction writer, and Amanda Wah, who won BBC Gladiators in 2025.
The Chester Music Society Choir will perform popular anthems and choruses at an evening concert at Chester Cathedral led by Graham Jordan Ellis as conductor. Music on the night will include “How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings” by Johannes Brahms and “I was Glad” by Hubert Parry, and the choir will be accompanied by Chester Cathedral’s main Grand Organ, which dates to 1876.
A guided tour of the city’s public greenspace, Grosvenor Park, is planned that will let guests explore its history and hidden corners. However, “Pavementology” is a performance from David Southern with a more urban approach that tells the stories found beneath our feet on Chester’s streets. Another highlight of the festival will be a new Roman virtual reality (VR) experience that awakens Chester’s ancient past for history lovers.
This year, the Chester Heritage Festival will run from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, June 7, and many more events are taking place at various venues around the city.