Christmas Shopfront Trail

The Christmas Shopfront Trail returns to Chester City Centre from Monday 16 November, running through to 14 December. It's a simple enough premise: you wander through the city centre, take in the festive displays the shops have put up, and vote for the one you think is the most festive. The shop that comes out on top wins a £50 Chester Gift Card, so there's a bit of a prize on the line for the businesses involved.

Because it's a trail, you can do it on your own terms. There's no set route to follow and no fixed time to be anywhere, so it works as a proper walk around the centre. You can make a full afternoon of it, or just keep an eye out for the displays while you're out and about doing your usual shopping. The voting is part of the whole thing, so you're not just looking — you're picking your favourite as you go.

It runs for nearly a month, from mid-November through to mid-December, which gives you plenty of time to get around. If you're in the city for work or just popping in for a bit of lunch, you can fit it in without needing to clear a whole day. It's free to take part, too, so there's nothing to pay to join in. The trail runs from 16 November to 14 December across Chester City Centre.