Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year in Chorley with so much to check out that you'll never want the celebrations and Christmas cheer to end. There's everything from festive market stalls to traditional lights switch on events, lots of independent shops for unique Christmas presents and not forgetting opportunities to meet the main man himself - Father Christmas!
The Christmas Express
Why not take a ride through the beautiful Astley Park this festive season on the Christmas Express land train which will be running on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday 25 November until Sunday 17 December.
Times/Pick up /Drop off points
Weekends of 25/26 November and 2/3 December:
The Christmas Express will be operating from the park gates on Park Road to the Astley Coach House. This will operate throughout the day from 9:30am (from park gates on Park Road) with the last land train departing from the Astley Coach House back to Park Road at 3:45pm.
Weekends of 9/10 and 16/17 December:
The Christmas Express will operate from the Winter Wonderland (across from the Town Hall on Market Street) to Astley Coach House. This will operate throughout the day from 9:30am (from Winter Wonderland) with the last land train departing from the Astley Coach House at 3:45pm back to Winter Wonderland.
The journey time is approximately 10 mins (each way).
Prices
The cost of the land train is £2 per person each way. Cash only, on the day. The Christmas Express cannot be pre-booked.
Please note that the land train is separate from Santa's Grotto at Astley Hall and is not included in the Santa's Grotto ticket.
Winter Wonderland featuring real ice rink
Get your skates on this Christmas and glide, pirouette and whirl across the popular Real Ice Rink when it returns to the town centre for the festive season as part of Chorley's Winter Wonderland on:
Saturday 9 December 2023 until Sunday 7 January 2024 (except Christmas Day).
There'll also be a Ferris wheel, children's rides and festive tipis.
For information on ice rink session times and prices, please see link below.
We're very excited to announce that Santa will be visiting Astley Hall this Christmas!
Santa can't wait to meet you and hear about the lovely things you have been up to this year.
Before you get to meet the big man himself at his grotto in the Great Hall, you'll be able to take part in some festive activities and storytelling.
Access to Santa's Grotto is by pre-booked tickets only and the grotto will be open on Fridays (relaxed sessions designed for pre-school and SEN audiences), Saturdays and Sundays from 1 - 17 December 2023.
£5 (plus booking fee) per child
Please read the booking information below before booking your tickets.
Friday's Santa's Grotto sessions (designed for pre-school and SEN audiences)
Come along and meet Santa as he comes to Astley Hall in the run up to Christmas!
These sessions are specially designed for pre-school and SEN audiences, with increased lighting, reduced noise levels, simplified visitor journey and relaxed, no pressure interaction opportunity with Santa Claus. All those meeting Santa will receive a gift.
Please choose from either of the two session times (either 11am or 12pm). Two adults/guardians/carers are permitted per single entry ticket to see Santa. Entry to the Hall is permitted up to 15 minutes before session start time.
Weekend Santa's Grotto sessions
Santa and his elves will be visiting Astley Hall for the weekends leading up to Christmas! Santa can't wait to meet you and hear about the lovely things you have been up to this year. Tell him if you have been naughty or nice and chat about what you are wishing for this Christmas!
Tickets to meet Santa must be booked in advance at £5 (plus booking fee) per child, each ticket includes a present. There is a maximum of 5 children and 2 adults per slot.
If more than one child will be attending you MUST purchase a ticket for every child, or you will not be admitted. To do this, book your 1 time slot ticket and then purchase an 'additional child' ticket for each child up to +4 additional children.
Please arrive 5 minutes prior to your time slot. You must attend at the time specified and late arrival will result in no admittance and no refund.
The correct age of all children attending must be supplied on the booking to allow Santa to prepare for your visit and ensure a suitable present is available. You will be asked for this information upon checkout.
Visitors must adhere to all staff instructions at all times. We require correct and up to date contact information before you attend. You will be asked for this information upon checkout.
£5 (plus booking fee) per person - both children and adults require tickets to enter the Pantomime.
When booking please check the time of the showing as we will not be able to amend your booking to a different showing due to seating restrictions.
Refunds are not available, unless you resell your ticket via Skiddle.
The earliest entry is 30 minutes before the show.
We do not provide refreshments at the performance.
Christmas at Astley Hall
Step into Christmas at Astley Hall, with the Friends of Astley Hall Christmas Fair on Sunday 26 November, and experience the 12 days of Christmas in the Hall with beautiful decorations in place from 25 November - 23 December on selected opening dates. Visit astleypark.co.uk/hall for more information
Christmas Lights Switch On & Totally Locally Christmas Market
Sunday 19 November 2023
Chorley's Christmas Lights Switch On, hosted by Central Radio breakfast host Danny Matthews, will get underway in style, with a brilliant festive and party atmosphere in the town centre, plus the Totally Locally Chorley Christmas Market will return for another year, taking place on the same day with lots of independent traders, entertainment and more.
Special guest, Challenge Cup winning, Leigh Leopards Rugby league star Josh Charnley will be doing the honours of turning the lights on, plus there'll be a meet and greet with Josh with the Challenge Cup at the covered market, 2:30pm - 3:30pm.
There's also a fantastic line-up of performances on the Market Street stage - see the line-up and performance times below.
Parking on most town centre car parks is free on Sundays (with the exception of the Flat Iron car park), details of town centre car parks can be found at chorley.gov.uk/carparks
Market Street will be closed from 6:00am - 10:00pm on Sunday 19 November at the Junction from High Street down to the junction with St George's Street. Please do not park in this area overnight on Saturday 18 November.
Please note that photographs and video will be taken during this event.
Getting here
If you're visiting Chorley town centre, there are many ways to get here, plus plenty of low cost or free parking.
