Heritage Chester CIC will deliver spectacular heritage programming throughout 2026, making Chester's 2000-year story accessible and fun for everyone. Our flagship FREE Community Launch Day in Exchange Square (May 23rd) features bubbleologists, jesters, gladiator fitness with BBC Gladiators winner Amanda Wah, workshops, films, talks, stained glass crafting, henna art, choirs, puppets, and mechanical organ, all free 11am-4pm. Throughout the year, we'll deliver Chester Heritage Festival (May-June), Summer Celebration (July-August), Heritage Open Days (September), and Rowvember (November). Activities include Roman games at the amphitheatre, heritage crafts, treasure hunts, storytelling, and hands-on history. With a Programme Coordinator ensuring quality delivery, we'll reach 5,000+ people across 50+ events, with 80% free or low-cost, creating memorable experiences that build lifelong heritage engagement while supporting Chester's local economy and bringing our community together.

What we'll deliver:

• Chester Heritage Festival (May-June): Gladiator workouts, Roman Zumba, twilight yoga, guided tours, talks & workshops
• Heritage Open Days (September): FREE access to closed towers, medieval undercrofts & hidden sites with specialist events
• Summer Celebration (July-August): FREE craft workshops, performances, storytelling & heritage trails for families
• 50+ events across the year with 80% completely free or low-cost for everyone in Chester
• Professional coordination ensuring safe, smooth delivery and an excellent experience at every single event

Why it's a great idea:

Our project makes Chester's heritage accessible to everyone, with proven impact. Heritage is often expensive or inaccessible. Our 2025 Festival attracted thousands, with 76% of families rating events "Very Suitable" for children, proving demand for affordable programming. We'll reach 5000+ people—families seeking affordable activities, older residents enjoying celebrations, local performers gaining paid work, businesses benefiting from footfall. Families deserve access to FREE, enrichment activities all year round. Our FREE Launch Day (May 23rd) welcomes 2,000+ to Exchange Square. Summer Celebration pop ups provides FREE school holiday activities. Heritage Open Days and Rowvember activate historic buildings. Impact includes £50,000+ local economic activity, jobs for Chester creatives, and lifelong heritage connections. "The best Heritage Open Days yet!" - 2025 visitor. With 80% free access, everyone participates, building community pride and supporting local authority missions.

Steps to get it done:

• April: Appointment Project Coordinator
• May - June: Chester Heritage Festival period
• June - July: Summer Celebration, Heritage Open Days and Rowvember Planning
• July - August: Summer Celebration Events
• September: Heritage Open Days Events
• November: Rowvember Events
• Review Impact and Produce Impact Report