Events | Knutsford Town Council

24Dec2025

Feedback invited on Christmas Events

Knutsford Town Council is inviting residents and visitors to share their views on this year’s Christmas events as part of a survey aimed at improving festive celebrations in 2026.

The survey is open now and seeks input from all those who attended this year’s Christmas festivities, whether that was the Knutsford Christmas Lights Switch On, Knutsford Christmas Market or the Knutsford Community Crib Service.

The feedback will help the Council better understand what worked well, how the new event layout and separate dates were received, and where improvements can be made to enhance the visitor experience in future years.

Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green said “Our Christmas events are an important part of Knutsford’s festive calendar and a highlight for many families and visitors. Hearing directly from those who joined us this season will ensure we continue to develop and refine these celebrations in ways that reflect the wishes of our community and visitors alike.”

As a thank-you for taking part, respondents will be entered into a prize draw to win a £20 Knutsford Voucher, redeemable at a range of shops and restaurants in the town centre.

The survey closes on 16^th January 2026 and it can be accessed at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/survey

Knutsford Town Council is committed to listening and responding to the views of the community, helping to make Knutsford an even better place to live, work and visit.

18Nov2025

Knutsford kicks off Christmas with festive lights switch on

Knutsford welcomed the start of the festive season on Saturday 15th November, as the town centre came alive with the annual Christmas Lights Switch On and Santa Parade. Residents and visitors gathered to enjoy an afternoon of festive entertainment, marking the official beginning of Christmas in Knutsford.

From 4pm, the build-up to the switch-on featured a vibrant programme of performances from Knutsford’s local primary schools, SMB Dance, and musician Ben Tavill, who entertained the growing crowds ahead of Santa’s arrival. After the Christmas lights were switched on, local band Instant Vintage took to the stage with a lively set of festive hits.

The Grinch and Elf on the Shelf at Knutsford Light Switch On

Santa and an Elf starting the parade. — The Grinch and Elf on the Shelf at Knutsford Light Switch On

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, this year’s lights were switched on by Knutsford Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley who was joined by Father Christmas, The Grinch, Elf on the Shelf and Knutsford Royal May Queen, Jemma Woolf to the delight of children and families. The switch-on followed a Santa Parade, led by the City of Chester Brass Band, with Santa greeting children along the way.

In a change from previous years, the Christmas Lights Switch On was separated from the Knutsford Christmas Market to create a more spacious and enjoyable environment for families.

Local resident Clare, who attended with her family, praised the new format, saying “it was much more pleasant and much safer. Previous years’ crowds have been awful, with young children getting squashed and prams unable to move. We actually got close to the stage to see one of our children dancing, which was a real bonus. I hope they do the same next year.”

Event Manager Laura Phillipson added: “We’re grateful to everyone who joined us to kick off Christmas in Knutsford. The new format helped create a calmer and more enjoyable atmosphere, and we’ll keep building on that as we plan future events. It’s wonderful to see the community embracing the celebrations and supporting our performers, traders and volunteers.”

Festivities will continue later this month as Princess Street, King Street and Silk Mill Street host the popular Knutsford Christmas Markets on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November. The markets will showcase Cheshire’s finest artisan stalls, festive gifts and decorations, and a wide selection of high-quality food traders.

Visitors can look forward to highlights including John Collins Funfair outside the Lost & Found on Princess Street, a dedicated food trader section on Silk Mill Street, an array of artisan gift and food stalls and some festive street entertainment.

The Christmas Lights Switch On was generously sponsored by Piccolino, while this year’s Christmas tree has been sponsored by Speedy Freight.

Knutsford Town Council looks forward to welcoming everyone back for another magical festive weekend as the town continues its countdown to Christmas.

7Nov2025

Pumpkin Path thrills families!

Knutsford Town Centre was filled with Halloween spirit last weekend as the much-loved Knutsford Pumpkin Path returned, attracting hundreds of families on Friday 31st October.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, the event featured a pumpkin trail through the town centre, live performances from Knutsford Beats, and dance entertainment from SMB Dance. Wallwood hosted themed character entertainment, while local businesses offered sweet treats and decorated shopfronts to enhance the spooky atmosphere.

Sharing her enthusiasm for the event,Laura Christie, co-owner of Linden Stores, one of the evening’s sponsors, said: “We were delighted to take part in the Pumpkin Path 2025, it’s an amazing community event run by the town council which brings a real buzz to Knutsford and smiles to lots of little faces! As residents as well as business owners, it’s great to see the town so busy!”

Owner of Knutsford Sweet shoppe stoof out front in a Queen of Hearts costume accompanied by 4 helpers in Ace of Spades costumes.

Echoing that sentiment, Lucinda Hinton from King Street Dental, another sponsor for the event commented: “It’s events like the Pumpkin Path which make Knutsford special – we’re very proud to have sponsored an occasion to bring our community together and create a safe place for our children to have fun. Who knew that free toothpaste and vampire fangs would be so popular!!”

Reflecting on the success of the event, Laura Phillipson, Events Manager at Knutsford Town Council, added: “Knutsford Pumpkin Path is one of the town’s most popular events. It was wonderful to see so many families taking part, enjoying the costumes, and appreciating the fantastic displays created by our local businesses.”

The event formed part of Knutsford’s dynamic calendar of community activities and was kindly sponsored by Travel Bag, Linden Stores, and King Street Dental. For details of upcoming events, visit www.discoverknutsford.com or follow @discoverknutsford on Facebook and Instagram.

16Oct2025

Knutsford Pumpkin Path Returns!

Get ready for a spooktacular night like no other! Knutsford’s favourite family-friendly Halloween event, Pumpkin Path, is back! Join us on Friday, 31st October from 4pm to 7pm as King Street transforms into a Halloween haven, filled with fun, excitement, and sweets!

This year’s event promises to be as fun filled as ever, with live performances to capture the imagination and entertain the crowds. Be sure not to miss out on a show from the amazing SMB Dance who will be bringing captivating choreography to life with a Halloween twist. The amazing Knutsford Beats Choir will be serenading visitors with haunting harmonies that are sure to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.

Of course, the much-loved Pumpkin Path is the heart of the night. Families can pick up an entry form and follow the map to discover 12 hidden pumpkins nestled along the streets. Each one is marked with a letter, spelling Trick or Treat but first you need to find the shop.

Don’t forget to also keep your eyes peeled for some special characters along the way, who will bring the streets to life with fun interactions that are perfect for all ages!

As ever a visit to Wallwood is a must where you can spot Minecraft Steve, Frankenstein, Mickey, and Minnie. These child friendly characters will also be wondering around the streets so keep your eyes peeled and don’t forget to take a picture.

While the event is free to enter, a voluntary donation of £1 per child would be warmly welcomed to help support the event. Entry forms will be available from Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe and from the welcome desks along King Street. The event is organised by Knutsford Town Council and generously sponsored by Travel Bag, Linden Stores and King Street Dental Practice.

Ray Balderstone, Manager of Princess Street based Travelbag said, “”We are absolutely thrilled to once again partner with Knutsford Town Council to sponsor the annual Pumpkin Path. This event is a fantastic tradition that brings so much joy and spooky fun to families across the town. As a local business, Travelbag Knutsford loves being part of initiatives that truly enrich our community, and we can’t wait to see all the creative costumes and happy faces on the night!”

So, mark your calendars, gather your costumes, and join us for an unforgettable night of Halloween magic, live performances, and family fun. We can’t wait to see you on the Pumpkin Path!

Event Information

To find out more about the event, visit www.discoverknutsford.com or email enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk, or alternatively you can call 01565 653 929.

Road Closures

To enable the Pumpkin Path to take place safely, road closures will be in place as follows:

King Street at the junction with Church Walk to the junction with Drury Lane

All affected residents have been contacted directly

9Oct2025

Join us for “Thai Night” at Knutsford Market Hall!

Thai Kitchen, the hugely popular stall in the newly refurbished Knutsford Market Hall, is bringing a taste of Bangkok to Cheshire with its first-ever Thai Night on Saturday the 25th October. Promising a unique blend of authentic street food, explosive culture, and high-energy entertainment, the evening is set to be one of Knutsford’s must-attend events.

The event is a celebration of all things Thai, offering much more than just the delicious food that has made the stall a local favourite. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant programme that includes:

Demonstrations and displays of Thailand’s national sport of Muay Thai

DJ spinning the best of R&B and 90’s hip hop

Prize draw to win prizes from market hall traders and other Knutsford businesses

A selection of signature Thai dishes available to purchase throughout the evening

A chance to win a dream holiday to Koh Samui in partnership with Singa beer

Thai Kitchen owner, May Lynch said, “We are delighted to bring a night of Thai flavour, culture, and rhythm to Knutsford. We will be serving our amazing food alongside some great beers, wine and spirits. Lots of people have tasted our food but few have seen a Thai boxing demonstration so please come along and join in the fun. We guarantee fun, energy and an all-round good vibe all evening!”

Tickets cost £5 and include one entry into a prize draw and a welcome drink. The evening is hosted by local radio celebrity Rachel Burke-Davies from the Breakfast team. The event takes place on Saturday 25th October between 6L30pm and 10:30pm. You can purchase a ticket by visiting the market hall from 9am each Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

30Sep2025

Knutsford at Home

Knutsford was a mini ‘Ideal Home Exhibition’ on September 20th, with its home and interior design shops hosting its fourth Knutsford at Home Event.

The event was a collaboration between the home and interior shops and businesses in the town centre and coordinated by Knutsford Town Council under its Discover Knutsford brand. It offered shoppers a ‘menu of inspiration’ an alcohol Ink Art workshop In Havwoods, a talk by Charlotte Hayes from the Colour Collective at Arthur Lee’s paint studio, and a meet the artist Tony Green hosted by Swedish café and lifestyle store Detaljer. There were ‘Ask the Architect sessions’ with Bianca Morgan in Anna Marczynski Interior Design. The full list of shops taking part was, Anna Marczynski Interior Design, Arthur Lee Interiors, Cotswold Company, Detaljer, Havwoods, Oil Art Advisory, Oka, RI Home, Sofas and Stuff, Susie Watson Designs and The Bath House.

Event sponsor Anna Marczynski Interior Design, said, “This was our first time taking part in Knutsford at Home and our feet didn’t touch the ground all day! We had lots of one-to-one appointments booked in plus a few walks in and a visit from friends and family to celebrate our opening in number 4 King Street. Hosting Bianca Morgan Architects during the day was the perfect fit for our studio too. Thank you to everyone who visited.”

Helen Dufton and Vicky Wragg of Arthur Lee

Stevie Ball of Fired Earth inside Susie Watson Designs — Helen Dufton and Vicky Wragg of Arthur Lee

Helen Dufton co-owner of Arthur Lee said, “Knutsford at Home’ day at Arthur Lee! We welcomed a steady stream of visitors to both our new paint studio and a talk by Charlotte Hayes from the Colour Collective and our main showrooms, where we showcased our carefully curated homeware range. Thanks to the rain, our umbrella stand was certainly busy all day!”

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Centre Manager, said, “These events are all about promoting Knutsford as a destination shopping venue and offering a bespoke shopping experience that cannot be replicated online. A huge thanks to those who gave up their time to deliver the workshops. We loved the way our shops worked together and seeing visitors mapping out their day using the flyers was fabulous. Knutsford is one of Cheshire’s leading towns for all things interiors. We will be working with the venues discussing feedback to possibly extend the event into an interior’s week, so watch this space”

12Sep2025

Heritage Open Days 2025

Get ready to explore Knutsford’s rich history! A packed program of heritage events is coming to town this week as part of the national Heritage Open Days festival.

Knutsford Town Council has coordinated a programme of activity as part of the heritage festival which aims to celebrate the rich heritage across the UK, working with local historians and heritage sites to present a town-wide programme.

This year’s theme is architecture, a perfect fit for Knutsford’s stunning streets and buildings. Highlights include:

A self-guided Blue Plaque Tour to discover the stories behind the town’s historic landmarks.
A family-friendly Lego building session in Knutsford Market Hall where you can construct your own dream house or a local landmark.
A visit to Tabley House, the former home of the Leicester family, featuring state rooms with paintings by renowned artists like Turner, Lely, and Lawrence.
A talk from local historian Jenny Collis on the Knutsford workhouse
A visit to Brook Street Chapel for a display on local church architecture with pictures and poems related to Brook Street Chapel over the years and children’s activities.
A guided walk of the town centre lasting just over an hour.
A presentation from the Knutsford U3A Architecture group on Knutsford Architects and Buildings

Tim Banks of Knutsford Photographic Society said, “Our blue plaque trail is a great way to explore Knutsford. We’ve designed the trail to be enjoyed by all ages and hope people discover a little more of the stories behind this historic town. Try and answer the questions for each plaque, and learn a few of the town’s little secrets. You can do it in your own time and if you need a break, you are never far from a pub, café or restaurant. Please pick up the trail leaflet at the Heritage Centre’’

All events are free and will take place from September 18th to 21st. While the programme is free, some talks and walks have limited space and require advance booking.

For full details, booking information, and a complete schedule of events, visit the Heritage Open Days website. Printed guides are also available from the Heritage Centre, Brook St Heritage Site, Knutsford Library, Council Offices, and various businesses throughout the town.

28Aug2025

The Haunted Table Launches

Knutsford is serving up a new kind of fright! Knutsford Ghost Walks and Taste Knutsford have joined forces to launch the Haunted Table, a unique “ghost and grub” walking tour.

This new experience combines a spooky stroll through Knutsford’s historic streets with delicious food and drink stops. The tour will feature three culinary highlights: Morgan Edwards Fine Wines and Spirits, Evuna, and the Rose and Crown. Not only are these venues known for their great food, but they are also historic buildings with their own tales of the supernatural.

“We are delighted to be working with Taste Knutsford,” said George Williams, who runs Knutsford Ghost Walks. “Our ghost walks are all about exploring the town’s narrow passages and hearing stories of ghostly sightings. To be able to combine this with fantastic food and drink is a great way to spend an evening. The three venues we chose are perfect—they offer superb food and also have some spooky stories of their own!”

Sandra Curties, Knutsford’s Town Centre Manager, added, “Taste Knutsford has been incredibly popular since we launched it in 2018. We’ve loved what George has done with his ghost walks, and bringing the two together was a natural next step. This tour is a great way for people to enjoy wonderful food and drink, learn about Knutsford’s spooky history, and maybe even have a ghostly experience of their own!”

The first Haunted Table tour is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22nd, at 6:00 PM. Tickets are £45.00 per person, which includes food, drink, and the guided tour. The experience will last approximately three hours, and tour groups are limited to just 12 people to ensure an intimate and memorable experience.

You can book your spot on this unique tour by visiting www.tasteknutsford.co.uk. If the first tour is a success, additional dates will be added.

Sandra Curties Sandra.curties@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Knutsford Ghost Walks – Find the walks on Facebook

27Aug2025

Knutsford at Home Returns on September 20th

Knutsford’s homes and interiors inspiration event, Knutsford at Home, returns to the town centre this autumn on Saturday 20^st September.

Designed to inspire attendees with their upcoming home projects no matter how big or small, the event is the product of a collaboration between local interior businesses and Knutsford Town Council.

Highlighting the vast collection of home interior shops and specialists available in Knutsford, the day includes, architect consults, prize draws, colour consultations, exclusive offers and the launch of new collections.

Design experts and architects will be available throughout shops in town to advise and inspire attendees with their projects. Many shops will also serve light refreshments for a relaxed shopping environment.

Businesses taking part include.

Anna Marczynski Design
Arthur Lee, Toft Road
Bianca Morgan Architects
Detaljer, Princess Street
Hannah Barnes Interior Design
Havwoods, Regent Street
Oil Art Advisory, King Street
OKA, Manchester Road
R.I Home, King Street
Sofas and Stuff, Canute Place
Susie Watson Designs, King Street
Terzetto Stone, King Street
The Bath House, King Street
The Cotswold Company, King Street

The event has generously been sponsored by King Street located Anna Marczynski Interior Designs.

A leaflet containing information about the event including all booking details for activities has been distributed around Knutsford Town Centre. There is also further information available on www.discoverknutsford.com and following @discoverknutsford on Instagram and Facebook.

Sponsor Anna Marczynski, said, “We are delighted to sponsor the Knutsford at Home 2025 event and are looking forward to welcoming people to the official launch of our new studio at 4 King Street. Complete home inspiration is available via design consultations with me and the team and with Bianca Morgan of Bianca Morgan architects.”

The Bath House is taking part for the first time, and store manager Ally Craig Mair, said, “This is the first time we’ve taken part in Knutsford at Home and are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our store. We all need a little quiet luxury in our homes, and our range of fragrances are the perfect, especially as we move towards the colder months.”

Swedish café and lifestyle store Detaljer will be hosting a meet the artist session with Tony Green as well as a private viewing in the evening and Oil Art Advisory will be showcasing their artist in residence David Boardman’s new artwork.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager at Knutsford Town Council said; ‘We are proud to be working alongside our interior shops once again for our third Knutsford at Home. We’ve worked collaboratively to pull an event together that is your one-stop-shop for all things interiors and are very grateful to our sponsors, Anna Marczynski Design. Whether you are planning a full renovation or need those finishing touches – Knutsford at Home is the place to be.’

20Aug2025

Knutsford buzzes with art and alfresco dining

Knutsford was a hive of creativity on August 17th as the town hosted its inaugural Paint Knutsford and Young Artist of the Year competitions. Over 30 professional and amateur artists turned Knutsford into an open-air studio, capturing iconic buildings, green spaces, and streetscapes.

Sponsored by King Street Dental Practice, the event culminated in an exhibition at Knutsford Market Hall where a judging panel, including Knutsford Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley and gallery owner Tony Turner, selected the winners.

Jill Aspen took first place for her stunning painting of the moor lake. Jill said, “What a lovely day spent painting in the sunshine. There were so many fantastic artists there, and I met lots of lovely Knutsford folk. To win first place just topped off a fabulous day. Thanks so much to everyone involved. I can’t wait for Paint Knutsford 2026”

Second place went to Liz Wheeldon-Wyatt for her illustration of the newly opened Stolen Lamb restaurant.

Jill Aspen – Overall winner of Paint Knutsford

Liz Wheeldon Wyatt – 2nd place — Jill Aspen – Overall winner of Paint Knutsford

Tony Tuner owner of The Next Door Gallery said, “I was delighted to be involved in the first Paint Knutsford. What a lovely event. I was so impressed with the range of entries from both the adult entrants and young artists – particularly in the 12-17 years category. The level of skill was outstanding. A huge congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part. Roll on 2026”

Rosie Birchill – 2nd place 12-17 — Jenna Reid – 1st place 12-17 category

The next generation of artists was also celebrated in the Young Artist of the Year competition, drawing a wide range of entries from local budding artists. Edie Joe Fuller (age 7) won the 4-11 years category, with Richard Taberner (age 6) as the runner-up. In the 12-17 years category, two Knutsford Academy students took the top spots: Jenna Reid in first place and Rosie Birchall as runner-up.

Alfresco dining also took place on King Street creating a festival like atmosphere in the town.

Wallop, Mowgli, Piccolinos, Gusto, Smokehouse and Cellar, Rose and Crown, Patrick’s Irish pub, and Morgan Edwards all offered outdoor seating allowing visitors and residents to enjoy the glorious weather

Alfresco Dining by Smokehouse and Cellar — Alfresco Dining by Rose and Crown

Andy Vo, manager of the Smokehouse and Cellar said, “Al Fresco dining has become an established feature in Knutsford’s Summer social scene. It provides an outdoor festival atmosphere for diners and drinkers alike. This year was no exception, and the glorious weather drew in many locals and visitors from further afield.”

David Sims, owner of the Rose and Crown said, “What a day for alfresco dining! The Rose and Crown team had a wonderful day greeting regulars and visitors alike. The Paint Knutsford event was an additional draw and the atmosphere in town was amazing!”

Laura Phillipson, Events Manager at Knutsford Town Council said, “The feedback from the artists, our King Street hospitality and visitors to the town was amazing. Watching the artists in action and their painting unfold was such a unique experience. Congratulations to our winning entrants and everyone who took part. We hope to repeat this event next year and hopefully the sun will also make a return visit!”

All entries have been uploaded to social media for an additional public vote which closes on 26^th August. The entries can be viewed on Knutsford Town Council’s website and Facebook pages.

Cast your vote on the following link – https://form.jotform.com/252312585494360

Garry Hartley painting The White Bear — Patrick Jones painting by the Moor

Images by Knutsford Photographic Society.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.discoverknutsford.co.uk or @DiscoverKnutsford on our social channels. Enquiries can be sent to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

1 2 3 … 8