It's December which means the festive season and the countdown to Christmas Day is upon us.

While the shops are now filled with the sound of Christmas songs and the Christmas light switch-ons are well under way, it is important to not forget the true meaning of the day itself.

There are lots of carol services and concerts taking place in the Chester area so we've put together a guide of what's on and when for you to get into the Christmas spirit.

Here's what is still on in the Chester area:

Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral Choir Carol Concert - A Choral Christmas at Chester Cathedral

Saturday December 17 at 7.30pm

Experience a Chester Christmas at the cathedral's most popular concert of the year.

An evening of seasonal readings, Christmas music and carols for all to sing.

Featuring Chester Cathedral Choir and Nicholas Fry.

Tickets are £17.50 or £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children.

Carols for the city: singing for Syrians with Chester Cathedral Nave Choir for Christian Aid

Sunday, December 18 at 7.30pm

Christmas Crackers

Monday, December 19 at 7.30pm and Tuesday, December 20

Chester Music Society Choir's annual celebration of Christmas in words and music with guest reader Ian McMillan and Chester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Celebrate a family Christmas with carols and seasonal music and enjoy the humour of The Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan, who is returning for a second visit to Chester following his success with the Music Society in 2014.

Tickets are range from £8 to £16 and can be bought in advance online from the Chester Cathedral Ticket Desk at www.chestercathedral.com or ring 01244 500959. An online £1 booking fee applies.

Tickets are also available on the door on concert day.

Eaton Lodge, Hoole Road, Chester

Generations come together in Chester for Carols at Christmas

Thursday, December 15 at 1.30pm

Churchill Retirement Living is inviting the people of Chester to join its owners, their friends and family and local school children to enjoy a carol concert at its Eaton Lodge development on Hoole Road.

Pupils from St Martin's Academy will perform a special carol service.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy mince pies and sherry whilst listening to the pupils sing with plenty of opportunities to join in with the carols too.

Chester Railway Station

Caldy Valley choir will sing from 7-8pm on Friday, December 16 to raise money for Health Poverty Action.

The charity works with people who have been marginalised and pushed in to poverty.

St Mary's Church, Handbridge

Carols by Candlelight

Saturday, December 17 at 7.30pm.

Chester Bach Singers joined by Movers n' Shakers, the choir of the NeuroTherapy Centre, will once again provide carols for all to sing.

Collection will be in aid of Alzheimer's Society and Singing for the Brain.

Tickets are £12 for adults and £5 for students and under 18's.

This includes seasonal refreshments.

Carriage Shed

Carols at Carriage Shed

Sunday, December 18 at 7.30pm

Wrap up warm and join Vineyard 53 for Carols at Carriage Shed in the beautiful Carriage Shed by Chester train station.

Carols at Carriage Shed will be a magical evening of carols, reading and Christmas fun with a full live band, 20-piece choir, drama and creative multimedia.

It's the first ever event of its kind at Carriage Shed.

Enjoy free hot drinks and snacks from 7pm.

Entry is free.

Countess of Chester Country Park

Christmas Songs and Carols

Tuesday, December 20 at 4.30pm

Wear warm clothes, bring a torch/lantern and your hearty singing voice!

Friends of Countess of Chester Country Park and organised this first event in conjunction with The Conservation Volunteers who organise and run the many free events in the park every week.

The choir from Dee Point Primary School will be leading the singing and a Christmas tree has been planted in the hope that it will grow and become part of the local children's Christmas traditions.

The event is free.

Refreshments will be provided.

St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Parkgate Road, Chester

Candlelit Carol Service

Saturday, December 24 at 6.30pm

The annual festival of readings and carols by candlelight