1. Deva Codex: Boar Quest
Free family friendly mystery quest and those who solve the 10 riddles can win up to £300 to spend in Chester city centre throughout the weekend. By picking up a free bag containing a map, notebook and other tools, families are guided around Chester following riddles and clues to crack the code. It takes around two hours to complete and can be done in one go or over a few days. The bags can be collected from History and Heritage Centre in Bridge Street; Jigsaw on Bridge Street Row; Fat Face in Eastgate Street; Game in Foregate Street; Claire House in Frodsham Street; Grosvenor Museum in Grosvenor Street; Visitor Information Centre in Northgate Street; Chester Cathedral; St John’s Church in Vicars Lane; Corks Out in Watergate Street. The Deva Codex is part of the Chester Unlocked campaign. Learn more by visiting www.chesterunlocked.com.
2. Family Saturdays
Family Saturdays at the Amphitheatre from noon-4pm has a Mad Scientists theme this week. This week get your creative minds stuck into making some balloon powered paper plate racers and some and some almighty bits of architecture using toothpicks. With a mountain of glitter, glue, fancy paper and some crazy ideas, the Chester Performs team have been planning some super crafts and activities to keep you busy all summer long. Spend the afternoon enjoying the sunshine, meeting new friends, lazing in deckchairs or at the toddler crawl space, hanging out in the reading area, building sandcastles at the pop-up beach and even try your hand at some circus skills. And it wouldn’t be Family Saturdays without a big suitcase packed with fancy dress and props ready for you to snap a selfie! Visit www.mbnaguide.co.uk/familysaturdays for details.
3. Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
It's comedy all the way at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this weekend. There are two opportunities for family audiences to enjoy Glyn Maxwell's popular new version of the classic children's adventure Wind in the Willows from the book by Kenneth Grahame. The show can be seen on Saturday at 2.30pm and on Sunday at noon. But if Shakespearean farce is more to your taste, this is the perfect time to catch up with The Merry Wives of Windsor which director Rebecca Gatward has set during the gloriously taste-free 1970s. You can see this production on Saturday at 7.30pm and on Sunday at 4.30pm. Visit www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk or call 0845 241 7868.
REVIEW: The Merry Wives of Windsor
4. Evensong at Chester Cathedral
Evensong at Chester Cathedral at 4.15pm on Saturday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). Afterwards Lord Mayor of Chester Hugo Deynem will lay a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance in the Cathedral grounds. World War Two veterans from across the borough are invited to attend. Veterans should contact Chester Civic Team on chestercivic@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or telephone 01244 972488.
5. This Is My Musical
Tip Top Productions present This Is My Musical 2015 at the Forum Studio Theatre in Hamilton Place which has its final performance on Saturday at 7.30pm. A musical compilation showcase featuring songs from the latest shows packing in West End and Broadway audiences’ cleverly mixed with the musicals of yesterday. Featuring songs from Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Rocky, Frozen, The Lion King and more. Visit www.chestertheatre.co.uk or call 01244 341296. For more details click here.
6. Moonlight Flicks
Two venues, two films, two very different audiences likely to be attracted to this weekend's outdoor movie screenings. Families will want to head for the Romans Gardens in Chester to see the delightful big screen version of Paddington (PG) which was such a hit last Christmas. Meanwhile, the cult British comedy classic Withnail and I (15) can be see in the lovely surroundings of Castle Park in Frodsham. Both events take place on Saturday with the films starting at 8.45pm. Tickets £8.50, £7. Call 0845 241 7868 or visit www.moonlightflicks.co.uk. For more details click here.
7. All Shook Up
Chester Pride fundraiser at Telford’s Warehouse on Saturday night. After a roaring success at the first official Chester Pride fundraising event in May, the organisers of the city’s biggest celebration of diversity and equality are back for round two. Hosted by Lady Wanda Why, the night will take you through a medley of musical genres and will feature a live performance from Pride’s Got Talent 2014 winner Jamie Marshall and Elvis impersonator Pelvis Presley. Free before 9pm, £4 thereafter. Call 01244 390090 or visit www.telfordswarehouse.com for details.
8. Beer festival at The Swan
Open-air festival of beer, ales, ciders and family-friendly entertainment at The Swan in Tarporley on Saturday and Sunday. It will boast offerings from national brands, artisan breweries and pub favourites, with up to 30 different varieties to choose from. Entertainment comes in the form of local band Slingback and solo artist David Samuel Jones. There will also a be a charity raffle across the weekend for the chance to win some of the beers featured at the festival, as well as a six litre bottle of Laurent Perrier Methuselah Brut champagne. All proceeds are in aid of The Swan’s sponsored charity, Tarporley Cottage Hospital.
9. Photographer Bob Hadfield exhibition
Chester photographer Bob Hadfield will be holding an exhibition of his photographic work at Alexander’s Jazz Bar in Rufus Court on Sunday. His work covers a diverse range from moody and very atmospheric urban images to vibrant celebrations of nature, or abstract and highly creative pieces. Bob has also become an acclaimed photographer with his work doing ‘mash-ups’. He merges vintage images with photographs of the exact scene today, and decides which elements are used in the final image. The event will begin at 6.30pm and is free entry with the addition of drinks and canapés. For more details, click here.
10. Horses at Work
Horses at Work event at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port from 10am-4pm on Sunday. Working horses will be giving a unique demonstration of horse-drawn canal boating. There will also be wagonette and pony rides on the day. Call 0151 355 5017.
