Free activities and events

All of the free events and activities at Storyhouse in one place!
  • Library, The Kitchen, Storyhouse, Garret Theatre, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Storyhouse is and always will be completely free to visit. We are open 8am-11pm each day (from 9.30am on Sundays).

Below are all of the activities and events that you can come and enjoy at Storyhouse for free. With activities ranging from kids’ crafts to the Language and Culture Cafe, we hope that there is something for everyone. Come and visit Storyhouse without spending a penny. This house is your house.

Aged 16-25? All Young Storyhouse (except Young Company) groups are also completely free – find out more here.

Want to join the library? It’s free to use the Wifi, desk spaces and computers as well as take out books in the building and access audiobooks and ebooks from home. We’ll also recommend books you’ll love, give digital support to help you use computers, as well as our Telephone Befriending Service.  Head here to join and find out more.

Activities Rhymetime
The Kitchen

Join us in the Kitchen at Storyhouse for some fun rhymes and stories with the library team. Suitable for younger children and toddlers.

Activities Family History Buddy
Mezzanine

Drop in to the library for help with family history research. A Storyhouse volunteer can help you discover your family’s past.

Activities Triple Spiral Storytellers
Meeting Room

An informal, monthly, oral storytelling group to share traditional stories, folk tales, myths and legends all told from the heart, not read from a book.

Activities Meet and Mix
Garret Bar

Meet and Mix is for people aged 18-24 to come together and hang out. It’s for people who could be shy, anxious, neurodiverse, lonely, looking to make friends, wanting a safe space to hang out, or looking for like-minded people.

Activities Scrabble Club
Tomorrow 10.30am + more times
The Kitchen

Whether you’re a beginner or a Scrabble pro, test out your wordplay skills with Storyhouse’s Scrabble Club.

Activities Aspire
Tomorrow 12pm
Meeting Room

A social group for autistic adults. Board games will be available to play at the session or people can just chat if they prefer.

Activities English Conversation Meet-Up
Tomorrow 5pm + more times
Meeting Room

A meet up to practice your English! This monthly event is for people who are learning English at college/school and wants more practice in an informal environment.

Activities Chester Humanists Out Loud
Meeting Room

This informal and friendly group meets twice a month to listen to an extract, short story or poem which is read aloud.

Activities Chatter and Natter
The Kitchen

A space for people to talk whether its for five minutes while you have a brew, or for an hour of good conversation.

Activities People’s Choice Boardgames Night
Thu 6.30pm
Meeting Room

Do you like playing games, like Jenga, Connect 4, Uno or other Boardgames? Come and join in our evening session!

Activities Fusion Choir
The Den

Fusion is a community choir that sings both modern pop and folk music, with a focus on creating our own harmonies.

Activities Craft Workshop with Chester Mystery Plays
Fri 12.30pm; Sun 12.30pm
The Kitchen

Chester Mystery Plays invites everyone to get involved in this summer’s production by designing a fabric panel inspired by nature using a variety of techniques including fabric painting and embroidery.

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Activities Chester and Borders Polish Society
Fri 7.30pm
Meeting Room

Open to anyone, at any level of linguistic ability, who is interested in the polish language and Poland’s culture.

Activities Crafty Weekends
Sat 12pm; Sun 12pm + more times
The Den

Arts and Crafts for children designed with a different theme each weekend.

Activities The Great Big Green Week Activities
Sat 1pm
The Kitchen

Join us in celebrating The Great Big Green Week with colouring in sheets, a Wordsearch and a Treasure Hunt around Storyhouse!

Activities Paper Recycling Workshop
Sat 1pm
Garret Bar

Create your very own piece of recycled paper out of waste alongside our Young Leaders, as part of The Great Big Green Week!

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Activities From Bin to Brilliant
Sat 3pm
The Kitchen

Use your imagination to make something amazing out of rubbish to help the environment.

Activities Chester Boardgamers
Garret Bar

Come along and play new and traditional board and table top games in an informal sociable setting. Everyone welcome, suitable for all abilities.

On Stage Fascinating Real Life Stories
Sun 2pm
Garret Theatre

Hear from a panel of fascinating local people as they share their unique life stories.

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Activities The Pick ‘n’ Mix Book Group
Mon 2pm
Meeting Room

2-4pm, The Meeting Room. Free to attend. We are a friendly group of people who would welcome some new members….

Cinema Asteroid City (12A)

1 hr 44 | AD | A fictional American desert town in 1955 where the itinerary of a junior Stargazer and Space Cadet convention is spectacularly disrupted by world changing events

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Activities Craft Workshop with Chester Mystery Plays
Fri 12.30pm; Sun 12.30pm
The Kitchen

Chester Mystery Plays invites everyone to get involved in this summer’s production by designing a fabric panel inspired by nature using a variety of techniques including fabric painting and embroidery.

Book now
On Stage Sister Act
Storyhouse Theatre

Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent!

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Activities Storyhouse + Chester Zoo: Summer Project

Storyhouse and Chester Zoo are collaborating in a first-of-its-kind project, offering young people the opportunity to consolidate and develop their awareness around the challenges we face on planet Earth.

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On Stage A Night with Jean Martyn and A Handbag of Harmonies
Storyhouse Theatre

Jean Martyn is bringing her fun and effervescent show to Chester. Joined by A Handbag of Harmonies, be prepared for an evening of musical classics as you’ve never heard them before.

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On Stage John Lydon: I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Storyhouse Theatre

In his spoken word show, John Lydon is touring the UK. He’ll talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour.

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On Stage Ashley Blaker: Normal Schmormal
Garret Theatre

A new stand-up show about the joys of raising children with special needs, from the star of hit Radio 4 series 6.5 Children, and author of book Normal Schmormal.

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Activities Cheshire & Warrington Carers Cinema Screenings

Film screenings for careers on last Thursday of every month at Storyhouse Cinemas.

Cinema Northern Exposure Short Film Night (15+)

1 hr 30 | Join us for an evening of short films and previews of upcoming events for young people aged 16-25 who want to break into the film industry

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Cinema The Cabinet of Dr Caligari + Live Score
The Kitchen

1 hr | The quintessential German Expressionist film masterpiece. Robert Wiene’s distorted sets, sinister shadows and unnerving characters set to a live score.

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