“Oyez! Oyez!” will ring through the historic streets of Chester this September as the World Town Crier Tournament returns to the Cheshire city for the first time since 2014. From September 22–26, 2026, 25 town criers representing eight nations, including England, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, the Channel Islands and the USA, will compete for the title of the world’s best. The free event unfolds across three competition days, with criers judged on vocal power, clarity, showmanship and audience engagement.

The spectacle is particularly at home in Chester, where the tradition of the town crier dates to at least 1554. Competitors in colorful costumes and commanding voices will perform against the city’s Roman walls and distinctive black-and-white medieval architecture, while visitors can explore the Roman Walls, the medieval galleries of The Rows and Chester Cathedral between events. The competitions take place September 22 at Town Hall Square, September 24 at Eastgate Square and September 26 at Exchange Square, with sessions from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2–3:30 p.m. each day.

The Curated Take

There is something wonderfully theatrical about encountering a centuries-old tradition still being performed in the heart of a modern city. Chester’s town criers are more than ceremonial performers: they connect visitors to a time when a powerful voice was one of the most important ways to share news. For travelers drawn to places where history remains part of everyday life, a free afternoon of international town-crier competition could be one of the most memorable ways to experience Chester.