What's On in Kent

The Grotto

Venue: Ruxley Manor

Website: www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

Father Christmas is coming to Ruxley Manor! Nothing makes them happier than seeing all of the excited children ready to meet Father Christmas, as a family run business, seeing their customers making memories...

Canterbury Cathedral Christmas Market

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral

Website: www.canterbury-cathedral.org/christmas

Enjoy a historic Christmas as the 600-year-old market returns to the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral. With delicious food and drink outlets, a vintage-style carousel ride, live music performances – including...

Santa's SteamLights

Venue: Bluebell Railway

Website: www.bluebell-railway.com

Sparkle, glow and shimmer on a magical steam train covered by thousands of colourful lights. Feast your eyes on a magical and spectacular light show as you travel with us through the winter landscape!...

The Ice Rink

Venue: Ruxley Manor

Website: www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

Get ready to lace up your skates and hit the ice, because the much-loved ice rink is coming back to Ruxley Manor for Christmas 2024! Families and friends can once again glide across the real ice and make...

Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle

Venue: Leeds Castle

Website: www.leeds-castle.com

Created by award-winning international producers of light trails, Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse...

'Curtain Up': Christmas at Scotney

Venue: Scotney Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

Using items from Scotney's extensive collection as inspiration, you'll be treated to a visual festive feast - via popcorn-garlanded Christmas trees in the main hall and the 'tutu' tree in the ballet-themed...

A Christmas Frost at Knole

Venue: Knole

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/knole

Grand trees and glistening decorations fill a selection of the historic showrooms with sparkling displays inspired by Knole’s silver collection. Objects normally tucked away in the King’s Room will...

A Nutcracker Christmas at the Castle

Venue: Leeds Castle

Website: www.leeds-castle.com

Walk through a winter wonderland filled with towering nutcracker soldiers, shimmering snowflakes, and elegant ballerinas. Admire the magical set designs reminiscent of Clara’s magical journey, from the...

Festive Family Garden Trail

Venue: Chartwell

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/chartwell

Join this family trail around the gardens of Chartwell. Search for the stamping stations and decorate your Christmas tree trail sheet! Trails cost £3 and include a prize.

The Yuletide Trail

Venue: Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Explore festively decorated areas across the site, dress up as Lords and Ladies of the Manor, practice your royal greetings in the Tower, decorate a yule log, compete to be the 'Queen of the Bean', and...

Winter Family Garden Trail

Venue: Emmetts Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden

Join Emmetts for a winter wander, using your senses to uncover the beauty of nature in this chilly season. Perfect for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors this winter. Grab your trail sheet at...

Mission Christmas

Venue: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Website: www.visitmedway.org/events

Get ready for your little ones to embark on an unforgettable journey, where they will learn the fascinating art of elf magic and decode the secrets of the elf language.As a reward for their hard work,...

Capstone Farm Alpaca Experiences

Venue: Capstone Farm Alpacas

Website: www.capstonefarmalpacas.com 

Meet and Greets are only £6 per person and include getting up close during feeding time. This takes up to an hour and is suitable for all ages. Alpaca Trekking is £25 each and includes walking a resident...

Children's Parties

Venue: Mad Play

Website: www.madplay.co.uk

Book a party that the kids will never forget at Mad Play soft play centre. Party packages include play, a choice of hot and cold food, and entertainment! With a café and an extensive seating area, you...

Curious about Canterbury

Venue: Canterbury City Centre

Website: www.curiousabout.co.uk

A Curious About walk is a fun and social activity for all the family and friends. Different people can take on different roles - follow the map, identify picture clues, read directions, etc - it's ideal...

Foal Farm Mini Market

Venue: Foal Farm Animal Rescue

Website: www.foalfarm.org.uk

Last Sunday of every month 1.30-4.30pm, entrance by donation. There are a wide variety of stalls including toys, bric-a-brac, plants, gifts, tea room, pet shop, emporium and charity shop.

Gregory and Peti's Christmas Star Trail

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral

Website: www.canterbury-cathedral.org/christmas

Gregory Gargoyle and Peti Pigeon have chosen 8 of their favourite stars - found in stone, stained glass, statues and wall paintings for you to discover as you explore the Cathedral. Find all 8 stars and...

Kids for a Quid

Venue: Bluebell Railway

Website: www.bluebell-railway.com

Any child (aged between 3-15 years old) can travel on the railway for just £1 with any fare paying Adult. This ticket would allow you to travel on the railway as many times as your like throughout your...

Mysterious Marsh Adventure Trail

Venue: Rare Breeds

Website: www.rarebreeds.org.uk

Negotiate wooden bridges, swing from the tyres, clamber around trees, fly through the air holding on to the ropes, and keep your cool as you tiptoe across balancing bars! Set in the woodland, this brilliant...

One-to-one Learn to Ride

Venue: Cyclopark

Website: www.cyclopark.com

These sessions take place in the sports zone, away from other areas of the park to give riders privacy to work with the in house coaches to get you riding in no time! Designed to give people of all ages...

SKATE Tunbridge Wells

Venue: Tunbridge Wells Calverley Grounds

Website: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Experience the thrill of skating under the lights in the heart of the town. Whether you're a seasoned skater or a first-time beginner, there's something for everyone. Grab your mittens and skates, and...

Cinderella

Venue: Hazlitt Theatre

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

Follow Cinderella on her journey to the Ball with all the classic pantomime spells - roaring comedy, smash-hit songs, and a whirl-wind romance. Along the way, meet Cinderella’s evil step-sisters, the...

Father Christmas at Dover Castle

Venue: Dover Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/dover-castle-father-christmas-2024

Join Father Christmas at Dover Castle this December for a magical way to start the festive season. After the group storytelling session, you and your children will meet the man himself, with the chance...

Father Christmas Afternoon Tea

Venue: Chiddingstone Castle

Website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on

Arrive at the castle and step into the magical White Rose Room for a special storytime with Father Christmas.Once the excitement settles, it's time to move into The Great Hall for a scrumptious breakfast...

Fearless Fox and the Christmas Star

Venue: Royal Victoria Place

Website: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

This magical production is presented in a new 90 seat theatre in Royal Victoria Place. Ticket prices are just £7 each for school groups and £10 for all other tickets, including booking fees.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: The Woodville

Website: www.woodville.co.uk/events/christmas-panto-jack-and-the-beanstalk

Wicked Productions is back in Gravesend for their 7th year with the colossal pantomime 'Jack & the Beanstalk'! Join the adventure as Jack trades his cow for magic beans, leading to a thrilling quest against...

Pantomime 2024: Snow White

Venue: The Stag Sevenoaks

Website: www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

The cast of this year's pantomime at The Stag has now been announced. Once again, joining everyone's favourite comic and dame, some of the best talent of the West End will be spending Christmas in Sevenoaks.

A Truly Magical Christmas

Venue: Rare Breeds

Website: www.rarebreeds.org.uk

Step into Santa's enchanting grotto for a magical 15–20-minute interactive experience with Santa and his cheeky elves. Watch as the festive magic unfolds, with every paying child receiving a special...

Aladdin

Venue: The Sarah Thorne Theatre

Address: Broadstairs

Website: www.sarahthornetheatre.co.uk/book

Aladdin is the 13th annual traditional pantomime at the Sarah Thorne Theatre. This production continues a family friendly policy with a professional cast and live music.

Farmer Christmas

Venue: Broadditch Farm

Website: www.broadditch.co.uk/farmer-christmas-2

Your journey begins when you climb on board the tractor sleigh and journey into the enchanted wood. Enjoy the wonder of meeting Farmer Christmas as he reads you one of his festive stories.Online pre-booking...

The Elf Academy

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Meet Elf Tinsel and Elf Fisbee who will entertain your little ones, with festive games, singing and dancing, whilst they make reindeer food, create letters to Santa and get to spin the Elf Wheel to reveal...

Christmas Elf Trail

Venue: Guildhall Museum

Website: www.visitmedway.org/events

The elves are back and up to mischief can you tell us what they have been doing in the museum.

Peter Pan

Venue: Malthouse Theatre

Website: www.malthousetheatre.co.uk

Brought to you by the same creative team as the record-breaking productions of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Snow White’, Peter Pan promises to be even more magical, with a dazzling...

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Venue: Leas Cliff Hall

Website: www.atgtickets.com

This timeless classic by Frank L. Baum is brought to life with dazzling costumes, captivating performances, and a sprinkle of panto magic that will leave audiences of all ages spellbound. This is more...

'Late Nights and Lights' - Christmas twilight opening

Venue: Scotney Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

Get in the festive spirit and enjoy the chill, dark winter evenings with sparkling lights, twinkling Christmas trees, decorated room sets, toasted marshmallows and time to make some special Christmas purchases...

Aladdin

Venue: Assembly Hall Theatre

Website: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

With spectacular sets, breathtaking special effects, gorgeous costumes and mountains of mayhem, the team behind last year's smash-hit Beauty and the Beast return to grant all your festive wishes in this...

Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Orchard West

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/orchard-theatre-dartford

Starring Britain’s Got Talent winner, Kent’s own Sydnie Christmas as Fairy Christmas, Sleeping Beauty will have all of the magical panto elements you know and love plus mayhem and mischief, memorable...

Carols at Chartwell: 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band

Venue: Chartwell

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/chartwell

Join Chartwell this Christmas as they welcome the 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band back to Chartwell. Revel in your favourite Christmas classics with tunes for the whole family to enjoy. This performance...

Santa's Grotto

Venue: The Alex

Website: https://thealex.org.uk

Step into the magic of Christmas at this festive Santa’s Grotto! Expect Christmas gifting stalls, children’s crafts, mulled wine, mince pies, and, of course, the chance to meet Santa himself ahead...

The Adventures of Elf

Venue: Hazlitt Theatre

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

Join Buddy as he takes an adventure across New York in search of a life he has never known.A Christmas Tale that is fun for all the family! This is a Hazlitt Institute (HI) Youth Theatre production.

Family Crib Service

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral

Website: www.canterbury-cathedral.org/christmas

A short, joyful service for children and families tells the story of the birth of Jesus, with music from the Cathedral Choral Scholars and the singing of traditional Christmas Carols.10-10.45am.

Baking Buddies

Venue: The Alex

Website: www.thealex.org.uk

At Baking Buddies, they turn simple ingredients into delicious treats like cookies and mini cupcakes. The instructors guide the kids through the process, making it a fun and hands-on experience. It’s...

Taylormania

Venue: Hazlitt Theatre

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

An award-winning extravaganza that plays tribute to one of the leading contemporary recording artists of our time. Katy Ellis an obsessed ‘Swiftie’ with an incredible live band and dancers promise...

Sleeping Beauty

Venue: The Stag Sevenoaks

Website: www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk/film/sleeping-beauty

Join the Sevenoaks Entertainers for a hilarious, family-friendly pantomime performance of Sleeping Beauty! Perfect for all ages, this enchanting show promises laughter, fun, and memorable moments. This...

Room on the Broom

Venue: Orchard West

Website: https://trafalgartickets.com/orchard-theatre-dartford

Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Will there ever be...