Christmas Lights Switch Ons in Kent 2026:
Dates, Times & What’s On

There’s no better way to kick off the countdown to Christmas than watching your town light up for the festive season. From panto stars and live music on the main stage to lantern parades, Father Christmas, funfairs and festive markets, Kent’s Christmas lights switch ons bring the whole community together for a free night out.

We’ve updated our guide for 2026 with the Christmas lights switch ons announced so far across Kent, listed in date order to help you plan. All the events are free to attend, though some rides and activities may carry a small charge – just click through to each listing for times, line-ups and local details. More towns will be added as their dates are confirmed.

Last updated: 27th October 2026

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ONS IN KENT 2026

💡 Festive Lights Switch On | Folkestone Harbour Arm 📍 Where: Folkestone
🗓️ When: 13th Nov 2026, 4pm to 8pm
🎁 Highlights: The Harbour Arm’s Christmas tree lights up for the opening night of the Folkestone Festive Marketplace, so arrive early to browse the huts for gifts, crafts and street food before the countdown to the big switch-on at around 7pm. Free.
👉 Full Festive Lights Switch On at Folkestone Harbour Arm details →

💡 Canterbury Christmas Lights Switch-On | City Centre 📍 Where: Canterbury
🗓️ When: 13th Nov 2026, 5pm to 8pm
🎁 Highlights: Three switch-on stages spread across the city, from a Victorian Christmas in Burgate and a Twilight Artisan Market at Westgate Hall to live music and Marlowe Theatre panto cast members in Westgate Square, with the High Street and Christmas markets lighting up at 7pm. Free.
👉 Full Canterbury Christmas Lights Switch-On details →

💡 Big Christmas Switch On | Town Centre 📍 Where: Dartford
🗓️ When: 14th Nov 2026, 10am to 8pm
🎁 Highlights: A full day of festive fun with Orchard Theatre panto stars Joe Pasquale and Abbie Budden, the Bhangra Santas, Milkshake’s David Ribi, choirs and tribute acts, plus a Christmas market running all day and the lights switched on at around 5pm. Free.
👉 Full Dartford Big Christmas Switch On details →

💡 Gravesend Christmas Lights Switch-On | Town Centre 📍 Where: Gravesend
🗓️ When: 14th Nov 2026, 11am to 7pm
🎁 Highlights: A day of free live music, street entertainment and festive cheer, with the magical Santa Bus, The Juggling Elves and a winter wonderland at the Giant Snow Globe – the perfect start to your Christmas celebrations. Free.
👉 Full Gravesend Christmas Lights Switch-On details →

💡 Deal Christmas Lights Switch On | High Street 📍 Where: Deal
🗓️ When: 21st Nov 2026, from 5.30pm
🎁 Highlights: The High Street outside St George’s Church fills with festive cheer for an evening with musician Richie Triangle, a performance from Future of Performing Arts, a visit from Father Christmas and the snow machines, before the switch-on at 6.30pm. Free.
👉 Full Deal Christmas Lights Switch On details →

💡 Faversham Christmas Lights Switch On | Market Place 📍 Where: Faversham
🗓️ When: 28th Nov 2026, 4pm to 8pm
🎁 Highlights: The town’s historic streets light up with festive illuminations, with live music and a visit from Santa in the Market Place, and stalls for gifts, crafts and street food along Preston Street. Lights switch-on around 5pm. Free.
👉 Full Faversham Christmas Lights Switch On details →

💡 Sandwich Christmas Lights Switch On & Parade | Town Centre 📍 Where: Sandwich
🗓️ When: 28th Nov 2026, 11am to 6.30pm
🎁 Highlights: A packed volunteer-run day with a festive craft fair in St Peter’s Church, live music and the Smith’s Family Funfair, followed by a lights parade of floats at 5pm and the town centre switch-on at 6pm. Free.
👉 Full Sandwich Christmas Lights Switch On & Parade details →

💡 Sevenoaks Christmas Lights Switch-On | High Street 📍 Where: Sevenoaks
🗓️ When: 28th Nov 2026, 3pm to 5.30pm
🎁 Highlights: Sevenoaks Town Council’s afternoon of festive family fun on the High Street, which last year featured live and street entertainment, fairground rides, a Father Christmas Grotto and food and drink stalls. Free.
👉 Full Sevenoaks Christmas Lights Switch-On details →

💡 Dover’s Winter Lantern Festival | Market Square & Pencester Gardens 📍 Where: Dover
🗓️ When: 5th Dec 2026, 10am to 7.30pm
🎁 Highlights: Hundreds of lanterns, giant puppets and illuminated artworks light up the town, with live music, crafts and circus workshops in Market Square, then street food, DJs and dance in Pencester Gardens. Free.
👉 Full Dover’s Winter Lantern Festival details →

💡 Queenborough Christmas Parade | Queenborough 📍 Where: Isle of Sheppey
🗓️ When: 6th Dec 2026, 10am to 7pm
🎁 Highlights: Queenborough Town Council’s free Christmas Event returns to the harbour town – last year’s day included crafts, Santa and his reindeer, the Harbour Market and the Christmas lights parade, with fireworks over the harbour. Free.
👉 Full Queenborough Christmas Parade details →

Picture Credit: © Horst Heuck at unsplash.com

Quick guide to Our Christmas in Kent Guides

🎄
Christmas in Kent
Pantomimes in Kent
Santa’s Grottos in Kent
Christmas Markets in Kent
Magical Christmas Experiences in Kent
Illuminations & Light Displays in Kent
Christmas Animal Adventures & Experiences in Kent
Christmas Lights Switch Ons in Kent

Explore More of See Kent

🌹 Area Guides in Kent: Get to know towns, villages and places to visit across the Garden of England
🏛️ Things to Do in Kent: Explore attractions and activities across the county.
🎭 What’s On in Kent: Find upcoming events and things to do.
💡 Ideas & Inspiration: Browse more features, themed articles and seasonal round-ups.
❄️ Seasonal Spotlight: Find events for Easter, school holidays, Halloween, Christmas and other key occasions.
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