Get into the festive spirit with our round-up of Christmas guides to Kent. From perfect pantomimes and Santa’s grottos to Christmas markets, light trails, ice rinks and festive days out for the whole family, including your dog, we’ve gathered the best Christmas fun across the county in one place. Click through to each guide for dates, prices and booking details.
Oh yes it is! Kent’s theatres are ready to roll out the laughs, sing-alongs and slapstick this Christmas. From classic tales like Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk to local community favourites, our guide rounds up every family panto across the county, region by region, with dates, prices and venues.
Leave the kids at home! These cheeky, grown-up pantos swap the sweets for innuendo, with rude jokes, outrageous dames and plenty of audience banter. Our guide rounds up the adults-only pantomimes across Kent for a Christmas night out with a difference.
From candlelit carols in Canterbury and Rochester cathedrals to festive ballets, family musicals and feel-good Christmas concerts. Our See Kent picks come first, followed by every show, carol service and concert in date order.
Where to meet Father Christmas this year, from woodland grottos and Santa trains to garden centre visits and castle experiences. Every grotto we’ve found across Kent, sorted into North, South, East and West Kent and listed in date order, with prices and booking details.
Steam trains with Santa on board, story-led adventures through castles and caves, and festive farm days out. Our six See Kent picks, followed by the full list of magical Christmas experiences across the county.
Hand-feed reindeer, take a goat for a winter stroll or ride a sleigh through a festive zoo to meet Santa. Our picks of the best Christmas animal experiences, plus the full list in date order.
Festive huts beneath Canterbury Cathedral, chalets on the historic Pantiles and stalls in the shadow of Rochester Castle. Our picks of the best Christmas markets in Kent, plus the full list of festive markets and craft fairs in date order.
When the nights draw in, Kent’s castles, forests and parks glow with Christmas light trails and illuminations. Our picks of the best after-dark trails, plus every light display in the county in date order.
Kick off the countdown to Christmas as towns across Kent light up, with live music, lantern parades, markets and visits from Santa. Every switch on we’ve found, listed in date order with times.
Lace up for a twirl around a twinkling rink, with festive ice rinks across Kent, a rink that’s open all year and a couple just over the border. Dates, session tips and prices for every rink.
Want your festive event or attraction seen here by families planning their Christmas in Kent? Featured spaces on our Christmas guides are available now.
🗓️ 16th Dec 2026 – 2nd Jan 2027 · 💰 From £17 · 👨👩👧 All ages
Climb the beanstalk with Jack this Christmas! Can he rescue Daisy the Cow and defeat the evil Fleshcreep? Packed with comedy, songs and pantomime stars, including Holly Harvey as Jill.
The best Christmas outing depends on your child’s age. Gentle Santa visits for babies and toddlers, first shows for under-5s, the big panto, quieter and SEN-friendly sessions, and festive fun for older children and teens.
Wrap up warm for a festive family adventure, from elf trails and gingerbread hunts to story trails through National Trust gardens and woodland. Our round-up of Christmas trails for children across Kent, in date order.
Christmas doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Our picks of free festive events and Christmas days out for £10 or less, from parades and lantern festivals to trails, film screenings and Santa visits.
Christmas isn’t just for the humans! Santa Paws grottos, Christmas jumper dog walks, fun dog shows and dog-friendly festive days out for your four-legged friend, plus our tips for a safe and happy Christmas with your dog.
As well as our Kent guide posts, there are lots more events to discover. Check out our events under our seasonal category or what’s on in Kent by date for even more wonderful magical moments full of festive cheer.
The first switch-on is at Folkestone Harbour Arm on Friday 13th November, with more towns following through November and into December. Our Christmas Lights Switch Ons guide lists them all in date order.
Where are the best Christmas markets in Kent?
Canterbury’s Christmas market runs from 12th November to 24th December, and there are festive markets on the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells and beneath Rochester Castle too. Our Christmas Markets guide has dates and locations.
Are there free Christmas events in Kent?
Yes. Lantern parades, Dickensian festivals, carol concerts and Christmas trails are among the free and low-cost events. Our Free & Affordable Christmas Events guide rounds up festive fun for £10 or less.
Where can I take the kids to see Santa in Kent?
Santa’s Lodge at Designer Outlet Ashford opens on Saturday 28th November, and there are grottos right across the county. Our Santa’s Grottos guide lists them region by region.
Picture credit: Main image – Elin Melaas at unsplash.com. Guide images are credited on each guide.
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