Christmas with Children in Kent 2026: A Guide for Every Age
The best Christmas outing depends on your child’s age, not on what’s biggest or most talked about. A toddler may be happiest with a short Santa visit, while a teenager would rather be on the ice. So we’ve split this guide by age, from first Santa visits to activities for teens who’ve outgrown the grotto. There’s also a section on quieter options if crowds and noise are hard going, and information on SEN sessions.
Always check dates, prices and age guidance with the venue before you book.
Last updated: 5th November 2026
BABIES AND TODDLERS: GENTLE SANTA VISITS
Under-3s rarely need a big production, and plenty find Father Christmas a bit scary at first. These options keep the cost low or offer baby and toddler pricing, so it matters less if they’d rather hide behind you.
🎅 Santa’s House | Acacia Sports Hall 📍 Where: Dartford
🗓️ When: 28th, 29th Nov; 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: £5 with a gift included.
👉 Full Santa’s House details →
🎅 Santa’s Grotto at the Pier | Herne Bay Pier 📍 Where: Herne Bay
🗓️ When: 5th, 6th, 12th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: £5, and no booking needed.
👉 Full Santa’s Grotto at the Pier details →
🎅 Santa’s Lodge | Designer Outlet Ashford 📍 Where: Ashford
🗓️ When: 28th Nov to 24th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: £5, with up to two adults free. No gift, and proceeds go to charity.
👉 Full Santa’s Lodge details →
🎅 Santa’s Grotto at Meadow Grange Nursery | Meadow Grange Nursery 📍 Where: Whitstable
🗓️ When: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th to 21st Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: £15, or £10 for under-1s.
👉 Full Meadow Grange Santa’s Grotto details →
🎅 Santa Safari | Fenn Bell Conservation Project 📍 Where: Rochester
🗓️ When: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th to 24th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: £18.50, or £8 with a gift for under-2s. Zoo entry is included, so there’s more to the visit than Santa.
👉 Full Santa Safari details →
Tips for a happy visit
Try to book a slot that fits around naps and mealtimes.
Show them pictures of Father Christmas beforehand, so the big red suit isn’t a surprise.
Don’t force the cuddle. A wave from your arms still counts.
See Kent’s Editor recalls, “One of my children screamed the first time I took them to see Santa -luckily the staff (elves!) distracted him enough for him to relax enough so soon his was asking, ‘Where’s my present!”
A short show makes it easier for little ones and is a gentler start than a full-length panto. Some run for about an hour, or are aimed specifically at young children.
🎭 Baby Broadway Christmas | The Mick Jagger Centre 📍 Where: Dartford
🗓️ When: 19th Dec 2026, 11.15am
🎁 Highlights: A Christmas show for little ones. Check the listing for age guidance.
👉 Full Baby Broadway Christmas Dartford details →
🎭 The Reluctant Dragon | The Marlowe Studio 📍 Where: Canterbury
🗓️ When: 5th Dec 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: A one-hour show billed as a first show for young children.
👉 Full The Reluctant Dragon details →
🎭 Keepers of the Christmas Magic | St George’s Arts Centre 📍 Where: Gravesend
🗓️ When: Selected dates, 12th to 24th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: For ages 4+, and adults need a ticket too.
👉 Full Keepers of the Christmas Magic details →
Many parents find around 4 or 5 a comfortable age for a first full panto, though every child is different. Big shows can be long and loud; some can run for over 2 hours.
Not sure they’ll sit through it? A smaller production may suit your little one better, as well as your budget. Here’s a selection:
🎭 Cinderella | The Friars 📍 Where: Maidstone
🗓️ When: 5th Dec 2026 – wo showtimes
🎁 Highlights: Child (2 to 12) £10.50, adult £12.50. Under-2s go free without a seat.
👉 Full Cinderella at The Friars details →
🎭 Rapunzel | Minster Playhouse 📍 Where: Thanet
🗓️ When: 2nd to 5th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: 12 and under £6, adult £12. One of the lowest prices we list.
👉 Full Rapunzel details →
🎭 Goldilocks and the Three Bears | The Malthouse Theatre 📍 Where: Canterbury
🗓️ When: 10th Dec 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: £10 to £29.50. Under-18-months on laps need no ticket.
👉 Full Goldilocks and the Three Bears details →
🎭 Dick Whittington | The Tower Theatre 📍 Where: Folkestone
🗓️ When: 11th to 29th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: Under-18s £14, adult £19 to £21, family of 4 £60 to £65.
👉 Full Dick Whittington details →
🎭 The All New Adventures of Peter Pan | The Marlowe 📍 Where: Canterbury
🗓️ When: 27th Nov 2026 to 10th Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: £19 to £84. Runs for 2 hours 30 minutes.
👉 Full Peter Pan details →
🎭 Beauty and the Beast | Hazlitt Theatre 📍 Where: Maidstone
🗓️ When: 28th Nov to 31st Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: Child £26.50 to £30.50, adult £28.50 to £32.50. Runs for 2 hours including interval, and contains some innuendo.
👉 Full Beauty and the Beast details →
Booking tips
Choose end-of-row seats, so you can slip out easily if they get restless or overwhelmed.
Check the running time and the theatre’s age guidance before you book; we’ve highlighted ages where listed.
Pick an earlier show if your child gets tired by the evening.
If crowds, music or sudden noise are hard for your family, you don’t have to miss out. Several Kent events now run calmer sessions, including SEN sessions for children who need them.
Rochester Christmas Market: go at a quieter time
🛍️ Rochester Christmas Market | Rochester Castle Gardens 📍 Where: Rochester
🗓️ When: 27th Nov to 13th Dec 2026
🎁 Highlights: Quiet shopping sessions have no music, fair sounds or bangs, and reduced capacity: 27th Nov, 12 noon to 3pm; 29th Nov, 10am to 11.30am; 4th and 11th Dec, 12 noon to 3pm; 13th Dec, 10am to 11.30am.
👉 Full Rochester Christmas Market details →
The Dickens Christmas Festival on 5th and 6th December adds to the crowds, so avoid that weekend if you’d prefer it calm. Parking in the centre is limited, but Rochester station is about 5 minutes away.
Quieter or SEN Santa and skating sessions
🎅 Santa’s Grotto at Rockits | Rockits Sensory & Soft Play Centre 📍 Where: Tenterden
🗓️ When: 29th Nov, 12pm; 5th Dec, 9am; 21st Dec, 12pm
🎁 Highlights: SEN-only sessions, and siblings are welcome.
👉 Full Santa’s Grotto at Rockits details →
🎅 Santa Safari | Fenn Bell Conservation Project 📍 Where: Rochester
🗓️ When: See listing for session times
🎁 Highlights: Quieter SEN sessions.
👉 Full Santa Safari details →
⛸️ Ice Rink at Bluewater | Bluewater Shopping Centre 📍 Where: Dartford
🗓️ When: See listing for session times
🎁 Highlights: Quiet sessions.
👉 Full Ice Rink at Bluewater details →
⛸️ Ice Skating at The Christmas Destination | Lakeside Shopping Centre 📍 Where: West Thurrock
🗓️ When: See listing for session times
🎁 Highlights: Weekly SEND sessions.
👉 Full Ice Skating at The Christmas Destination details →
🎭 The All New Adventures of Peter Pan | The Marlowe 📍 Where: Canterbury
🗓️ When: Chilled: 4th Dec, 1pm. Audio described: 6th Dec, 1pm and 3rd Jan, 1pm. BSL: 12th Dec, 2.30pm. Captioned: 13th Dec, 1pm and 5pm. Relaxed: 6th Jan, 11am
🎁 Highlights: A full range of access performances.
👉 Full Peter Pan details →
🎭 Beauty and the Beast | Hazlitt Theatre 📍 Where: Maidstone
🗓️ When: Family relaxed and BSL: 11th Dec, 6pm
🎁 Highlights: One show that is both relaxed and BSL.
👉 Full Beauty and the Beast details →
OLDER CHILDREN AND TEENS: TOO OLD FOR SANTA, NOT FOR CHRISTMAS
Once the grotto years are over, a Christmas day out needs more action. Try the ice, a challenge against the clock, or a big musical.
⛸️ Ice Rink at Bluewater | Bluewater Shopping Centre 📍 Where: Dartford
🗓️ When: 5th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: Disco nights and Skate & Sing sessions. Children from £13.
👉 Full Ice Rink at Bluewater details →
⛸️ Ice Skating at The Christmas Destination | Lakeside Shopping Centre 📍 Where: West Thurrock
🗓️ When: 14th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: Late Night Disco on Ice on Fridays and Saturdays. Children £16.
👉 Full Ice Skating at The Christmas Destination details →
⛸️ Ice Skating at Quex | Quex Adventure Farm Park 📍 Where: Birchington
🗓️ When: 30th Nov 2026 to 3rd Jan 2027
🎁 Highlights: Children from £6.95.
👉 Full Ice Skating at Quex details →
🌹 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.
📧 See Kent Newsletter: Sign up for our free newsletter for more ideas and inspiration.
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