9 Festive Christmas Events in Kent 2022 – Kent has some marvellously festive events around Christmas, and we have put a list of some of the best together in one place for you. You could also have a look at our best place to see Santa or our list of Christmas Markets in Kent too!
Leeds Castle – Magical Birds & Festive Feathers
Let your Christmas wishes take flight at Leeds Castle as the beautiful state rooms are transformed into a magical kingdom of birds and festive feathers.
Start your journey through the magnificent Castle rooms with a magical forest of owls to red breasted robins surrounded by glittering snowdrops. Experience a lavishly dressed banqueting table, laid for a Christmas feast, as you continue through to the glitz and glamour of Lady Baillie’s Bedroom, where there is a variety of treasures to spot amongst Christmas garlands. Write your Christmas dream on a feather in a room of winged wishes and experience shimmering duckling eggs ready to hatch under the tree, with the signature Leeds Castle black swan among decorations of silver and gold.
Take a Christmas Train Journey on the Spa Valley Railway
Travel from Eridge Station and get a visit from Santa Claus himself on a Steam hauled train! Departing at 10:15, 12:45 or 15:15 you can take a journey through the High Weald countryside whilst having a visit from Santa on board the train.
What’s included:
- Steam and Heritage Diesel train ride from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West and return.
- A visit from Santa on board the train with a present for every child.
- An opportunity to visit Santa’s Grotto at Tunbridge Wells West for photos.
- Victorian Penny Machine games to play at Eridge.
- Mince Pie for every adult and child.
- Face Painting at Eridge in the Waiting Room.
- Entertainment at Tunbridge Wells.
- Photo opportunities with the Steam and Heritage Diesel engine at Eridge.
You will board your Steam Santa Special hauled train to the strains of traditional Christmas music, then sit back and enjoy a ride through the winter countryside to Tunbridge Wells West. During the journey Santa will visit every child on board the train with a gift for all those good boys and girls so make sure you’re well behaved!
Try an Outdoor Ice Rink
Calverley Grounds Ice Rink just got bigger and better!
As well as our impressive ice rink set in the beautiful natural amphitheatre of Calverley Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, we have now built an extra ice rink onsite, especially for our Parent & Toddler Sessions plus, for the first time we bring you Bavarian Curling – hilarious fun for you and your mates. With pop-up restaurants and bars, Santa’s grotto, live music a full programme of activities (to be confirmed) – there’s so much to do at the ice rink this Christmas.
It’s an ideal activity for all ages.
Whether you are grabbing a seal for the kids, perfecting your skating moves with your friends, or having romantic date with your partner, finding the perfect experience days for her or night out enjoying the skating plus the live music and cracking atmosphere – you’ll be guaranteed a great time, day or night.
Go and see a Panto in Kent!
There are lots of great pantomimes going on around Kent – which will you see? Choose from Mother Goose at The Marlowe in Canterbury, Aladdin at The Stag theatre in Sevenoaks, Cinderella at The Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs and Peter Pan at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford. There are lots more though – oh yes there is!
Illuminated Christmas Event at Bedgebury, Kent 2019
The sights and sounds of Christmas await under unique canopies, with new installations rising high into the night sky. A dynamic Vortex Tunnel leads onto colour-changing and immersive ribbons of light. Waterside reflections will be created by hundreds of colourful boats gently bobbing on the shimmering lake, whilst flickering flames of the scented Fire Garden create a moment of tranquil reflection.
Christmas at Hever Castle
This Christmas we will be taking you on a magical journey down the rabbit hole and into the enchanting world of Alice in Wonderland. During the day you will be met with beautifully decorated Castle rooms, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees.
Outside in the grounds follow the whimsical Alice in a Christmas Wonderland themed interactive trail and wander through the illuminated gardens as dusk falls. Bring the children to see Father Christmas at Hever Castle, enjoy relaxed Christmas shopping in the Gift Shops, and sample delicious festive food in the restaurants.
Scotney Castle – Christmas events in Kent
This Christmas enter a Victorian Christmas as the Hussey Family would have enjoyed, with traditional decorations, twinkling lights on festive trees and toys to enjoy within the house. Why not join us for a delicious festive lunch in our tea-room, or enjoy a hot chocolate and mince pie after a stroll around the garden?
If you are visiting with children, they can complete our festive Noah’s ark trail in the garden, visit Father Christmas for storytelling in the mansion or arrange for a personal meet and greet with the big man himself. Make sure you wrap up warm for a visit to our children’s play area which will be open all winter. Or if you’re looking for a relaxed Christmas day out with friends, plan a weekday visit to enjoy a two or three course Christmas lunch in the tea-room.
Santa at The Hop Farm Paddock Wood
Another fab Christmas event in Kent – Father Christmas is back at The Hop Farm during selected dates, this December! Treat the kids and meet Father Christmas up close and in person in his magical grotto experience. Lots of festive fun to be had in the Big Red Grotto.
Your Christmas experience inside The Big Red Grotto includes:
- Visit with Father Christmas in his cosy Grotto
- Indoor Grotto experience (unlimited time)
- Meet his jolly helpers
- A Christmas gift
- Storytelling with Mother Christmas
- One free printed photograph per group
- Write a letter to Father Christmas, post it in his North Pole postbox or give it to him in person
- Balloon models
- Craft and activity sheets
- Christmas tunes, cartoons, plenty of photo opportunities and more!
Father Christmas at The Hop Farm in Kent is always very popular, and he only has limited time to meet children and their families before he sets off on his very busy night delivering presents on Christmas Eve, so don’t delay book today!
Ticket price includes FREE entry into the Family Park, animal farm and indoor soft play centre:
Child (includes up to 2 free adults per booking and gift) – £18
Extra adults – £2 per adult
Infant (under 1 yrs old, includes 2 free adults per booking if an infant only booking and gift) – £14 .
They also do office Christmas parties – This December, our ever popular White Christmas themed party nights return! With a winter setting, we provide the ultimate backdrop for your office Christmas party. The Hop Farm is located near Maidstone and Tonbridge, easily accessible by public transport. Our party package includes a Drinks Reception, Festive Meal, DJ & Disco and further entertainment.
Santa at The Reindeer Centre Bethersden
This Christmas come and visit The Reindeer Centre’s Christmas Grotto, Festive fun for everyone!
Enjoy a special family encounter at our Christmas Grotto with Father Christmas in his festive cabin where every good child receives a quality wrapped present and option to purchase a souvenir photo. Father Christmas and his elves will be here daily from 16th November until Christmas Eve (online booking is required for Christmas Eve only – see below). Stroll through the seven animated scenes in our magical 150ft Christmas Grotto.
Then visit the animal barn, which is all undercover where you can feed the Reindeers and meet the farm animals including goats, pigs, donkeys, llamas, guinea pigs and the cheeky meerkats in the Reptile Corner. The children can let off steam in the popular straw bale ball pit, climb aboard the pirate ship in the sand play area and then have fun in the artificial snow play area. In the food hall you can purchase hot drinks and fast food (Burgers, Hotdogs, Sandwiches, Cold Drinks, Sweets, Crisps) and adults can collect their complimentary mince pie.
Also have a look at our round up of places to take the kids at Halloween, where to see Santa in Kent, Christmas Events, Christmas Markets and on New Year’s Eve.
