Festive family days out in Kent for the Christmas school holidays
With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, families across Kent are spoilt for choice when it comes to seasonal days out.
From sparkling light trails to bustling markets and immersive grottos, the county is packed with ways to keep children entertained throughout December. Here’s some of our top picks…
ASHFORD DESIGNER OUTLET
Meet Father Christmas and get stuck into a host of weekly activities, including toy making in the workshop and taking the elf oath, at Santa’s Lodge. It’s all part of the outlet’s Christmas market, which is bigger than ever with delightful decorations, shopping stalls and tasty food, such as Yorkshire pudding wraps and artisan cheese. On select dates, you might even bump into the Grinch as he wreaks havoc in the market.
Details: Open until Christmas Eve at the Ashford Designer Outlet. Free entry.
BLUEWATER, near Dartford
Winterland, the colourful festive funfair, has once again taken over a Bluewater car park for the winter. The attraction boasts family rides, including the waltzers, bumper cars and a miniature roller coaster, as well as a 40-metre-high Observation Wheel that has been shipped over from Holland. There’s also sideshow games, food and drink stalls and an undercover ice rink.
Details: Open until Sunday, January 11 at Bluewater in Greenhithe, near Dartford. The ice rink closes on Sunday, January 4. Book online here.
CALVERLEY GROUNDS, Tunbridge Wells
Get your skates on and have a go on Tunbridge Wells’ pop-up ice rink. The experience, which has become a staple of the town’s Christmas calendar, is suitable for beginners, with seal skating aids for younger visitors, and there will be relaxed sessions on select dates with slower speeds and no music or flashing lights. You can also book a Bavarian curling session, which is suitable for up to eight players and uses ice stocks instead of stones.
Details: Open Friday, December 5 to Sunday, January 4 at Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.
CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS MARKET
Canterbury’s streets have been taken over by traditional huts, family activities and live music as part of its annual Christmas market. The market spans the Canterbury Cathedral Precincts, St George’s Street and Whitefriars with artisan stalls, a carousel, a giant snow globe, street performers, VR experiences and a Santa’s Grotto. There will also be dazzling lights, and the shop windows will be decorated as part of the Lego-themed Christmas window trail. Find out what our reviewer thought of the food and drink at this year’s market here.
Details: Open until Christmas Eve in Canterbury, from Whitefriars to the Cathedral. Free entry.
HEVER CASTLE, Edenbridge
One of the county’s top attractions is transporting visitors to the Emerald City for a wicked adventure. The castle is transforming into the Land of Oz, complete with glittering lights, playful characters and interactive moments. Guests begin their journey at Dorothy’s house in Kansas before being whisked along the yellow brick road to meet the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. The castle will also be putting on its dazzling after-dark light trail with projections, art installations and music.
Details: Open until Friday, January 2 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Book online here.
HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Chatham
Mission Christmas, which first launched three years ago, will welcome visitors to the Dockyard’s secret ‘sub-station’ for a new storytelling adventure. This year, the elves have been working on some new inventions, but someone has been tampering with the gadgets and the elves need your help to get Christmas back on track. The 45-minute event will end with a visit to Father Christmas.
Details: Open until Christmas Eve at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Book online here.
KENT LIFE, Maidstone
Before you even arrive, visitors will receive a special invitation to meet Saint Nick from his elf, Twinkle Toes. Then, you’ll be taken to the enchanting grotto where children can meet Father Christmas and receive a gift to take home. The experience also includes gingerbread decorating, a build-your-own teddy bear station, a colourful sweet shop, live performances, food and drink in the Snow Inn, and miniature train rides on the Jingle Express.
Details: Open until Christmas Eve at Kent Life in Maidstone. Book online here.
LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone
Soar off on a magical journey to Neverland with a Peter Pan-themed experience. The immersive walkthrough will feature decorations inspired by J.M. Barrie’s story and favourite scenes, including the Lost Boys’ hideout and the Jolly Roger, as well as live characters on select dates. The castle’s spectacular light trail also returns with brand new installations, such as the Peacock Promenade walkway made from eight giant UV-lit feathers and the Ribbon Tunnel, which features 500 six-foot hanging ribbons. Find out what our reviewer thought of this year’s light trail here.
Details: Open until Sunday, January 4 at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone. The light trail closes on New Year’s Eve. Book online here.
PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge
In The Last N.O.E.L., the mischievous members of Naughty Old Elves Limited have found their way to the North Pole and plan to take over the workshop. This panto-style show involves plenty of audience participation to help Father Christmas take back his workshop and save Mother Christmas from the elves’ hypnotic powers. The country house will also have wreath-making workshops, a Christmas gift shop, and, on Saturday, December 20, a festive farmers market.
Details: Open from Saturday, December 6 to Tuesday, December 23 at Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge. Book online here.
PORT LYMPNE HOTEL AND RESERVE, Hythe
Kent’s newest Christmas light trail is finally here, transforming a huge wildlife park into a dazzling land of light, colour and music. The immersive trail includes glowing installations, 3D projections, synchronised light and sound, snow scenes and holographic tigers, and there will also be a Santa’s Grotto where families can meet Saint Nick. Your ticket includes an enchanting fairy disco, family funfair rides, a festive food court, and admission to the park from 2pm on the day.
Details: Open until Saturday, January 3 at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Hythe. Santa’s Grotto closes on Tuesday, December 23. Book online here.
REINDEER CENTRE, near Ashford
Stroll along the twinkling 150ft grotto brimming with decorations on your way to meet Santa and receive a gift. There will also be a farmyard trail where you’ll see goats, donkeys, rabbits, llamas, chickens and sheep, a chance to feed the reindeer and help the elves make Rudolph’s food, and a snowy playground.
Details: Open until Christmas Eve at the Reindeer Centre in Bethersden, near Ashford. Book online here.
ROCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET
Kent’s biggest Christmas market will have more than 120 stalls selling gifts, decorations, toys, clothing and more. Families can also enjoy funfair rides, watch free live entertainment on the bandstand and tuck into street food from the Bavarian village. The town’s Dickensian Christmas Festival will also return as part of the festivities, with Victorian characters, a parade, street theatre and workshops, all inspired by Dickens’ best-loved stories.
Details: Open on weekends until Sunday, December 14. The Dickensian Christmas Festival takes place on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Free entry.
QUEX ADVENTURE FARM PARK, Birchington-on-Sea
Journey through the magical Elf Forest aboard the Elf Express, where you’ll meet the forest’s dancing elves and mythical creatures. Then, you’ll follow Candy Cane Lane until you reach Santa’s home, where you can meet the big man in red. There will also be real reindeer, a toy shop, a German BBQ, Christmas lights and an ice skating rink.
Details: Open from Saturday, December 6 to Christmas Eve at Quex Adventure Farm Park in Birchington-on-Sea. Book online here.
SCOTNEY CASTLE, near Tunbridge Wells
Each room of this Victorian mansion will be transformed into pages from a storybook. The decorations and displays will be inspired by beloved books such as Alice in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol and The Jungle Book. The festivities include glittering lights, seasonal scents and a garden trail where you can follow elves dressed up like characters from the stories.
Details: Open until Sunday, January 4 at Scotney Castle in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.
WALMER CASTLE, near Deal
Soak up the sights and sounds of Christmas at this historic English Heritage castle. There will be traditional decorations and a crackling fire pit and, for the kids, there will be a series of workshops, including making wooden baubles and pinecone trees. Don’t forget to tuck into some toasted marshmallows before you leave.
Details: Open on weekends until Sunday, December 21 at Walmer Castle, near Deal. Book online here.
Want more festive fun? Our guide to Kent’s panto season is sure to get you in the Christmas mood.
