Christmas events in Kent this weekend - December 15 and December 16
A workshop with elves, tree decoration workshops, Christmas fairs and live music to The Snowman.
It's all happening in Kent this weekend.
Grab your festive knits and take in one of our seven suggestions for your weekend:
1 Nativity Live, Gravesend
Saturday, December 15
Experience the nativity story retold with Mary and Joseph, their donkey and the wise men on their camels as they parade through the town to Community Square.
The event begins at 2pm with activities, music, and the animals at St George’s Church and at 3.30pm as the light dims, the lantern lit parade will be led by Mary and Joseph through Jury Street, past the Old Town Hall and up the High Street to corner of King Street and Windmill Street.
Under the lights the story will be retold before the event moves onto Community Square and join the Gravesham Borough Band and Community Choir for carols by the Christmas tree. Full details here.
2 Elves Workshop, Maidstone
Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre will be hosting an elves workshop this weekend and it's free!
Running from 10am until 4pm on both days, you can craft your heart out with the elves while the man himself will be popping in to see children at regular intervals and to hand out gifts. And Saturday's event will also include the addition of a giant snow globe for families to enjoy.
General manager, Richard Lloyd, said: “We’re excited to welcome Santa and his elves to Lockmeadow this weekend for a fleeting visit before their busiest weekend of the year. The first 100 to arrive on Saturday will even receive a free snow globe to take home with them!"
3 Deer Decoration Workshop, Knole, Sevenoaks
Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Bring the children to make a treasured Christmas decoration inspired by Knole Park's resident deer. Design and paint your decoration, before adding a wooden deer and sequins to make a unique addition to your Christmas tree.
Children must be accompanied by an adult and for capacity reasons families are asked to bring just one adult to each child. All materials are supplied in these hands-on workshops, which last around one hour.
For admission details and to make a booking for a child click here.
4 Natural Christmas Grotto and Christmas Fair, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Visit Santa in his all-natural bird hide grotto, receive a present and take part in a craft activity to create a lovely Christmas Decoration.
There will also be local stalls, carol singing, arts and crafts, mince pies, mulled apple juice, guided walks and more. Stalls open from 11am to 3pm Ticket price is for the Santa visit, entry to the reserve and other activities is free.
To learn more about the Kent Wildlife Trust event please click here.
5 Magical Medieval Christmas, The Canterbury Tales
Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Father Christmas has been transported back to the Middle Ages and he needs rescuing! Take your family on a festive time-travelling adventure at this popular Kent attraction. Can you get Santa home in time for Christmas this year?
Visitors will be guided through a series of festive activities on the medieval streets of The Canterbury Tales visitor attraction and there will be songs, games and dressing up. And if the mission is a success - the journey ends with a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto.
To book your tickets or learn more visit www.canterburytales.org.uk
6 Big Fish Little Fish Christmas Family Rave, Dreamland Margate
Sunday, December 16
The 2pm-4pm ravers are back with a festive jingle bell ball for families. Bringing acid house, techno, house and drum 'n’ bass to an all-ages crowd there will also be bubbles, balloons, confetti cannons and a snow machine!
The event is most suited to families with children aged up to eight but all all ages are welcome.
Captain Cookie will be hosting kids activities in the craft corner including a giant colouring in mural, free transfer tattoos and a homemade play-doh table for even the smallest of ravers. And if the little ones need a time out, the baby chill out and toddler play space provides breakaway areas with tents, tunnels, foam mats and a ball pool.
To find out more and book your tickets click here
7 A Family Christmas Spectacular including The Snowman, Mote Hall, Maidstone
Sunday, December 16
Maidstone Wind Symphony return to Mote Hall with a screening of The Snowman with live music.
There will also be some other festive favourites in the annual Christmas concert recommended for children four and above. The concert begins at 3.30pm.
To learn more or book tickets click here.
