Dates, times and details for Kent’s Christmas light switch-ons 2025
Kent’s towns are getting ready to shine as the countdown to Christmas begins.
From star-studded switch-ons to lantern parades and lively markets, the county is lighting up this festive season. Here’s where and when you can see the big illuminations this year.
BIRCHINGTON-ON-SEA
For the first time this year, family attraction Quex Adventure Farm Park is set to launch its festive season with a Christmas lights switch-on. There will be a live figure skating display, visits from Santa’s elves, seasonal food and drink, and a grand tree lighting.
Details: Sunday, November 30 from 4.30pm
BROMLEY
A host of stars are set to turn up for this year’s glittering switch-on, such as the cast of the Churchill Theatre panto, including Hi-de-Hi’s Su Pollard, TV ventriloquist Jamie Leahey and Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas, who will be performing live. There will also be roaming characters, a festive market and funfair rides.
Details: Sunday, November 16 from 2pm
CANTERBURY
Six miles of Christmas lights will turn Canterbury into a glowing winter wonderland this year. The illuminations are part of the city’s Let It Snow celebrations, which also include a huge market and a Lego-themed window trail. There will be 12 locations hosting staggered light switch-ons, including the Marlowe Theatre forecourt with the cast of this year’s panto and the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge where visitors can meet Santa.
Details: Friday, November 14 from 5pm
DARTFORD
Loose Women’s Linda Robson, star of the Orchard West’s Aladdin panto, will help light up the town alongside the rest of the show’s cast. There will also be tribute performances with tunes by Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, and giveaways from Milkshake’s David Ribi.
Details: Saturday, November 15 from 5.30pm
DEAL
Enjoy an hour of live entertainment from singer Richie Triangle, who will be playing Christmas classics. Comedian and compere AMJ will also be keeping crowds laughing until the big switch-on, which takes place outside of St George’s Church.
Details: Saturday, November 22 from 5.30pm
DOVER
Explore the bustling Christmas markets, enjoy live performances from musicians and children’s entertainers, and get stuck into family activities. The town will be lit up in the evening, including a twinkling trail and decorated tree.
Details: Saturday, December 6 from 3pm
FAVERSHAM
There will be carol singing and a visit from Father Christmas in the marketplace before the illuminations light up this medieval town centre. Preston Street will also be hosting a night market with street food stalls, pop-up bars and seasonal gifts.
Details: Saturday, November 29 from 4pm
FOLKESTONE
Author Kathy Lette will help turn on the Christmas lights, illuminating the colourful Creative Quarter. It’s also the same night that the Christmas market at Folkestone Harbour Arm opens, bringing independent traders such as Wayfarer Wines, Produced in Kent, Alakazam Magic and Glinda Bakery to the seaside destination’s fishermen's huts. Then, the following weekend, the main lights in the town centre will be switched on with live music, dancers, a street parade and the Leas Cliff Hall panto cast.
Details: Friday, November 14 from 5.30pm and Saturday, November 22 from 1pm
GRAVESEND
The Mayor of Gravesham and the cast of Cinderella will be welcoming crowds to the town for the annual switch-on, which includes performances from the Beard Conspiracy, the Sunday Roast and Oxide and Neutrino. The pier will also be putting on a series of arts and crafts activities throughout the day.
Details: Saturday, November 15 from 11am
HERNE BAY
Stop off at the Seaside Museum and say hello to Father Christmas as he delivers some special presents to the children of Herne Bay. Then, you can stroll along the pier to pick up some handmade stocking fillers before heading to the town centre to watch the sparkling lights come to life.
Details: Sunday, November 16 from 1pm
MAIDSTONE
This event, which attracted thousands of visitors last year, will return for an evening of family-friendly shows and activities in Jubilee Square. There will be mascots, characters and photo opportunities, as well as a main stage with live music, dancers and children’s entertainers. Our very own kmfm Breakfast hosts Rob and Numi will help turn on the lights on the night.
Details: Thursday, November 20 from 4.30pm
SANDWICH
Make an evening of it with Sandwich’s festive switch-on event. There’s a lively lantern parade that travels around town with local groups and businesses and a series of stalls selling gifts, decorations and mulled wine. There will also be a funfair, live music and a dazzling light tunnel for photos.
Details: Saturday, November 29 from 12 noon
SEVENOAKS
The town will be taken over by fairground rides, street performers, festive food stalls and a glittering grotto where visitors can meet Santa for this year’s switch-on. The Mayor of Sevenoaks will be joined by Frozen’s Elsa, Anna, and Olaf and the cast of the Stag Theatre panto to gather the crowds for the main event in the high street.
Details: Saturday, November 29 from 3pm
SITTINGBOURNE
There will be an all-day market, entertainment and a Santa’s Grotto to get visitors in the mood for the Christmas lights. Kids can also have a go on funfair rides, and a live band will be warming up the crowd ahead of the illuminations.
Details: Saturday, November 15 from 10am
TENTERDEN
Take a walk through Tenterden’s avenue of trees and enjoy the flickering glow of the hanging lights. There will be miniature trees above most of the high street’s shops, colourful window displays and a festive market to enjoy before, and after, the light switch-on.
Details: Friday, November 14 from 3pm
TONBRIDGE
Pick up a cup of mulled wine and watch the spectacular fireworks under the glow of Christmas lights. The big switch-on will be sandwiched between the Tonbridge Rotary Christmas Festival, a Christmas market with local craft beer and food stalls, and a huge fireworks finale.
Details: Sunday, November 30 from 11am
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Visit the winter wonderland trail, which takes you window spotting through Royal Victoria Place, and step inside the cosy enchanted cabin before the Christmas lights are switched on. There will also be a giant snowglobe and festive selfie spots.
Details: Saturday, November 15 from 4pm
WEST MALLING
The stage will be bursting with a packed programme of live entertainment, from musicians and singers to a captivating laser show. The switch-on event, part of the West Malling Christmas Festival, will also feature funfair rides, face painting and Santa’s Grotto.
Details: Sunday, November 16 from 12 noon
WESTGATE-ON-SEA
This sparkling community event will bring together live music, carol singers, street entertainers and Christmas-themed performances. There will also be food stalls and mulled wine, a festive market, face painting and photo opportunities ahead of the Christmas light switch-on.
Details: Sunday, November 30 from 4pm
WHITSTABLE
This year’s switch-on, affectionately named Whitsparkle, starts with live performances at the harbour from 1pm. There will also be lantern-making workshops and mulled wine stalls ahead of the twinkling parade, which will finish with the town’s lights being turned on for the festive season.
Details: Saturday, November 29 from 1pm
