Things to do in Kent this weekend
Fireworks, festive markets, the first Christmas film of the year and a very special Remembrance event led by a Hollywood director.
As autumn's busy calendar of events continues there is so much happening in Kent this weekend.
We've rounded up some of the biggest and best events the family might enjoy below:
Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge, Ashford
Friday, November 9
An immensely popular annual charity rickshaw ride is coming through Ashford for the first time, stopping in the town for its first live studio link of the season on Friday.
Ridden by ex-Blue Peter host Matt Baker and six young helpers, the specially adapted rickshaw will travel 423 miles from Calais to Manchester in nine days. On Friday the team will set off from Calais before a 31-mile cycle through the service tunnel of the Channel Tunnel. After making land in Folkestone, they will take in the sights of Etchinghill, Brook and Hinxhill before ending the first day at the Ashford bandstand. Having rested in the town overnight, the cyclists will wind through Bethersden, High Halden, Biddenden and Goudhurst on their second day as the route leaves East Kent.
Along the way, donations will be collected for the 38-year charity and Mr Baker will link up live with One Show co-host Alex Jones every night, with the first such broadcast this year coming from Ashford's town centre. Pudsey will be in the town centre from 6pm on Friday, with the One Show's live broadcast taking place from 7pm to 7.30pm.
Rodmersham Fireworks
Friday, November 9
Rodmersham's annual fireworks display takes place this coming Friday. Gates to the school on Rodmersham Green open at 5.30pm for hot food, drinks and fun ahead of the display at 7pm. Tickets can be bought from the school or on the gate - a single ticket is £5 and £18 for a family of four.
For a round-up of fireworks displays taking place across Kent see here.
The Grinch, cinemas county-wide
Friday, November 9
It's never too early to be annoyed by Christmas! But the chances are no one in your family will be cross with the November-release of this long-awaited Christmas film.
The Grinch is back, this time starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the festive scrooge. Based on the Dr Seuss holiday classic the cynical grump is once again on a mission to steal Christmas. But will he succeed?
Christmas market, Cornwallis Academy, Maidstone
Saturday, November 10
Plenty of festive fun is promised at the Cheeki Monkeys Christmas Market. Alongside 40 stalls will be festive arts and crafts, refreshments, ginerbread men, a bouncy castle and more. The pop-up event is taking place at the Academy in Hubbards Lane from 10.30am until 12.30pm.
Entry on the door is £2 for adults and children are free. There is also free parking and free festive good bags up for grabs!
British Wildlife Photography Awards, The Beaney, Canterbury
Saturday, November 10
Meet a kestrel and a barn owl at the family launch event of The Beaney's latest free exhibition.
The wildlife-themed morning especially for children will also include some educational workshops in which youngsters can learn more about British wildife alongside arts and crafts.
To learn more about the event running from 10am until noon, click here.
Pages of the Sea, Folkestone's Sunny Sands beach
Sunday, November 11
A large-scale portrait of Wilfred Owen designed by sand artists Sand In Your Eye, will be drawn into the sand on the beach in Folkestone and washed away as the tide comes in on Sunday.
The Armistice event has been orchestrated by Hollywood director Danny Boyle.
On Sunday, November 11, some 32 beaches around the UK and the Republic of Ireland will be visited by the public at low-tide for a nationwide gesture of remembrance for the men and women who never returned to UK shores during the First World War. The public will be asked to join in by creating silhouettes of people in the sand and each of the beaches taking part in the project will commemorate a different war casualty.
To learn more about Folkestone's event and the entire project click here.
Snowdog Trail, Ashford town centre
Running until November 18
There is just one more week left to catch the fantastic Snowdogs in Ashford before they scarper!
Inspired by the much-loved animated film The Snowman and The Snowdog, the sequel to Raymond Brigg’s classic picture book The Snowman, Ashford’s Snowdog trail celebrates the film’s themes of life, love, loss, friendship, companionship, strength and kindness with a series of differently decorated Snowdog models waiting to be spotted across the town.
To learn more about the magical art trail and how you can catch it before it closes click here.
