Rochester Christmas market, Dickensian Christmas Festival and Medway light switch on events cancelled

A popular Christmas market, Dickensian festival and lights switch-on event have been cancelled because of coronavirus.

Medway Council says it has taken the difficult decision not to hold the events because it would be difficult to enforce social distancing due to their nature and popularity.

However, the council adds that "in the true spirit of Christmas, festive lights will be on display across Medway for residents and visitors to enjoy when they visit Medway’s five town centres to do their Christmas shopping."

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “Although we understand that this news may be disappointing, the health and wellbeing of our residents, visitors and staff is our highest priority and we must do all we can to ensure our COVID-19 rate remains low.

"An awful lot of time and planning goes into organising our Christmas events and, as we do not know what the government advice will be on mass gatherings in November and December, we have made the difficult decision not to hold them this year."

This is the second council to announce it will not hold be able to hold its Christmas lights switch on after Faversham cancelled its event last week.

A number of pantomimes in Kent have also confirmed they too won't open this year with social distancing making performances a struggle to put on. However the Christmas lights trail at Bedgebury is still set to go ahead whilst the Spa Valley Railway has confirmed it is holding its meet and greet Santa Special services in December.

For more family-related news from across Kent and Medway visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk