EVENTS
SOUTHEASTERN SANTA EXPRESS
9 - 31 DECEMBER THE STORM WHALE The Marlowe , Canterbury www . themarlowetheatre . com Time : Various | Price : £ 15 ( Recommended 4yrs +)
Noi lives with his dad and six cats by the sea . One summer , while his dad was busy at work , Noi rescued a little whale that washed up on the beach . A friendship began that changed their lives forever . The following winter Noi ’ s dad takes one last trip in his fishing boat . Noi is alone once more and longs to see his friend again . He waits and watches , watches and waits … Will it take another storm to bring them back together ?
Benji Davies ’ tender and heartwarming children stories of friendship , love and courage are brought to life as one enchanting theatre show based on The Storm Whale and The Storm Whale in Winter and written and directed by Matt Aston .
10 DECEMBER MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE Leeds Castle , Maidstone www . leeds-castle . com Time : Afternoon Price : £ 125 ( dinner only ) - £ 335 ( including overnight stay )
This festive season there ’ s been a Christmas murder but who could have done it and why ?
As actors help to set the scene , immerse yourself in a truly spectacular evening set in the style of either a panto-crime or at the auction of the highly valuable Thornley-Cruttock jewel collection where you decide just how involved you want to be . The emphasis is on having fun and solving the crime , all while enjoying delicious food and wine .
You are invited to arrive at the castle in the afternoon before you head on an after-hours self-guided tour . The butler will then call for dinner where a delicious Christmas feast with all the trimmings awaits in The Salon and the evening ’ s show will commence . With immersive entertainment , you will work with other guests to figure out the mystery . Once solved , you ’ ll retire to your luxurious castle guest room for a peaceful night ’ s sleep . Gather with fellow guests as you recount the evening ’ s events over a hearty full English breakfast in the castle the following morning ( breakfast for overnight guests only ).
11 DECEMBER TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP Made in Ashford , Ashford www . madeinashford . com Time : 10am - 12pm | Price : £ 30
Join this festive workshop from Animate Arts to make a beautiful , traditional Christmas wreath for your front door , from crafting the willow base itself to decorating it with lovely wintery foliage .
With all the materials provided , this workshop - led by willow sculptor Sharon Potter , a whizz at all things willow who loves creating beautiful things from natural materials - is close enough to Christmas to ensure that you have a super fresh , vibrant door wreath to impress your visitors .
15 DECEMBER - 2 JANUARY 2023 CINDERELLA Malthouse Theatre , Canterbury www . malthousetheatre . co . uk Time : Various Price : Children / Concession , £ 16.50 , Adult : £ 18.50 , Family : £ 65
You shall go to the ball this Christmas with the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes , Cinderella . From the team that brought you last year ’ s record-breaking production of Beauty and The Beast ( The Malthouse Theatre in association with Gardner Hodges Entertainment ), this year ’ s production will feature stunning sets and costumes , spectacular special effects , side-splitting comedy and a dazzling West End cast . Book your tickets before the clock strikes midnight !
16 & 18 DECEMBER FROZEN THEMED AFTERNOON TEA WITH ENCHANTED CHILDREN ’ S CHARACTERS Quex Park , Birchington www . quexpark . co . uk Time : 4.30pm - 6.30pm Price : Child £ 20 , Adult £ 15
Delight in this Frozen-themed afternoon tea , complete with enchanted children ’ s meet and greet , singalong songs , photo ops , themed cakes and more . Includes a free gift and activity sheet .
17 DECEMBER WESTGATE HALL CHRISTMAS MARKET Westgate Hall , Canterbury www . westgatehall . org Time : 11am - 4pm | Price : Free
Discover talented Kent makers , artists , craftspeople and producers as they showcase the best in Kentish produce , artisan crafts and more at Westgate Hall Market in Canterbury city centre .
Find dozens of stalls and hundreds of locally produced products , all under one roof .
17 DECEMBER THE ALBION BAND The Gulbenkian , Canterbury www . thegulbenkian . co . uk Time : 7.30pm | Price : £ 23
Described in The Guardian as ‘ the perfect antidote to the corporate Christmas ’, expect an evening of traditional English Christmas music , humourous stories and beautiful , spine-tingling Christmas carols and ballads sung by Kellie While and Simon Nicol . After weeks of the usual Christmas shopping playlists , we can guarantee no mention of Wham , Mariah or Slade !
18 DECEMBER SOUTHEASTERN SANTA EXPRESS Southeastern , Maidstone West Station www . bit . ly / SoutheasternSantaExpress Time : Depart 11.28am Return 1.05pm Price : Family £ 50 , Adult £ 15 , Children ( 5 to 17 ) £ 12.50 , Children Under 5 Free with fare-paying adult
Rudolph and his reindeer pals will be taking a day off from sleigh pull training in the lead up to Christmas when Santa swaps his sleigh for a special Southeastern train delivering festive cheer !
Santa and his elves will be giving a present to each child on the train as they make their way through the carriages , chatting to guests as they go . Festive entertainment will also be provided as the Express travels through the Kent countryside along the scenic Medway Valley Line to Strood and Paddock Wood before returning to Maidstone .
All of the ticket sales will go directly to Railway Children .
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