EVENTS
FOLKESTONE FESTIVE MARKETPLACE
BOXING DAY AND NEW YEAR ’ S DAY DAWN WALKS ROYAL PAVILION ICE RINK
WEEKENDS UNTIL 24 DECEMBER FOLKESTONE FESTIVE MARKETPLACE Folkestone Harbour Arm , Folkestone www . folkestoneharbourarm . co . uk Time : Saturday & Sunday 11am - 6pm / Thursday 15 December 5pm - 9pm / Friday 23 December 11am - 6pm Price : Free
Folkestone Harbour Arm are delighted to announce the return of their Festive Marketplace this Christmas . Nearly doubling in size from last year , visitors can explore and discover a variety of treasures from presents for your pooch and ceramics to handmade jewellery , sweet treats and original artworks from 35 independent makers , creatives and producers .
Other festive events include the return of Christmas classic movies on the Harbour Screen ( all free !), more live music and entertainment - including the return of the Traditional Carol Service to the Harbour Station , as well as a host of special festive food courtesy of the traders in The Goods Yard and the new Pop-Up Festive Food Village , with the new food and drink arena providing a temporary home behind the Festive Market for some traders you know and love including Burrito Buoy ( fresh Mexican ) and Minutas Al Paso ( Argentinian street food ) as well as a host of new faces !
17 - 18 DECEMBER SANTA ’ S GROTTO & FESTIVE MARKET The Alex , Faversham www . thealex . org . uk Time : 9.30am - 4.30pm | Price : £ 8
Join The Alex for their annual weekend of festive fun ! Expect Christmas gifting stalls , children ’ s crafts , face painting , mulled wine and mince pies … and of course the chance to meet Santa in his grotto ahead of Christmas Eve !
Please note , grotto slots are listed as arrival times only and are not limited to five minutes . If you are booking for more than one child , please select consecutive booking slots . Please remember to add the child ’ s name and age in the notes area on Ticketsource while making the booking . Adults do not need to purchase a ticket . You are welcome to arrive earlier and enjoy the market stalls , children ’ s craft area and the cafe .
23 & 24 DECEMBER CATHEDRAL CAROL SERVICES Canterbury Cathedral , Canterbury www . canterbury-cathedral . org Time : 7.30pm - 9.30pm , Doors 6.30pm Price : Free
Delight in this traditional carol service in the wonderful Canterbury Cathedral . Doors open 6.30pm for visitors who will be seated on a firstcome , first-seated basis .
26 DECEMBER & 1 JANUARY 2023 BOXING DAY AND NEW YEAR ’ S DAY DAWN WALKS Ightham Mote , Sevenoaks www . nationaltrust . org . uk Time : 8.45am - 11.30am | Price : £ 25
Walk off that Christmas dinner or start the New Year off right with Ightham Mote ’ s Boxing Day and New Year ’ s Day dawn walks . Enjoy a filling English breakfast followed by a bracing walk , lasting around 60-90 minutes around the Ightham Mote Estate .
TOP PICK ACROSS THE BORDER
UNTIL 8 JANUARY 2023 ROYAL PAVILION ICE RINK Royal Pavilion , Brighton www . royalpavilionicerink . co . uk Time : 10am - 9.45pm Price : Family £ 44 , Adult £ 16 , Children ( under 12 ) £ 11
The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is beautifully lit at night for a truly magical Christmas skate and is located within Brighton ’ s bustling North Laine district , packed with independent shops perfect for Christmas shopping . The huge main rink offers plenty of space for more confident skaters and the separate beginners ’ rink with penguin skate aids provides a safe area for younger skaters to build their confidence . For those looking to just sit back and soak up the festive atmosphere , there ’ s no charge for spectating from the rink-side bar and kitchen or outdoor spectator areas . With ice like glass , the rink has been welcoming visitors since 2010 and is still the UK ’ s only Christmas ice rink powered exclusively by renewable energy .
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