insideKENT Magazine Issue 151 - November 2024 | Page 52

CHRISTMASINKENT inSPIRATION cont ...

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND

Festive Delights !

WHEN YOU THINK OF CHRISTMAS , YOU VERY LIKELY IMAGINE BELOVED WINTERTIME TRADITIONS INCLUDING GIFT GIVING , CAROLLING , INDULGENT JOYFUL MEALS AND , BEST OF ALL , STARRY LIGHTS AND SPARKLING SEASONAL EVENTS THAT GET US ALL IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT .

During this time of year , Christmas lights are just about everywhere , with the tradition dating back as early as the 16th century in Germany when trees were decorated with candles to symbolise the return of sunlight after the winter solstice . Today , we adorn just about anything with these fluorescent decorations . Streets are lit with rooflines of gold , silver , red and green , and baublecovered trees become the centre pieces of our living rooms . Luckily , Christmas has never been so bright , and , rivalling the decorations we place in our homes , there are evermore festive delights to experience beyond them . From meeting Santa ’ s reindeer to Christmas light switch-ons , here are insideKENT ’ s favourite activities to embody the festive spirit of a true Kentish Christmas .

THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
The Polar Express Train Ride at Spa Valley Railway , Tunbridge Wells spavalleythepolarexpressride . com 9 Nov 2024 - 23 Dec 2024
For fans of the film and all things festive immersion , The Polar Express Train Ride is an incredible Christmastime experience . The adventure starts in the same way as the film does , with the whole family being collected in their pyjamas from the Spa Valley Railway and welcomed onto the train . Within its carriages , you ’ ll meet characters from the movie including The Conductor , dancing chefs , a mysterious ghost and even Santa Claus himself . As the train heads north , the original story is shared by the talented chefs , fit with fantastical happenings and deliciously warming hot chocolate . For those who have been good this year , Santa might even offer the very first gift of Christmas : a special bell from his sleigh . Arriving back in Tunbridge Wells , guests can head to the gift shop to find souvenirs from the trip or write letters to Santa and see who within the family has been naughty or nice this year .
THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
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