ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT intheDIARY DECEMBER 2025
UNTIL 24 DECEMBER WINTER FOOD MARKET Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Sidcup ruxley-manor. co. uk Time: 12pm- 8pm( Mon- Sat), 12pm- 4pm( Sun) Price: Free entry
Savour delicious festive street food, sweet treats, mulled wine and hot chocolate piled high with cream and marshmallows at Ruxley Manor’ s brand-new Winter Food Market. With live music on selected Friday and Saturday evenings( and Sunday afternoons), it’ s the perfect setting to soak up the Christmas spirit and enjoy the wealth of jolly entertainment and food and drink the season has to offer. Ruxley’ s Ice Rink and Christmas Grotto will also be available to book for those wanting to make a day of it.
UNTIL 30 DECEMBER LEONARDSLEE LIGHTS 2025 Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Horsham leonardsleegardens. co. uk Time: From 4.15pm- 8.30pm Price: From £ 17.50( adult), £ 12.50( child), under 2s free
Leonardslee Lights returns with a dazzling new route and expanded cast! This year’ s theme, A Midwinter Light’ s Dream, will transform the historic woodlands and lakes of Leonardslee into a glowing dreamworld of light, sound and colour, inviting families to wander through woodland scenes bathed in light, music and mystery as nature becomes the backdrop to a magical evening of creations and performances from ThirdSpace, Lantern House and internationally acclaimed artists, Ithaca.
UNTIL 4 JANUARY A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS: 700 YEARS OF FESTIVE CHEER Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks nationaltrust. org. uk / ightham-mote Time: 11am- 4pm Price: Included with general admission
ACROSS THE BORDER!
© National Trust Images Arnhel de Serra
Journey through 700 years of festive cheer this Christmas at Ightham Mote. Explore beautifully decorated rooms that capture the spirit of the season across key moments in the property’ s history- from medieval yuletide customs and Tudor festivities to a traditional Victorian Christmas and the cosy familiarity of 20thcentury celebrations. Each space will bring to life the sights, sounds and traditions of years gone by, capturing its evolution in an immersive and atmospheric experience.
5 & 12 DECEMBER FESTIVE TAPAS + WINE AT WESTWELL Westwell Wine Cellar Door, Bar + Shop, Ashford westwellwines. com Time: 4pm- 9pm Price: £ 25 per person
The renowned Westwell Wines presents Festive Tapas + Wine. Delight in a beautifully curated mixed seasonal tapas menu complemented by splendid estate mulled wine, fizz and stills by the glass or bottle. Take the opportunity to browse Westwell’ s Christmas shop with some great special offers and relish a relaxed evening of pure indulgence and celebration. A perfect setting to get together with friends, family or colleagues, pre-booking for this event is essential.
6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 DECEMBER FATHER CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA Chiddingstone Castle, Chiddingstone chiddingstonecastle. org. uk Time: 11am, 1.15pm, 3.30pm Price: From £ 40( adult), £ 45( child)
Chiddingstone Castle is once again joining the festivities with its Father Christmas Afternoon Tea experience set to return on select dates this December. Join in with a very special storytime, a festive trail, sparkling crafts and a delicious Christmasthemed afternoon tea. During your dining experience, Father Christmas himself will greet each table individually to say hello to all the children, find out what’ s on their Christmas list and gift them a goody bag. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the maximum table size is eight guests.
www. insidekent. co. uk • 17