CHRISTMAS
' TIS THE SEASON TO GET TOGETHER Kent Christmas parties, Fairs and Events cont.
An Alpine Christmas Party at The Hop Farm Dates throughout December
This December hit the slopes of fun at The Hop Farm’ s après-ski-themed Christmas parties! Treat your staff or group of friends to a unique and memorable pine-filled, winter wonderland Christmas party experience. Groups from 10 to 250 people. Exclusive parties – details on request. Dates through December available. Your ticket includes après ski late-night bar, ice-themed ballroom, special entertainment, drinks reception, alpine-themed platter followed by a sumptuous two-course dinner, DJ and dancing until 1am – all for only £ 42 per person. www. thehopfarm. co. uk / venue / parties / christmasparties
Leeds Castle Christmas Market 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 22, 23 Dec
For a delightfully traditional Christmas market with the gorgeous backdrop of‘ the loveliest castle in the world’, visit Leeds Castle’ s Cedar Lawn. You’ ll discover a fantastic array of seasonal gifts – many hand crafted – that include toys, games, clothing, food, drink and much, much more. Whilst at the market you can also explore the castle itself, or visit the reindeer and birds of prey. Plus there are fairground rides( including a Victorian carousel and chair-o-planes) and live musical entertainment. www. leeds-castle. com
Emmetts Garden Elf Trail 1 Dec – 3 Jan( excluding 24-25 Dec)
Discover what mischief the elves have been up to, and help them get ready for Christmas by following a festive adventure through the garden. Don’ t forget to send Father Christmas a Christmas card. www. nationaltrust. org. uk / emmetts-garden
Moonlit in Marrakech Christmas Party 1-17 Dec
This year’ s party at the Kent County Showground in Detling, near Maidstone, has a‘ Moonlit in Marrakech’ theme – and now you can explore the magic of Morocco a little nearer to home. As you enter the venue you will be led to your seat by Arabian acrobats with scented oil lamps. Beautiful, stylish and tranquil. And along the way you’ ll see the décor of bronze statues and sculptures – it’ s exotic and intoxicating. Before the main meal is served, you’ ll be able to enjoy both hot and cold canapés with a drink at the themed bars. Enter the sumptuous palm-lined dining area and enjoy the alfresco ambience beneath the twinkling starlit ceiling. Be entertained by the hypnotic harem of aerial performers tumbling from above and stand by for spectacular finale from the full cast of acrobats, dancers and entertainers. Later, relax in the intimately cushioned Kasbah, grab a refreshing Casablanca beer, ride the unique camel rodeo or simply dance the night away! And all this from £ 37.50 per person( plus VAT). www. bestpartiesever. com / christmas-parties-maidstone
Dreamland’ s Vintage Market 3 Dec
Dreamland’ s vintage market is the first of its kind, but it certainly won’ t be the last. Here you will be able to find vintage, retro, funky, fun, kitsch gifts for all your loved ones – even those who are notoriously hard to buy for. You will be able to get all of your Christmas shopping done in one great day out and, if you fancy spending a little more time in Margate, and in Dreamland in particular, you can stow your goodies somewhere safe and have a blast on some of Dreamland’ s vintage fairground rides. Or, if the kids don’ t want to go shopping, let them play while you grab some bargains! www. dreamland. co. uk
Bauble Making at Knole 17 & 18 Dec
Bring the family down and create a sequined bauble for Christmas at a relaxed hands-on session. Suitable for ages 5 +. Tickets are £ 3 per child. www. nationaltrust. org. uk / knole
A Tale of Christmas at Leeds Castle 3 Dec – 2 Jan
It’ s the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’ s birth, and some of her bestloved characters are coming to Leeds Castle over the Christmas period. Relive the old tales you knew as a child, the ones you read to your children now, and watch the delight in the little one’ s eyes when they spot the miniature displays that are on show throughout the castle. You’ ll even be able to find Peter Rabbit’ s muddy footprints through the castle estate across a specially designed trail. www. leeds-castle. com
Monster Christmas Ball 9, 10, 16 & 17 Dec
This Monster Christmas Ball takes place in a purpose built venue located just off the A2 near to Canterbury – and it’ s an extravaganza of an event! After welcome drinks and canapés you’ ll enjoy a threecourse‘ winter feast’. And if that wasn’ t enough, there will be a fun casino and a close-up magician for your entertainment too. www. kentchristmasparty. co. uk
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