Thanet Christmas guide: Markets, pantomimes, nights out and more

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and so is our events calendar, with more and more festive happenings announced daily. A huge amount of stuff will brighten up Thanet in the run up to this year’s big day, so we’ve created this bumper guide to what’s going on in the area, as well as in East Kent and London too. 

Want to shop local? Make your own decorations? Keep the kids occupied? See lights switched on? Have a dance? Watch Christmas movies on the big screen? You're sorted; we've got so many festive things to do, you’re going to be exhausted by the time Santa jumps down your chimney. 

We’ll keep updating this list as the festive season progresses, so keep checking back. And sign up to our newsletter to make sure you’re always up to date all the best events in and around Thanet all year round. 

Events 

Leeds Castle light trail

Leeds Castle near Maidstone will once again go all out with the Christmas lights this year, covering its grounds and the castle itself with a collection of illuminated art installations. It runs until January 1. There’ll also be a chance to meet Santa and warm yourself at various street food stalls. Details and tickets. 

Bar Nothing's Naughty Festive Feast

Hankering for a supper club before the end of the year, MOP will be setting up shop in Bar Nothing's kitchen on Sunday, December 22 to cook up a festive feast. There will be two sittings at 3pm and 6.30pm. Meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans all covered. £25 per person.

Festive afternoon tea at Buoy & Oyster

Running until December 23, beach-side Buoy & Oyster in Margate are putting on a festive afternoon tea, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. There are three sittings each day, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Spots must be booked in advance and are £30pp. Champers and cocktails available for an additional fee.  

St George’s Church’s Christmas Tree Festival

This festive festival returns for its 16th year. From December 13-22, a glut of lovingly decorated Christmas trees will brighten up St George’s Church in Ramsgate. Find out more.

Movies

Carlton, Westgate

We love an opportunity to sit in Screen 1 at the Carlto. If you do too and fancy a bit of Christmas cheer while you're at it, then you're in luck. This December, there will be screenings of various festive films, including Elf and Home Alone 2 on Christmas Eve. Full schedule.

The Palace, Broadstairs

The delightful Palace has a small but perfectly former line up of Christmas movies to choose from. Catch It's A Wonderful Life on December 22 and 23. Book tickets.

Quex Park drive-in cinema

What's better than watching your favourite Christmas movie? That's right, watching it in your car. On a big screen, we mean, not just on your phone. Don't watch it on your phone. From December 20-23, The Drive-in Company will be setting up at Quex Park to screen a load of Christmas classics (plus a few absolute clangers). Full schedule and tickets.

Ivory Christmas at Curzon

Not exactly sure what any of this has to do with Christmas, but Curzon Cinemas are running a season celebrating the work of the filmmaking duo Ismail Merchant and James Ivory this December. They've called it Ivory Christmas though, so who are we to argue? Grab your eggnog and get over to the Curzon Westgate and Riverside cinemas in Canterbury to watch Call Me By Your Name, Howard's End, The Bostonians, and A Room With A View.

Vue, Westwood Cross

Now, obviously, you should choose a screening at one of your local independent cinemas. But the Vue is big and has Christmas films lined up that other smaller cinemas don't. Yes, we mean the 40th anniversary re-release of Gremlins. And also The Muppets Christmas Carol. Get tickets.

Music and nights out

A Night For Weird Folk Christmas special

A festive edition of the weird folk night held at Margate Arts Club on Friday, December 20. Hosted by the Bower Street Morris, this bash puts a spin on Christmassy, with tarot, carols, a ceilidh, hankie waving and high leaping on the bill of fun stuff. Tickets are £8. 

Crabs present Crabsmas

Back at the Tom Thumb Theatre on Saturday December 21, Thanet’s cracky Wiggles will once again prove that punk and crustaceans are a great combo. Crabs will chuck a festive spin on their observational tunes, and may even belt out a few new ones. The self-styled “angry sound of middle-aged Margate” has proven popular, as the gig is sold out. Join the waiting list. 

Cliftonville Carols

On Sunday, December 22, Ark Cultural Space is will be filled with the glorious sounds of The Social Singing Choir, the Institute Collective (in case you missed out on The Christmas Assembly), and Margate Children’s Choir. All in aid of Arts Education Exchange. Tickets £14.

Kids and family

Bagpuss & Bear - Christmas Window Trail

If you're heading to Canterbury to do your Christmas shopping, this will keep your little ones entertained. Window displays featuring Bagpuss and the Canterbury Bears have popped up all around the city centre. Grab a card from one of the participating venues to get stamped at each stop. There are mini prizes along the way, as well as a chance to win a £100 gift card and a Canterbury Bear of your own. Runs until Sunday, December 22. Full details.

Christmas at the Caves

Margate Caves' always popular Christmas event is back again, with a visit to Santa's underground grotto the highlight. You can also follow a festive trail around the caves, take a photo with Beauty and the Beast, throw a coin into Snow White's wishing well, and head to the Christmas workshop for a craft session. Runs every weekend, with extra dates just before Christmas.

The Elf Express

Quex Park's Elf Express returns for its tenth year, the centrepiece being a ride on Santa's tractor (our second mention of Santa's tractor, who knew he owned so much farm machinery?). There are lots and lots of other activities too, including ice skating, reindeer feeding, festive pet photography, light shows and more. Runs every weekend through December, with extra dates during Christmas week. Find out more.

Dreamland’s Christmas World

Dreamland’s Christmas World kicks off on Saturday, December 14. You’ll find rides for kids, indoor snowball fights, Santa’s grotto and more. Entry is free but if you want to meet Santa, you’ll need to book in advance. Full details. 

Pantomimes and theatre

Beauty and the Beast

The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury’s panto is the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, brought to life by an award-winning team and CBeebies and Horrible Histories stars Phil Gallagher and Richard David-Caine. Also starring Maisie Smith, of EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly Ballroom: the Musical fame. The show runs until January 12. Tickets from £17.

Aladdin

Panto at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs this year is Aladdin. The cast includes Ian Crosher and Jon Carr, with John Goodrum returning as the Dame. Runs from 7-31 Dec. Tickets start at £18.

The Christmas Goblin

Over at ARK in Cliftonville, Brigette Aphrodite and Quiet Boy's festive theatre show The Christmas Goblin is being stage on December 14, 20 and 21. It follows the story of eleven year old Daphne, who accidentally unleashes these fabulously mischievous creatures on the streets of a snow-covered Margate. Tickets are £5.

Peter Pan

Over in Ramsgate, the Granville Theatre is putting on Peter Pan as its pantomime this year. There will be swashbuckling, there will be laughs, definitely a crocodile, and without doubt the need to inform someone that something is behind them (that crocodile, I reckon). Opens on December 14 to Christmas Eve. Tickets from £25.30.

Jazz for Juniors Christmas Family Show

Jazz singer Trudy Kerr presents a special Christmas edition of her family show on Sunday, December 22. She and her musician friends will take you on a jazzy adventure that promises lots of audience participation (one person is going to get to play drums, just sayin'). Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for children.

Markets and shopping

Margate Flowers' Christmas trees

Pick up a fresh Christmas tree from Margate Flowers outside Dukes in Margate's Old Town, seven days a week, and at The Potting Shop on Northdown Road, Thursday to Sunday. Potted, cut and on-block trees will be available, alongside wreaths, cut flowers and other festive bits and pieces. Prices from £30. Pre-ordering available - call 07930 310456.

Good Tidings

Margate Old Town homeware shop and artist Mercedes Lucy have teamed up to launch Good Tidings, putting on a range of festive workshops and events, as well as selling trees, decorations and candles. It really does have it all. Wreath and candle-making workshops run throughout November and December. All the details are here.

Made by Margate

The one-stop gift shop stocking goodies and gifts made by Margate makers returns in December. Pop down to 151 Northdown Road between December 11-24 to nab something totally unique and made by hand, locally.

London

Southbank Centre’s Winter Light

The Southbank Centre’s new outdoor exhibition Winter Light runs until February 2 and is free. A collection of illuminated artworks are dotted around the site, created by artists including Sophia Al Maria, Jacob Kvist, and David Bachelor. Find out more. 

Penguin Sculpture Trail

A collection of 12 penguin sculptures, all kitted out in different festive attire, have popped up all around London's Fleet Street Quarter. Created by Wild In Art, they're supporting the WWF. Finding them is always a fun family activity. Download the map.

Skate at Somerset House

One of the loveliest ice-skating rinks around, Skate at Somerset House has returned for some festive frivolity in the iconic central london courtyard. Running to January 12, it’s also probably the most cultural rink, with guest DJs, skating lates and a whole programme of stuff suitable for friends and families. Tickets from £11.

London Transport Museum

Always a good call for the kids, the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has a Santa’s sleigh that tots can clamber onto and press all the buttons, as part of the museum’s festive take over. There’s also a digital elf trail that will get them running around finding clues as they learn about stuff. It will also be open during that weird bit between Christmas and New Year. Kids go free and an adult annual pass is £24.50.