What's On in Canterbury

What’s On this Winter

11 Nov - 24 DecCanterbury Christmas Market St Georges Street and Whitefriars

In addition to a fabulous selection of Christmas huts, you will find an exciting virtual reality Lapland sleigh ride, Santa Paws and ‘Letters to Santa’ workshop.

➜ canterburychristmasmarket.co.uk

12 Nov

Canterbury Christmas Light Parade Canterbury City Centre

Come and watch this year’s Christmas display at the official switch on event, with the cast of this year’s Marlowe Panto, Christmas characters and beautiful lanterns.

➜ canterburybid.co.uk/christmas

Sat 19 Nov and Sat 17 Dec 11-4

Westgate Hall Christmas Market Come and shop, eat and drink in all things Christmas at this local Makers Market. Buy local and unique gifts for friends and family.

➜ westgatehall.org

19 Nov - 24 Dec

Santa’s Grotto Fenwick Canterbury

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Santa is setting up his workshop in Fenwick Canterbury from Saturday the 19th of November 2022 ! Not only will you meet the man himself inside the magical grotto, but guests will also help his mischievous elves with a spot of crafting, by decorating a bespoke ceramic plate to take home, ready to top with Christmas Eve treats for Santa – plus a carrot for Rudolph, of course. The magical grotto will be aglow every Saturday and Sunday in November and then daily throughout December (except for Mondays). The tickets are priced at £10 per person.

➜ whitefriars.co.uk/whats-on/

25 Nov – 8 Jan

Sleeping Beauty The Marlowe Theatre Last year’s Marlowe Panto was awarded ‘Panto of the Year at the UK Panto Awards! The same, award-winning production team are in charge again, and this year’s Canterbury panto stars Ore Oduba (Strictly), West End Superstar Carrie Hope Fletcher (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella), Jennie Dale (CBeebies’ Swashbuckle), Marlowe legend, Ben Roddy and rising star, Max Fulham (Crackerjack). It may even feature a ghost bench.

➜ marlowetheatre.co.uk

26 Nov from 2pm Canterbury Wine Tasting Circuit

Join Westgate Hall for a unique wine-tasting experience. Kent’s world-class vineyards come to the city to create a wine circuit for you to play professional sommelier! Follow Master of Wine Clive Barlow, as he leads you around a ‘Wheel of Wine’. Move around slots on the wheel, tasting two wines each from 8 local producers, learning insights and expertise as you go.

Come with friends, loved ones, or colleagues over a glass, sharing the flavour of Kent’s unparalleled wines, and savouring time with each other pre-Christmas.

➜ westgatehall.org

3 Dec 10.30-4.00

Etsy Market Westgate Hall

Come and shop for Christmas at the unique and quirky Etsy market, featuring hand crafted goods, food and drink.

➜ westgatehall.org

9-31 December

The Storm Whale The Marlowe Theatre Studio

Noi lives with his Dad and six cats by the sea. One summer, with Dad busy at work, Noi rescues a little whale that washed up on the beach. A friendship began that changed their lives forever.

The following winter Noi’s Dad takes one last trip in his fishing boat. Noi is alone once more and longs to see his friend again. He waits and watches, watches and waits… will it take another storm to bring them back together?

Benji Davies’ tender and heartwarming children’s stories of friendship, love and courage are brought to life as one enchanting theatre show. Ages 4yrs+

➜ marlowetheatre.co.uk

15 Dec – 2 Jan

Cinderella Malthouse Theatre

You shall go to the ball this Christmas with the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes, Cinderella! This year’s Christmas production at The Malthouse will feature stunning sets and costumes, spectacular special effects, side splitting comedy and a dazzling West End cast.

➜ malthousetheatre.co.uk

Sat 17 Dec 17 at 7.30pm

The Albion Band Gulbenkian – University of Kent

The Albion Christmas Show is a very popular show appealing to all ages. Expect an evening of traditional English Christmas music, humorous stories and beautiful, spine-tingling Christmas carols and ballads sung by Kellie While and Simon Nicol. After weeks of the usual Christmas shopping playlists, they can guarantee no mention of Wham, Mariah or Slade!

➜ thegulbenkian.co.uk

Mon 19 Dec

The Nutcracker The Malthouse Theatre

The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company presents their family festive favourite, the perfect Christmas treat for all! Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they travel through magical lands, meet the Mouse King, Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the beautiful Land of Sweets.

➜ malthousetheatre.co.uk

Mon 19 Dec Philharmonic Ensemble The Marlowe Theatre

There’s nothing quite like the warm sound of a brass ensemble to get you in the festive spirit. Find a moment of calm and joy to hear the Philharmonia Orchestra’s brass section perform a variety of Christmas classics and festive favourites.

➜ marlowetheatre.co.uk

23 Dec and 24 Dec Cathedral Carol Services Canterbury Cathedral One of the highlights of the Cathedral’s year, with music and readings to tell the story of the birth of Christ in an atmospheric service with candlelight. Music is provided by the world-famous Cathedral Choir and by the singing of the traditional Christmas carols by the congregation.Both services are un-ticketed and seated on a first come first seated basis.

➜ canterbury-cathedral.org

24 Dec 11am Crib Service Canterbury Cathedral A joyful, informal service for children and families which tells the story of the birth of Jesus, with music from the Cathedral’s Boy Choristers and the singing of traditional Christmas Carols. The service lasts around 45 minutes. All welcome.

➜ canterbury-cathedral.org

25 Dec 11am Christmas Day Service Canterbury Cathedral All are welcome to join the Most Reverend, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and the clergy and choir of Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate the Christmas Day Eucharist.

➜ canterbury-cathedral.org

Christmas Light Parade 2022

It ’s time to watch the city sparkle!

Head to Canterbury city centre on Saturday 12 November (6-7pm) to enjoy this year’s Christmas Light Parade sponsored by Miles & Barr.

The festivities start with live music by Robbie White, performing with the spectacular Westgate Towers as his backdrop.

ROUTE:The parade route starts at the Westgate Towers, move through the high street, and finish Rose Square at Primark Balcony.

Then it’s time for the parade. Expect live music from No Limits Street Band and a whole host of Christmas characters including a GIANT Father Christmas. Enjoy beautiful lanterns (created in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University) and wave at our special guests, Canterbury’s Lord Mayor and the wonderful cast of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s Marlowe Pantomime!

KMFM Radio presenters will host the event and will be ready to welcome the parade into Whitefriars where the parade will finish.

Bring along your own lanterns and fairy lights, and let’s make the city sparkle for Christmas!

Don’t forget!

While you are in town make sure to visit the fantastic Christmas Market which will be open from 10am-7pm in St Georges Street and Whitefriars.

canterburybid.co.uk/christmas

As East Kent’s leading property group, Miles & Barr is proud to support local organisations and events including this year’s Canterbury Christmas Light Parade. The independent, multi-award-winning estate agency has placed itself at the heart of its communities over the last two decades because it truly believes in ‘valuing people, not just property’.