Just Add A Picnic

26/11/2024

Christmas laser show at Herne Bay Pier, later in December.

Tickets are now available for Christmas Laser Spectacular at Herne Bay Pier, on Saturday 14th December 2024. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

23/11/2024

We love Whitstable Castle! I’m sure the lights around the gardens will look fabulous 🎄With hot chocolates in hand from the cafe.

🎄Whitstable Castle Christmas Lights Trail 🎄

Step into the magic of the season at Whitstable Castle!

Throughout December, our stunning gardens will be transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland.

Wander through the beautifully lit pathways enjoying a hot drink and festive treats.

Soak up the festive atmosphere, and make some magical memories.

Enjoy a warming hot drink and delicious festive treats as

Free Entry – bring your family and friends and experience the joy of the holidays at the heart of Whitstable.

We can't wait to welcome you! 🌟

16/11/2024

For anyone using public transport, or might like to use it over the Xmas period in Medway.

FREE BUS WEEKEND

The 2 weekends where you will be able to travel for free within Medway in December have been confirmed.

More info here: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200161/travel/1841/medway_free_bus_weekend_2024

15/11/2024

Christmas Lights Switch On in Sittingbourne this weekend…

Sittingbourne Christmas Lights Switch-On - This Saturday 16th November.

All-day Christmas Market, Entertainment, Santa's Grotto and Funfair, lights switch on is at 18:00. Live entertainment sponsored by Specsavers Sittingbourne - schedule below

Correct at the time of publication, timings may vary from schedule

Stage 1 (Central Avenue)

10:00 Love Chapel
10:30 Miss Laurens Dance Company
11:00 Artistic Baton Twirling
11:30 Sittingbourne Carnival Court
12:00 Kent School of Dance
13:00 True Note Singers
13:00 Pirate Party
14:00 Danspiration
14:30 Dance4Kent
15:00 Grace Kelly
16:00 Twinkle Toes
16:30 Nina Cockell Dance Academy
17:00 Boogie Tots
17:30 Singing Choir

Stage 2 (St. Michael's)

12:00 Eurphonic Twirlers
12:30 Amethyst Dance School
13:00 Thomas Goldsmith
13:30 Loveworld Singers
14:00 Graham Cameron
15:00 Loveworld Singers
15:30 Rock Choir

14/11/2024

Winter fun at Brockhill Country Park near Hythe…

13/11/2024

Winter events at Capstone Farm Country Park near Chatham. Lots going on to get involved in…

Update: We are now sold out on both dates for the Wooden Reindeer.

With the festive season rushing up on us we have a range of Christmas crafts to do in the visitor center in front of our cozy wood fire or for those wanting to brave the brisk winter days there are some outdoors activities too.

If you are interested in any of the activities give us a call to book your space on 01634 338191 between 9am—3.30pm or pop in to our Visitor Centre.

For the Fire Building and Open Fire Cooking activity you will need to bring your own food. We recommend the following but you can bring whatever you like:
- Marshmallows and Digestives (Smores)
- Skinny Sausage/Hotdog
- New/small potato, butter bake beans and cheese.

11/11/2024

Autumn events at Riverside Country Park, Rainham. Beautiful park and great play area. Definitely bring your wellies though.

Here's a reminder of our two upcoming events this Autumn! If you are interested and want to book a space, please call us on 01634 337432 or come into the visitor centre.

08/11/2024

If you’d like to be part of the light parade in Canterbury there are craft workshops this weekend at The Beaney. See the OP for all the details…

🏮✨ * NEW WORKSHOP SPACES ADDED! * Create your own lantern and be part of Canterbury’s Christmas Light Parade this year! Join artist Becky Vincer at one of two free, family-friendly workshops on Saturday 9 November at The Beaney in the High Street.

✂️ At the workshop you’ll create a festive lantern using withy (flexible bamboo), tissue paper, and PVA glue. The sessions are suitable for families with children aged 7 and above, and you can create one or more lanterns together during the 1.5-hour session.

🌟 The following week it’s your time to shine! Bring your lanterns to Tower House, Westgate Gardens, CT1 2DB on Friday 15 November, 5.30pm, to collect an LED light and join the parade as a family alongside local schools and giant lanterns made by the college.

🎄 The parade will leave Tower House at 6pm, travel up along the High St, and enter Canterbury Cathedral Precincts for the special moment the city lights are switched on. After this, you can enjoy the festive market and take your lantern home! 💖

Spaces for these workshops are limited and must be booked in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

📍 The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge (Learning Lab), 18 High St, CT1 2RA
🗓 Saturday 9 November
⏲ 12.30-2pm or 2.30-4pm




12.30-2pm session booking link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-a-lantern-for-the-christmas-light-parade-3-tickets-1075511215999?aff=oddtdtcreator

2.30-4pm session booking link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-a-lantern-for-the-christmas-light-parade-2-tickets-1047753748667?aff=oddtdtcreator

Canterbury’s Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade is brought to you by Canterbury BID. The event is sponsored by Miles & Barr.

08/11/2024

Canterbury Christmas lights switch on, next Friday. There’s also FREE parking that evening from 3pm onwards!

🌟 Get set for Canterbury's Christmas Light Parade 2024! Christmas in Canterbury sparkles into life on Friday 15 November at 6pm with a spectacular festive procession through the city’s streets.

❄ The parade starts at the Westgate Towers and leads into the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, with music and entertainment for all ages.

🙌🏼 Come along and cheer on the parade, which will feature:

🎖 The Lord Mayor of Canterbury
🥁 Bloco Fogo Drumming Band
⭐ Gorgeous large illuminated stars
🏮 Over 200 glowing lanterns crafted by local children
🎶 No Limit Street Band
🎅🏼 Christmas characters and 😻 Bagpuss!

🕕 Parade times:
6pm: departs from Westgate Towers
6.45pm: arrives at Canterbury Cathedral Precincts
6.50pm: celebrations begin in the Precincts to mark the start of Christmas with the Lord Mayor, The Marlowe Theatre pantomime cast and Canterbury's favourite Robbie J White!
8pm: Christmas Market closes

⤴ Parade route:
Westgate Towers - High St - St Margaret’s St - Marlowe Arcade -
Rose Lane - Longmarket - Burgate - Buttermarket - Cathedral Precincts

🛍 🌭🍷 The Canterbury Christmas Market opens on Friday 15 November too - with wooden cabins, entertainment and food and drink in three city centre locations this year - the Cathedral Precincts, Whitefriars and St George's Street. The markets will stay open until 8pm for the light switch-on event.

🚗 Park and Ride will be free after 3pm on Friday 15 November - making it even easier to join in the fun and festivities!

Canterbury’s Christmas Light Parade 2024 is funded by the businesses of Canterbury. Canterbury BID would like to say a huge
thank you to Miles & Barr for their continued sponsorship of this event and Happy 25th Anniversary!

07/11/2024

This weekend if you’re close to Gillingham Betteshanger Park

Just a few more days until our lantern walk! We can't wait to welcome you.

02/11/2024

With Halloween and fireworks night nearly out of the way town centres will be promoting their Christmas Lights switch on. Here’s Dartford’s celebrations happening in 2 weeks.

The Big Christmas Switch On is back for 2024! We’ve got a great line-up of acts and entertainment in Brewery Square and on the High Street throughout the day on Saturday 16th November. Come along to see The Orchard Theatre panto cast and many more brilliant performances, all compered by the wonderful David Ribi.

29/10/2024

If you’ve got a Gabby Cat fan like my little girl you’ll be hoping to take your little one along to Bluewater later this week.

28/10/2024

Betteshanger Park have lots on offer this week for Halloween…

28/10/2024

Fireworks displays coming soon in Medway and Kent. Please post your adverts in the comments so people can find any public or paid for events happening over the next week or two.

Here’s one in Upchurch…

28/10/2024

Halloween goings on in Gravesend this week…

Some Halloween highlights this Half term in

Spooky Storytime at Gravesend Library
1130am ~ Wednesday 23 October

Create A Halloween Portrait - St George's Arts Centre
12.30pm ~ Thursday 31st October

Spooktacular Party Future Survival Events
11am Tuesday 29th & Thursday 31st October

26/10/2024

Capstone Farm Country Park have put on some more activities for the coming week if your children are off for half term…

24/10/2024

Lower Halstow scarecrow trail is looking amazing!

24/10/2024

A big Thank you and well done to City Wall Wine Bar Rochester for an amazing Halloween party. I didn’t get any pictures as there were lots of people. But it was great to see all the staff get dressed up and look after all the younger guests. My youngest has asked if she can come back next time.

After lots of boogying and candy floss we headed for Rochester Cathedral to complete the Cathedral Mouse trail (free). I love wandering around the Cathedral and just taking it all in. My daughter raced around trying to find all the mice, then settled down in the crypt to play with the large Noah’s Ark, while I had a drink and slice of cake.

Off to the library afterwards to find some new books to enjoy, and more hot chocolate and cake at the kids kitchen (imaginary of course).

Just to top it off when we got home the eldest had made cherry and cranberry scones! Yum!

Rochester Cathedral rochestercathedral