‘Tis the season to be jolly – so spread the joy at a carol service near you.

The Snowman with Maidstone Wind Symphony

The magical Christmas film The Snowman is back in our lives for the festive season this weekend, courtesy of Maidstone Wind Symphony.

Conducted by Jonathan Crowhurst, the family festive show will be held at Mote Hall, Maidstone, on Sunday, December 17 at 3.30pm.

The show will feature a live performance of the soundtrack to the Raymond Briggs film, with BBC Young Chorister of the Year Edward Hyde’s vocals.

The family-friendly concert is supported by Kent County Council and also features music from Polar Express and Home Alone Christmas, plus other festive favourites.

Tickets cost £10 with three to 12-year-olds at £5 and under-threes free. Ticket prices include access to pre-concert workshops. Details at maidstonewindsymphony.org.

The Detling Singers, Maidstone

The four-part choir will present their annual carol concert in Detling Village Hall on Saturday, December 16 at 7.30pm.

There will be a range of Christmas music and old favourites plus Fairfax Brass will be performing. Tickets are £7 in advance, £8 on the door, with children free. Call 01634 862297.

Rochester Cathedral

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held on Thursday, December 21, at 7.30pm and again on Thursday, December 22, at the same time with the full cathedral choir.

There will also be a crib service on Christmas Eve at 3pm, the first Evensong of Christmas at 4.15pm and the Eucharist of Christmas night at 11.30pm. For all services and details go to rochestercathedral.org.

Friars, Aylesford

On Saturday, December 23 there will be evening prayer at 6.30pm and night prayer at 8pm followed by confessions. Christmas Eve Masses are at 8am and 10.15am and evening prayer at 6pm.

Midnight Mass follows the 11.30pm carol service and Christmas Day Masses are at 8am and 10.15am. On Sunday, December 31, at 8am and 10.15am, there will be the Mass of the Holy Family and New Year’s Day Mass of Mary, Mother of God will be at noon.

All Saints’ Church, Maidstone

The Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols by Candlelight at All Saints’ Church is traditionally held the Saturday before Christmas. This year it will be on Saturday, December 16.

Featuring the church choir with Astley Brass, the congregation get to hold a candle each in the service, which starts at 4.30pm. All are welcome and there are seasonal refreshments at the end.

Canterbury Cathedral

The Demelza Children’s Hospice annual fundraising carol service will be on Monday, December 18 at 7.30pm. Entry starts at £6. The service will be packed with traditional carols, readings and performances. Call 01795 845204 or visit demelza.org.uk.

The cathedral has a crib service at 11am on Saturday, December 23, followed by two carol services at Canterbury Cathedral, the first on Saturday, December 23 at 3pm, and the second on Christmas Eve at 3pm, also first come, first seated basis, from 1.45pm.
For more details, visit canterbury-cathedral.org/events.

Hythe Imperial

A quartet from Blossom Street Choir, whose 2011 CD Sleep, Holy Babe, was named Classic FM’s Christmas CD of the Year, will perform from the hotel’s gazebo in the gardens on Saturday, December 16.

The carols take place between 4pm and 7pm and tickets are £20. Book at hytheimperial.co.uk, or call 01303 267441.

A Cantiana Christmas, Newnham

A candlelit concert of songs, readings and carols to celebrate Christmas featuring the Cantiana Choir will be held at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, The Street, Newnham, on Friday, December 22 at 7.30pm. Proceeds will go towards the Young Composer Scheme. Entry is £7.50 to include festive refreshments. To book call Lissie on 01795 886392.

Deal Bandstand

There will be carols at the bandstand on Saturday, December 16 at 5pm, with the Victory Wartime Band and Kingsdown and Ringwould C of E School. Details at dealbandstand.org