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Christmas markets and festive fairs in Kent in 2021 including in Canterbury city centre, Rochester Castle and Leeds Castle

There's bags of Christmas spirit coming your way this year.

We take a look at the festive markets and fairs happening across the county, starting this weekend.

Leeds Castle festive shopping Picture: Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle festive shopping Picture: Leeds Castle

Canterbury city centre

The same day that the Christmas light switch-on event takes place - on Friday, November 12- starting with a light up parade, cast members of the Marlowe Theatre's and live music from No Limits Street Band, plus kmfm presenter Andy Walker, the market will also open in St George's Street, Whitefriars and Rose Lane. The market will be open from 10am to 7pm. It will run until Christmas Eve, and there is also a grotto which you can book to visit. Find out more here.

Canterbury Christmas lights and Canterbury markets Picture: Submitted
Canterbury Christmas lights and Canterbury markets Picture: Submitted

Tenterden Christmas

The main Christmas market will not be going ahead this year, but there will be a Creative Christmas Market on Saturday, December 4, between 10am and 4pm. There will also be a Shopping at the Barn event in the Woolpack Barn on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, with some 20 crafts and Christmas food stalls. Find out more here and here.

Leeds Castle, near Maidstone

From 5pm to 8pm on Friday, November 12, and Thursday, November 18 and Friday, November 19, there will be a festive shopping event, with a drink on arrival and Christmas gifts to browse, as well as the chance to sample tastings of local and festive drinks. Parking is free and an admission ticket is not required. The event will take place at the Park Shop. More details here.

The venue's 12 days of Christmas event this year begins on November 27. Find out more here.

There will be festive gifts on offer at Leeds Castle Picture: Leeds Castle
There will be festive gifts on offer at Leeds Castle Picture: Leeds Castle

Gravesend Borough Market, Gravesend

As part of Gravesham's Christmas Together, there will be a twilight Christmas Market on Friday, November 26 between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, with stalls selling seasonal goods, along with local regular traders and food stalls. Find out more here.

The Friars Christmas Fayre, Aylesford

After the summer fayre was cancelled this year, the festive fayre will be back in a big way on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28 between 10am and 4pm both days. There will be stalls, a Santa's grotto, live music and an ice skating rink. Find out more here.

Faversham Christmas Market Weekend, Market Place

There will be a one-off special with three days of markets held in Market Place from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, December 12, between 9am and 4pm. There will be a selection of gifts, food and drink, and Christmas decorations from local makers and traders. For more info, click here.

Many Christmas markets have lots of activities for parents and children to enjoy together. Picture: Submitted
Many Christmas markets have lots of activities for parents and children to enjoy together. Picture: Submitted

Folkestone Christmas Market, Sandgate Road

The Kentish Christmas market will be located outside the Folca building - previously Debenhams - on Sandgate Road every Friday and Saturday from Friday, November 26 to Saturday, December 18 and will feature a range of products from local producers and makers as well as street food options from 10am until 3pm. Find out more here.

Rochester Christmas Market

Rochester Castle Gardens will again play host to a market packed with unusual stocking fillers, unique and personalised gifts and mulled wine. There will also be live performances, a funfair and a Bavarian food village. On Fridays funfair rides will cost £1.

It will be held on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28; from Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5 and from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, December 12, with varying opening hours. Find out more by clicking here.

Christmas at Ightham Mote Picture: National Trust Images/John Miller
Christmas at Ightham Mote Picture: National Trust Images/John Miller

Ightham Mote, Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks

Kick start your festive shopping on the weekend of Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5 with a mini market celebrating local producers. There will also be a Percy the Park Keepers' Christmas kids' trail, and the ground floor of the house will be decorated for the festive season. More details and admission charges available here.

Sissinghurst Castle, Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook

The annual festive market is back on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28, between 10.30am and 3pm. The market, which will be just outside the garden, is free, but admission charges apply to the site. To find out more click here.

There are lots of Christmas markets to visit in Kent. Picture: Submitted
There are lots of Christmas markets to visit in Kent. Picture: Submitted

West Malling PTA, Churchfields

There will be local crafts and gifts on sale at St Mary's Court in Churchfields, West Malling on Saturday, November 20 from 11am to 2pm. There will be Christmas craft and gift stalls to start your Christmas shopping season with mince pies and refreshments to buy.

Christmas at the Castle, Whitstable Castle

Whitstable Castle's traditional Christmas Fair will return on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5. Running from 10am to 4pm, there will be stalls selling Christmas gifts, live music and a Santa's grotto. The Orangery Tearooms will also be serving food, and there will also be mulled wine and mince pies. It is free to enter but you will need to book for the grotto. For details click here.

Penshurst Farmers' Market will be holding an extra Christmas one Picture: Penshurst Farmers' Market
Penshurst Farmers' Market will be holding an extra Christmas one Picture: Penshurst Farmers' Market

Penshurst Christmas Farmers' Market

The market run by Penshurst Farmers’ Market will take place on Saturday, December 18 from 9.30am to 2pm at Penshurst Place. A new addition to the monthly markets held in the car park at Penshurst Place, it will have produce as well as several seasonal guest stallholders with Christmas gifts and crafts. The regular farmers' market will be held on Saturday, December 4.

The Penshurst Place Christmas Gift Shop and Plant Centre will also be open and stocked with Christmas trees, hand-made door wreaths made using foliage collected on the estate and mistletoe harvested from the gardens. Parking is free. Find out more here.

Castlemas, Tonbridge Castle

The 10-day experience coming to Tonbridge Castle from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, December 19, by Kent production company, Bravo Productions, will include, among other events, a festive market, Mistletoe Town, with local independent traders in association with the TN card. All stallholders will be offering 10% off to TN card members. To find out more click here.

Frasers near Egerton has a series of sustainable festive events in the run-up to Christmas Picture: Fleur Challis Photography
Frasers near Egerton has a series of sustainable festive events in the run-up to Christmas Picture: Fleur Challis Photography

Frasers, Egerton

There's a new festive line-up of events and dining options at the eco farm near Egerton. On Thursday, November 25, there will be a sustainable ‘guilt-free’ Christmas shopping event with beautiful home-made and recycled goods from local artisan craftsman, producers and up-cyclers from 2pm to 9pm. Tickets are £10 and include a glass of delicious sparkling wine from Biddenden Vineyards while you browse. Book here.

The site also has wreath-making masterclasses using greenery and organic material found on the farm and surrounding countryside. Lisa Fraser, who does the floristry for Frasers weddings and events, will lead the step by step class which costs £70 per person with materials and tools included and an afternoon tea. They run on selected dates from Wednesday, December 1 to Thursday, December 15. Book by emailing joanne@frasersegerton.co.uk or call 01233 756122.

Christmas Market at Maidstone Museum

The St Faith's Street museum will hold its Christmas Craft Market on Saturday, December 4 this year, between 10am and 3pm. It will be free to enter and there will be gifts and goodies on sale as well as a chance to explore. Find out more here.

Friends Of Fort Luton, Chatham

The friends of Luton's Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday, November 27. The museum tunnels will also be open. Entry costs £1 for adults, with free parking. There will also be refreshments available to buy at the cafe.

Age UK Faversham Christmas Fair and Food Market

This will take place at the Old fire Station in Crescent Road, Faversham, on Saturday, December 4, between 10am and 5pm. There will be craft and food stalls, and an outdoor food market.

Ashford School's PFA Christmas Fair

Ashford Prep School in Great Chart is holding its fair on Saturday, December 4 from noon until 4pm. Visit Santa, get creative in the craft room, have fun in the games room, enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and cotton candy, feast in the Candyland Cafe, enjoy festive performances and carol singing and for those brave enough, there is an outdoor climbing wall challenge. There will also be 25 gift and craft stalls. Find out more here.

To have your event included, email whatsoneditor@thekmgroup.co.uk or to be included in our calendar of events click here.

For a guide to pantos this Christmas across Kent click here

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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