Kent’s biggest and best Christmas markets you won’t want to miss in 2024

It’s nearly the most wonderful time of the year once again and that means Kent will soon host its beloved selection of Christmas Markets for all to enjoy. We’ve still got plenty of time before Jolly Ol’ St Nick makes his yearly rounds, but it’s never too soon to get those festive plans in order.

Many of the seasonal markets will begin from November, giving families plenty of chances to come along and explore all they have to offer. If you’re after a day out filled with festive cheer, delicious foods, beautiful lights and decorations, plus great stalls for gift buying, then consider any of these fabulous markets.

This year will see the revival of a 600-year-old festive tradition in Canterbury which you really won’t want to miss. Meanwhile, over in Tunbridge Wells, a cosy market will take over The Pantiles across two months, giving plenty of opportunity to enjoy some shopping with a mulled wine or two.

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Folkestone will once again see its bustling Harbour Arm transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a unique grotto experience. Christmas is looking to be better than ever in Medway this year as well, with the famous Rochester market having longer trading hours than previous iterations, alongside the inclusion of the new ‘quiet shopping times’.

To help you work out which markets will be right for you this year, KentLive has rounded up all you need to know about the biggest and best from across the county. We will continue to update this page as more market details are announced so be sure to check back over the coming months.

Ashford Designer Outlet Christmas Market

Where: Ashford Designer Outlet, Kimberley Way, Ashford TN24 0SD

When: Monday, November 18 to Tuesday, December 31

Brand new for 2024, Ashford’s popular Designer Outlet will be hosting a Christmas Market to add a little festive magic to your shopping trip. Nine wooden huts will offer a variety of seasonal food and drink to enjoy.

Local businesses will be taking part too, stocking a variety of bespoke gifts and products to pursue. The market would be arranged around the forecourt and the shopping centre will also host Santa’s Lodge from November 30.

Canterbury Christmas Market

Where: St George’s Street, Whitefriars Shopping Centre and Canterbury Cathedral Precincts

When: 10am on Friday, November 15 to 4pm on Tuesday, December 24

Restarting a 600-year-old tradition, Canterbury Cathedral will once again host a Christmas market within its grounds, adding to the usual festive offering found within the city centre. Kicking off with the festive light parade, the Christmas Market will be even bigger and better in 2024, with German-style wooden huts, fairground rides, gifts, food and drink, live music and more.

From November 30, Santa Claus himself will be in residence, offering all the good boys and girls a chance to meet him at his grotto to share their wish lists. Find out more on the Canterbury Christmas Market here.

Faversham Christmas Market Weekend

Where: Faversham town centre

When: Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 9am to 4pm each day

For just one weekend in December, Faversham will host its annual stunning Christmas Markets, which will see the town centre transformed by decorations and stalls. Expect to see an expansive range of produce, gifts and decorations available, while live music and festive entertainment help to set the atmosphere.

On the Sunday, there will be a market comprising a variety of stalls from Faversham’s regular markets, offering antiques, vintage books, jewellery and collectibles. The festive donkeys courtesy of Happy Endings Rescue will also be making an appearance on both days for visitors to meet and feed. Find out more here.

Dreamland’s Christmas World

Where: Dreamland, 49-51, Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ

When:

• Saturday, December 14

• Sunday, December 15

• Friday, December 20

• Saturday, December 21

• Sunday, December 22

• Monday, December 23

Dreamland in Margate will once again be completely transformed into a spellbinding winter wonderland this December with the return of Christmas World. In Christmas World families can make stops at the festive market perfect for those looking for last-minute Christmas gifts or warm festive treats.

For families looking for more adrenaline-fuelled fun for their children, children (aged 3-10) can battle it out in the popular roller rink snowball fight. Christmas World opens from 11am each day and attending is free, however tickets to the Christmas Grotto do need to be booked. Find out more here.

Winterland at Bluewater

Where: Bluewater Shopping Centre, Bluewater Parkway, Dartford, Greenhithe DA9 9ST

When:

• Saturday 9 and Sun 10 November: 12pm-9pm

• Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November: 12pm-9pm

• Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November: 12pm-9pm

• Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 Dec: 12pm-9pm

• Monday 2 to Friday 6 December: 4pm-9pm

• Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December: 12pm-9pm

• Monday 9 to Friday 13 December: 4pm-9pm

• Saturday 14 December to Sunday 5 January: 12pm-9pm

• Closed Christmas Day

• Saturday 11 and Sun 12 Jan: 12pm to 9pm

Bluewater’s vibrant Winterland attraction is returning in 2024, alongside the popular ice rink, both of which will be found outside The Village, close to Zizzi’s. In Winterland, get ready for funfair rides, food stalls and games, perfect for the whole family.

From bumper cars and waltzers, to the double deck carousel, there’s plenty of excitement to be had, while the funfair will also host a luminaire promenade and heart-shaped lighting fixture, perfect for selfie taking. Standard entry for Winterland meanwhile costs £3 per person, or you can opt for an observation wheel ticket, which grants entry for one person and one ride on the wheel for £7 each. Find out more here.

Folkestone Harbour Arm Festive Market

Where: Folkestone Harbour Arm, Harbour Approach Road, Folkestone CT20 1QH

When: Every Friday from November 15 between 4pm and 8pm, then every Saturday and Sunday from November 16 until December 22 between 11am and 6pm, then on Monday December 23 and Christmas Eve from 11am to 6pm.

Folkestone will once again host its eclectic Festive Market throughout the winter months. Set to totally transform the iconic Folkestone Harbour Arm, the market will first return on Friday, November 15.

Expect to find a variety of independent stalls, uniquely housed within fisherman huts that will be brought to life with lights and Christmassy decorations making for a fantastically festive day out right by the sea. Alongside the various stalls and vendors, Folkestone Festive Market will be showing family-friendly classic films on the Big Screen, completely free of charge, and there will also be a Christmas grotto with a maritime twist to visit. Find out more here.

Tunbridge Wells market at The Pantiles

Where: The Pantiles, London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TD

When: Various dates between Friday, November 15 and Tuesday, December 24

Tunbridge Wells will be getting in on the Christmas spirit with an enchanting market at The Pantiles running through November and December. Starting from November 15, the market will then run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 7pm, and then for two extra days on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

There will be a variety of charming stalls, offering all sorts of delicious treats and amazing gifts, alongside a Santa’s Grotto for the little ones to enjoy. Further details can be found here.

Rochester Christmas Market

Where: Rochester Castle Grounds, Castle Hill, Rochester ME1 1SW

When:

• Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30: 10am to 9pm

• Sunday December 1: 10am to 6pm

• Friday December 6 and Saturday December 7: 10am to 9pm

• Sunday December 8: 10am to 6pm

• Friday December 13 and Saturday December 14: 10am to 9pm

• Sunday December 15: 10am to 6pm

One of the biggest Christmas markets in all of the south east, Rochester’s beloved festive celebration is set to be even bigger and better than ever. Taking place across three weekends in the run up to Christmas, the market will transform the iconic Rochester Castle Gardens with fairground rides, stalls, live music, entertainment, games and plenty more to sink your teeth into.

Medway Council promises over 100 stalls to peruse, which will make the most of extended trading hours in 2024, stocking a range of festive treats, scrumptious food, handcrafted gifts and plenty more. For the younger ones, a Children’s Christmas Village will also be running as part of the market, with chances to meet Santa’s best elves and Mrs Claus herself.

New for 2024 will be the introduction of ‘quiet shopping time’, for those looking to enjoy all the market stalls have to offer in a more laid back atmosphere. Everything you need to know about all of this can be found here.

West Malling Christmas Festival

Where: West Malling High Street

When: Sunday, November 17 - 12pm to 5pm

A beautiful Christmas festival that is completely free to visit will take over West Malling High Street for one day in November. Featuring the magical Christmas lights switch on, live music, fairground rides and plenty of delicious Christmassy food to tuck into, there will be a little something for everyone.

New for 2024 is the ‘West Malling Christmas Giving Tree’ in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice. All donations made at the festival will be acknowledged as gifts and placed on a magnificent Christmas tree to symbolise community support for Heart of Kent Hospice. Find out more here.

Festive market and Santa’s Grotto at Westwood Cross

Where: Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, 23 Margate Road, Westwood, Broadstairs CT10 2BF

When: Saturday, November 16 to Tuesday, December 24

Bluewater is not the only Kent shopping centre bringing some festive cheer this winter, as Westwood Cross in Broadstairs will be hosting its own Christmas market. Sitting within the main mall of the centre, small independent businesses will run stalls selling all kinds of gifts, toys, yummy food and warming drinks.

Then from Friday, November 29 until Christmas Eve, Mr Claus will be coming to the coast with his very own grotto to meet all the kids that have made it onto the nice list this year. Tickets are priced from £6.50 each, with all adults accompanying a paid child entering for free. Full booking information can be found on the Westwood Cross website.

Broadstairs' hidden gem Christmas Market that's one of UK's 'quirkiest'

Where: Queens Road Baptist Church, Queens Road, Broadstairs CT10 1NU

When: Saturday, December 7

WhichBingo has recently taken a look at the nation’s ‘hidden festive gems’ and ranked its picks for the Top 10 Quirky Christmas Markets You’ve Never Heard Of. Just squeezing onto the list in 10th place is the Global Challenge Christmas Craft Fair, a charming celebration of local artisans in Broadstairs.

Kicking off at 11am on Saturday, December 7, the unique market promises local crafts and delights, ranging from handmade gifts to scrumptious mulled wine with 20 stalls signed up for visitors to peruse. Father Christmas is hoped to be making an appearance at the craft fair too, giving the little ones a chance to make sure the big man gets their wish list this year. Find out more here.

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