There are plenty more outdoor and indoor Christmas activities on offer this weekend in and around Tunbridge Wells. The highly anticipated Castlemas kicks off with ten terrific days of festive attractions, with Tonbridge Castle as its backdrop. We are so lucky with the great choice of pantos/shows to choose from around us to help get us in the spirit, which we have details of, along with Garden Centres which are well worth a visit at this time of year! Plus, unique Christmas market locations, what’s on at Royal Victoria Place, the ice rink and more.
♥ If your Christmas tree could so with some more sparkle why not head to the Bauble Bar at Royal Victoria Place this Saturday between 11am – 4pm (except 1.30-2pm) and design your own!? Don’t miss the photo opportunities for little ones at the Giant Teddy Bear and Santa’s Sleigh, you could even visit the Big Man himself in his grotto (booking advisable). Enjoy some nostalgia from performances by the Salvation Army Brass Band throughout the day too. Want to find out more? Read all about our Christmassy Day out at Royal Victoria Place here!
♥ Held in the beautiful grounds of Tonbridge Castle, Castlemas is a local community event I have been really looking forward to, which is designed to bring people together for some immersive festive magic this Christmas! From 10th – 19th December enjoy Shop-Local’s Christmas Market, with its very own ‘Jingle Bell Bar’ and spectacles such daily snowfall. The enchanting, heated Igloo Theatre will host a variety of shows for all the family, with highlight this weekend being The Lion King – A Beautiful Musical Journey (book now). Workshop experiences held in the Castle Chamber Room for all ages, will include Festive Lego Building and Christmas Crowns this weekend. Santa will also be in his Grotto ready to welcome one and all this Christmas.
♥ Mark Twain’s story ‘The Prince and the Pauper’ has been adapted for a Christmas show filled with adventure, laughter and music for all ages! This fun alternative to panto is coming at Trinity Theatre from now until 2nd January 2022.
♥ The amazing writers and cast from Wicked Productions are back at EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge, with a Rapunzel panto this year! Don’t miss this chance to ‘let your hair down’ with the whole family from Friday 10th December 2021 to Sunday 2nd January 2022. Expect lots of laughter, slapstick humour, audience participation, the infamous Boombox, magical production and sets, singing, dancing and more fun in between!
♥ Enjoy a festive show in the unique setting of the medieval Baron’s Hall at Penshurst Place this weekend and every day until 22nd December. Meet little Elf Tidings on his mission to save Christmas. This panto-style story, ideal for little ones, lasts 25 mins, plus a photo opportunity with Father Christmas afterwards.
♥ Head to Staplehurst’s Village Centre for Christmas shopping from local stalls, plus choir singing, Santa’s grotto and some festive fun from 10am-1pm on Saturday. Email secretary@staplehurstunder5.co.uk to book your time slot with Santa.
♥ The lovely countryside Deer Park Café is hosting an outdoor Christmas market selling food and gifts from local suppliers, alongside mulled wine and their yummy regular menu. From 10am this Saturday 11th December.
♥ The wonderfully festive Molly Dishwasher’s Pop-Up Christmas Shop in Bells Yew Green is now selling beautiful Nordmann Fir Christmas trees from the farm and offering free delivery within a 5mile radius. Every weekend you can also shop from the amazing range of gifts and visit the catering truck for some warming treats!
♥ The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks is hosting an outdoor Christmas Market selling unique local and handmade gifts every weekend from now until Christmas. (Please note the Grotto is fully booked this weekend.)
♥ Snuggle up in style to watch the much-loved family festive favourite Arthur Christmas (U) Odeon Cinema this Saturday and Sunday at 10.10am.
♥ Step into Christmas at Leeds Castle for wintery woodland walks with family and friends until 2nd January. Can you spot the Twelve Days of Christmas artworks located around the estate? Then admire the seven mirrored swans-a-swimming on the lake and bang on the 12 drummers’ drums. You can warm up in the Castle, with Christmas trees and themed displays to see.
♥ We all love a trip to the garden centre at this time of year, to see the lights, decorations, grottos and enjoy some festive food – it really gets us in the festive mood! There is such a gorgeous selection around Tunbridge Wells, so if you can’t make up your mind which ones to visit, click here to visit our round of the best ones to visit at Christmas time!
♥ For a wide selection of gift stalls, including toys, children’s books, fashion, wellbeing, cakes, jewellery and lots of more head to the Angel Centre (Tonbridge) Christmas Fair this Saturday from 10am-4.30pm. Book the last few spaces for Santa’s Grotto here.
♥ Take your Frozen fans for a skate and photograph with the Snow Sisters on Saturday 11th December in the beautiful Calverley Grounds ice rink on 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Warm afterwards with a hot chocolate and all the trimmings at The Ice Bar.
♥ Warm up at the traditional Brecknock Arms pub (near Bells Yew Green station) with mulled wine, hot chocolate and German sausages. Then browse the wide variety of stalls at the Christmas Fair from 11am on Sunday 12th December. Why not pop up to Molly Dishwasher too?
For more marvellous days out around Tunbridge Wells this Christmas, click on the image below:
