Yule be Dazzled – The Most Festive places to visit in Canterbury

By Kamila Filipek

Are you staying on Campus this year? Then hold on for deer-life as we present the best places to visit in the city for that festive feel.

Explore Santa’s Brickmas

Visit Santa’s workshop for the ultimate free festive experience. The display will feature BRICKLIVE Christmas models including a life size Santa (pictured above), Reindeer and those cheeky elves! Santa’s workshop at The Beaney, will be running from Saturday 11th December to Saturday 1st January.

Get Creative at the Christmas Craft Market

Yule be sorry if you miss the Westgate Hall Market in Canterbury. This socially distanced indoor market promises local Kentish produce, artisan craft, homewares, food, jewellery and much more. Ideal for sourcing original and unique gifts, and the perfect place to browse and soak up the festive atmosphere. Come along on Saturday 18th December 11.00 – 16.00 with free entry.

Step into Christmas – at the Theatre

The Malthouse Theatre presents a magical night with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. Meet the Mouse King and join the Sugar Plum Fairy in the beautiful Land of Sweets. The Ballet show is taking place on the Monday 20th December at 13.00 and 15.00 with prices ranging from £12 – £15 and a rip-roaring panto performance of Beauty and the Beast is also available from Friday 10 December 2021, with prices starting at £16.50.

Visit the Canterbury Christmas Market

The Canterbury Christmas Market is running from Friday 12th November through to Friday 24th December. Come along and enjoy the colourful array of festive huts full of gifts, Santa’s Grotto. Be sure to get stock(ing) up on our favourite holiday treats. Visit Canterbury Christmas Market in Whitefriars Shopping Centre and the lower section of St George’s Street.

Hear a Canterbury Cathedral Carol Service

Attend Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 23rd December (19.30) and Friday 24th December (15.00) for a Cathedral Carol Service. Music and readings tell the story of the birth of Christ in an atmospheric service with candlelight. Doors open 1 hour before the service, with a first come-first-seated pole-icy.

Sing at the Open Air Community Carol Sing-along

Join the Lord Mayor, the Archbishop of Canterbury and a few thousand locals for a community carols sing-along in Rose Square (outside Primark in the Whitefriars Shopping Centre). There will be plenty of classic Christmas carols and some modern favourites too. Come along on Friday 24th December at 18.15. For elf and safety, do not attend if you are feeling unwell!

Have fun (re-)discovering Canterbury with the quirky heritage walks.

Take one of the self-guided walks with a treasure hunt theme – looping around the better-known sights, as well as some of the more unusual and quirky ones, which combined make Canterbury an amazing place to explore! These walks will be taking place between Monday 1st November 2021 and Thursday 31st March 2022 at the Canterbury City Centre. Click here to book a spot.

Watch Arthur Christmas at The Gulbenkian.

On Saturday 18th December from 11.00-13.30, the Gulbenkian will be showing the heart-warming movie ‘Arthur Christmas’ in a family-friendly environment. Make sure to book your tickets here with a starting prices of £3.50.

Borrow games, puzzles and more for Christmas on Campus

Make sentimental festive memories and come along to the Locke Building (Canterbury campus) to pick up games, puzzles, cooking books and cooking equipment to help make your stay more entertaining! This will take place on Monday 20th December and Tuesday 21st December between 9.00 and 17.00.

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