Kent with Kids at Christmas: 10 Best Things to Do (2026)

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If you live in Kent, or you’re visiting over the festive season, here are 10 of the best things to do at Christmas with the kids! (2026) It’s the most magical time of the year, so I’ve gathered a mix of paid attractions, budget-friendly activities and free things to do with the kids this Christmas – making sure there’s something for everyone! We live in Kent, so we’ve tried and tested lots of these fabulous days out – have a lovely time! Merry Christmas!🎄

1. Take the kids to visit Santa

The Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch is a great place for a festive day out in Kent – as well as play areas, animals and tractor rides, the kids can visit Father Christmas in his grotto. All of the proceeds go to helping people with learning difficulties. Another family favourite, Kent Life’s Christmas Experience is packed with festive farmyard fun and the kids can visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto. (Plus, both sites have soft play for the little ones if you need to escape bad weather!)

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Whichever you choose, book your tickets early and bring a picnic to keep costs down.

2. Enjoy a ride on The Polar Express

This Christmas, step straight into the magic of the classic film on The Polar Express Train Ride at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. Families are whisked away on a festive journey filled with singing chefs, dancing waiters, hot chocolate and cookies – just like in the movie. The highlight? Meeting Santa himself, who gifts each child their very own silver sleigh bell if they still believe!

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Book early to secure cheaper off-peak dates – tickets sell out fast!

3. Go ice-skating at SKATE Tunbridge Wells

A visit to SKATE Tunbridge Wells is one of our favourite things to do with the kids in the run up to Christmas – it’s one of the best spots for festive ice-skating in Kent. Surrounded by fairy lights, trees and music, it’s a magical place to glide into Christmas. There are family sessions, skating aids for little ones and a café serving hot chocolate and snacks. You can even try Bavarian curling or enjoy the Christmas ferris wheel and fairground rides.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Save money by booking online in advance and choose off-peak sessions if possible. Midweek or early morning slots tend to be quieter, cheaper and ideal for young children.

4. Visit Rochester for the Dickensian Christmas Festival

Every December, Rochester steps back in time for its Dickensian Christmas Festival – it’s one of the best FREE things to do in Kent with the kids over the festive season. The cobbled streets fill with carol singers, a fun fair, Victorian characters and festive stalls. There’s a parade, live music, roasted chestnuts and plenty of free entertainment, making it one of the most atmospheric events in Kent. It’s ideal for a budget-friendly day out and this year the Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival takes place on the 5th-6th of December 2026.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Arrive early and use the park-and-ride to avoid high parking costs. Pack your own drinks and snacks, and enjoy the free entertainment for a great low-cost family day out.

5. Catch the pantomime at The Marlowe Theatre

No Christmas in Kent would be complete without a good pantomime, and The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury puts on one of the very best – it’s something we absolutely have to do every year with the kids. Known for its incredible sets, dazzling costumes, local humour and laugh-out-loud performances, it’s a festive tradition for families across the county. We absolutely adore the Marlowe Theatre Pantomime and, though it can be pricey, the quality of the show is incredible and totally worth it.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Off-peak tickets are far cheaper so look for early bird November deals, weekday shows or January tickets. We often book for January – it’s much more budget-friendly and it helps get rid of the January blues by giving us something to look forward to after the big day!

6. Wander at a Kent Christmas Market

If you’re looking for something festive to do with the kids in Kent that won’t break the bank, why not wander around a Christmas market? Bring your own flask of hot chocolate and soak up the atmosphere – even if you’re not buying anything. The historic city of Canterbury hosts one of Kent’s most charming Christmas markets with wooden huts, glowing lights and the smell of mulled wine in the air. Running from the 12th November 2026 through to Christmas eve – you can browse handmade gifts, enjoy festive street food and listen to carol singers.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: If you’re heading to Canterbury, use the park-and-ride services – at £4 per day it’s far cheaper than the city centre car parks.

7. Spend a festive day in London

We’re so fortune that London is just a short drive or train ride away from Kent so heading to the capital could be the perfect festive family day out this Christmas. Check out my article on the 15 Best Things to Do in London with Kids at Christmas (2026) for lots of ideas. You could watch a play like A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong or catch the Potted Panto at London’s Apollo Theatre. Or maybe hop on a Christmas Lights Bus Tour or take a trip to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: There are plenty of free things to do in London at Christmas too. You could watch the carol singers by the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, dance under the snow machines in Covent Garden or head to Hamleys toy store.

8. Enjoy a Christmas lights trail

Kent has some of the best Christmas light trails and they’re such a magical thing to do with the kids if you’re looking for a festive treat. At Bedgebury National Pinetum, the forest comes alive with twinkling lights, glowing tunnels and sparkling sculptures. Leeds Castle also run a spectacular Christmas lights event and Port Lympne Zoo hosts a popular light trail too – there are plenty of great options in Kent to choose from.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Pick early evening slots for lower prices and opt for weekday / November dates where possible. Plus, bring your own festive treats and a flask of hot chocolate to keep you warm without spending a fortune.

9. Book a festive getaway with the kids

You might think that a Christmas getaway would be really pricey but we’ve done it several times and spent very little so let me share my tips and tricks! Butlins Bognor Regis, a short drive away in Sussex, offers super cheap mid-week Christmas breaks – we paid just £89 for a Monday-Friday stay in November. If you’d prefer to stay closer to home, Haven Kent Coast (in Rochester) hosts Christmas breaks with festive kids’ activities, a Christmas pantomime and seasonal entertainment. Check out my guide on the 20 Best UK Holiday Parks for Christmas Breaks with Kids.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: Book as early in the season as possible to avoid price hikes for the dates closest to Christmas.

10. Have a Christmas cinema trip

Getting the giggles when we saw Deck the Halls at the cinema is one of my favourite Christmas memories. Kent has lots of cinemas to choose from – and a movie afternoon can be a great thing to do with the kids this Christmas if the weather isn’t on your side. Lots of cinemas show old Christmas movies at reduced prices over the festive season – Cineworld often do £5 tickets so keep you eyes peeled in December.

👉 Frugal Mum Tip: To save money on cinema tickets for new releases: use Tesco Clubcard Rewards, get 2 for 1 tickets with Meerkat Movies or opt for a family ticket at the independent Ashford Cinema.

I hope that this article helps you to have a magical Christmas in Kent with the kids – there are so many fabulous things to do this festive season! Make sure you check out some of my other Christmas articles too: