Christmas In Canterbury 2025
Canterbury is the perfect Christmas destination for visitors in search of a magical experience in 2025, with the biggest Christmas market in Kent, sparkling lights across the city, big brands and independent shops, great food and drink choices, plus a beautiful festive fayre under the glow of the world-famous cathedral. You can experience the best of the season in our cosmopolitan yet historic city, within one hour from central London.
Here's what's happening for 2025, and and remember you can get to Canterbury faster than Father Christmas with Southeastern highspeed trains taking just 55 minutes from London - or make it a winter break and book a room direct with one of our beautiful hotels and traditional B&Bs.
For the best way to give the gift of Canterbury, take a look at the Canterbury Gift Card (available as digital and physical cards)
Canterbury's Christmas Light Switch-On
Friday 14 November 2025 from 5pm-8pm watch the city’s medieval streets dazzle with six miles of twinkling lights, delightful festive window displays, Christmas trees, snowfall and live entertainment at different stages across the city. There are 12 themed locations stretching from Westgate Hall to Whitefriars, where you can see the lights twinkle from any location.
Attractions: Christmas Markets * Snow machines * Frozen Characters and Trail * Outdoor Cinema * LEGO Trail launch * Live Music and Performances * Santa and his Sleigh * Selfie Opportunities and more!
Switch-on moments:
5.30pm - Marlowe Theatre Light Switch-on
6pm - Burgate Victorian Christmas Light Switch-on
6.15pm - Rose Lane Citywide Light Switch-on
6.30pm - Westgate Hall Christmas Light Switch-on
Outdoor Cinema Screenings: 5pm - Singalong Frozen / 6.30pm - Elf
Kent's Biggest Christmas Market
Canterbury's Christmas Market is a joy to behold, with traditional wooden huts dotted across the city and within Canterbury Cathedral's precincts. It features a range of picturesque German-style wooden huts, stretching across the high street, Whitefriars open air shopping area and into the stunning cathedral grounds.
Expect beautiful stalls with gift ideas as well as delicious food and drink outlets, plus: *Santa’s Grotto & Breakfast with Santa * Live music * Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride * Christmas Games & Carousel * Marshmallow Toasting * Giant Snow Globe Bauble * 25ft Christmas Tree * Magical snow falls * Character walkabouts *
There will be free entry to the Precincts during the market, and sightseers will only need to pay to go inside the Cathedral and Cloister during visiting hours.
Christmas Shopping
Shoppers can be sure of finding that perfect gift thanks to a host of luxury brands, high-street favourites, boutiques, and artisan makers in the historic city. The city boasts award-winning Christmas Window displays, locally sourced produce and handmade gifts - something to suit all stockings!
Enjoy late-night shopping
Saturday 13 December running until 8pm
Festive Food and Drink
Traditional cheer continues into the evenings with a wide choice of entertainment venues and a huge range of fine-dining restaurants, stylish bars, cosy pubs, eateries, and amazing street food stalls across the city’s distinctive quarters and historic areas - even the most demanding foodie can enjoy a festive feast!
LEGO Christmas Tree Window Trail
The Christmas Window Trail is one of Canterbury’s bestloved traditions, a fun festive activity for all the family.
This year’s theme is LEGO® bricks – a Christmas list classic!
From Friday 14 November - Wednesday 24 December, 40+ businesses will be displaying seasonal scenes around a LEGO Christmas tree in their windows.
The trail begins at The Beaney in the High Street, where you can collect a trail map & ticket. Then it’s time to head out to find those LEGO Christmas trees and collect stamps that will be issued at each of the participating locations.
Collect 5 stamps or more and headto Fenwick Toy Department to claim your mini prize. While you’re there, you cantake part in a LEGO make-and-takeaway activity AND enter a mega LEGO prize draw.
Christmas at Canterbury Cathedral
From large traditional carol services lead by the world-renowned Cathedral Choir to a range of family-friendly craft activities throughout the season, there are a huge number of Advent and Christmas services and special events at Canterbury Cathedral.
Their beautiful lifesize nativity scene will be on display in The Precincts throughout Advent and Christmas, from Advent Sunday (30 November). For children, don't miss St Nicholas Family Service on Sunday 7 December (5.30pm) you can enjoy a joyful, short service celebrating the story of St Nicholas.
Head to the Canterbury Cathedral website for full details of seasonal services.
Christmas at the Marlowe Theatre
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Marlowe Theatre| Fri 28 Nov–Sun 11 Jan
Starring an amazing cast including Sarah Hadland (Miranda, Strictly, Horrible Histories), Phil Gallagher (Mister Maker), Marlowe legend Ben Roddy (winner of Best Dame 2024), Marc Pickering and Mia Kobayashi, this magical family extravaganza promises to be packed with unforgettable thrills, stunning costumes, lavish sets, fabulous music and hilarious jokes. A note of warning though - there "may" be water guns and you "may" get wet.
Hare and Tortoise
Marlowe Studio | Fri 12–Wed 31 Dec
A charming adaptation of Aesop’s fable, brought to life with fun, live music, unforgettable songs and delightful characters. It’s a joyful tale of friendship, music and one very famous race – perfect for families and children.
Did you know?
- It takes more than 6 miles of twinkling festive lights, and over 118,000 LEDs, to decorate Canterbury’s medieval streets and buildings at Christmas. The lights are organised by Canterbury BID with support from partners across the city
- Canterbury Cathedral’s festive market ran from 1383 until 1813 when, following concerns of ‘indecency and tumultuous conduct’, it closed for the final time.
- Christmas has always been hugely important in Canterbury. When the Puritans banned Christmas in 1647, the people of the city rebelled, and a Christmas Day game of football descended into full-blown rioting. Ultimately, the city’s Plum Pudding Riots, as they came to be known, led to a revolt by Royalists across Kent and the second round of the English Civil War.
- It is always free to attend a service of worship or to go into Canterbury Cathedral to pray. Donations given at the Cathedral’s two traditional carol services, and at all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will, after deduction of costs, be shared equally between the Cathedral and The Social Justice Network.
