Christmas In Canterbury 2026

Canterbury's Christmas Market

It’s just not Christmas without a festive market to explore, and Canterbury has a real beauty!

Our Christmas Market opens 12th November to 24th December, with 120 beautiful wooden huts dotted along St Georges Street, Whitefriars and in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. Not only will you find gorgeous gifts and great grub, but you can also expect live music, snow showers, a visit from Santa and more!

Cathedral Carols and a Historic First

The Cathedral will be hosting For the ultimate festive glow, the Canterbury Cathedral Carol Services by candlelight are not to be missed. Held on both 23rd and 24th Dec, the cathedral choir will lead guests in singing some of the best-loved traditional carols in the awe-inspiring surroundings. Seats are unticketed and allocated on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Christmas 2026 is also hugely historically significant, as it will be the first time that the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally - the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, and the first woman to hold the role - will lead the Christmas Day Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral. Open to all, this service is also livestreamed across the world via the Cathedral’s YouTube channel.

Sylvanian Families Christmas Window Trail

Tour Canterbury's stunning festive windows and pick up a few treats as you explore! Every year, the city's shops dress their store windows for the season and they are a sight to behold!

Between 14 November and 24 December, you can tour many of the windows by taking part in the free family festive window trail, this year featuring Sylvanian Families. Collect your ticket from The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge on the High Street, then visit 8 participating shops on the trail to collect stamps. Once you ticket is complete, head to Fenwick to claim a mini prize (and get a selfie with Freya), plus the chance to enter a special prize draw!

Big Brands and Brilliant Boutiques

Whatever you need to get in the bag for life this year, make sure you are supporting local shops and businesses this Christmas! Canterbury is chock-full of unique, quirky, cosy and super-stylish shops and boutiques, so take the time to wander through the side streets and historic quarters to find that perfect something. You’ll find an amazing array of gift ideas, and you’ll be supporting jobs while you spend.

Puttin' On a Panto 

Canterbury is well and truly at the centre of Christmas Panto jollity, with not one but TWO top-notch pantos in town. Head to The Marlowe Theatre to see The All New Adventures of Peter Pan from 27th November 2026 to 10th January 2027. Starring an amazing cast including the sensational Janette Manrara (Strictly Come Dancing), fan-favourite Phil Gallagher (CBeebies, Mister Maker) and Marlowe legend Ben Roddy (winner of Best Dame at the Pantomime Awards 2024).

You can also book your tickets to see Goldilocks And The Three Bears at The Malthouse Theatre from 9th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027.

Both venues have a packed programme of non-festive yet still fun-filled shows planned throughout the season, so always check their websites for details of what’s on.

It's Time To Party!

Canterbury is fortunate to have a huge choice of places to party the night away, whatever your vibe.

Whether you are looking for a great venue to host your office drinks, want some festive cocktails with visiting friends, or you’re dying to ditch traditional Christmas food for something more exotic, Canterbury has you covered. And the dancers amongst you have lots of options for late-night revelry.

Search our wonderful food and drink businesses to find your ideal spot then it's time to treat yourself to an overnight stay at one of our fabulous hotels and B&Bs!