The festive man of the moment Santa spares an afternoon to share his magic in Canterbury -at Houdini's Magic Bar in St Peter's Street. Bring the family or your friends, grab a cocktail and sit back while Santa sprinkles his magic dust and mixes things up with a bag of tricks and delights to keep you entertained -and well watered. Great afternoon of Live Magic, Festive fun, games and a visit from the Big Man himself but you must book first. Book now on 0333 006 4151  bar@houdinis.co.uk

The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and conductor Graham Ross make their debut at Colyer Fergusson Hall with ‘What sweeter music’, a joyous and ravishing programme of festive choral masterpieces old and new. “What sweeter music” Hieronymus Praetorius’s Christmas Magnificat and Palestrina’s ‘Surge, illuminare’ sit alongside two exquisite Hymns to the Virgin by Pierre Villette and Benjamin Britten, James Long’s invigorating ‘Vigilate’, motets by Messiaen, Tavener, Will Todd, and John Rutter, and a beautiful selection of arrangements that tell us that Christmas has truly begun. Click HERE to book tickets

Wine Dinner - Christmas Wines Monday 13th December, 7.00pm Join luxury hotel The ABode for an exclusive menu and paired wine flight. Fine wines, from some of the world's leading boutique wineries, have been expertly selected by award-winning importer Hallgarten Wines. Served in our 3 AA Rosette restaurant to the backdrop of our own wine cellar, enjoy exquisite dishes alongside a selection of wines presented by our expert. Just in time for Christmas, taste a selection of wines that pair perfectly with your Christmas roast and other festive dishes. This event includes: Four or five-course menu - SAMPLE MENU Paired wine flight Wines presented for each course by our expert from Hallgarten Wines £49 per person

Feel the festive cheer with the brass ensemble of the Philharmonia Orchestra. From glittering fanfares to gentle carols, nothing captures the spirit of the festive season like the warm sound of a brass ensemble at Christmas. Marking their long-awaited return to their Canterbury residency here at The Marlowe, members of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s brass section present a specially-chosen selection of concert favourites and Christmas classics. With stunning versions of Coventry Carol, Ding Dong Merrily On High, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and many more, including a medley of your favourite carols in Festive Cheer.  Join the Philharmonia brass for an evening of joy, excitement, and enough tunes to leave you humming all the way to Christmas Day.

Join Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust and the RSPB at West Blean Woods, on Saturday 18th December for a wonderful Winter Fayre. A selection of stalls, crafts, activities and games for all ages will be available, including a mini-safari with their fantastic safari guides. They are also running a free shuttle bus from Sturry Park & Ride to help cut down on congestion. Find out more and book tickets HERE

Now as much an essential part of the build up to Christmas as the local Village Christmas Bazaar or the pre-cooking of the sprouts! The Albion Christmas Show is a very popular show appealing to all ages. The tour sells out all over the country for the two weeks leading up to Christmas every year. Described in the Guardian as “the perfect antidote to the corporate Christmas”. Expect an evening of traditional English Christmas music, humourous stories and beautiful, spine-tingling Christmas carols and ballads sung by Kellie While and Simon Nicol. After weeks of the usual Christmas shopping playlists, we can guarantee no mention of Wham, Mariah or Slade! Founding member and bassist Ashley Hutchings is joined by fellow original bandmates – Fairport Convention’s own Simon Nicol on acoustic guitar and vocals, Simon Care on melodeons, and the ‘honey drenched’ divine vocals of one of the UK’s best folk singers, Kellie While.

With a fresh and updated production, Let’s All Dance are delighted to be back for the festive season with this sumptuous family favourite. Stunning dancing, lavish costumes, much loved music and crystal clear story-telling makes this sparkling show a Christmas treat for everyone! Let’s All Dance makes high-quality ballet accessible and fun for children, immersing them in the spectacular world of professional dance. Journey through the magical night with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, meet the Mouse King and join the Sugar Plum Fairy in the beautiful Land of Sweets. SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES, especially children (inc. those with special needs) RUNNING TIME: 50 mins (no interval)  showtimes: 1pm and 3pm Photo opportunity after every show for children with the dancers on stage! Absolutely wonderful! I smiled from start to finish. The cast all danced beautifully and were mesmerising for the children. I looked back at the audience a few times and was met with a sea of rapt faces. To hold young children’s attention like that, for an hour, is a very special skill and shows how wonderful the performance was! Audience mum, Canterbury “Fantastic show, perfect for my daughters. Thank you!” Lena Koh, Blackheath  “What a brilliant event! At […]