Where to meet Father Christmas in Kent
From a quick grotto visit to a full morning of elves, workshops and a personalised meeting with Father Christmas, Kent has a wide range of Santa experiences. We have compared what each one includes, who it suits and what it costs, using the organisers' own published details.
Prices vary a lot because some experiences include a gift, activities and several hours of entertainment, while others are a short visit. Compare what is included as well as the headline price.
14 events we have checked
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Mission Christmas
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham · 1 November to 31 December 2026
A guided, story-led adventure in which families help an elf called Elfenezer recover his Christmas spirit by travelling through his past, present and future. After solving challenges to unlock the Golden Ledger, each family has a private meeting with Father Christmas and children receive a wrapped gift. The guided part takes about 45 minutes, and the venue suggests allowing around two hours in total.
- Price:
- From £8.50
- Ages:
- Best suited to ages 4 to 10
- Dates:
- Selected dates in November and December 2026; the venue has not published a full date list, so check the booking page. Quiet sessions on Sunday 29 November at 2.30pm and 3pm
- BookHeritage railwaysMeet Father Christmas
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells West station, Tunbridge Wells · 7 November to 23 December 2026
A theatrical train ride from Tunbridge Wells West based on the much-loved film, with characters performing on board and the story read aloud. Hot chocolate and a cookie are served during the journey, and Santa hands each child a silver sleigh bell. Families are encouraged to come in pyjamas.
- Price:
- From £37.95
- Ages:
- Under 2s travel on an adult's lap
- Dates:
- Selected dates from 7 November 2026, with several departures a day. The official ticket site lists departures into late December (at least 23 December); check it for the full calendar
- BookChristmas marketsShopping
Canterbury Christmas Market
Canterbury city centre and Cathedral Precincts, Canterbury · 12 November to 24 December 2026
Canterbury's Christmas market fills the city's streets with wooden huts selling gifts, decorations and seasonal food, with stalls reaching into the Cathedral Precincts. Families can book a Santa's Grotto, breakfast with Santa or VR experiences, and live music runs through the season. The city's lights are switched on across four stages on Friday 13 November.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Daily from 12 November to 24 December 2026 (the organiser lists 12 November; Visit Canterbury lists the market and light switch-on together on Friday 13 November). City light switch-on is Friday 13 November from 5pm
- Christmas lightsMusic
Maidstone Christmas Light Switch On
Jubilee Square, Maidstone · 19 November 2026
Maidstone's town centre lights are switched on in Jubilee Square, organised by the One Maidstone business group. A stage hosted by KM features a line-up of acts, the Mayor attends and Santa makes an appearance. Times are still to be announced, so check the organiser's page nearer the date.
- Price:
- Cost not stated by the organiser; check the event page before you go
- Dates:
- Thursday 19 November 2026. Start and switch-on times not yet published
- BookChristmas lightsMeet Father Christmas
Christmas at Hever Castle
Hever Castle and Gardens, Edenbridge · 20 November to 2 January 2027
Anne Boleyn's childhood home is dressed for Christmas, with decorated rooms and log fires inside and a Nutcracker-themed trail through the grounds. From 4pm on twilight dates the castle, gardens and lake are lit up, and Father Christmas can be added as an extra. Daytime and twilight tickets are sold separately.
- Price:
- From £15
- Dates:
- Open most days from 20 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. Closed 23 and 24 November and 25 and 26 December. Evening twilight entry from 4pm on many dates; hours vary by day
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Father Christmas at Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle, Maidstone · 21 November to 24 December 2026
A daytime grotto visit at Leeds Castle where children help solve a festive mystery before meeting Father Christmas. It runs alongside the castle's Wallace and Gromit Christmas trail, which is included with admission from 21 November. Grotto tickets do not include entry to the castle, so budget for both.
- Price:
- Father Christmas ticket price not shown on the event page; see website. Castle admission is required and sold separately (Explorer ticket from £34.50 adult and £24.50 child online, valid for a year).
- Ages:
- Ideal for ages 3 to 10
- Dates:
- Selected dates from 21 November to 24 December 2026
- BookChristmas marketsMeet Father Christmas
Tonbridge Christmas Fest
Tonbridge Castle, Tonbridge · 27 November to 13 December 2026
A free festive market at Tonbridge Castle across three long weekends, with a market village of handmade gifts, a food village and a Christmas lounge. Families can book a grotto visit, shows and character meet and greets, while 18-plus evenings cater for adults. Santa's Post Office and a Christmas tree parade add to the atmosphere.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Three weekends: 27 to 29 November, 3 to 6 December and 10 to 13 December 2026. Weekdays 1pm to 7pm, weekends 10.30am to 7pm, early close on Sunday 29 November
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
A Truly Magical Christmas at the Rare Breeds Centre
Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, near Ashford · 28 November to 23 December 2026
The Rare Breeds Centre turns its Cattle Barn into a glittering winter wonderland walk-through leading to Father Christmas and his elves. Every child receives a gift from Santa, and there is festive snowball throwing and a craft activity to make a keepsake. SEN grotto sessions are offered alongside standard ones.
- Price:
- Check the Rare Breeds Centre booking page for prices.
- Dates:
- Weekends from Saturday 28 November, then daily from Saturday 19 to Wednesday 23 December 2026. Check booking for session times.
- BookHeritage railwaysMeet Father Christmas
Santa Specials
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, New Romney station, New Romney · 28 November to 24 December 2026
A return ride on the famous miniature steam railway from New Romney to Hythe, with a meeting with Father Christmas included. Every child up to 17 receives a quality, age-appropriate gift, and seasonal refreshments are part of the ticket. Advance booking is essential and popular services sell out.
- Price:
- See website for prices. Under 1s travel free, or £15 with a gift from Santa.
- Ages:
- Gifts for children aged 0 to 17
- Dates:
- 28 and 29 November, 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, and 22 to 24 December 2026
- BookHeritage railwaysMeet Father Christmas
Santa Specials
Kent and East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Tenterden · 29 November to 24 December 2026
A 75-minute return steam train ride from Tenterden in decorated carriages, with Santa coming to your seat to hand over a present addressed to your child by name. Adults get a mulled wine or hot drink, and higher packages add refreshment packs and on-board entertainment. Back at the station there are free unlimited rides on the vintage gallopers.
- Price:
- From £100
- Ages:
- Babies under 18 months travel free
- Dates:
- 29 November, 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, and 22 to 24 December 2026. The 11.15am train on 29 November is a quiet train
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Father Christmas at Dover Castle
Dover Castle (English Heritage), Dover · 5 December to 20 December 2026
Children meet Father Christmas inside Dover Castle on December weekends and each receives a wrapped present to open. Sessions are timed throughout the day and must be booked ahead. Pair it with exploring the castle, which non-members need a separate admission ticket for.
- Price:
- From £12
- Dates:
- Weekends only, 5 to 20 December 2026. Sessions at 10.20am, 11am, 11.40am, 12.20pm, 1.40pm, 2.20pm and 3pm
- BookPantomime and theatreMeet Father Christmas
The Christmas Cavity Calamity mini panto
Penshurst Place and Gardens, Penshurst · 5 December to 23 December 2026
A short, 20 to 25 minute pantomime in Penshurst Place's Garden Room, where Mother Christmas and her mischievous twin threaten to spoil the festivities. It is a good fit for younger children who might struggle with a full-length theatre panto. Quiet sessions have softer music, BSL signing where possible and time to meet Father Christmas.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- Selected performances from 5 to 23 December 2026. Two quiet sessions for children with SEND, 10am to 11am, between 5 and 12 December
- DetailsMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Storytelling with Victorian Father Christmas
Eastgate House, Rochester · 20 December to 23 December 2026
In the last days before Christmas, a Victorian Father Christmas tells stories at Eastgate House in Rochester. It is a gentle, story-led alternative to a busy grotto.
- Price:
- Prices not yet published; check the venue.
- Dates:
- Sunday 20 to Wednesday 23 December 2026. Check times with the venue.
Questions people ask
What age is a Santa experience best for?
Each experience sets its own recommended ages, and many are aimed at primary school children and younger. We show the organiser's recommended age range on each listing where it is published.
Do adults need a ticket?
Often yes. Many experiences charge separately for adults and children, and some include a gift only with a child ticket. Check the booking page for the exact ticket types.