Local Diary for the Festive Season - latest from Kent Life

Keep up to date with the very best of local events in and around Kent this Christmas...

On the Pantiles

Throughout DecTickets: FreeA combination of traditional and modern, the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells offers a great choice of individual shops and places to eat.

Santa on board3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 DecTickets: Contact venue01580 765155KESR, TenterdenHop on board the steam train and get the chance to meet Father Christmas and take a ride on the miniature railway to meet the beautiful Snow Queen.

Christmas Carols17 DecTickets: �25 (per person)01304 211 067Dover Castle, DoverExplore the Great Tower and enjoy carols, mince pies and mulled wine.

The Twelve Days of Christmas10 to 22 DecTickets: Adults: �4, child �2, concs �3, family �601227 789576Westgate Towers, CanterburyFind out why Cromwell wanted to make Christmas illegal, and what was kept alight for the 12 days of Christmas. Try your hand at making a Victorian or modern-day Christmas card.

Jane Austen’s novels16 DecTickets: �4Mr Books 01732 363000; Tonbridge Library 01732 352754; Sevenoaks Library 01732 453118Church of St Peter and St Paul, TonbridgeCelebrate Jane Austen’s birthday in friendly and informative company. Embark on a walking tour with audio accompaniment (thanks to a specially recorded audio guide by Louise Jameson). Prof Michael Wheeler will also give the Birthday Address.

A Magical Christmas 19 to 24 DecTickets:01732 865224Hever Castle, nr EdenbridgeThe castle will be beautifully decorated and the grounds will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, where youngsters can meet up with Father Christmas.

Ice Skating in ...Sevenoaks19 to 30 DecTickets: From �3.6001732 450 175The Stag, SevenoaksAs well as being able to take a turn in this special ice skating rink, younger visitors can also meet Father Christmas.

... and Tunbridge WellsUntil 2 Jan 2012Tickets: Varies01892 530613 (Assembly Hall)Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge WellsExperience a true winter wonderland in the grounds of Calverley Park with a spot of skating on the real ice rink.

Christmas wreath making4 DecTickets: �55 (per person)01304 364288Walmer Castle, DealLearn how to make your own Christmas wreath or table decoration and enjoy a tour around the house and lunch.

Family Christmas stories 10 DecTickets: �25 01304 211 067Dover Castle, DoverJoin the historical interpreters and minstrels for some fun medieval Christmas tales around the fire in the Great Tower.

Christmas Tree Festival3 to 11 DecTickets: FreeOrpington Methodist ChurchAdmire the beautifully decorated trees that are part of this church festival.

Sleeping Beauty10 Dec to 2 Jan 2012Tickets: From �14.5001892 530613/ 01892 532072Assembly Hall, Tunbridge WellsWith a star-studded cast, including TV soap baddie Glynis Barber, this perennial panto favourite has a real sprinkling of fairydust. To win tickets and a meal out, turn to page 162.

Cranford at Christmas2 DecTickets: �12 (�10 concessions)01892 678 678Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge WellsJoin Miss Pole, Miss Matty and Mrs Jamieson as they warm their hands on cups of steaming cocoa and decorate the house, ready for the festivities.

Swing-In Christmas3 DecTickets: �1201634 365453/ 01634 890421Britannia Theatre, Dickens World, ChathamEnjoy an evening of swing and crooning with Frank Sinatra’s and Humphrey Lyttleton’s sax player Jimmy Hastings, featuring Kent-born crooners Shane Hampsheir (above) and Roan Kearsey-Lawson.

Mediaeval Baebes18 DecTickets: �1801732 304241EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, TonbridgeThe multi-talented, all-female group will be continuing their Christmas touring traditions.

Quebec House, WesterhamA Georgian Christmas3 and 4 DevTickets: Normal admission charges apply01732 868381A group of re-enactors, The Mannered Mob, stage a Georgian Christmas at the former home of General Wolfe.

Smallhythe PlaceA Victorian Christmas3 and 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 DecTickets: �2.5001580 762334See parts of the house (which will be specially opened during the three weekends leading up to Christmas), all decked out in Victorian festive finery.

Ightham Mote

• Carols at the Mote10, 16, 17, 19 DecTickets: �29.5001732 811314

Enjoy singing your favourite carols, followed by a supper and mince pies.

• A 1950’s ChristmasThroughout DecTickets: Contact venue

The Library at Ightham Mote will be decked out in a 1950’s style, in honour of the property’s last owner, the American Charles Henry Robinson, who gifted the house to the National Trust.

• Brunch and Treks26 and 27 Dec; 1 and 2 Jan 2012Tickets: �19.50Enjoy a hearty English breakfast, followed by a bracing walk.

New Rope String Band11 DecTickets: �18 (concessions �15); family ticket: �5601227 831355Charlton Park, nr CanterburySuperb musicianship and some side-splitting comedic genius thrown in for good measure.

Chartwell Write to Father ChristmasThroughout Dec17 and 18 Dec Tickets: Normal admission charges apply01732 868381

Visit Mary Churchill’s playhouse in the garden, and pen a letter to Father Christmas. If you return to the house on 17 and 18 December, you can meet Santa himself.

Aladdin & his Magic Lamp17 DecTickets: �10 (concs �7.50); family: �3001227 831355Charlton Park, nr CanterburyThe Genie needs your help to tell the amazing tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp.