10 family Christmas shows to see this festive season
When the weather has turned cold and school starts to wind down, it doesn’t take long before the kids are bouncing off the walls and looking for something to do.
If you want a quiet hour or two where the screens are switched off, your family can cosy up inside one of Kent’s fantastic theatres and watch a heart-warming festive show. Here’s our top picks…
ALEXANDER CENTRE, Faversham
One of the most famous Christmas stories of all time, written by Medway’s own Charles Dickens, has been retold on stage for generations. This year, A Christmas Carol will be turned into a 50-minute theatre show with all the classic characters, including the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge, kind-hearted Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Details: Friday, December 13 at the Alexander Centre in Faversham. Book online here or call 01795 591691.
CHURCHILL THEATRE, Bromley
The team at StoryMakers, who host interactive storytelling, drama and music workshops for children in Bromley, are back at the town’s theatre this Christmas. After their successful production, Puss in Boots, last year, the group returns with The Nutcracker, a festive tale based on Tchaikovsky’s ballet. The show has original music and audience participation as it follows Clara on her journey to the Land of Sweets.
Details: Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, December 22 at the Churchill Theatre Studio in Bromley. Book online here or call 03433 100020.
GULBENKIAN, Canterbury
When inventor Eira decides she wants to lift the spirits of her town and bring back snow for Christmas, she sets off on an adventure to save winter. The Snowsmith, an exciting new show created by Half a String, is brought to life using puppetry, live folk music and immersive storytelling.
Details: Saturday, December 7 to Thursday, December 19 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. Book online here.
HAZLITT THEATRE, Maidstone
Inspired by the festive family film Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, the group of performers at the Hazlitt Institute Youth are taking families on a journey to New York City. The Adventures of Elf sees Buddy travel to the Big Apple in the hopes of finding his biological family and discovering who he really is.
Details: Saturday, December 21 to Christmas Eve at the Hazlitt Theatre’s Exchange Studio in Maidstone. Book online here or call 01622 758611.
LITTLE VIC THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells
When a group of woodland animals agree to throw a Christmas party, it’s up to Fox to take charge and make sure it’s the best festive celebration ever. In Fearless Fox and the Christmas Star, he is joined by Squirrel, Old Deer and Little Owl who help him find the decorations and get into the Christmas spirit in time for the party.
Details: Wednesday, December 4 to Sunday, December 29 at the Little Vic Theatre in Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.
MARLOWE THEATRE, Canterbury
Based on the book by BAFTA-winning children’s writer Corrinne Averiss and illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw, My Pet Star is a story of friendship and kindness. The production, which is an original from the team at the Marlowe Theatre, stars Chilham-based performer Freya Stephenson as a young girl who befriends a star that has fallen from the sky.
Details: Saturday, December 7 to Saturday, January 4 at the Marlowe Theatre Studio in Canterbury. Book online here or call 01227 787787.
PENSHURST PLACE, Tonbridge
There are plenty of pantos to see all over Kent this December but, in the heart of this historic manor house, there’s a mini-panto waiting to entertain guests. The Ice That Nearly Cancelled Christmas tells the story of the wicked Ice Queen who uses her dark magic to try and freeze Santa’s workshop, and it’s up to Father Christmas to reverse the spell with the help of the audience. The show is hosted in the medieval Baron’s Hall and there’s a chance to meet Father Christmas after each performance.
Details: Saturday, December 7 to Monday, December 23 at Penshurst Place in Tonbridge. Book online here.
ST GEORGE’S ARTS CENTRE, Gravesend
There’s a delightful immersive show coming to Gravesend this Christmas. In Little Bear’s Christmas Wish, families can join Play on Words Theatre for a magical woodland adventure to help Little Bear save everyone’s Christmas wishes. It’s a 50-minute interactive experience that moves around the venue and is aimed at children aged 3-6 years.
Details: Friday, December 13 to Christmas Eve at St George’s Arts Centre in Gravesend. Book online here.
THE STAG, Sevenoaks
If you’re a parent who’s a fan of the West End, Baby Broadway Christmas is one you won’t want to miss. The family concert show includes 45 minutes of numbers from hit musicals with fun moments for infants, including bubbles, puppets and dance moves.
Details: Sunday, December 15 and Monday, December 23 at The Stag in Sevenoaks. Book online here or call 01732 450175.
TRINITY THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells
From the mind of actor and writer Winnie Southgate comes the Aliens Who Saved Christmas, a family-friendly show that brings out-of-this-world fun to Kent. Audiences will meet friendly aliens Sniff and Splat who accidentally receive a message from Santa’s elves asking for help to get the presents ready in time for Christmas with tricks, music and colourful costumes.
Details: Tuesday, December 17 to Friday, December 27 at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here or call 01892 678678.
Don’t forget to check our bumper panto guide to discover even more great shows in Kent.
