Where and when to see the Christmas lights switched on across Kent in 2022

Christmas is coming around quickly and, before you know it, Kent’s towns and high streets will be sparkling with hundreds of enchanting lights.

We’ve got a list of where and when the county’s Christmas light switch ons are happening this November and December, so you can start filling your festive diary with dates.

Gravesend

Visit the Gravesend Borough Market for a spot of retail therapy and enjoy live entertainment in the Town Centre and Community Square from the cast of the Woodville panto, Aladdin, all before the illuminations begin. You can then watch the delightful lantern parade, with the town’s Christmas lights being switched on as it passes, ending with the lighting of the Christmas tree.

When: Friday, November 18 from Community Square to Gravesend High Street. Switch on begins at 4.30pm.

Strood

The Mayor of Medway will be leading the switch on in Strood this November. However, that’s not the only special guest who will be turning up for the occasion; JJ from childrens’ TV show CoComelon will also be joining the celebrations. Kids can also meet JJ at the Strood Community Hub from 2pm, but this needs to be booked by calling 01634 337799.

When: Friday, November 18 at Friary Place in Strood. Switch on begins at 3.45pm.

Westwood Cross

The Thanet shopping centre will kick off its Christmas season with a star-studded switch on this month. Appearing at this year’s event will be ‘90s boyband East 17, who will perform a number of their hits including the festive classic Stay Another Day. The switch on will also include a Christmas parade, competitions and giveaways, and a visit from Father Christmas.

When: Friday, November 18 at Westwood Cross in Broadstairs. Switch on begins at 3.30pm.

Chatham

Meet the cast of Snow White, Chatham’s Christmas panto starring EastEnders’ Gillian Wright, as they welcome visitors to this year’s switch on. The kmfm radio team will also be there to get the crowd in the festive spirit ahead of the big moment.

When: Saturday, November 19 at Military Square in Chatham. Switch on begins at 3.45pm.

Dartford

Maidstone-based company Gala Lights, who are responsible for many of the county’s town centre Christmas lights, have confirmed that the Dartford switch on will take place on Saturday, November 19. However, no further details have been announced just yet.

Sittingbourne

The Sittingbourne switch on will include an all-day Christmas market with food, drink and gift stalls, and a funfair perfect for the whole family. Children can also meet Father Christmas inside his grotto before the twinkling lights take over the town.

When: Saturday, November 19 at Sittingbourne High Street. Timings have yet to be announced.

Folkestone

Turning on the Christmas lights in Folkestone will be town Mayor, along with Badger from beloved childrens’ show Bodger and Badger and the cast of Aladdin from the Leas Cliff Hall panto. There will also be a number of other characters, family competitions and prizes, a Christmas market and live music from local school choirs and bands. The lantern parade, featuring a rotary float and Father Christmas, will lead the switch on before a spectacular firework finale.

When: Saturday, November 19 from the Clifton Hotel to Sandgate Road in Folkestone. Switch on begins at 3.30pm.

Tunbridge Wells

This year there will be not one, but two, switch on events in Tunbridge Wells. It all kicks off at Chapel Place from 2pm with Christmas classics from carol singers and free hot food to keep you warm, followed by music from the kmfm team and the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells switching on the Christmas lights at 4pm. The second event, Party on The Pantiles, starts at 8pm and welcomes live music from Miss Holiday Swing, character appearances, panto stars and a switch on at 8.30pm, all hosted again by kmfm. In between the two switch ons, you can enjoy some window spotting and vote for your favourite Christmas window display as part of The Pantiles' Big Reveal.

When: Saturday, November 19 at Chapel Place and The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. Switch on begins at 2pm.

West Malling

Families can visit West Malling town centre from midday and join in with plenty of fun-filled activities, including live entertainment, fairground rides, craft stalls, trampolines, face painting and a visit from Father Christmas. The event will then finish up with the twinkling Christmas lights, which will be switched on at 4.30pm.

When: Sunday, November 20 at West Malling High Street. Switch on begins from 12pm.

Gillingham

Ahead of the switch on, children can meet characters from Bluey, who will be at the Gillingham Community Hub from 2pm, before turning on the lights with the Mayor of Medway on the High Street. If you want to meet Bingo and Bluey, you’ll need to book ahead by calling 01634 337799.

When: Friday, November 25 at Smith’s Square in Gillingham. Switch on begins at 3.45pm.

Broadstairs

This year’s switch on is part of the Broadstairs Christmas Fair, so you can head out during the day and make the most of it. The fair begins at 12pm and will have food, drink and gift stalls, live music, carol singers and a Santa’s grotto. In the evening, the town’s hanging lights and Christmas tree will be lit up to finish off the annual fair.

When: Saturday, November 26 at Pierremont Park and Broadstairs High Street. Switch on begins at 5pm.

Faversham

This year, Faversham is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Christmas lights switch on, so it’s sure to be a big celebration. There will be music from band Sixfold, hot food and festive drinks, local beers and ciders and there are usually childrens’ activities in the town centre throughout the day.

When: Saturday, November 26 at Market Place in Faversham. Switch on begins at 5pm.

Margate

The seaside town of Margate is welcoming families to the coast all day for their big switch on, which returns for the first time since 2019. There will be a large Christmas tree, which acts as the centrepiece of the switch on, as well as a Santa’s grotto, live entertainment and a Christmas market open from 12pm. The funds for this year’s event have been raised by the Kent Community Foundation and Margate Carnival, among others.

When: Saturday, November 26 at Cecil Square in Margate. Switch on begins at 6pm.

Rochester

Similar to its neighbouring switch on in Chatham, the Rochester event will be hosted by the cast of the Snow White panto, the Mayor of Medway and our team of kmfm presenters. The historic town will be lit up with beautiful lights and, on the same day, the annual Christmas market opens in the grounds of Rochester Castle, so there’s lots for the whole family to enjoy.

When: Saturday, November 26 at the Blue Boar Lane and High Street junction in Rochester. Switch on begins at 3.45pm.

Paddock Wood

Paddock Wood’s annual Christmas event, Lights Up, returns this year and is filled with festive fun. There will be live entertainment, special characters, market stalls, seasonal food and drink and a chance to meet Santa, all before the exciting lighting of the Christmas tree. This year, the event will be raising money for local charity, Hospice in the Weald.

When: Sunday, November 27 at Commercial Road in Paddock Wood. Switch on begins from 2pm.

Rainham

One of Britain’s most lovable characters will be popping by for a visit this December. Paddington Bear will be switching on the lights with the Mayor of Medway, and will also be meeting children at Rainham Library from 2pm. If your children would like to have their photo taken with Paddington, you will need to book in advance by calling 01634 337799.

When: Friday, December 2 at Rainham Shopping Centre. Switch on begins from 3.45pm.

Dover

Organisers of the Dover illuminations have confirmed this year's event will be a two-day spectacular. The festivities begin on Friday, December 2 with a fire garden full of light installations in the Roman Lawn near Market Square, which will be open both days. On Saturday, the switch on will be in full swing, with a Christmas market, open from 12pm, family activities, live entertainment and a lantern parade, which will see the town light up from 6pm.

When: Saturday, December 3 from Dover College to the Market Square. Switch on begins from 6pm.

And, for even more incredible Christmas lights, make sure you visit the two magnificent light trails coming to Kent during the festive season.

Christmas at Bedgebury is returning to Bedgebury Pinetum from Friday, November 18 and, for the first time, Christmas at Leeds Castle will be opening just outside of Maidstone from Friday, November 25.

Tickets for both light trails are available to book online now.