What's on in Kent this weekend

With little over a month until Christmas Kent is busy with lights switch-on events, grotto openings and plenty of Christmas fairs and markets.

Some of those taking place this weekend below:

Friday, November 18

Gravesend has its annual Christmas lights switch-on with street entertainers, Santa and Bloco Fogo from 4pm in the town centre’s Community Square.

At 5pm there will be a parade, organised in partnership with Cohesion Plus and Gravesham council and featuring schoolchildren, bands and performers, through the town before the lights are switched on at 5.30pm in the square.

For details go to visitgravesend.co.uk

Saturday, November 19

Father Christmas will open his grotto with help from DJ Andy Walker and the kmfm Street Team at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre on Saturday, November 19.

The magical afternoon, when a free chocolate treat will be on offer, starts at 1pm when two of the stars of the Central Theatre’s panto in Chatham, Jack and the Beanstalk, will be on hand to welcome Father Christmas.

Graham Cole, best known for his role of PC Tony Stamp in ITV’s The Bill, who is playing King Cuthbert and Hannah Jane Fox – Millie’s Mum on CBBC’s Millie Inbetween – as Fairy Fuchsia, will both be there to share the festive magic.

Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20

A wealth of craft and food stalls will be at the popular annual Hospice in the Weald Christmas Market this weekend.

The perfect opportunity to find wonderful presents for your friends and family while supporting the Maidstone Road Hospice in Pembury at the same time.

The market runs from 10am until 4pm and adult tickets are £3.

Saturday, November 19

Celebrate Christmas in Medway with Rochester's Santa run this Saturday.

The fun begins at midday before hundreds in red and white suits will run, dance and walk through Rochester High Street at 2pm.

The run is then followed by the Rochester Christmas light switch-on at 5pm.

For more details click here.

Sunday, November 20

West Malling will see Santa’s grotto, an ice rink, reindeer and trampolines at the annual Christmas festival on Sunday, November 20, with entertainment from noon.

The lights switch-on will be at 5pm. There will also be a children’s balloon race. Food on offer includes a hog roast and barbecue. For details go to westmallingfestival.co.uk