’Tis the season to... race around a karting track?! That and other, more traditional, festive pastimes are on offer around the county this week. Jo Roberts reports

For fans of four wheels, there are two Christmas party race events scheduled at BUCKMORE PARK. Friday, December 19 sees a festive version of the 30 Solo, followed by a slap-up Christmas roast and Casino Royale tables. At £89 a ticket, each guest will enjoy a short practice, non-stop 30-minute race and then the Christmas dinner. Visit www.buckmore.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty is at the Leas Cliff Hall, FOLKESTONE from Tuesday, December 23, until Saturday, January 10. Tickets cost from £14. Visit www.atgtickets.com/folkestone or call 01303 228600.

The first Christmas is the theme at picturesque HEVER CASTLE, near Edenbridge. Daily from Monday, December 15, visitors can interact with costumed figures from the Nativity story. Children are invited to make Christmas crackers at drop-in craft sessions. And those visiting at weekends have the opportunity to hug a husky in the Husky Hideout. Special twilight events will be held on Thursday, December 18, Friday, December 19, and Tuesday, December 23. At the end of the trail, discover Mary, Joseph and the newborn King in a stable. Tickets for Christmas Past at Hever Castle cost £15.50 for adults, £19.70 for children over five and £11 for children under five. Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.

P&O Ferries Choir will be bringing its whirlwind year to a close with a performance at DOVER CASTLE. Since winning the BBC’s Sing While You Work series last December, the group has performed with the likes of Susan Boyle, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Leeds Castle and in front of 40,000 people at Hyde Park.

Choir member Stacey Young said: “Our first public engagement after winning the TV series was in Dover at the very start of this year and we wanted to close out the year on home ground, where we’ve enjoyed so much support.

“In doing so we’ll support two charities: the RNLI and Martha Trust, which provides long-term residential respite and day care for people with profound physical and learning difficulties.”

Thanks to the support of English Heritage, the choir will perform at the castle’s Saxon church, St Mary in Castro, on Thursday, December 18, at 3pm. Afterwards the audience will be invited into Dover Castle for mince pies and mulled wine and further entertainment from the award-winning ensemble Blossom Street, whose CD Sleep, Holy Babe was acclaimed in classical circles. Tickets cost £15. Call 01304 863863.