There is no avoiding it – Christmas is just around the corner and the festive spirit will infect all and sundry as towns across Kent turn on their Christmas lights. From Peter Andre to Ann Widdecombe and dozens of panto stars, there is a lot more going on than just pressing a button.

Ashford, Bandstand

Saturday, November 19

Street theatre and clowns will keep families entertained in the high street and around County Square shopping centre from 11am, hosted by kmfm DJs Kirstyn and Webbo. Ashford’s Got Talent favourite Sophie Goodwin will sing at the bandstand before a performance from the Invicta Ukulele Club. Then the Marlowe Theatre’s panto stars Kate Quinnell – aka Cinderella – and the two Ugly Sisters, Michael Batchelor and Ian Smith, will switch on the lights at 4.30pm at the bandstand, with the help of a child of courage nominated by the Padua Ward at William Harvey Hospital.

Ashford McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

Thursday, November 17

Singer Peter Andre will flick the switch on the 130,000 twinkling Christmas lights. Renowned for his marriage to glamour model Katie Price, his recent singles include Behind Closed Doors and Defender. The entertainment kicks off at 6pm. The centre will also launch its first ever outdoor ice skating rink that’s open until Tuesday, December 27. Skating costs £5, children £4, families £15.

Bluewater

Friday, November 18

One of this year’s X Factor finalists will turn on the Christmas lights and headline an hour-long variety show with one of their favourite tracks from the show. From 5.30pm, boyband Eli Prime will perform and CBeebies presenter Mister Maker will be on stage throughout the evening. The show will end with a fireworks display and a free Christmas grotto.

Canterbury

Thursday, November 17

Canterbury will be one of the first places in the county switching on its lights, with an event in St George’s Street from 3pm to 5.30pm. The honour of pushing the button falls to the cast of the Marlowe Theatre’s pantomime Cinderella.

Dartford

Saturday, November 19

Ann Widdecombe gets the honour of pushing the button along with some of her co-stars from the Orchard Theatre’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The fun kicks off from 2.30pm with tribute performances from the Rat Pack and Friends, the Glee Experience and Abba Divine. Then there is sing-along with Chas Hodges before the ex-Kent MP lights up the High Street at 5.15pm.

Deal

Thursday, November 24

Put those dancing shoes on for a disco from 5.30pm followed by a set from the Kingsdown Band at 6pm. Stars of the Marlowe Theatre panto Cinderella will arrive at 7pm to switch on the Christmas lights in the High Street outside St George’s Church. This year’s cast includes EastEnders’ John Partridge, Magic Numbers’ Stephen Mulhern and Dinner Ladies’ Sue Devaney. They will push the button at 7.30pm.

Dover

Saturday, November 26

Schools, theatre groups and dance clubs from the town will perform from noon until 5.30pm. There will also be circus workshops and children can get up close to reindeer before the parade from the town hall to the Market Square. Stars from Marlowe pantomime Cinderella will switch on the lights at 5.30pm in the Market Square.

Gravesend

Saturday, November 19

A Christmas grotto and giant snow globe open at noon in the St George’s Shopping Centre. Later, the entertainment moves to a stage on the junction of New Road and King Street. The Centre Stage Theatre Academy will perform before former X Factor contestant Kim Southwick plays a few numbers. Hollyoaks actor Tom Vaughan will also be singing. Compering the event will be the Stan Lee King Roadshow. Three members of the cast of the Woodville Halls panto Sleeping Beauty perform the big switch on at 4.30pm.

Faversham

Saturday, November 26

Father Christmas will be in the Market Place for a 5pm switch on and the lights will run until Friday January 6. The town’s ancient streets are zig-zagged with several miles of cables carrying thousands of brightly coloured bulbs thanks to Faversham Community Christmas Lights.

Folkestone

Saturday, November 26

The town centre will be taken over for the day with a skating rink in Guildhall Street, a German Christmas market at Sandgate Road and displays from the Sea Cadets and Splashpals at Rendezvous Street. A main stage at the Old Town Hall will host the Hawkinge Flyers from 11.30am, with entertainment throughout the day provided by the cast of the Leas Cliff Hall panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Oompah Band and a choir. Look out for the reindeer and Father Christmas. The lights will be switched on by kmfm DJ Adam Dowling at 4.30pm.

Gillingham

Friday, November 25

CBeebies’ Rastamouse is the star attraction in Gillingham alongside performances from Medway majorette and dance troupes. Children can also enjoy face-painting, carousel rides and give-aways. The entertainmnent starts at 3.45pm with the switch on in Smith’s Square at 5pm.

Herne Bay

Friday, November 25

Manchester boy band For The Weekend will perform with the honour of pushing the button falling to the cast of the Marlowe Theatre pantomime Cinderella. The event in Mortimer Street runs from 3.30pm to 5pm.

Maidstone

Thursday, November 24

Watch kmfm DJ Benedict Smith help switch on the Fremlin Walk lights from 4pm. Panto stars from the Hazlitt’s pantomime Aladdin will do the honours at 6pm, including former Hollyoaks and Holby City star Jeremy Edwards. The event takes place in front of the centre’s Christmas tree outside H&M and Next, with stores remaining open until 9pm. This switch on will illuminate the whole town because of the works in the High Street this year.

Rainham

Friday, December 2

CBeebies’ Wayballoo De-Li gets the honour of pushing the button at Rainham Shopping Centre at 5pm. Before that, see majorette and dance troupes, have your face painted and enjoy carousel rides, competitions and give-aways, kicking off at 3.45pm.

Rochester

Wednesday, November 30

All right stop, collaborate and listen, the original rap star Vanilla Ice is switching on the twinkling lights in Rochester at the Castle Gardens. The Ice Ice Baby rapper, who will star in Chatham Central Theatre’s pantomime Peter Pan, presses the button at 4.30pm. From 3.45pm a lantern procession will travel from Blue Boar Lane to the High Street, opening the Dickens Christmas market with carousel rides, competitions and give-aways.

Strood

Saturday, November 19

Children will be excited to see Raa Ra the Noisy Lion from CBeebies for the switch on at 5pm at Friary Place. From 3.45pm there will be majorette and dance troupes, face-writing, carousel rides, competitions and give-aways.

Sandwich

Saturday, November 26

Sandwich’s winter carnival brings a splash of colour and life to the dark nights with a parade through the town and lights switch on at the Guildhall. The parade kicks off at noon and there will be a fair and stalls, with a fireworks finale on the Quayside.

Tonbridge

Sunday, November 27

Watch kmfm DJs Benedict Smith and Myma Seldon help switch on the lights with the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling. They will be joined by stars from the Assembly Hall Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty, including Glynis Barber who is famous for her roles as Makepeace in ITV’s Dempsey and Makepeace and Glenda Mitchell in the BBC’s EastEnders. They will press the button at about 4.45pm and there will be firework display over Tonbridge at 6pm.

West Malling

Sunday, November 27

After spending the morning at the farmers’ market, stick around to watch the street illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights at 5pm.

Westwood Cross

Saturday, November 19

Watch kmfm DJ Johnny Lewis help switch on the lights at the shopping centre near Broadstairs, with the action kicking off from 2.30pm.