10 of Kent’s best Christmas concerts taking place this December
Published: 05:00, 27 November 2023
There’s nothing that gets you in the festive spirit quite like singing at the top of your lungs to your favourite Christmas carols.
Whether it’s a traditional church service or a fun-filled Christmas concert, we’ve got 10 of Kent’s best musical shows to put you in a very merry mood this December…
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
This traditional carol service held in England’s oldest cathedral is the perfect way to start the festive season. The concert marks the beginning of Advent with hymns, choirs and Christmas carols, along with church readings and the lighting of the candles, which makes for a beautiful backdrop to the service.
Details: Sunday, December 3 from 5.30pm at Canterbury Cathedral. The service is free to attend and there’s no need to book. Find out more here.
THE CHAPEL OF ST AUGUSTINE, Tonbridge
This year’s Christmas concert, organised by the Weald of Kent Grammar School music department, takes place inside the peaceful chapel inside Tonbridge School. The concert will feature seasonal favourites, contemporary music and a selection of festive readings, all performed by talented singers and musicians.
Details: Wednesday, December 6 from 7pm at the Chapel of St. Augustine inside Tonbridge School. Adult tickets cost £10 and can be booked here.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Maidstone
Enjoy your favourite music from Christmas films, shows and concerts at this spectacular candlelight experience. Lumos Live, who are known for putting on candlelit tribute concerts for the likes of Abba and Coldplay in churches all over the country, are bringing the festive spirit to this new musical performance. The string quartet will play beloved numbers including Walking in the Air, Feliz Navidad, Last Christmas, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and more.
Details: Friday, December 8 from 7pm at All Saints Church in Maidstone. Tickets start from £17.50 and can be booked here.
TRINITY THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells
Whether you want to listen to a choir perform Christmas carols or join in with a few yourself, the Christmas Carol concert at the Trinity Theatre welcomes both its performers and audiences to sing their hearts out. Lyric sheets will be handed out so you don’t miss a word and there will be mulled wine and mince pies for when your vocal chords need a rest.
Details: Sunday, December 10 from midday at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Tickets are free but you can book your space in advance here.
KING’S HALL, Herne Bay
The Kent Coastal Concert Band has been performing for more than 30 years across Herne Bay, Whitstable and Thanet and is now made up of around 50 musicians and singers. The group will perform Christmas classics and some unexpected numbers, and there might even be a visit from Santa during the show.
Details: Sunday, December 10 from 2.30pm at the King’s Hall in Herne Bay. Tickets cost £8 and can be booked here.
ALEXANDER CENTRE, Faversham
This surprising mix of jazz and Charles Dickens is a dream show for lovers of both music and literature. Alan Barnes’ A Jazz Christmas Carol takes characters through Dickens’ classic story using original readings from the book and eight different musicians who perform unique jazz pieces to help bring Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of other characters to life.
Details: Friday, December 15 from 7pm at the Alexander Centre in Faversham. Tickets cost £20 and can be booked here.
MAIDSTONE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Bring the family along to a festive concert featuring favourites from films such as Frozen and Beauty and the Beast. There will also be carol medleys, instrumentals and classic Christmas hits, all performed by the Maidstone Wind Symphony and Kent Academy of Musical Theatre. Before the music begins, there will be crafts, biscuit decorating and a bouncy castle to keep the kids entertained.
Details: Saturday, December 16 from 1.30pm at Maidstone Girls Grammar School. Adult tickets cost £12 and can be booked here.
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL
One of the highlights of Rochester Cathedral’s festive season is the Christmas Carol Concert, which has sold out for the past three years. The Cathedral Choir will be performing a variety of festive numbers, from carols that everyone can sing along with to heart-warming hymns in this historic setting.
Details: Saturday, December 16 from 4.15pm at Rochester Cathedral. Tickets start from £10 and can be booked here.
WALMER GREEN, near Deal
Enjoy a traditional retelling of the Christmas story at this free community performance. There will be readings and narration combined with delightful music to help take the audience on a magical festive journey. It’s all being organised by Walmer Town Council.
Details: Saturday, December 16 from 5pm at Walmer Green near Deal. The concert is free to attend and there’s no need to book.
OASTHOUSE THEATRE, Rainham
This jam-packed Christmas concert is bursting with cracking carols and sing-along hits. There will also be anecdotes, poems and monologues with a festive theme read aloud and mince pies and mulled wine to enjoy as you clap, cheer and dance along.
Details: Sunday, December 17 from 4pm at the Oasthouse Theatre in Rainham. Tickets cost £10.50 for non-members.
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Canterbury Deal Faversham Herne Bay Maidstone Medway Music Tonbridge Tunbridge Wells What's On NewsMore by this author
Sam Lawrie