Let there be light! The countdown to Christmas is officially underway when the festive lights are switched on. Here are the ones happening near you...

LENHAM, NEAR MAIDSTONE

Enjoy a ride in a horse and carriage and get to meet Father Christmas at the lights switch on in the village square on Sunday, December 6 between 2pm and 6pm. There will be stalls, a bouncy castle, hog roast and mulled wine, plus live music and dance acts on stage, including L2D dance troop and singer Carys Alyse from Maidstone.

BLUEWATER

Bluewater’s lights were switched on on Friday, November 13, but Bluewater’s Winter Wonderland is now open and runs until Sunday, January 3 includes a 6,000 sq ft indoor rink, 40m snow slide and 4D Christmas cinema. There will also be indoor traditional rides, amusements and games. For details go to bluewaterwinterwonderland.co.uk

BROADSTAIRS

Pug loving X Factor star Andrea Faustini switched on the Christmas lights on Saturday, November 14, but the grotto in Westwood Cross centre is open from 5pm, and then every day from Saturday, November 21 to Christmas Eve.
For details go to westwoodx.co.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

The lights were switched on on Thursday, November 19, officially opening the Festive Frozen Forest grotto which will be open until Christmas Eve. There’ll also be a log cabin from Friday, November 20 where Santa and his elves will be welcoming families on selected dates until Christmas Eve in the picturesque Calverley Grounds. The ice rink, which opens on Friday, November 20 and runs until Sunday, January 3. Sponsored by the council, it is open to all ages and has room for 250 skaters. Skating starts every hour from 11am.

For details go to www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com

CANTERBURY

The Westgate Towers' light switch was flicked on Thursday, November 19 but a Christmas market is now open with more than 35 colourful cabins selling goodies until Christmas Eve, open between 10am and 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm Sundays. Santa’s Grotto will be open from Saturday, December 5 also til Christmas Eve, 10am to 5pm.

MARGATE

For the first time since it opened, Dreamland will be free to enter with guests paying to ride when it is transformed into the Frosted Fairground for the festive season. Santa’s Grotto, Christmas markets, Christmas trees, carols and live music and crafts are on offer from Saturday, December 5 until January 2. The grotto costs £9.95 per child. Dreamland Members will have unlimited use of all rides for free and non members can guarantee entrance by registering and printing free tickets online in advance at www.dreamland.co.uk/christmas

SHEERNESS

A lantern parade and a Christmas market will coincide with the switch on on Saturday, December 5. Live music, carols and street entertainment plus the chance to meet Santa are all on offer throughout the day, and there will be a Santa Run in the afternoon.

GRAVESEND

The lights are already shining, and the town's festivities continue into December. After this weekend's Christmas on the Hill it will be the return of the popular Fayre on the Square, which will be held on Saturday December 5 at Community Square, with Christmas gift ideas and music both days. The festivities start at noon on the Friday and 10am on the Saturday.

DOVER

The annual switch on will be on Saturday, December 5 and will feature entertainment and music.

ROCHESTER

The lights are on but festivities continue when you can meet some of Dickens’ most loved and infamous characters will be on offer at the Dickensian Christmas Festival in the town on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 between 10am and 5pm. Park and ride services will be running from Dockside Outlet multi storey car park and Blue Bell Hill commuter car park between 9am and 6pm. The town will also be the venue for a Christmas Market on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 and Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13 between 11am and 6pm, 10am to 7pm on the middle weekend.

COXHEATH

The Christmas lights switching on ceremony will take place at the Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, December 6 with carol singing from 4.30pm, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.