Canterbury is a magical destination at Christmas.
The city will be sparkling this year with beautiful lights adorning the streets and the ancient towers, and a whole host of fun-filled activities and experiences in store for visitors of all ages.
Our mission this festive season is to help keep attention firmly on Canterbury, and to encourage visitors to explore the city. Keep reading, to find out what’s on and how you can get involved.
Christmas Light Parade and Switch On – 15 November 2024
Book your trip to Canterbury to enjoy a truly special Christmas experience with the festive light parade and market opening!
The date for our annual festive light parade has been announced so you can expect a spectacular city centre parade as the lights are switched on, award-winning shop windows glisten, and the traditional German-style Christmas market opens in both the city centre and within the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral.
Funded by the businesses of Canterbury, the light parade will take place on 15th November 2024 with a parade through the streets and into the Cathedral grounds, with music and entertainment planned for all ages. Canterbury BID would like to say a huge thank you to Miles & Barr for their continued sponsorship of this event and Happy 25th Anniversary!
The parade will include:
- Lord Mayor of Canterbury
- Bloco Fogo Drumming Band
- Large illuminated stars
- 200+ glowing lanterns crafted by local schools
- No Limits Street Band
- Christmas characters
- and Bagpuss!
TIMINGS:
6pm – The Parade departs from Westgate Towers
6.45pm – Parade arrives at Canterbury Cathedral Precincts
6.50pm – Celebrate the start of Christmas with the Lord Mayor and The Marlowe Pantomime Cast and live music
8pm – Christmas Market closes
ROUTE:
- Depart: Westgate Towers
- High Street
- St Margaret Street
- Marlowe Arcade
- Rose Lane
- Long Market
- Burgate
- Buttermarket
- Finish: Cathedral Precincts
Christmas Window Competition 2024
Canterbury always looks particularly magical thanks to all your beautifully decorated Christmas windows. So let’s celebrate your creations and throw some extra sparkle on you all this festive season with our our annual Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition.
What’s in it for my business?
- All entries will feature on MyCanterbury Facebook and Instagram.
- All award-winning windows will receive a certificate.
- The Judge’s Favourites will also receive a bottle of fizz and a £50 Canterbury Gift Card.
What’s in it for my business?
Saturday 7 Dec (2.30-5pm):
The judging panel, including the Lord Mayor, will take a walk around the city, allocating awards including Silver, Silver Gilt and Gold. They will also select two windows as their favourites (one small business, one large).
Christmas Lights
Canterbury will be shining brightly this Christmas with the city centre being strewn with lights paid for by the businesses in the BID area and provided by Canterbury BID. Our Christmas Lights contractor, Gala Lights tests fixing points and installs the lights around the city. The Christmas lights are designed to complement and enhance this historic city. The lights are on 24/7 with the exceptions of the High Street, Rose Lane and Westgate Towers that are on from 3pm-3.30am. BID Ambassadors check the lights daily both in the morning and at 4pm.
6: miles of lights put up each year
8: timers installed on the High Street and Rose Lane (lights are on 3pm til 3.30am)
12: people to put up and take down the lights over 7 nights
17: switches along the parade route
100s: of permissions obtained by the BID team, allowing lights to be attached
5,000: in attendance (non-Covid year) at the annual switch-on event, enjoying themselves in our city
£66,000: is the annual cost for our Christmas decorations
118,000: LED lights twinkle above our city from
