Canterbury's beautiful Christmas markets are open for business until Christmas Eve selling festive food, drinks, arts and crafts and gifts in the heart of Canterbury's historical city. Expect to see them lining the streets in Whitefriars, St Georges Street and Rose Lane so do go grab yourself a mulled wine and some hot food, meet with friends, listen to the live music or just take a break in between your Christmas shopping. Expect to see: A magnificent lit-up Helter Skelter Visit Santa Experience Santa Paws (just for for well-behaved dogs!) Mistletoe Selfie Booth Bars selling mulled wine, festive cocktails and craft beer Live music each Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Market opening times Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm Saturday 9 am to 6 pm Sunday 10 am to 4 pm Christmas Eve closes at 4 pm See Visitor Information and FAQ for further information Click HERE for the official website, listing all the details and a map Click HERE for the Facebook page where up-to date information is regularly posted, including details of live music and last-minute special festive offerings 

Kids will love this! This festive fun Helter Skelter is lit up in gorgeous Christmas lights with Christmas songs playing, creating the perfect soundtrack for kids to have fun and burn off some energy while you stand by and sip a mulled wine and grab a bite to eat (the food and drink hut is right beside it). This will be there every day until December 24 and is located outside Barclays Bank in St George's Street. Find out more about the Helter Skelter and the Christmas Market HERE

Brickmas Exhibition and City Trail! Santa’s little helpers have heard about our ‘Elf’ and wellbeing work at The Beaney and they have decided to spend the holidays with us! Visit Santa’s workshop at The Beaney featuring BRICKLIVE Christmas models including life size Santa, Reindeer and those cheeky elves! Santa’s workshop will run from Saturday 11 December to Sunday 2 January. (Please note The Beaney is closed on Mondays and 25 December, 26 December and 1 January). Admission is free, with donations encouraged. Plus, follow the free Christmas brick trail through Canterbury City Centre that will bring our city alive with wonderful Christmas models in shop windows! Brought to you in partnership with Canterbury BID. The trail will run from Wednesday 1 December to Friday 24 December. Find out more HERE

Our main Cathedral Carol Services are one of the highlights of the Cathedral’s year. Music and readings tell the story of the birth of Christ in an atmospheric service with candlelight. Music is provided by all parts of our world-famous Cathedral Choir: boy choristers, girl choristers, and lay clerks, and by the singing of the traditional Christmas carols by the congregation. The service lasts between one and a quarter and one and a half hours. This the first of two identical services. Both are un-ticketed and seated on a first come first seated basis. If a member of your party requires additional arrangements to enable them to enjoy the service (such as a wheelchair space, or space for an assistance animal, etc.), please contact our Events Office via events@canterbury-cathedral.org prior to the service, and they will be happy to assist. All are welcome. Doors open at 18.30.

6pm | Fri 24 Dec - Lord Mayor’s Christmas Eve Carol Sing-along | Rose Square (outside Primark) Join the Lord Mayor, plus the Archbishop of Canterbury and a few thousand locals for an outdoor community carols sing-along in Rose Square, outside Primark and M&S. There will be plenty of classic Christmas carols, and some modern favourites too all delivered underneath the beautiful Christmas lights above. Wrap up warm, grab a mulled wine from the Christmas Market next to it - and bring some coins for the charity collection at the end!