Christmas in Medway

Thousands of people will be filled with festive cheer when they visit Medway this Christmas.

Residents and visitors are expected to flock to Rochester Castle’s picturesque gardens in droves for the return of the Christmas Market. They will find unique quality gifts, stocking fillers, mulled wine, artisan chocolates and much more. The traditional funfair will also return this year and there will be a Bavarian food village where visitors can sample German Bratwurst sausages, a hog roast and churros. A Festive Produce Market will also be held in the Kings Head car park during the market, except on Fridays. During the Dickensian Christmas Festival it will be held on Boley Hill. On Fridays fun fair rides will cost £1 per person, per ride, and the market will be open until 8pm, due to customer feedback. The National Childbirth Trust will also be at the Christmas Market. If visitors need baby changing facilities, somewhere to breastfeed or want to have a chat with other mums they can visit Tower 2.

The market will be held on:
• Saturday, 25 November, 10am to 6pm
• Sunday, 26 November, 10am to 6pm
• Friday, 1 December, midday to 8pm
• Saturday, 2 December, 10am to 7pm
• Sunday, 3 December, 10am to 7pm
• Friday, 8 December, midday to 8pm
• Saturday, 9 December, 10am to 6pm
• Sunday, 10 December, 10am to 6pm

Rochester High Street will be transformed into a Victorian scene with familiar fictional characters, reindeer and Victorian delights during the Dickensian Christmas Festival on Saturday, 2 and Sunday, 3 December. The popular festival celebrates the works of Charles Dickens with parades, carols and stalls. Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include a candle-lit parade, an open air carol concert, street performers and guaranteed snowfall framed by Rochester’s fairy tale cathedral and castle.

Children can also get into the Christmas spirit at Eastgate House, Rochester, from Saturday, 25 November to Sunday, 17 December. A Victorian Father Christmas, dressed in green, will read a festive tale at 10am, 11am, midday, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 November, and on 9, 10, 16 and 17 December. Father Christmas also needs their help to find his reindeer, which have got lost around the house. Children can make a Victorian Christmas decoration on Saturday, 2 and Sunday, 3 December, from 10am to 4pm.

Why not visit Medway’s theatres this Christmas? Don’t miss The Lion Who Came for Christmas at The Brook Theatre from Friday, 1 to Sunday, 24 December. The interactive show is suitable for children aged three to six. A star studded cast including former Brookside favourite Claire Sweeney and Hollyoaks actors Joe Tracini and Andy Moss will take to the stage at The Central Theatre for this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, from Thursday, 7 to Sunday, 31 December. While the Princess is searching for happiness, the evil Carabosse is searching for revenge! Sleeping Beauty promises to leave audiences spellbound. Struggling for gift ideas? Why not book tickets to see a show next year? There are plenty of shows to choose from including Jimmy Osmond’s 70s jukebox, Suggs: A life in the realm of Madness and comedian Milton Jones. For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.medwayticketslive.co.uk or call the box office on 01634 338338.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “The Dickensian Christmas Festival is one of the many highlights of Christmas in Medway. Thousands of people are expected to enjoy a trip to historic Rochester for the festival and popular Christmas market. They provide the perfect opportunity to get residents, and visitors, into the Christmas mood. There are plenty of other activities going on across Medway for the whole family to enjoy including the festive shows at the Central and Brook Theatres. I would encourage residents to book their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. With plenty going on it’s easy to see why Medway is such a great place to live, learn, work and visit.”

Christmas lights will be switched in Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, Strood and Rochester from Friday, 17 November to Friday, 1 December. For more information visit www.christmasinmedway.co.uk.