Visit Canterbury

03/11/2026

🌟 Come and join in the Christmas merriment on Friday 13 November between 5pm-8pm as Canterbury's spectacular Christmas lights are switched on around the city centre for 2026!

❄️ Expect an evening of celebrations, live music, festive characters and more as the city illuminates for the season.

🎄 There will be 3 stages around the city with different festivities for each stage of the switch-on, allowing people to spread out and enjoy a full evening of festive fun, including:

🎤 Live music, KMFM hosts and The Marlowe Theatre panto cast at Westgate Square
🕯️A Victorian Christmas in Burgate
🛍️ Twilight Artisan Market at The Westgate Hall, Canterbury
✂️ Crafting at The Beaney
❄️ Giant Snow Globe in St Margaret's St
💃 Live music and dance in the Three Cities Garden, Best Lane
🎸 Live music at The Drapers Armss
☕ Jolly Christmas Huts in Nasons Square
💫 Christmas Markets in Canterbury Cathedral Precincts, Whitefriars, Canterbury and St George's St

Head to www.canterbury.co.uk/inspirational-ideas/christmas-in-canterbury-2026 for all the sparkling details!

✨ Canterbury's Christmas Lights Switch On event 2026 is brought to you by Canterbury BID and sponsored by Costa Coffee Canterbury.

03/11/2026

Get more out of your city with the Canterbury & Coast app! 📱
The new FREE app gives you access to local offers, events, news, travel, trails and more in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay.
Search 'Canterbury & Coast' where you get your apps, and see what surprises are in store. 🫶🏼

Get access to local news, offers and events from our dedicated app

01/11/2026

Explore Herne Bay's cultural side this winter ❄️
You’ll discover a wonderfully creative community, with incredible seaside heritage, independent galleries and cultural spaces waiting to be explored.

Visit, study, and explore the beautiful medieval city of Canterbury, England. Get inspiration for your next visit, and plan your trip with Visit…

30/10/2026

Halloween half-term in Herne Bay is looking spooktacular! 🧟‍♂️

Looking for some frightfully good family fun this half-term?

From spooky trails and zombie adventures to creative activities and seaside exploring, there’s plenty happening in Herne Bay this Halloween!

🦇 Saturday 31 October is set to be a big day in the Bay!

🍬 Trick or Treat Trail 11am–4pm
Head to Mortimer Street for a family-friendly Halloween trail, free entertainment, spooky stalls and a children’s fancy dress competition.🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

Trick or treating will be in Mortimer Street, forms can be collected from the stage or one of the stewards, that will be haunting Mortimer Street 👻🧟‍♂️

The Zombie crawl will start at the Pier at 4pm and will end in Mortimer Street.💀🧟‍♂️🧟👻

🎶 Zombie Crawl Ball from 5–9pm
Keep the Halloween fun going at Vivid on the High Street with a family-friendly Halloween party. Tickets required.

🎨 And there’s more to discover throughout half-term!

Get creative with Halloween crafts at The Seaside Museum Herne Bay, discover Halloween fun at Herne Mill, enjoy a family film at Kavanagh Cinema or wrap up warm for a seaside adventure along the promenade and Pier Village.

☕ Why not make a day of it? Explore our wonderful independent shops, stop for a hot chocolate, enjoy a family lunch and discover a little more of Herne Bay along the way.

Come for the spooky fun, stay for the Bay!

We’ve rounded up Halloween events, family activities and ideas for days out in our latest Visit Canterbury blog, link in comments and don’t forget to download the Canterbury & Coast app if you’re heading to the Canterbury district.

Save this post for your half-term plans and tag someone who’d love a Halloween adventure by the sea! 🎃

28/10/2026

Save the date for the big switch-on! 🎄
The Canterbury Christmas Light Switch-On takes place on Friday 13th November from 5pm to 8pm with celebrations, live music, festive characters and more across the city. There will be 3 stages featuring different festivities to help people spread out and enjoy a full evening of fun and shopping.
Find out what's on, timings and other festivities coming to the city head to our dedicated Christmas blog:

Visit, study, and explore the beautiful medieval city of Canterbury, England. Get inspiration for your next visit, and plan your trip with Visit…

26/10/2026

It's feeling pretty spooky in the city this week🦇
Frights at the museum, Halloween crafts, trick-or-treating in the city and parties for big ghouls; there's plenty for all ages to enjoy!
Find out what's happening in Canterbury this spooky season!
www.canterbury.co.uk/halloween-in-canterbury

Visit, study, and explore the beautiful medieval city of Canterbury, England. Get inspiration for your next visit, and plan your trip with Visit…

21/10/2026

All the colours of Whitstable High Street 🎨
There's more to the town than its beautiful seaside. What's your favourite local spot in 'The Bubble'?

21/10/2026

Who's excited?

19/10/2026

🎨📚 A little weekend look inside creative Herne Bay!

There’s so much more to discover just a few streets back from the seafront, and this weekend is the perfect excuse to explore our wonderful town.

As East Kent Artists’ Open Houses returns for its second weekend, we’re sharing our town’s wonderful independent and creative spaces.

🖼️ Sarah Baulch Gallery on Mortimer Street – contemporary art in a beautiful and unexpected setting.

📚 The Little Green Bookshop on the High Street – a treasure trove for book lovers, with a lovely gallery space downstairs to discover too.

And while you’re in town, there’s plenty more to explore! Download the new Canterbury & Coast app and discover trails, offers and events happening in Herne Bay.

🎨 Discover exhibitions also at Beach Creative from this weekend as part of

🏛️ Pop into The Seaside Museum Herne Bay on William Street for a fascinating mix of local history, seaside heritage and changing exhibitions. Always worth a visit!

🏡 And explore the wonderful artists’ homes and studios opening their doors across Herne Bay this weekend.

☕ Stop for coffee, browse our independent shops, enjoy lunch and make a creative day of it in the Bay.

Come for the art and stay for the Bay. 📍

📅 Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October
📚 The Little Green Bookshop’s Open House is Saturday only.

Find the full Herne Bay trail go to ekoh.org.uk/herne-bay/

Save this reel and tag someone who’d love a creative day out in Herne Bay!

17/10/2026

Discover the creative side of Herne Bay this weekend!

The second weekend of East Kent Artist Open Houses Open Houses is here, and what a wonderful opportunity to explore the creativity, talent and independent spirit of our seaside town!

This Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, why not make a day of it in the Bay and discover some of the brilliant artists, galleries and creative spaces that make Herne Bay so special?

🖼️ Visit Sarah Baulch Gallery on Mortimer Street, where contemporary art takes centre stage in a beautiful former church.

📚 Pop into The Little Green Bookshop on the High Street, where books and creativity come together. Don’t miss the gallery space downstairs! (Saturday only.)

🎨 Head to Beach Creative CIC on Beach Street to discover its latest exhibition showcasing talented Herne Bay artists.

🏛️ The The Seaside Museum, Herne Bay on William Street is always worth a visit! Discover fascinating local stories, seaside heritage and changing exhibitions in this wonderful volunteer-run museum. A perfect addition to your Saturday exploring.

🏡 And don’t forget the wonderful artists opening their homes and studios across Herne Bay! It’s a special opportunity to meet the people behind the artwork, discover their creative processes and explore places you might never normally get to visit.

☕ Along the way, stop for coffee, browse our independent shops, enjoy lunch and discover a little more of the town.

📲Download the new Canterbury & Coast app and make the most of your visit.

There’s so much to explore in Herne Bay this weekend!

📅 Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October
🕚 Herne Bay Open Houses: 11am - 5pm
📍 Herne Bay, Kent

Explore art, meet the makers, support local and Buy in the Bay!

Find the full Herne Bay artists’ trail and plan your visits (link in comments)

Save this post, share it with a creative friend and make a weekend of it in the Bay!

Visit Canterbury