Folkestone 2009: Santas galore, hundreds of Christmas trees and a French market

There'll be a feast of family fun in Folkestone on Saturday, November 28, when both Town Centre Management and the Creative Quarter signal the start of pre-Christmas festivities. During the day, traders and entertainers from Boulogne-sur-Mer will add special sparkle to events in the town's main shopping area.

As well as presenting a lively entertainment programme, FTCM will be putting up new lights and a forest of Christmas trees in the Precinct and also providing decorations in Sandgate Road, the harbour area, Cheriton and on the East Cliff.

Said town centre manager John Barber:

"A welcome grant from Folkestone Town Council and generous support from stores and other businesses has enabled us to make our traditional send-off to the Christmas season even better and brighter. This will be followed by events organised by the Creative Quarter a few streets away."

Folkestone's Fun Day will start on the Leas at 10.30am when pantomime characters, bands and entertainers head a colourful procession along the Sandgate Road to the Precinct, where events continue until the ceremonial lights switch-on at 5.30pm. Celebrations will then move from the town centre to the Creative Quarter. Santa Claus will be an important visitor at events in both venues.

Mr Barber said that shops and traders, determined to defy the recession, had planned a great show, and welcomed same-day different-times celebrations in adjoining neighbourhoods of Folkestone on November 28 as a "splendid move".

"The arrangement will enable residents and visitors to enjoy an almost non-stop programme of entertainment from morning into the evening. There'll be plenty for all ages to watch and do, and children will be especially delighted that there will be opportunities to meet Santa in both the town centre and the Old High Street. In fact, this friendly character will be seen frequently in Folkestone because hundreds of competitors in the town's annual charity fun run - this year, on Sunday, December 6 - will be adorned with white beards and wear red suits.

"Judging by the number and variety of celebrations organised by traders and neighbourhood organisations in towns and villages right across Shepway, there'll be no lack of places to go and things to do this month, through December and into the New Year".

Dates and details of scores of festive season events at attractions, hotels, restaurants, theatres and other entertainment venues, village halls, farmshops and farmers' markets, etc.are posted on www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk; click Events and Search.

For more information contact John Barber or Barbara Witham (Folkestone Town Centre Management) on 01303 850522 or Chris Kirkham (Discover Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh) on 01303 258584

Festive season what's on, where and where

Week beginning November 23

• The Precinct. Folkestone: Christmas tree decorating competition for local schoolchildren.

Saturday, November 28

• 11am - Leas Cliff Hall: Santa Claus and reindeer lead the cast of Cinderella, including coach and horses, band of Folkestone and Hythe Sea Cadets, Hawkinge Flyers baton-twirling troupe in procession along Sandgate Road to the Precinct
• 11.30-5.30 - In and around the Precinct: Fairground rides for children, music, entertainment, including songs from local celebrities Louisa Orfilla and Esther Howgill, belly dancing by Jo Parks. Various stalls. Food specialities and singer Fabrice from Boulogne. In Rendezvous Street: Meet Santa Claus and pet the reindeer.
• 5.30 - The Precinct: Lights switch-on by KMfm presenter Adam Dowling and a specially nominated young person.
• 6.15 - The Old High Street: The Creative Quarter's Big Lights Switch-on by Father Christmas. Carols by choir of University Centre Folkestone (5.00-700).

Daily from November 28 until Christmas Eve

• Debenhams, Sandgate Road, Folkestone: Meet Santa Claus.

Every Saturday and Sunday in December until December 20

• 10.00-4.00 - 48 The Old High Street, Folkestone: Santa's Grotto

In December (various dates)

• Events at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Romney. Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, RSPB Reserve, Dungeness. Hythe High Street event to be announced.

Sunday, December 6

• 11.30 - Bouverie Place Shopping Centre. Folkestone: Start of Folkestone Channel Rotary's Charity Fun Run, with hundreds of runners in Santa Claus costume.

Thursday, December 10

• 5.30 - The Precinct, Folkestone: Live performance of the Christmas Story, with carols, donkey, sheep and camels, organised by Churches Together and Folkestone Town Centre Management
• 5.00-8.00 - Creative Quarter, Folkestone: Late shopping, music, food and activities.

Friday, 11 December

• 1.30 - The Precinct, Folkestone: Schools' carol competition and performance by gospel choir of Castle Hill School, Folkestone.
• 6.00 - The Leas Bandstand, Folkestone: Carol concert by Salvation Army band and mystery guests.

Thursday, December 17

• 10.30-12.30 - B4B's Early Learing Centre, Town Walk, Folkestone: Coffee and cakes
• 6.00 - The Precinct, Folkestone: DJ workshops; Christmas wrapping; carol singing with Churches Together.
• 7.30 - United Reform Church, Folkestone: Christmas concert by Agape Choir.

Fri, December 18 - January 16

• Pinto - Cinderella, Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Saturday, December 19

• 11.00 - The Precinct, Folkestone: Music and dancing by Youth 2000
• 2.00 - The Precinct: 1940s dancing by the Lindy hoppers

Fri, January 1 - 10

• Panto - Aladdin, Tower Theatre, Folkestone

For full list of events, visit www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk, click on to Events and select Search and Christmas.