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Festive shows to look out for in Kent in 2024

Now that Halloween has been and gone for another year, it feels totally acceptable to start talking about the festive season and everything we have to look forward to until the big day. I recently got back from Italy and cities were putting up Christmas lights in preparation for the most wonderful time of the year, which in my mind highlights how close December is. Before we know it, festive tunes will be playing in the shops and mulled wine will be back on menus, alongside the return of seasonal theatre!

Aladdin finale at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Aladdin finale | 2023 Marlowe Theatre Pantomime

Late November and December always brings the excitement of pantomimes and seasonal shows, and fortunately in 2024, lots of them are opening in my local area of Kent! Are you looking for some Christmassy theatre to watch with friends and family before the end of the year? Stay tuned, I have done the research so you don’t have to! Here are some festive shows to look out for in Kent in 2024.

Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana

The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

The first of multiple exciting Christmas shows coming to the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury is Carlos Acosta’s ‘Nutcracker in Havana’. This new Cuban take on the Tchaikovsky classic is touring regional theatres in November and December, before heading to the Southbank Centre Queen Elizabeth Hall. Dance enthusiasts will be familiar with the choreographer and his company Acosta Danza, but for 2024 it will be exciting to see how they bring some Caribbean spirit to the well known seasonal story.

Performances are on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.

Nutcracker in Havana promotional artwork at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Beauty and the Beast

The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

If you are familiar with Kent pantomimes, the multi-award winning Marlowe Panto begins performances in just over 2 weeks. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will star Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing’s Maisie Smith, alongside the legendary Ben Roddy who is back for his 12th year as the Dame, Marlowe Panto favourite Phil Gallagher (CBeebies Mister Maker) and more exciting names. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is once again a collaboration between the theatre and Evolution Pantomimes, and it will be wonderful to find out what the creative team have in store. It is sure to feature the local jibes and jokes that we all know and love, as well as some fun surprises! Check out my 5-star review of last year’s Aladdin here.

Performances run from Friday 22nd November 2024 ‐ Sunday 12th January 2025. Tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.

My Pet Star and Beauty and the Beast at posters at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

My Pet Star

The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

In the studio venue the theatre is producing a new musical ‘My Pet Star’, which is based on Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw’s children’s book. Described as a “brand-new family musical about kindness, friendship and caring for others”, ‘My Pet Star’ features original music by Zara Nunn and is appropriate for 3 years+, making it a festive theatre option for younger audiences. If last year’s in-house production ‘The Littlest Yak’ is anything to go by, families are in for such a treat with ‘My Pet Star’!

Performances run from Saturday 7th December 2024 ‐ Saturday 4th January 2025. Tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.

The Snowsmith

The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury

Theatre company Half a String are bringing ‘The Snowsmith’ to the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury this December. A children’s show featuring “breathtaking puppetry, live songs and folk music”, the story follows inventor Eira on her quest to bring snow back to the fictional town of Thawmor. I first heard about the company when they announced that they were taking ‘Breathe’ to the Edinburgh Fringe and was thrilled to hear that they would be bringing a Christmassy show to Kent this year.

Performances run from Saturday 7th ‐ Thursday 19th December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Gulbenkian’s website.

The Snowsmith poster | Half A String at the Gulbenkian, Canterbury
© Half a String

Secret Santa

The Garlinge Theatre, Chartham

The “UK’s first vegan theatre” will host a children’s show ‘Secret Santa’ in the lead up to Christmas. Described as a “spellbinding, seasonal story of friendship, childhood wonder and reindeer pigs”, audiences can enjoy Ollie Birch’s work at the rural Garlinge venue, just a short drive from Canterbury. The theatre’s environment-focused ethos makes it a really unique theatrical space, only serving vegan products onsite.

Performances run on Saturday 14th, Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Garlinge Theatre’s TicketSource.

Secret Santa poster | The Garlinge Theatre, Canterbury
© The Garlinge Theatre

Sleeping Beauty

The Sinden Theatre, Tenterden

In Tenterden, SparkLive Pantomimes are bringing ‘Sleeping Beauty’ to the stage at the Sinden Theatre. Known locally as the Tenterden Panto, 2024 will see Princess Aurora, Muddles, Dame Victoria Sponge, Fairy Sparkle and more, entertain audiences for the final few weeks of December. If the poster is anything to go by, it looks like it’s going to be a magical evening of theatre for all the family!

Performances run on various dates from Thursday 12th – Tuesday 31st December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Sinden Theatre’s TicketSource.

Sleeping Beauty (Tenterden Panto) poster | SparkLive Pantomimes
© SparkLive Pantomimes

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

2024 might as well be summarised as the year of Oz, with the Wicked film just weeks away from opening. On a similar theme, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ pantomime opens at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone over the Christmas period. Produced by the venue and Second Star Productions, this is an opportunity for audiences to see a much-adored story with a panto twist.

Performances run on various dates from Friday 13th – Tuesday 31st December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the ATG website.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz pantomime poster | Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Another festive dance offering is the ‘Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special’: a seasonal Irish Dance show which is also heading to the Folkestone venue. You can catch the show on stage this November in its 25th anniversary year, but this time with a festive spin. If you like dance productions, I recommend watching a classic Irish Dance show at least once, even if only to get an idea of the sheer amount of skill and stamina required for the genre.

There is a one night only performance in Kent on Friday 15th November 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the ATG website.

Catching festive shows in Kent

I hope this list has given you plenty of ideas of what to watch in the county this November and December. I’ll keep adding to this as I hear about more festive shows, but it’s so lovely to see so much seasonal theatre scheduled in. The Kent arts scene is truly wonderful!

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Love Kat xxxx

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