Christmas in Tunbridge Wells: 12 Budget Friendly Festive Activities
Updated: 3 hours ago
There's no denying that, whilst magical, Christmas can be an expensive time of year and it's easy for the grotto visits, seasonal days out and gift buying to quickly add up.
Thankfully, Tunbridge Wells has some fabulously festive activities on offer this Christmas which will allow you to take in the time of year without breaking the bank.
Here's my list of 12 free or budget friendly festive activities to enjoy this Christmas in Tunbridge Wells.
Christmas Kick Off
📆 Saturday 14th November: 11am - 7pm
📍 Mount Pleasant Road, Monson Road and Calverley Precinct
💰 FREE (and free parking at participating car parks)
Bringing 'Joy To The Wells', Christmas Kick Off marks a full day of festive celebrations in the town centre on 14th November, organised by RTW Together.
Starting with the Mental Elf Fun Run, the day will see gifting stalls on Calverley Precinct and a festive funfair throughout the day, before the Royal Victoria Place light switch on at 4.30pm and magical Christmas Parade through the town from 5.15pm. The celebrations will culminate in a magnificent firework display at 7pm.
Participating car parks include: Royal Victoria Place, Crescent Road, Great Hall, Meadow Road, Torrington, Linden Park Road, The Pantiles.
Twelve Elves Of Christmas Trail
📆 1st December - 3rd January
📍 Across town
💰 FREE
Take part in the free Twelve Elves of Christmas festive trail throughout Tunbridge Wells, guided by the RTW LoveLocal app.
Causing chaos around town, families can follow the Elf Trail Map on the app to discover the mischievous elves hiding in shops, restaurants and offices. Check in at each location where an elf is found for a chance to win a prize worth £200!
The trail runs from 1st December - 3rd January, so is the perfect free festive activity to take part in as a family throughout the month.
The Magic Of Christmas Storytelling
📆 Saturdays & Sundays from 14th November plus 23rd December: 10am, 11:15am, 1pm, 2:15pm & 3:30pm
📍 Royal Victoria Place
💰 FREE
Snuggle up for a magical festive treat with Mrs Christmas and Jovie the Elf every weekend in Royal Victoria Place from 14th November.
Each 30-minute storytelling session features an enchanting Christmas tale, followed by the chance to take a photo with the characters and your little one at Royal Victoria Place's iconic giant Teddy Bear.
A lovely festive experience for little ones and their grown-ups, this is a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit in the lead up to Christmas in Tunbridge Wells - or offer a welcome break during Christmas shopping.
The Pantiles Christmas Market
📆 13th November - 24th December (Friday - Sundays plus every day from 18th December)
📍 The Pantiles
💰 FREE
Kicking off on Friday 13th November, the Georgian colonnades of The Pantiles will be transformed into a festive wonderland each weekend with beautifully decorated wooden chalets, live music and seasonal experiences.
The Pantiles Boutique Christmas Market promises an unforgettable celebration for traders and thousands of visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, festive food and drink, family fun or simply a magical atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.
Rudolph Runner Land Train
📆 Sunday 15th November - Wednesday 23rd December
📍 Various Stops
💰 £9.00 for a full round trip / £5.50 for a half trip
Hop on board Tunbridge Wells' festively decorated Christmas land train from 15th November - 23rd December.
With four different stations, The Pantiles, the High Street, Calverley Precinct and Calverley Grounds you can take a 40-minute journey around town and enjoy a wonderful Christmas experience, passing attractions such as Icescape, The Pantiles and Royal Victoria Place.
Throughout the journey, listen to Rudolph highlight the attractions across town and give hints for where his reindeer friends may be hiding so you can tick them off your free activity sheet as you spot them as you move through the town.
Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £9.00 for a full round trip or £5.50 for a half trip.
The Amelia Scott's Elf Workshop
📆 8th December, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st December: 1pm – 2pm (for ages 4-7) & 2.30pm – 3.30pm (for ages 8-11)
📍 The Amelia Scott - The Green Room
💰 £7.50
For a festive adventure filled with laughter, creativity, and a little bit of elf mischief, visit the Amelia Scott for one of their Elf Workshops.
The naughty elves will be up to all sorts of cheeky tricks as children enjoy a range of exciting Christmas activities. Little ones will have the chance to make special handmade gifts for the important adults in their lives, creating treasured keepsakes straight from the heart.
With festive crafts, surprises from the elves, and plenty of Christmas cheer, it’s the perfect opportunity for children to have fun, make memories, and celebrate the magic of the season.
The Great Nutcracker Trail
📆 13th November - 11th December
📍 The Pantiles
💰 FREE
Pick up or download a map for The Great Nutcracker Trail to discover 10 beautifully decorated Nutcrackers hiding around The Pantiles and adding a little extra magic to this historic site.
Each with their own unique style and name, write down all of the names for the chance to WIN £100 to spend at The Pantiles in time for Christmas.
An ideal festive activity for the whole family, with plenty of opportunities to explore the wonderful market, shops, cafés, bars and restaurants along the way.
Window Wonderland at Royal Victoria Place
📆 14th November - 24th December
📍 Royal Victoria Place
💰 FREE
The festive season has arrived at Royal Victoria Place, and the retailers have been busy making the centre sparkle.
Pulling out all the stops with eye-catching Christmas window displays, each one brings its own touch of festive magic with an opportunity to vote for your favourite on the RVP website.
Voting closes on 14th December, but the festive displays will remain in place until 24th December, giving you plenty of time to spot the winning windows and enjoy them throughout the Christmas season.
Nutcracker Decorating Workshop
📆 21st & 22nd November: 10am - 3pm
📍 The Pump Room
💰 £6 per child (100% proceeds going to charity Taylor-Made Dreams)
Get creative with a fun-filled festive Nutcracker Decorating Workshop at the Pump Room where children (and adults!) can let their imagination run wild to creative a Christma decoration to treasure.
For £6 per child, youngsters can decorate their own wooden Nutcracker statue, with all proceeds going to charity, Taylor-Made Dreams to supoort children and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
No need to book - you can just turn up and each decorating session is estimated to take approximately 30 minutes.
Snow Globe Grab
📆 Every Saturday and Sunday from 14th November - 20th December
📍 Royal Victoria Place
💰 FREE
The Assembly Hall team is bringing their popular Snow Globe Ticket Grab back to Royal Victoria Place.
Step inside the walk-in snow globe, catch one of the special snowflakes floating through the snow and you could win a ticket to Cinderella at the Assembly Hall Theatre.
Icescape
📆 26th November - 3rd January
📍 Calverley Grounds
💰 From £10 per child / £15 per adult
The ice rink returns to Calverley Grounds this winter as Icescape Tunbridge Wells. With cheaper Parent & Toddler sessions, plus the option to just spectate for free, this is a great way to get into the festive spirit.
Whether it’s an annual family tradition or your first time on the ice, enjoy real ice skating in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, with sessions for different ages and abilities throughout the festive season. Keep an eye out for Pippen the Penguin, who’ll be making appearances throughout the season.
King Charles The Martyr Christmas Tree Festival
📆 10th - 13th December
📍King Charles The Martyr Church
💰 FREE (donations gratefully received)
Visit Kig Charles the Martyr Church to see their array of beautifully decorated Christmas trees in one of Tunbridge Wells' most historic venues.
With a pop-up community cafe and Christmas Fair, as well as Wassail & Wine on the opening evening, this is a magical, wholesome event for the festive season.
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