Gravesend's Christmas Big Weekend 2023 - December 2nd & 3rd
FREE Giant Snow Globe Selfie Experience, Skate Rink and Santa’s Grotto
There is nothing quite like a buzzing town centre at Christmas time. The hustling and bustling, the smiling faces, the scent of mulled wine and the Giant Snow Globe Selfie Experience… wait, what?
This year, there’s going to be nowhere more packed with festive cheer than Gravesend, with a whole bunch of FREE attractions around the town.
QUICK HIGHLIGHTS:
FREE Santa’s Grotto
Gravesend Borough Market
2nd & 3rd December 11am - 3pm
FREE Skate Rink
St George’s Centre
2nd December
11am - 4pm
FREE Snow Globe Selfie Experience
2nd & 3rd December
11am - 4pm
FOLLOW THE TRAIL… SHOPPING, QUAFFING & LAUGHING
Irresistible indies
If you’re starting your trip from the top of the town (Parrock Street Car Park), head towards Community Square and onto Windmill Street, where independent bars, butchers and cafes tempt the senses. Look out for one of Gravesend’s oldest shops, Munns, a family business trading since 1842, which has everything from Arts and crafts to unique gifting ideas all under
one roof.
Snow Globes
When you reach the Canopy of Lights in New Road, you won’t be able to miss the Giant Snow Globe - perfect for a Christmas selfie moment.
While shoppers can head for the big name retailers in the town centre, those looking for something more quirky head to the historic High Street, where you’ll find some brilliant independent traders like Toxic Angel Women’s Boutique, Little White Dress bridalwear, Maries Speciality Tea room and Kent Bar to entice you with a cheeky pre shopping cocktail or two.
What the Dickens?
Turn off the High Street into the under-croft of the stunning Old Town Hall building, where a Dickensian array of live music, mulled wine, chestnuts, churros and mince pies will be FREE to anyone (while stock lasts) who has spent £5 or more in any of the town’s independent stores.
Christmas Market & Santa’s Grotto
If the fresh air gets too much, seek shelter in the historic Borough market building, now a treasure trove of artisan market stalls and a showcase of world food, from Caribbean jerk chicken, Hungarian and Thai, as well as gourmet burgers and hand-made pizzas. The atmospheric market will also host live music, and a FREE Santa’s Grotto across the weekend with workshops for all the family.
Yuletide Riverside
Head back out onto the High Street and down towards the River Thames for more artisan local businesses, from Vegan Antics’ selling out-of-this-world sweet and savoury treats to wonderful antique shops and an underground lair of beer, music and poetry at the Mole Hole Micro Pub.
You’ll eventually reach The Three Daws, one of Kent’s oldest pubs and recently rated Top 10 in Kent by the Campaign for Real Ale. As well as regular live music, the pub will be hosting a free big board game experience, delivered by the The Mug and Meeple gaming cafe.
Pier Out
The world’s oldest cast iron pier, the inspiration for the borough’s very own craft brewery, offers panoramic views of the Thames, which can also be enjoyed from the adjacent riverside gardens. If you’re lucky, Captain Finland will allow you aboard the iconic LV21, a bright red lightship-turned-art space.
The Fourth Portal
It might be too cold to explore Bawley Bay beach, but St Andrew’s Art Centre next door will be open. Pop in and be amazed by the historic mission church, which was part-funded by local resident Charles Dickens and is currently home to Fourth Portal, an inter-generational meeting place, event space and pop-up café.
Iconic Figure
Head along West Street and heritage buffs will find St George’s Church, the supposed resting place of the legendary native American Pocahontas, whose statue attracts visitors from around the world.
Skate & Shop
You cannot miss St George’s Shopping Centre where you can shop, obviously, or pop into the Arts Centre to enjoy great exhibitions and activities. A Christmas pop up unit will be run by The River Church, while there is also a FREE pop-up skating rink on Saturday 2nd and a Rodeo Reindeer on Sunday 3rd to add to the fun!
AND THERE’S MORE…
Game On
Thrill seekers and gamers are spoilt for choice in Gravesend, with escape rooms, laser tag arenas, retro arcades, board game cafes, axe throwing and VR gaming. Look out for Orb VR (on Darnley Road) and its unique game experiences, while there’s a host of Panic Room experiences throughout the town.
International Influences
Inspired by the melting pot of cultures that have made Gravesend their home, cuisine from across the globe is highlighted in Queen Street from Reliance Fish Bar to an assortment of African cuisines and the amazing Korean Golmok restaurant.
The area’s thriving Sikh community ensures sweet and savoury snacks inspired by the Indian sub-continent are plentiful. Desi’s Sweet Centre in Wrotham Road has the best of them. Also, one of Europe’s largest Sikh Gurdwara temples is a marvel of engineering and beauty and a lesson community spirit and hospitality.
Ale Trail
Gravesend’s Ale Trail is the envy of Kent, with underground hideaways like the Mole Hole on the High Street and the Three Pillars in Wrotham Road. Head to Manor Road for the brilliant Compass Ale House and enjoy regular live music at TJ’s, the Rum Puncheon on West Street or the Invicta Bar on Windmill Street. The more adventurous are recommended to make the journey to Northfleet to visit brewing pioneers Iron Pier at their tap room. This hidden gem is within walking distance from Perry Street.
