Christmas Lights Switch-On 2026: Every Confirmed Date Across West Kent, On One Map

The earliest of the lot: Tunbridge Wells' "Joy to the Wells" Christmas Kick Off runs all day Saturday 14 November, starting with a 9.30am Mental Elf Run and a Festive Fair and gifting stalls from 11am to 7pm along Mount Pleasant Road, Monson Road and Calverley Precinct. The lights themselves go on at Royal Victoria Place between 4.30pm and 5pm, followed by a parade from 5.15pm to 6.15pm and a fireworks finale at 7pm. It's organised by RTW Together BID.

West Malling's switch-on is the following day, Sunday 15 November, at the Five Pointed Star on the High Street from 4.30pm - with a Rock Choir performance timed to the moment the lights come on at 5pm. The free tickets for the Rock Choir slot have already sold out, though organisers are running a waiting list.

Maidstone's switch-on runs from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday 19 November at Jubilee Square - the only weekday date on the list. One Maidstone BID, which organises it, says there'll be a stage hosted by KM with various acts, an appearance from the Mayor and a visit from Santa. It's free to attend.

Westerham's event runs from 4pm to 6pm on Friday 27 November on The Green, with the town busy from 4pm and Santa arriving as the lights go on at 6pm. Some social media posts had circulated a Thursday date, but the town's own events calendar confirms it's moved to the Friday this year.

Sevenoaks' event runs from 3pm to 5.30pm on Saturday 28 November on the High Street, with the switch-on itself at 4.30pm, the Robin Hood Stag panto cast making an appearance, Made in Kent Radio compering and a Santa's Grotto - High Street, Dorset Street and part of Akehurst Lane close from 1.30pm to 7pm.

Edenbridge runs its own Christmas Fair on the High Street from 1pm to 6pm on the same Saturday, 28 November, with stalls, funfair rides, a Father Christmas Grotto and the ECCA Tea Room, before the lights and tree switch-on at 5pm - organised by the Edenbridge Community Christmas Association. The High Street closes to all vehicles from 10am to 8pm, from Boots down to the roundabout by the Quality Tandoori; Croft Lane stays open for residents, and buses on routes 231, 233 and E1 divert via the Mount St Aignan Way bypass with alternate stops on Station Road and High Street South.

Snodland's lantern parade leaves Potyns car park at 4.30pm on Saturday 28 November, heading for a 5pm switch-on in the High Street - with stalls and a Santa's Grotto running in the Rocfort Road car park from midday. Road closures are expected but hadn't been confirmed by the town council at the time of writing.

Tonbridge's Rotary Christmas Festival runs from around 2pm to 6pm on Sunday 29 November, with the High Street closed to traffic, a market and funfair at Sovereign Way Mid, and the lights switch-on at Big Bridge, near the River Walk, at 5pm, finishing with a low-noise fireworks display.

Worth flagging: Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council's own events listing still shows last year's date for this one. We checked with the festival organisers directly, and their own site confirms this year's closure and switch-on both fall on the 29th - so go with that date, not the council's.

Parking: the organisers point to three pay-and-display car parks near the site - Castle Grounds (on-site, limited spaces), Upper Castle Field and Lower Castle Field, both a five-to-ten-minute walk - all bookable via RingGo or by machine, with disabled bays at each.

Paddock Wood closes Commercial Road and the High Street for its own event on the same day, Sunday 29 November, running from the afternoon into the evening with market stalls, food and drink in the small car park, stage entertainment, a funfair in the station car park and a Santa's Grotto, ending with the tree switch-on - exact timings hadn't been published at the time of writing.