Festive Folkestone Harbour – Plan your visit

Folkestone Harbour sets the festive tone from 17th November until Christmas Eve with many events and activities going on.  Whatever the weather, expect snow flurries to add to your outing from the Folkestone Harbour snow machines!  Here’s a guide to help you plan your visit.

late night shopping

On Friday nights, from 17th November, you can enjoy perusing the beautiful, unique, handmade gifts from the Festive Marketplace.  Open every Friday up to Christmas from 4pm to 8pm, bring some friends and enjoy a mulled wine, or hot chocolate whilst you shop.  The Festive Marketplace is also open on weekends from 11am to 6pm, right up to Christmas Eve.

live music and entertainment

When The Goods Yard and Festive Marketplace are open there will be live music, free family films at the weekends, and fun to be had.  Dolly Doowop starts off with the Lights Switch On, rockin’ around the huge Christmas Tree on 17th November 5-7pm.  The Diane Dunn Trio play on 9th December at 1pm and that’s such a fantastic voice, not to be missed.  Katie Bradley, Bamboozle, Samuel Ashton and the Instincts and Rudy Warman also play.   There are live community choirs to get you in the Christmas spirit too, and, shh..say it quietly… the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar!

ho ho harbour grotto

This year the Harbour team have created – with the help of artist Sally Hogarth – the Harbour Grotto.  Enter into a world, by the sea, influenced by the surroundings and fully festively decorated to discover the customs of Christmas around the world, and more.  This is at Customs House and open from 17th November, on Fridays from 4pm to 8pm, weekends 11am to 6pm. Booking is advised.

come and play

If you have fidgety people to entertain then there’s plenty of things to play on at Folkestone Harbour.  Putters adventure golf have introduce glowing golf balls so you can play after dark this year.  Come and play during the day, but make it easier in the evenings by being able to see the balls!

Settled in Harbourside you’ll find the Carousel which will make any horse-loving child happy.  Find it near Saffa Bru, The Little Greek Bus and BaoBoba.

festive feasts

There are so many treats to taste at Folkestone Harbour that this needs serious planning.  The inside restaurants are a great place to meet friends for brunch (and beyond) before you start your shopping. Sailbox and Portenio have Sunday roasts that cater for many different tastes.  The Little Greek Bus in Harbourside is making their famous meatballs – get them before they sell out.  The Dessert Folkes will have nailed the festive theme throughout their festive fare, so leave some room for pud.  You can also decorate your own gingerbread man every weekend throughout the festive period, just message them to book a space.

Maybe you want to compare the Pork & Co pulled pork fries with the slow roasted pork chops in Brewing Brothers?  Or perhaps a curry from Little Rock after your Friday night saunter through the Marketplace?