From Paddington to dashing Santas – and everything inbetween – Kent’s got the Christmas countdown covered this week.

BLUEWATER

Marmalade sandwiches may not be your usual festive fare but Paddington will be bringing his favourite food to Bluewater this Christmas.

Paddington will be a special guest at Santa’s grotto at Bluewater, which will be open from Thursday, November 24. Visitors will be greeted at the entrance of his log cabin-style grotto and once inside, Bubbles the Elf will be transforming them into Santa’s helpers by sprinkling some Christmas magic.

They can then meet special guest Paddington and search with him for Santa’s key to unlock the grotto door. Young visitors get a special Christmas gift and can have a photo with Paddington and Santa.

The centre is also running its popular Giving Tree until Wednesday, December 21. Situated in the Upper Mall near M&S, shoppers can take a tag from the 20ft tree which includes the age of a child and buy them a present. Last year more than 11,000 gifts were delivered to children across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, in time for them to unwrap on Christmas Day. For details go to bluewater.co.uk

HEMPSTEAD VALLEY

Father Christmas will open his grotto with help from DJ Andy Walker and the kmfm Street Team at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre on Saturday, November 19.

The magical afternoon, when a free chocolate treat will be on offer, starts at 1pm on Saturday, November 19, when two of the stars of the Central Theatre’s panto in Chatham, Jack and the Beanstalk, will be on hand to welcome Father Christmas.

Graham Cole, best known for his role of PC Tony Stamp in ITV’s The Bill, who is playing King Cuthbert and Hannah Jane Fox – Millie’s Mum on CBBC’s Millie Inbetween – as Fairy Fuchsia, will both be there to share the festive magic. Santa’s wishing well will once again be raising money for the local Medway branch of Guide Dogs.

The toy shop grotto has enchanting characters including toy soldiers and will be open daily until Christmas Eve.

Children can post their letters to Father Christmas at the big red post box and collect a free personalised reply back from the grotto elves. The last posting date is Tuesday, December 20, with last collection on Friday, December 23. Letters must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

SEE THE PARADE

Gravesend has its annual Christmas lights switch-on on Friday, November 18, with street entertainers, Santa and Bloco Fogo from 4pm in the town centre’s Community Square from 4pm. At 5pm there will be a parade, organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and Gravesham council and featuring local schoolchildren, bands and performers, through the town before the lights are switched on at 5.30pm in the square. For details go to visitgravesend.co.uk

STREET PARTY

West Malling will see Santa’s grotto, an ice rink, reindeer and trampolines at the annual Christmas festival on Sunday, November 20, with entertainment from noon. The lights switch-on will be at 5pm. There will also be a children’s balloon race. Food on offer includes a hog roast and barbecue. For details go to westmallingfestival.co.uk

SANTA DASH

Bromley sees its lights switched on as part of a family fun day on Sunday, November 20, between 1pm and 5pm, plus a parade, with Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills and Alice Perrin from Channel 4’s Tattoo Fixers. Santa’s grotto will be open until Christmas Eve. There will also be the Santa Dash, a charity fundraiser organised by Mytime Active, at 2pm with a sea of Santas on a town centre 2km run.
For details visit intu.co.uk/bromley