THE BIG ARRIVAL
Santa’s Christmas parade
Santa arrives in style by horse-drawn carriage, joined by elves, stilt walkers, a 20-piece samba band and festive performers.
See where to watchSATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2026
Christmas starts
in Chatham.
A big arrival. A little elf magic.
A whole town ready to celebrate.
Bring the family for Santa’s horse-drawn parade, festive characters and Christmas markets across the High Street and Pentagon.
Free family fun · Parade starts at 11am
WHENSaturday 28 November2026 · Make a day of it
WHEREChatham town centreHigh Street & Pentagon
DON’T MISSSanta’s parade · 11amStarting outside the White Lion ↗
COME ALONGFree family funFestive entertainment until 4pm
A DAY FULL OF FESTIVE FINDS
Something magical
around every corner.
Wave hello to Santa, meet some wonderfully festive characters and find a little something for your Christmas list.
Elf Yourself
Presented in partnership with Child Friendly Medway. Follow the festive trail around the Pentagon, collect your elf accessories — hats, bells, rosy cheeks and badges — and finish with a graduation photo with Santa.
Free family fun. Tickets available from 18 November at 12 midday.
Visit Pentagon Eventbrite ↗Food & Craft Market
Take a browse, find a festive treat and get your Christmas shopping started at the Pentagon.
Mini Festive Market
Make Nucleus Arts part of your day and explore its mini festive market.
Get directions to Nucleus Arts ↗
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED
Christmas characters.
Chance encounters. Big smiles.
After the parade, look out for festive performers around town throughout the afternoon.
Candy Cane ElvesAurora stilt walkersHodman & SallyLairy Fairy & the Christmas PudsDickensian Ding Dong music cartDance Alley
Individual appearance times and locations will be announced.YOUR FESTIVE SATURDAY
A little planning.
A lot of Christmas.
Start with the markets, catch Santa’s arrival, then stay for an afternoon of family fun.
Add the day to your calendarMain event: 10am–4pm.
Pentagon Food & Craft Market continues until 5pm.
Let the festive browsing begin
The Pentagon Food & Craft Market and Nucleus Arts mini festive market open.
- THE ONE TO CATCH
Santa’s parade sets off
From outside the White Lion ↗, along Chatham High Street ↗ and Military Road towards the Pentagon.
Time to Elf Yourself
Follow the Elf Yourself trail at the Pentagon and finish with a graduation photo with Santa. Pentagon Eventbrite — tickets from 18 November, 12 midday ↗ Look out for street performers through the afternoon.
A festive finish
Entertainment, Elf Yourself and the Nucleus Arts market finish.
One last festive find
The Pentagon Food & Craft Market closes for the day.
FOLLOW THE FESTIVE CHEER
Here comes Santa.
The parade leaves the White Lion ↗ at 11am and makes its way along Chatham High Street and Military Road. Santa then continues on foot into the Pentagon for a welcome at the grotto.
Choose a spot along the route before the parade begins. Please follow stewards’ directions and keep entrances and the carriage route clear.
Find Chatham town centreTHE PARADE ROUTE 11AM START
- 1
- 2
Chatham High Street
The best place to enjoy the show — festive music, characters and cheer.
Find your viewing spot ↗ - 3
Military Road
Santa steps down from the carriage
- ★
Pentagon grotto
A Christmas welcome for Santa
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Plan your visit.
Wrap up warm, bring your festive spirit and enjoy a day in the heart of Chatham.
Parking at Pentagon
The Brook car park has closed. Use Pentagon’s own multi-storey car park during shopping centre opening hours, then follow the access into the centre for the celebrations.
Navigate to Pentagon car park ↗Staying into the evening? Remove your car from the underground car park before 8pm; after that, you cannot return to it until the next morning. The roof car park is open 24 hours.
Check current centre opening hours ↗Find us in town
Join the celebrations on Chatham High Street, Military Road and at Pentagon Shopping Centre. Nucleus Arts hosts the mini festive market.
Find Chatham town centre ↗A day for everyone
The planned parade route is step-free. The Pentagon has accessible entrances and toilets. Speak to a steward if you need help on the day.
The parade includes live drumming and music. Contact the organiser ahead of your visit to discuss access needs.
The little essentials
Public toilets and baby-changing facilities are available inside the Pentagon. If you need first aid or help finding a member of your group, speak to a steward or centre staff.
A few helpful answers
Is the event free?
The Christmas Launch is promoted as free family fun, including the Santa Parade and street entertainment. Food and shopping purchases are separate. Elf Yourself is free and ticketed to manage capacity. Tickets go live on 18 November at 12 midday. Visit Pentagon Eventbrite ↗
Do I need to book for Elf Yourself?
Yes. Elf Yourself is free, but tickets are required to manage capacity. Tickets go live on 18 November at 12 midday. Follow the Pentagon Eventbrite page for updates and to book when tickets are released. Visit Pentagon Eventbrite ↗
Can we visit Santa’s grotto?
On launch day, Saturday 28 November, normal grotto visits are suspended: Santa’s Porch will be used exclusively for Elf Yourself graduations. For visits on other available dates, book a separate visit to Santa’s Winter Porch at the Pentagon. Children can read and post their letter to Santa and receive a gift. Child tickets (ages 0–13) cost £7–£8, with free accompanying adults. A maximum of six guests can enter together. Bring your own camera. Check available dates and book your grotto visit ↗
What happens if the weather is bad?
Some activities are outdoors. The programme may change, pause or be cancelled in severe weather. Check for event updates before travelling and follow staff guidance on the day.
Where can I ask about accessibility?
For advance access enquiries, contact the event organiser at Jack@frankface.co.uk. On the day, stewards and Pentagon staff can help direct you.
A LITTLE MORE CHRISTMAS MAGIC
Meet Santa on
his Winter Porch.
Launch day · Saturday 28 November: Normal grotto visits are suspended for the first day. Santa’s Porch will be used exclusively for Elf Yourself graduations.
Make a special Christmas visit to Santa’s Porch at Pentagon Shopping Centre. Read Santa your letter, post it in his letterbox and receive a little gift to take home.
Bring your camera to capture the moment — photos are not sold at the grotto.
- Child tickets · ages 0–13
- £7–£8
- Accompanying adults
- Free
- Adult SEN ticket · includes a gift
- £7
A maximum of six guests, including children and accompanying adults, can enter together. Grotto admission is booked separately from Elf Yourself. Check the booking page for available dates, times and the price for your chosen visit.
Book your visit to Santa
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
Love Chatham.
Keep up to date with the latest Chatham news, event announcements and Christmas Launch updates.
Follow Love Chatham on FacebookSAVE THE DATE
See you for a little
Christmas magic.
Saturday 28 November 2026 · Chatham High Street & Pentagon
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