Christmas Markets by bus!

Whether it’s a trip to see Santa, a vegan fair or just a simple glass of mulled wine you’re after… We’ve got the spot to suit you. We’ve put together a list of some of the best Christmas markets in the South East and how you can get there!

Canterbury

As the evenings are getting darker, the city of Canterbury will be aglow with fairy lights, an array of Christmas stalls and attractions including a virtual reality sleigh ride, Breakfast with Santa, and a Letters to Santa workshop. Experience all the magic in Canterbury, whether you’re coming from Herne Bay, Margate, Dover, Folkestone or Ashford, there’s a bus to bring you here!

Just a minute’s walk away from the festivities is Canterbury Bus Station, where you can pick up buses to East Kent and the #X3 taking you to Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

When and where: Open from Friday 11^th November, 14 Gravel Walk, Canterbury CT1 2TF

The Whitstable Vegan Christmas Fair

Looking for sustainable and eco-friendly gifts? Or hosting a vegan for Christmas Dinner? For one day only, the Vegan Christmas Fair has everything you could possibly wish for. Shop for turkey alternatives, soy-wax candles and treat yourself to mulled wine as you make your way through over 20 vegan stalls. Hop off the Triangle at St Alphege Church in Whitstable, running every 20 minutes!

When and where: 10am-4pm, Saturday 10^th December, Umbrella Centre, 10 Oxford St, Whitstable CT5 1DD

Eastbourne

Featuring a range of food and drink stalls, local traders, and an ice rink to boot! Eastbourne’s main market can be found on Terminus Road, hop off right by the market to be amidst all the festive cheer. And it’s not just the market to check out! The town brings a whole new level of fun with their ice rink right around the corner from the market stalls.  

Get your skates on and make your way to Eastbourne on the #99 from Bexhill and Hastings!

When and where: The ice rink will be open daily from 1^st December 2022 to 8^th January 2023. Enterprise Shopping Centre, Station Parade, Eastbourne BN21 1BD.

The market will be open from 15^th-18^th December, Terminus Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3NF.

Folkestone

With yuletide hymns, a pop-up food village, late night shopping and live entertainment, you could call Folkestone’s market the place where Christmas dreams are made.

Do Christmas the right way at Folkestone’s Harbour Arm Christmas Market with over 35 stalls to visit. Throw on your scarf and gloves and make your way to the Harbour Arm from Folkestone Bus Station, hop on the #71 from Cheriton or the #16 from Canterbury.

When and where: Every weekend from the 19^th November plus TWO late night shopping experiences on the 24^th November and 15^th December. Harbour Approach Road, Folkestone CT20 1QH.

Rye

With its cobblestone streets, Tudor houses and the Christmas lights adorning the town centre, Rye offers a unique and Insta-worthy Christmas market.

The market boasts a wealthy range of stalls to help you find that special gift. With an appearance from Santa, a Christmas trail through the town, live music, late night shopping and a Christmas Pudding Race, this quaint town brings together a two-day extravaganza market.

Hop on the 102 from Folkestone to be dropped off in the heart of the town. Coming from Hastings? Hop on the #100 or #101 bus.

When and where: Friday 2^nd December and Saturday 3^rd December. High Street, Rye, TN31 7JT