Celebrate the season by heading to a joyful Christmas carol sing-along.

Crossways Community Church, Darent Suite, Acacia Hall, Dartford. 22nd December at 5.30pm

Dartford Choral Society’s Christmas Carols, Wednesday 18 Dec at 7.30pm – St Anselm’s Church

Carols by Candlelight At Christ Church 7 Dec 2023, 6:30 p.m

Shop locally

Small businesses appreciate their customers at all times of the year but especially at Christmas. You can find lots of small business in Dartford Living, the business directory or by heading out and about into the local area.

Head to the Small Business Fair at Orchard West on 7th December to support local businesses and shop for crafts, gifts, sweets and treats.

Look out for local Christmas Fayre’s often run by schools and Churches where there are always a great range of stalls and Christmas treats to enjoy. Keep an eye out on the Dartford Living Community facebook group where we will try and post as many as we can.

Give back this Christmas

Feel the gift of giving by donating to some of the worth while local causes. Here are just a few we have found:

Dunelm’s Delivering Joy which is supporting lots of local charities

Primark in Dartford which is supporting Dartford Foodbank

Dartford Care Backpack’s providing emergency backpacks for homeless individuals

Food banks such as Dartford Foodbank

Don’t forget charity shops offer a great range of gifts, reduce waste and money spent goes back to the good cause as well.

Bake Christmas food

Find previous recipes from Little Lavinia Bakery on our website www.dartfordliving.com or head to Dartford Library for access to some great Christmas baking books

Panto

Boost your mood with a trip to the panto. No Christmas is complete without revelling in this British traditional family friendly show.

Sleeping Beauty is this year’s spellbinding family pantomime at Orchard West featuring the amazing Sydnie Christmas with tickets available from 14th December into the new year.

Or if panto is not your thing why not delight in the sounds of the Belvedere Concert band who promise an evening of festive favourites at their Magic of Christmas Spectacular at the Mick Jagger Centre on 21st December

Take a local walk to enjoy the crisp winter weather

There are lots of local walks for all fitness types, why not try:

Darenth Country Park

Bluewater lakes

Dartford Heath

Or head along to Dartford Health Walks as an opportunity to walk with others

Christmas meals

Catch up with friends and family and enjoy local restaurants we can recommend EFES,

Cadiz and Longfield Tandoori but there are so many great places. For even more festive fun keep an eye out for any Christmas party nights.

Get a tree

Make your home feel festive by picking up Christmas tree

Head to Stanhill Farm for a huge variety of options and also take the opportunity to pick up any delicious fruit and vegetables from their farm shop.

Make a Christmas wreath or table decoration.

Dartford Borough Council are running a wreath making workshop on 4th December 10.30am-1.00pm where there will be a guided walk around Darenth Country Park to forage for materials to make your Christmas wreath with. Make sure to book tickets online at www.dartford.gov.uk/events

Create a spectacular table decoration in a workshop with Dartford Florists at St Albans Church on 11th December 7pm-8.30pm. Book your space online at www.dartfordflorist.co.uk or call us on 01322224013