Penshurst Place Unveils Festive Programme for Christmas 2026

From a colourful Candyland filled with oversized sweets and an enormous gingerbread house to traditional wreath-making, festive shopping and a new one-night-only performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’, Penshurst Place has unveiled a varied programme of traditional favourites and new experiences for Christmas 2026.

At the heart of this year’s family programme will be the return of Penshurst Place’s ever-popular Christmas Mini Panto in the transformed and seasonally decorated Garden Room. With a completely new story for 2026, ‘The Christmas Cavity Calamity’ will take families on a journey through two contrasting enchanted worlds for a fun, mischievous story with plenty of audience participation, alongside the opportunity to meet Father Christmas.

The experience begins in a dark and atmospheric starlit North Pole, families will wind their way past candlelit Christmas trees, elves and presents beneath the glow of the Northern Lights. From there, the adventure continues as they leave the wintery North Pole behind and step into the bright and colourful world of this year’s Mini Panto. Enormous sweets, candy canes and a giant gingerbread house will set the scene for the 25-minute live panto show.

Performances take place on the weekends of 5–6 and 12–13 December, and then daily from 18–23 December. Each show lasts approximately 25 minutes, with the wider experience including the journey through the North Pole and meeting Father Christmas. Two ‘quiet’ performances, with reduced capacity for families preferring a less sensory experience, will be available on 6 and 12 December. Tickets cost £9.50 per person for adults and children and go on sale on 10 September at https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-12/.

Christmas on the Penshurst Place Estate

The festive season is always a special time at Penshurst Place and this year will begin in November, with the return of seasonal favourites alongside several new additions to the Christmas calendar.

Fused Glass Workshop – 11 November

The programme gets underway on Wednesday 11 November, welcoming those wanting to craft their own Christmas ornaments at an adult Fused Glass Workshop. Running from 6pm–8pm and limited to just 16 places, the workshop will guide participants through creating their own handcrafted hanging glass decorations, perfect for displaying in the home or on the Christmas tree.

With everything provided to make beautiful glass decorations to take home, the workshop is priced at £80 per person and includes tea or coffee, mulled wine or spiced punch and mince pies. Participants will also have exclusive access to the Christmas Gift Shop from 5pm–6pm before the workshop, with a 15 per cent discount on purchases. Suitable for ages 16 or over, for more information and booking link https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-11/.

Late Night Christmas Shopping – 12 November

The following evening, Thursday 12 November, Penshurst Place will hold its Late Night Christmas Shopping event from 5pm–8pm, giving early birds the first opportunity to browse its extensive hand-picked Christmas collection.

Seasonal live music and festive food and drink tastings from local suppliers and specialist producers will add to the atmosphere, along with 15 per cent off all purchases over £10. Visitors purchasing a hot drink in the adjoining Porcupine Pantry will receive a complimentary mince pie, while a limited number of free mini cyclamen plants will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-11/.

Christmas Wreath Workshops – 26 November, 1 & 2 December

Christmas preparations would not be complete without a festive wreath on the front door – and one made by hand offers the opportunity to create something completely individual. Christmas Wreath Workshops at Penshurst Place on Thursday 26 November, Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 December will give participants everything they need to create their own unique decoration to welcome visitors over the festive season.

The relaxed and friendly evenings are limited to 15 per workshop, with all the materials needed to create a festive door wreath provided. Costing £65 per person, each session runs from 6pm–8pm and includes tea or coffee, mulled wine or spiced punch and mince pies. Participants will also have exclusive access to the Gift Shop from 5pm–6pm, with a 15 per cent discount on purchases. For more information and booking link visit https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-11/.

Christmas Book Folding Workshop – 9 December

For those looking to add a handmade touch to their festive decorations, a Christmas Book Folding Workshop on Wednesday 9 December will show how old books can be transformed into eye-catching Christmas ornaments through the art of folded pages.

Led by Victoria from Bumble and Bloom Crafts, participants will be guided through the technique to create their own Christmas Tree and Angel book ornaments. All craft materials will be provided to make the two folded-book decorations to take home, along with a book folding kit containing everything needed to make an additional Christmas decoration, providing the chance to put those new skills to use and create more handmade Christmas gifts.

With just 10 places available, the workshop runs from 6pm–8pm and costs £50 per person, including tea or coffee, mulled wine or spiced punch and mince pies. Participants will also have exclusive access to the Gift Shop from 5pm–6pm, with a 15 per cent discount on purchases. For more information and booking link, visit https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-12/.

 One-night-only ‘A Christmas Carol’ performance – 12 December

‘Marley was dead: to begin with’. New for 2026, experience a one-night-only immersive performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Saturday 12 December as this classic tale of festivities and frights comes to life.

Presented by Behind the Door Productions and surrounded by ancient sandstone walls, wood panelling and historic portraits, the evening begins in the medieval Baron’s Hall where the central fire will be lit and the Buttery bar will be open for drinks.

The Sunderland Room will provide an atmospheric and intimate setting for this unique telling of ‘A Christmas Carol’, where the audience will be transported to Victorian Britain as Charles Dickens’ much-loved Christmas story comes to life in a one-man performance. Tickets cost from £22.00 per person, with arrival from 6pm and the performance starting at 7pm. For more information and booking link, visit https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2026-12/.

Festive food, shopping and Christmas celebrations

The Porcupine Pantry will add to the seasonal atmosphere with a selection of Christmas sweet treats and specialty drinks, while the Gift Shop will be filled with Christmas decorations and tree ornaments alongside its wider collection of gifts, including plenty of pocket-money options for children looking for presents for family and friends.

The Plant Centre will also offer British-grown Christmas trees from early December, alongside estate grown mistletoe and holly, locally hand-made festive wreaths and a wide selection of seasonal plants for decorating the home.

For more information about Christmas events and activities at Penshurst Place, visit https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities. Note, the House and Gardens are closed to general visitors during November and December. Access during the festive period is for booked events and activities only.