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    • Man in winter clothes playing an instrument made of ice

    Christmas at Gulbenkian!

    15 Sep 2025

    Join us for a festive season of theatre, music and cinema at Gulbenkian Arts centre!

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Canterbury is glowing with Christmas lights, town is filled with shoppers, the tree in front of Canterbury Cathedral fills us with joy as the holiday season is finally upon us! If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of town for a mug of delicious hot chocolate, a viewing of a Christmas film, awe-inspiring music and theatre to get you in that holiday mood, we’ve got you covered!

    For those seeking a music journey like no other, prepare to be transported by the extraordinary, beautiful and ethereal sounds of ice. Picture this – a music quarter featuring an ice harp, ice horn, iceophone, ice percussion and ice bass. Terje Isungset’s Ice Quartet play their beautiful music on instruments carved and crafted using only natural frozen ice. They are hitting the Gulbenkian stage on Sun 16 Nov with an unmissable concert that will certainly get you into the right mood for winter.

    Those who wish to return to the beloved Christmas classics can look no further than Scrooge Live on Thu 18 Dec, in which our favourite Christmas tale of redemption and goodwill comes alive with the enchanting sounds of a newly orchestrated live score, performed by the three-piece FB Pocket Orchestra. Their reimagined music, atmospheric sound effects, and seamless synchronisation with the film will immerse you in Scrooge’s journey with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

    The world’s most infamous miser will also be making a live appearance at the Gulbenkian Theatre as Vincent Franklin (The Thick of It, Happy Valley) reprises Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on Tue 16 Dec.

    For anyone seeking a Christmas show filled with humour and cabaret, look no further than The LipSinkers, coming to Gulbenkian on Fri 19 Dec with their show We’ve Got Christmas Knits. The LipSinkers are bringing a catastrophic punk ethos performance for all who love an alternative, out-of-the-box Christmas show to sing along and laugh along to!

    If you’re looking for a fun outing with the family this holiday season – what sounds better than meeting Santa himself? Santa Claus is coming to town in a production of Dear Santa, based on the children’s book by Rod Campbell, the author of well-loved Dear Zoo. This show is an ideal introduction to theatre for those aged two and over. The Christmas cheer continues after the show with the opportunity to meet Santa in his grotto, where every child will receive an extra special gift!

    For lovers of cinema and dance, we recommend booking a spot for the Royal Ballet’s live broadcast of The Nutcracker, featuring Tchaikovsky’s most familiar melodies in a festive cinematic experience for all ages.

    Ice Quartet - Terje Isungset. Photo Knut Bry
    Alistair Sim as Scrooge Image
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    processed-50020C8C-B840-47A4-B560-A0DAA8900447
    DEAR SANTA 90
    AP23Nutcracker04.12.23-8722
    Ice Quartet - Terje Isungset. Photo Knut Bry
    Alistair Sim as Scrooge Image
    email-graphic-landscape
    processed-50020C8C-B840-47A4-B560-A0DAA8900447
    DEAR SANTA 90
    AP23Nutcracker04.12.23-8722

    ART31

    ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

    ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

    The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

    Our projects with young people

    GENFest Young people posing in a cardboard Instagram frame

    ART31 Generate

    Providing workshops, support, and performance opportunities, Generate is where creativity gives voice to young perspectives whether in theatre making, film media, music, visual arts and more!

    Youth Theatre

    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.
    TECH31

    TECH31

    TECH31 provides free practical training in technical theatre for ages 13 - 25
    Gulbenkian Uncovered image 03

    Gulbenkian Uncovered

    Are you enthusiastic, committed and creative? Gulbenkian Uncovered gives University of Kent students the chance to programme films and run events.

    Square Pegs 1

    Square Pegs Arts

    Square Pegs Arts are an award winning charity who provide drama groups, music projects and other accessible Arts opportunities for children and young adults who have learning disabilities and autism, and produce original, inspiring, challenging Theatre. Difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to shine in their own way.
    A selection of images arranged on a wall

    KRAN Fam

    KRAN Fam is a drama group in partnership with Kent Refugee Action Network for young refugees and asylum-seekers.

    Accessible Film Club

    Relaxed Screenings

    Monthly film screenings that are open to all, especially those with autism and learning disabilities.

    Young People - Screen31 ARTY31

    ARTY31

    Gulbenkian’s ARTY31 group is for young people aged 8-12 with a wide variety of arts interests.

    Film tickets

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