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  • Christmas at Gulbenkian Arts Centre

    • Christmas at Gulbenkian Arts Centre

    3 Nov 2026

    Celebrate the festive season at Gulbenkian Arts Centre – whether you’re after classic Christmas films, heart-warming live music, chaotic Christmas comedy shows or family theatre, we have something for everyone to enjoy this December!

    This festive season: come along and watch a cozy Christmas film at our cinema (yes, including Die Hard), plus a live performance of the Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker, experience the gentle magic of the season in concert with The Unthanks, immerse yourself in the Tales of Christmas with University of Kent’s Chorus and Orchestra, swing along with the University of Kent’s Big Band, or have a night of laughter with the scummy carols, yuletide sketches and festive stand-up of the Scummy Mummies!

    Book your tickets for the cinema and our live events below!

    FAMILY There’s A Monster in Your Christmas Show – Thu 3 Dec – Sat 12 Dec, times vary. Book here

    CINEMA Relaxed Screening: Elf – Sat 5 Dec, 3pm. Book here

    MUSIC University of Kent Chorus & Orchestra: Tales At Christmas – Sat 5 Dec, 7.30pm. Book here

    CINEMA The Muppet Christmas Carol – Sun 6 Dec, 3pm. Book here

    MUSIC University of Kent Big Band: Christmas Swing Along – Wed 9 Dec, 5.15pm & 7pm. Book here

    CINEMA Ebenezer – Fri 11 Dec, 7pm. Book here

    MUSIC The Unthanks: In Winter – Sat 12 Dec, 2.30pm & 8pm. Book here

    CINEMA The Polar Express – Sat 12 Dec, 3pm. Book here

    LIVE & RECORDED CINEMA Royal Ballet Live: The Nutcracker – Sun 13 Dec, 2pm. Book here

    CINEMA Die Hard – Tue 15 Dec, 7pm. Book here

    COMEDY The Scummy Mummies Christmas Show – Wed 16 & Thu 17 Dec, 7.30pm. Book here

    CINEMA Home Alone – Sat 19 Dec, 3pm. Book here

    CINEMA It’s a Wonderful Life – Sun 20 Dec, 3pm. Book here

     

    Cratchit Family (1)
    Cratchit Family (1)

    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
    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

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

    TECH31

    Set over two days TECH31 is a free workshop designed to provide 13-25 year olds with an opportunity to develop their skills in sound, lighting, stage management and much more. 
    Actors on stage

    National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    NT Connections is the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival. Each year it offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights, and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.
    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 Drama Group

    KRAN 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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