A Christmas market is set to spring up for 22 days in a historic part of Tunbridge Wells, in Kent.

The Pantiles Boutique Christmas Market, located in a beautiful shopping area dating back to the 17th century, is set to take place between November 13 and December 24, 2026. 

There will be a programme of entertainment including live musicians, community choirs, local theatre groups, mini pantomimes and other special festive performances.

Visitors can also expect to see a spectacular Christmas tree installation and twinkling lights. And while the market has run before, there is plenty new in store for visitors.

Indeed, this year there will be 5ft-tall Nutcracker statues hidden around The Pantiles, making up a trail that visitors can complete to be entered into a prize draw to win £150 in vouchers to spend in participating Pantiles shops, restaurants and bars.

A Nutcracker craft workshop will also be on hand.

'From beautifully decorated wooden chalets and live entertainment to family attractions and seasonal experiences, our Boutique Christmas Market promises an unforgettable celebration for traders and thousands of visitors alike,' The Pantiles reveals.

'Whether you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, festive food and drink, family fun or simply a magical atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.'

The Pantiles dates back to 1606, when the discovery of a spring at its site led to the development of the area.

The Chalybeate Spring is located in Bath Square on The Pantiles.

It is a Georgian colonnade full of shops and galleries that is the heart of the town, where the Christmas market will take place. 

The spring was reputedly discovered in 1606 by Lord North, an aristocrat at the court of James I who was staying in the Kent countryside to boost his ailing health.

He encountered the spring, and found that drinking its water improved his condition – before recommending its restorative properties to his friends.

By 1630, when Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I, paid a visit, the spring was firmly on the map as a fashionable destination.

By the 19th century, Royal Tunbridge Wells had become a must-see hotspot for the London gentry.