The magical Christmas market in seaside town named one of the best places to live

Father Christmas may still be a few months away from his annual visit, but it's never too early to start planning your shopping list.

If you're on the hunt for a unique market to explore in 2024, then Folkestone could well be the place to be. This vibrant seaside town was previously crowned the best place to live in the southeast, and it's not hard to see why.

In the run-up to the Christmas season, the town will play host to its diverse Festive Market. Transforming the Harbour Arm into a seasonal wonderland, the market will make its grand return on Friday, November 15.

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The market will be serving up seasonal goodies every weekend until Sunday, December 22, opening every Friday from 4pm to 8pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 6pm.

For those last-minute shoppers among us, the market will also open on Monday, December 23 from 11am to 6pm, and will run on Christmas Eve until 4pm.

Visitors to the markets can expect to find a range of independent stalls awaits. Uniquely situated within fisherman huts that will be illuminated with lights and adorned with festive decorations, this local market is a true winter wonderland by the sea.

Shoppers can browse a wide selection of handmade gifts and crafts, perfect for a one-of-a-kind present or quirky stocking filler.

Of course, no Christmas market would be complete without a hearty selection of festive food to enjoy while you browse, and that's exactly what you'll find at Folkestone Harbour. The harbour has been adding to its array of eateries with several new launches over the past year, including the recently opened Cavells Mediterranean restaurant, brought to you by the team behind the Big Greek Bus, reports .

Other favourite places to grab a bite include Sailbox, Little Rock and Brewing Brothers, all of which will remain open for hungry shoppers during the market. In addition to the various stalls and vendors, Folkestone Festive Market will be screening family-friendly classic films on the Big Screen, completely free of charge.

If that's not enough, there will also be live music and community events to enjoy throughout. Returning in 2024 after its successful debut last year is the Harbour Grotto, a maritime-themed Christmas experience where children can meet Santa Claus.

Entry to the Folkestone Festive Market is free, and paid car parking is available on site.

Booking is necessary for the Harbour Grotto, with information set to be posted on the Folkestone Harbour website soon.