Summer is a wonderful time of the year!
Looking out the window and yes, it’s still very much summer outside here in Kent!
The sun is shining – for now – the gardens are in bloom and our coastline is lined with sunbathers enjoying the best of the weather.
So you could say that Christmas feels comfortably far, far away. But as we all know, somehow it just creeps up on you…
While there’s still a few weeks of summer left to enjoy, now is exactly the right time to start making plans for Christmas 2026 and the New Year. How will you celebrate with your family and friends, and make it one to really remember this year?
At the Hythe Imperial Hotel, our Christmas events for 2026 are already on sale. For the Christmas 2026 season we’re offering festive party nights, celebrations for all the family, seasonal dining experiences and even more glamorous ways to see in the New Year 2027.
But… spaces are already starting to fill up!
Don’t wait. Start planning how you will celebrate in style later this year…
Spend some time by the sea this Christmas
There’s always something special about spending some time by the coast at Christmas time.
The sea air feels crisp, perfect for winter walks, our hotel will be glowing with festive lights, and the grand surroundings take on an extra layer of warmth and sparkle.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas party in Kent, a festive family lunch, a December hotel stay or looking for an unforgettable Kent New Year’s Eve party, we’ve got it covered.
And you can choose from our festive events throughout December 2026, and right into January 2027.
Join us and you can celebrate, dine and stay all under one roof, right here in beautiful Kent.
Christmas Day 2026, let us take care of the details
If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a delicious Christmas Day lunch, we have just the thing…
At the Hythe Imperial, our Kent Christmas Day Lunch is designed for anyone who wants all the traditions of the big day… without spending most of it cooking that is!
This four-course lunch includes festive favourites and all the seasonal trimmings you expect, served in elegant surroundings with the hotel team there to take care of every detail.
That leaves you free to concentrate on the bits of Christmas that really matter – eating, laughing, raising a glass and deciding whether there’s room for pudding (we hope so!)
Of course the menu includes seasonal starters, then traditional roast turkey and premium meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes, followed by luxury desserts and cheese.
Dietary requirements such as vegan and gluten-free can be catered for. But please do let u know in advance, so everyone can enjoy a chef-prepared Christmas feast this 25th December.
You can discover the full Christmas Day lunch menu here, but it’s just one of the many experiences you can enjoy…
Even more ways to celebrate Christmas in Kent
Over the Christmas season this December, there are even more events taking place at the Hythe Imperial…
So many in fact, that we can barely fit them all in this blog!
But if you can’t join us for Christmas Day, that doesn’t mean missing out.
Other options for you to celebrate at the hotel include our elegant Christmas Eve Dinner in the Ballroom, plus our Boxing Day Lunch which is always such a popular choice for families coming together.
You can find out all about our full Christmas 2026 programme in this part of our website.
Christmas 2026 – let the party season begin!
For many people, before the big day itself, Christmas officially starts with the first festive party in December!
If you’re one of them, join us for a selection of different Christmas party nights in Kent, taking place on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month.
For refined dining and entertainment, choose the Coast Restaurant Festive Party Night. These takes place on Fridays in December and combine arrival drinks, a three-course festive meal in our AA-rosette winning restaurant, followed by Christmas tunes from our resident DJ and dancing until late.
Kent Christmas parties in our grand Ballroom
Want something even grander for your Kent Christmas party?
Our glamorous Ballroom Festive Party Nights bring the celebrations into our magnificent Imperial Ballroom. Enjoy the same menu choices and take to the floor and dance the night away. Expect a lively party atmosphere in one of the hotel’s most impressive spaces!
Ballroom Festive Party Nights run across selected Fridays and Saturdays but these are popular dates – it may be wise to get the group chat organised sooner rather than later!
Or for those who would prefer a Christmas party on a Sunday, you don’t have to miss out either! Our Sunday Night Festive Party on 20th December offers a three-course meal – followed by a disco and dancing until midnight.
Always popular every year, these Kent party nights are perfect for work colleagues, clubs, societies, groups of friends, or basically anyone who thinks the Christmas month deserves at least one proper night out!
See you on the dancefloor this December!
Festive lunches in Kent throughout December
If you’re looking for a delicious Christmas lunch instead, look no further…
Our Kent Festive Lunches run throughout the month of December, and are perfect for family get-togethers or a Christmas work lunch that is way more special than picky bits in the office!
Choose from two or three courses, and enjoy our seasonal menu in the elegant surroundings of the hotel. You simply have to book your places, and let us take care of the rest.
It’s the completely stress-free option for your festive lunch in Kent.
Live music – with a festive twist
Our fun live music festive tribute nights have become a mainstay of the hotel’s entertainment calendar throughout the year…
For December 2026, the acts we’ve chosen are especially festive.
Our Festive Michael Bublé Tribute Night & Lunches
On Wednesday 9th December, enjoy the smooth seasonal sounds of Michael Bublé, with both a tribute lunch and an evening dinner available.
It’s a wonderfully easy way to enjoy festive dining with some much-loved Christmas songs along the way.
Our Festive Soul & Motown Tribute Night
Later in the month, the Soul and Motown Tribute Night turns up the energy. This one takes place on Friday 18th December, and promises classic hits, live entertainment, festive dining and plenty of opportunity to boogie.
Both events are perfect to get you in the festive mood in the run up to Christmas!
New Years Eve parties in Kent
And when Christmas is said and done, you can also see in the New Year at our hotel!
This year we are offering two very different ways to welcome 2027…
The New Year’s Eve Gala is the elegant option. Guests are invited to dress to impress for an evening of dining, live entertainment and then big the countdown celebration at midnight.
Alternatively, our New Year’s Eve Family Party offers a livelier all-ages way to celebrate with dining and dancing – even a magicians and a silent disco! For this one, everyone can join in and no NYE babysitter is required!
It may seem a way off yet, but it really is a great time to get your New Years Eve plans sorted now.
Our New Years Day lunch and carvery
If you make it all the way to January 1st 2027 and still haven’t visited us, there is one last chance!
Our New Years Day lunch includes a choice of succulent meats from the carvery, plus vegetables, all the trimmings and a tempting array of desserts to finish. And of course vegetarians and vegans can also be very well catered for – please let us know in advance.
Whether you’ll be continuing the celebrations, or simply enjoying quality time together, our New Year’s Day Carvery in Kent is the perfect way to start the year in style.
Stay with us by the sea this Christmas
Last but by no means least. With so much to enjoy at our hotel, why not join us for the Christmas break?
Escape to the Kent coast, arriving on Christmas Eve for a relaxing three-night festive holiday. Your festive break will include accommodation, afternoon tea with prosecco, both the Christmas Day Lunch and Boxing Day Lunch, and of course breakfast throughout your stay.
Contact us for special rates on our Kent Christmas stay package, available when you stay with us from 24th to 27th December 2026
Get in touch soon and reserve your room beside the seaside this Christmas.
Start planning your Kent Christmas now!
While we all continue to enjoy the remaining summertime, maybe just start to think about how you want to celebrate this Christmas in Kent.
Take a look through our full Christmas and New Year brochure today, and discover the full list of everything we have going on this December and into the New Year. There’s sure to be something there to tempt you!
Our Reception team can also help you with booking the festive events – feel free to give them a call on 01303 267441.
Christmas may still be a few months away. But it’s never too early to put something wonderful in the diary…
