Hundreds of people packed the town centre for the arrival of Father Christmas and Cinderella, and the switching on of the festive lights.
Crowds lined the streets to watch the big man himself leave Royal Victoria Place in a horse-drawn sleigh, picking up the stars of the Assembly Hall panto en route to Fiveways, where Tunbridge Wells mayor David Elliott switched on the Christmas tree lights.
Entertainment was provided by a giant fairy, ‘mischievous’ royal footmen and a performance by Rock Choir Tunbridge Wells.
A spokesman for RVP said: “The highlight was of course Santa’s arrival to of? cially open his ‘festive frozen forest’ themed Grotto at Royal Victoria Place.
“Over the past 14 years, Santa has made the wishes of some 55,000 children come true at Royal Victoria Place and he is once again looking forward to meeting children from across the region over the coming five weeks.”
