Maidstone Walking Festival kicks of the season in March 26

Heart of Kent Walking Festival

20th - 29th March 26

What's On in Kent

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Kent’s coast, countryside and characterful towns are set to shine in 2026, with fresh experiences, landmark anniversaries and vibrant cultural highlights unfolding across the Garden of England. From big moments in art and history to family‑friendly adventures, the year promises memorable days out in every corner of the county.

What's on along the Kent Coast?

In Margate, Turner Contemporary marks its 15th anniversary, hosting a major new David Hockney installation that transforms the Sunley Window from 1st April – 1st November 2026. Along the coast in Folkestone, visitors can discover the UK’s largest urban contemporary art exhibition, free and accessible, this outdoor collection features works by 46 leading artists, including Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Yoko Ono, placed in scenic and surprising locations across the town. It even answers the question many visitors ask — why is there a little house in the middle of the harbour?  The family-friendly coastal seaside resorts such as Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate have events calendars geared for keeping kids entertained whether it's during the holidays or for a weekend break. Historic Dover, medieval Sandwich and traditional Deal provide destinations ideal for a seaside getaway, a walking holiday or a cultural break by the sea. 

What's on in the Kent Countryside?

At Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, families can step into a storybook world with the brand‑new Room on the Broom adventure trail, complete with themed challenges, forest facts and a £4 activity pack to help young explorers follow Witch’s quest. Spring brings colour in abundance as Leeds Castle bursts into bloom, with a new self-guided daffodil walk from mid‑March to late April. In Sandwich, the 2nd May marks the 800‑year anniversary of the town’s mayors, celebrated with a historic procession, school‑created artworks, reenactments and exhibitions across this remarkable medieval Cinque Port. Whilst Maidstone, the event's capital of Kent, makes for an ideal base for festival goers, adventure weekenders or for exploring this beautiful county. 

Kent is the perfect place for a short break or longer escape - start planning your 2026 adventure today, your Kent experience is waiting.

What's on in Kent today?

To find out what's on in Kent today or this weekend, use the search box above to narrow down your required date. Kent is a popular destination for day trips from London and for European travellers arriving in the UK by sea so events celebrating culture, food, and music are never far away.  

What's on in Kent?

Take a look at our snapshot of events in Kent below, or head on down to the bottom of the page to see more...

Staying overnight?

If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Kent, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.

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Kent events near me

The guide below shows our calendar of events in Kent. Whether you're local or visiting the area, find what's happening near you by clicking the Map View button or by scrolling through the events listing.

What's on and events in the county of Kent

Number of results:

Number of results: 91

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Weekend Wellness:Forest Bathing in the Blean

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Sandling, Sturry

    Soothe your body and mind on a guided, meditative walk through the woods, inspired by the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing- Shinrin Yoku.

    These forest bathing events encourage you to take your experience in nature to a new level. Inspired by the…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
  2. Easter Holidays at Go Ape

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Goudhurst

    Looking for an exciting activity this Easter? We've got something the whole family will enjoy with our brand-new Egg-venture experience at Go Ape Bedgebury. It's all the fun of our brilliant wobbly high ropes crossings and super zips, all while…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to20 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  3. Mystical Magical May

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Ashford

    Step into a world of mystical magic this May Half Term at the Rare Breeds Centre, where a spellbinding adventure awaits the whole family. Enjoy a truly magical day out filled with enchanting moments, themed fun and unforgettable surprises around…

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  4. Hop onboard with us this Easter Holiday

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Station Road, Tenterden

    Hop Onboard This Easter with K&ESR!

    Kids Go Free – 29th March to 19th April
    Join us for a family Easter adventure along the line! Every child travelling with us receives a colourful Easter activity sheet to enjoy onboard. Complete it and visit the…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  5. Screen Printing Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Other

    Faversham

    Take inspiration from the award-winning gardens at Belmont and join us for a day of screen printing outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of the gardens.

    Your day begins with a garden tour led by our Head Gardener. As you explore the colours and…

    Dates

    From:
    18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
  6. Nature Tots Sevenoaks (Apr/May - Monday morning)

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Sevenoaks

    About the event
    Nature Tots is based on Forest School, specifically for pre-school age children. It's a wonderful opportunity for little ones to explore, discover and learn from nature and gain a sense of achievement from a variety of nature, art…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Apr 2026to18 May 2026Open 09:40 - 11:50
  7. Jack and Nancy's Dockyard Adventure by Quentin Blake

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chatham

    For the first time this Spring, step into a real‑life storybook at The Historic Dockyard Chatham as Jack and Nancy leap from the pages of Sir Quentin Blake's much‑loved tale and into an unforgettable family adventure.

    Become the adventurer you've…

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to30 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  8. Bedgebury HM & 10k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Goudhurst

    Enjoy the epic scenery, the race day buzz and delight in every twist and turn of this traffic free trail. Perfect for novices and experienced athletes alike, the course meanders through the narrow trails of this beautiful woodland. If the weather…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2026
  9. The Great Dragon Easter Egg Hunt at Hever Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Edenbridge

    Enjoy a magical Easter at Hever Castle with The Great Dragon Egg Hunt, a family friendly adventure set within the historic Castle grounds. Children and their families are invited to take part in a daring quest to find dragon eggs hidden across the…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 16:30
  10. East Peckham 10k &5k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    East Peckham

    This beautiful summer race offers a pacey, fast and flat 10k and 5k through the quiet lanes around East Peckham - a genuine pb event not to be missed! Delivered by the Paddock Wood & District Lions Club, this well-marshalled race will, once again,…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Aug 2026
  11. Sittingbourne 10 Mile & 10k Road Race

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Sittingbourne

    Celebrating 40 years of Striding! Our much-loved 10 Mile & 10k road race is back - and this year is extra special as we mark 40 years of Sittingbourne Striders! Join us for a course that winds through beautiful countryside, rolling hills and all the…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 -
  12. Smugglers Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Smugglers Festival is a gathering on the last weekend of summer each year, on a beautiful woodland in East-Kent. It’s a small, intimate festival, rooted in community from the outset.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026
  13. Pick-Your-Own Fruit Weekends

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Faversham

    Pick your own fruit in Kent at our PYO Fruit Weekends! Enjoy a fun day out picking unusual varieties of cherries, plums, gages, apples and pears straight from the Brogdale Collections orchards. We have 100s of different varieties that are not…

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  14. Walk with a Warden: Spring at Hothfield Heathlands

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Cades Road, Ashford

    Join a guided Walk with a Warden at Hothfield Heathlands this spring.

    Hothfield is one of Kent's last remaining heathlands.

    On this walk you'll meet Area Warden Will, who will highlight the best seasonal plants and wildlife of heathland habitats…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
  15. Guided Walk: Spring Birds

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Sevenoaks

    Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is home to many bird species during the spring; spend some time observing them on this guided walk.

    Join us for a guided walk of Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, taking some time to observe the birds found there during the…

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026Open 09:30 - 12:30
  16. Sunset Tour, Tasting and Dinner

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard / Wine

    Staplehurst, Tonbridge

    Join the Balfour Winery team for a Sunset Tour, Tasting & Dinner. Begin with a guided tour of this 400-acre Kent vineyard, apple orchards and ancient woodlands, as the light softens into that flattering golden-hour glow.

    Venue

    Balfour Winery, Tonbridge and Malling

    Dates

    From:
    16 Apr 2026to26 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
  17. Pilgrimage of Love: Eleanor of Castile Exhibition

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Maidstone

    An Audience With Eleanor: Unveiling the World's First AI Queen Experience

    Immerse yourself in the life of medieval England's most remarkable and misunderstood queen through a groundbreaking exhibition featuring the world's first interactive…

    Dates

    From:
    9 Mar 2026to1 Nov 2026
  18. Broadstairs Food Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Broadstairs

    Enjoy a vibrant 3 day celebration of local food and drink with passionate foodies, artisan producers, and top chefs. Set on the clifftop above Broadstairs Viking Bay

    Dates

    From:
    2 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  19. Oliver Fisher 10k & 5k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Sittingbourne

    The Oliver Fisher 10k & 5k returns to our racing calendars on Sunday 10 May 2026 to help raise valuable funds for this wonderful charity. After a brand new course last year, the race continues to boast a delightful off-road route with wonderful…

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026
  20. Family: Story time at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Sevenoaks

    Enjoy a change of scenery as we entertain your toddlers with a seasonal story at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve.

    Bring your toddlers to Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on the first Wednesday of each month for a relaxed story telling session with Kent…

    Dates

    From:
    3 June 2026Open 10:30 - 11:00