22nd - 25th May 26, The Little Ships Come Home
Find what's on in Kent, from coastal festivals, historic celebrations, creative art trails and fun family wildlife activities. Discover ideas for great days out or short breaks, with seasonal and free events to make the most of your visit to the Garden of England.
Kents coast, countryside and characterful towns will shine in 2026, with fresh experiences, landmark anniversaries and vibrant cultural highlights unfolding across the county. From big moments in art and history to family-friendly adventures, the year promises memorable days out whatever part of Kent you choose to visit.
Kent’s coastline hosts a wide range of events, from family-friendly festivals and coastal celebrations to large-scale cultural experiences and art installations. In Deal, one of the UK's prettiest seaside towns, the Children's Festival will be taking over Walmer Green on 4 July with kite making and music workshops, kite flying and craft activities - all for free. Whilst along the coast in Dover, a new Dover Harbour Festival will fill the harbour, marina and waterfront with a mix of traditional regatta events and onshore family-friendly activities, plus award-winning food and drink. Taking place on the 4 - 5 July, it's the perfect time for a short break in Kent. Further down the coast in Folkestone, 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.
In Maidstone, the free River Festival celebrates the River Medway and all the businesses and activities that this supports.Taking place on the 25 July, the event includes the much-loved Raft Race along 650m of the river from High Level Bridge to Archbishops Palace, music from local bands, dance and a fireworks spectacular. Visiting at another time, you can still enjoy the River Medway with a boat trip on the Kentish Lady or head a little further out of town to Hollingbourne and enjoy a tour and tasting or Pizza Saturdays at Wildshark Vineyard, just a 15 minute drive away. Don't forget to pay a visit to Leeds Castle with its year-round event calendar there is plenty to see and do.
Take a look at our snapshot of events in Kent below from the return of the famous Little Ships to Horrible History and tree top adventures, free music concerts and food festivals.
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.
If you're planning to attend an event in Kent, find answers below to frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit?
Use the search box above and filter by the date to narrow down your search, or scroll down the page to explore a full list of events across Kent.
If you're travelling from outside the county, there are numerous hotels and accommodation choices options available.>>> Search & Book Kent Accommodation to plan your stay. Maidstone is a great choice for a stay, its location means its easy to visit anywhere in the county, plus as the 'event's capital of Kent' you won't have to travel far to find an event to suit you.
Whether you're a local resident, day visitor or on holiday, discover what's happening near you by clicking the Map View button or use the area button to find out what's happening nearby. From coastal towns and historic sites to countryside locations and gardens, you’re never far from an event in Kent.
Kent is located in South East England, making it easy to visit for a day trip or short break from London and nearby counties including Sussex and Surrey.
Number of results: 124
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Free Event
Deal
With lots of free fun activities from kite making and flying demonstrations, music workshops and face painting this year's Deal Children's festival will take over Walmer Green from 12 - 4pm on the 4th July 2026.
Shopping
Tonbridge
Wealden Times Midwinter Fair The Hop Farm - Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st November - Get ahead of Christmas with three magical days of festive shopping, abundant gifts, seasonal treats and handcrafted treasures in heated marquees.
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…
Shopping
Cranbrook
Wealden Times Midsummer Fair Hole Park - Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th June - Our much‑loved summer celebration returns to the glorious gardens of Hole Park with over 220 stallholders showcasing fashion, homeware, artisan food, jewellery and more…
Free Event
Maidstone
This free community festival for all ages that celebrates the River Medway and its historical importance in the development of Maidstone as the county town.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Faversham
Come and find out all about wonderful plums. We have fruit tastings, guided tours of the National Fruit Collection, plum displays and free kids' orchard crafts and more! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn about plums and gages and…
Countryside
Faversham
Come along to see Joe flying a variety of birds on the front lawn, you will be in for a real treat.
From seeing Hopper, their vulture, soar above the parkland, to delving into the depths of their intelligent Caracaras from the Falkland Islands, or…
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…
Childrens Events
Maidstone
Step into the rotten realities of the Middle Ages with Horrible Histories this May Half Term at Leeds Castle!
From 26th to 31st May 2026, join Queen Eleanor of Castile on a horribly hilarious journey back to 1278, where life was far from fairy…
Workshop
Tonbridge
Get creative at Balfour Winery in Kent with a fun Sip and Paint workshop.
Arts
Sidcup
About the Event
Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
Each artist…
Childrens Events
Ashford
Pukka Putters is coming to the Rare Breeds Centre this August!
Pukka Putters is the UK's only self-contained, walk in mini golf course built entirely inside a lorry! You don't just play mini golf you step into a themed jungle world on wheels!
The…
Summer
Sevenoaks
Follow a loop around the lower level of Riverhill Himalayan Gardens and marvel at over 60 sculptures in an array of mediums. Open Wednesdays to Sundays and included in the standard garden admission tickets, the trail works in perfect harmony with…
Countryside
Church Road, Oare, Faversham
Join our wardens at Oare Marshes for a morning of natural history and an introduction to our breeding cattle herd.
On this experience you'll meet the Reserve Warden for Oare Marshes, and one of our Wilder Grazing Rangers to explore the history of…
Festivals
Sandwhich
Established in 2010, Sandwich Folk and Ale Festival is a multi-arts festival that highlights traditional and contemporary folk-life and folk arts, in a beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.
Countryside
Cades Road, Worth
Explore Ham Fen and see the evidence of beaver activity since their introduction to the reserve 20 years ago.
Ham Fen is an exceptionally special reserve, home to the UK's first official beaver release project and Kent's last remaining fenland.…
Exhibitions
Chatham
Experience the ocean like never before at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, as it hosts the UK debut of the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Showcasing 116 award-winning photographs, this inspiring exhibition brings together the very best in…
Sporting Events
Bekesbourne, Littlebourne, Canterbury
Take part in a truly unique 5K at Howletts Wild Animal Park and support The Aspinall Foundation in their vital conservation work. This year's race edition will be celebrating and supporting the rewilding of Edie, the South African cheetah. Race…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Faversham
Join us this summer for some fun, food, and fire. Get outdoors and cook over the fire with Wild Classroom, using the very best local, seasonal, and foraged foods. This two-hour workshop will include a tour of Brogdale Collections stunning Heritage…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Dengemarsh Road, Lydd
Whether your child is a first-timer or an experienced paddler, our 3-week Home Ed SUP Programme is the perfect way to get out on the water, have fun, and develop new skills. All while gaining the BSUPA Ready to Ride certification, a recognised SUP…
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