Try at tree top adventure with Go Ape at Leeds Castle

Go Ape at Leeds Castle

Maidstone, Kent

What's On in Kent

Share this with

x

  • Accommodation Search

  • Things to Do Search

  • What's On Search

  • Food & Drink Search

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

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.

What's on along the Kent Coast?

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.

What’s on in the Kent countryside and towns

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.

What's on in Kent this May, June, and July?

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.  

Planning your visit to events in Kent

If you're planning to attend an event in Kent, find answers below to frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit?

What’s on in Kent today or this weekend?

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.

Planning a short break around an event in 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.

Kent events near me

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.
 
What's on and events in the county of Kent

Number of results:

Number of results: 123

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Howletts Cheetah 5k

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026
  2. Pukka Putters at the Rare Breeds Centre

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Aug 2026to23 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  3. Nature Tots Sevenoaks (Apr/May - Thursday morning)

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Sevenoaks

    Nature Tots is Forest School tailored specifically for little ones, and can inspire a love of nature that lasts a lifetime.

    About the event
    Nature Tots is based on Forest School, specifically for pre-school age children. It's a wonderful…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Apr 2026to21 May 2026Open 09:40 - 11:50
  4. Chiddingstone Castle Vintage Fair

    Type

    Type:

    Antiques

    Edenbridge, Edenbridge

    The Vintage Fair returns to Chiddingstone Castle for its Eleventh Anniversary and takes place on Sunday 28th June in the Castle grounds from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

    With an extensive array of fabulous French and English homewares, decorative vintage,…

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00
  5. Sevenoaks 7

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Sevenoaks

    A challenging seven miles of exhilarating twists, turns and climbs through the stunning landscapes of Knole Park. Whether you're an affiliated runner racing under club colours, a team of family, friends or colleagues, or an unaffiliated lone ranger…

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026
  6. Magic of Thailand Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Maidstone

    This may the Magic of Thailand Festival returns to Mote Park in Maidstone. This two day Thai festival brings the Thai culture, food and performances to the Kent countryside.  

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 19:00
  7. Wilder Gardens Workshop: Introduction to Wildlife Gardening

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Sevenoaks

    Get started creating a garden with nature at its heart in this spring gardening workshop in Sevenoaks.

    New to gardening or keen to refresh or build on your skills? This workshop introduces how to create a garden that is both beautiful and provides…

    Dates

    From:
    19 May 2026Open 10:30 - 13:00
  8. Horrible Histories: Queen Eleanor's Guide to Surviving the Middle Ages

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Venue

    Leeds Castle, Maidstone

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
  9. May Half-Term

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Pembury

    If you are looking for an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend time with family this May half-term, we would love to welcome you to the Bluebell Café and animal farm at Aspens. From Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May, we will be offering a brand-new…

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026to29 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  10. Operation Dynamo, The Little Ships Come Home in 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Ramsgate

    Following the Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo in 2025, The Little Ships return to Ramsgate for a 4 day extravaganza including military vehicle displays, parades, workshops and more.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026to25 May 2026
  11. Pear Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Faversham

    Our first ever Pear Weekend! There are so many amazing varieties of pears and we can't wait to tell you about them! Enjoy picking your own fruit from the Brogdale Collections orchards, fruit tastings, guided tours of the National Fruit Collection,…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  12. Margate Country Music Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Margate

    The Margate Country Music Festival returns to The Oval, a day filled with live music, dancing, competitions, games and DJ’s.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
  13. Hawkhurst 10k & 5k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Hawkhurst

    We are excited to announce the return of this fabulous community race for its sixth year. Working alongside Highgate Hawkhurst WI to support existing and new community projects, you can expect the usual delights: a free half pint in The Eight Bells…

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026
  14. 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
  15. Deal's Children Festival

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026Open 12:00 - 16:00
  16. Curious About Canterbury

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Sun Street, Canterbury

    Curious About Canterbury takes you to the famous sights and the hidden gems, with surprises tucked around every corner. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2027Open 09:00 - 16:00
  17. Wilder Kent Experience: Beavers, Nature's Engineers

    Type

    Type:

    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.…

    Dates

    From:
    31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
    From:
    14 June 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
  18. Folkestone Half Marathon

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Folkestone

    This accurately-measured course starts outside The Grand on The Leas, passes through the coastal park before and an out and back to Hythe. The event has fantastic support from local community groups and has a friendly race day vibe. If you are new…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026
  19. Sculpture Safari at Leeds Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Maidstone

    Experience the enchanting Sculpture Trail Safari at Leeds Castle from Saturday 29th August to Saturday 4th October 2024, offering families a unique adventure through our magnificent grounds and gardens.

    Venue

    Leeds Castle, Maidstone

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  20. Wassailing

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Faversham

    This ancient tradition is held to bless the orchards, ward off bad spirits, and encourage a bountiful apple and fruit harvest for the coming year. A wonderful and unique family experience.

    Our event will feature traditional Morris dancers, a…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Jan 2027Open 16:00 - 18:30