Sandwich Festival 2026

Sandwich Festival

28 - 31 August 2026

What's On in Kent

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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. Discover what’s happening today, this weekend and throughout the summer below

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.

Events in Kent this summer

Scroll down to discover upcoming events across Kent, or use the search filters to find something near you. Explore our snapshot of events this summer, from coastal festivals and food experiences to family attractions and countryside events. With something happening every week, there's always a new way to enjoy Kent.

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.  

Plan your visit to Kent

If you're planning to attend an event in Kent, find answers below to common questions to help you make the most of your visit?

Frequently asked questions about events in Kent

What’s on in Kent today or this weekend?

You can find a wide range of events taking place today and this weekend in Kent, including festivals, family-friendly activities and experiences to enjoy by the sea. Use the date filters above, or browse the listings on this page to find something happening near you.

How can I plan a short break around an event?

If you're travelling from outside the county, there are numerous hotels and accommodation choices available. Search & Book Kent Accommodation to plan your stay, whether you choose a coastal town like Dover, Folkestone or Deal, head inland to Maidstone, Sandwich or Hythe or enjoy a riverside stay in Gravesham.  All have their own unique character and local events calendars to keep you busy.

What are the best things to do in Kent this weekend?

This weekend in Kent you can enjoy a wide range of things to do, including festivals, wine tasting, family-friendly events, garden tours or coastal experiences.  Browse the listings on this page or use the filters above to find something happening near 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: 137

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Sandgate Sea and Food Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Folkestone

    Head to the free Sandgate Sea and Food Festival this August Bank Holiday weekend.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
  2. Weekend Wellness: Forest Bathing in the Blean

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    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:
    27 June 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
  3. Wine Tasting Masterclass at Balfour Winery

    Type

    Type:

    Indoor

    Tonbridge

    Balfour Winery knowledgeable tour guides will lead you in a fun and relaxed tasting of six, where you can learn the technique of wine tasting without the bravado.

    Venue

    Balfour Winery, Tonbridge and Malling

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
  4. 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
  5. Dover Harbour Festival and Regatta

    Type

    Type:

    Fete / Fair

    Dover

    Dover's most popular and anticipated event will return to the seafront this July - the new look Dover Harbour Festival.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026
  6. Weekend Wellness: Forest Bathing in the Blean

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    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:
    13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
  7. Yoga in the Vines at Balfour Winery

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard / Wine

    Tonbridge

    Set across The Balfour Winery 400-acre estate, this gentle vinyasa flow session is designed to stretch the body, steady the breath, and quieten everything else for a while.

    Venue

    Balfour Winery, Tonbridge and Malling

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 10:00 - 12:45
    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 12:45
  8. Tonbridge Classic Car Show

    Type

    Type:

    Free Event

    Tonbridge

    The Tonbridge Classic Car Show is back! Join us on Saturday 11th July 2026 at the stunning Tonbridge Castle for one of the town's favourite summer events.
    After last year's fantastic turnout, we're excited to bring you a show that's set to be even…

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026Open 10:30 - 15:30
  9. Weekend Wellness: Forest Bathing in the Blean

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    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:
    17 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
  10. Much A Do About Nothing

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Faversham

    Shakespeare’s famous romcom gets a gothic makeover at Belmont House and Gardens in Kent this summer.

    Glitz, glamour and scandal hit Messina in Changeling’s revival of Much Ado About Nothing. 

    Dates

    From:
    10 July 2026Open 18:30 - 21:00
  11. Sandwich Folk and Ale Festival

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    3 July 2026to5 July 2026
  12. Steve Backshall's Awesome Oceans Family Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chatham

    Calling all explorers! This summer, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has teamed up with legendary wildlife expert and adventurer, Steve Backshall, for an extraordinary journey beneath the waves. Explore the planet's coolest underwater habitats and…

    Venue

    The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Medway Towns

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  13. Jousting at Hever Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Edenbridge

    This summer the Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat,…

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026to31 Aug 2026
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Farmyard Summer Fun

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Ashford

    Farmyard Summer Fun 2026
    Get ready for a summer packed with hands-on fun, family games and farm adventures at our biggest Farmyard Summer Fun event yet. Running from 20 July to 31 August 2026, there's something different to enjoy every day…

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  17. 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 -
  18. JAM on the Marsh 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Charing, Ashford

    From 8-12 July, setting the Romney Marsh ablaze, JAM on the Marsh 2026 brings an unmissable line-up including Alexander Armstrong performing the Roaring 20s, open-air Much Ado About Nothing with flamboyant Changeling Theatre and the outstanding…

    Dates

    From:
    8 July 2026to12 July 2026Open 17:00 - 18:00
  19. Wreath Making Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Faversham

    Enjoy a half-day Floristry course at Brogdale Collections Charity. Forage fresh foliage from all over Brogdale Farm, in the course you'll learn everything you need to know to make and take home your very own seasonal wreath – perfect to hang on your…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
    From:
    4 Sept 2026Open 13:30 - 16:00
    From:
    25 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
    From:
    25 Sept 2026Open 13:30 - 16:00
    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 13:30 - 16:00
    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
  20. Deal Braderie

    Type

    Type:

    Antiques

    Deal

    Annual vintage and antiques market on Deal High Street.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 08:00 - 16:00