Maidstone, Kent
Kent is known as the Garden of England, a county with a glorious natural landscape, stunning heritage coastline, award-winning attractions, offering an array of top-quality outdoor events all year round. Featuring a UNESCO World Heritage Site, numerous Blue Flag Beaches, historical, TV and film links and a whole host of seasonal events, ensures you'll find something different and something to love on every visit. Head to Kent in 2025 and get into the festival spirit with a visit to one of the many free events (F) happening across the county.
In 2025, Kent will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of JMW Turner and his connections to Margate. He came to live here when he was 11, a romantic painter, many of us see him everyday as he has featured on the British £20 note since 2020. A stunning peice of JMW Turner’s work called 'Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate' has just arrived at Turner Contemporary, on loan from the Tate, London and is expected to be on loan until April 2026. Step back in time and experience the atmosphere and action of the 1940s at Dover Castle as the famous historical attraction will be holding a World War II Weekend (14th - 15th June 25), or the ten days of creativity, entertainment and music at the annual Deal Arts and Music Festival (3rd - 13th July 25) or the fantastic free Sandwich Festival which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend (23rd - 25th August 25) (F).
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.
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. Whilst Maidstone, the event's capital of Kent, makes for an ideal base for festival goers, adventure weekenders or for exploring this beautiful county.
Take a look at our snapshot of events in Kent below, or head on down to the bottom of the page to see more...
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.
>>> Search & Book Kent Accommodation
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.
Number of results: 47
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Festival
Birchington
Country, soul, blues and rock 'n' roll in a local, national and international line up of musicians, motorcycles and automobiles. A brand-new family friendly festival with high octane energy and plenty of heart comes to one of Kent's best loved…
Food
Rye
Rye Harvest Wine and Food Fair is an opportunity to discover the incredible range of local produce from land and sea around us.
Festival
Maidstone
We are looking forward to the return of this fabulous, family friendly festival in 2025. Visitors can join in with the traditional hand-picking of hops, as well as meeting historical characters from Kent’s past.
Music
Deal
Enjoy this year's annual Deal Music and Arts Festival, which takes over the town of Deal in Kent for ten days this July.
Childrens Events
Chatham
This summer holiday, the mini-figures from Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks are ready for a brand-new adventure at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Meet Deckster – a curious little LEGO® figure who has spent five whole months inside the…
Childrens Events
Goudhurst
The interactive family trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get back to the family tree. Enjoy the wonderful world of Stick Man as you complete lots of fun stick-based activities, discover tree-mendous facts and learn about forest…
Arts
Canterbury
Members of the Canterbury Society of Art will display numerous original artworks in a variety of media including watercolours, acrylics, oils, pastels, Lino cuts and mixed media.
The artists will be in attendance and happy to explain about their…
Arts
Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst
Established in 2018 by Forestry England, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Parker Harris, Earth Photo is a world-leading international programme dedicated to engaging with still and moving image makers.
It's main objective is to reveal…
Festival
Linton
Get ready for the biggest Blue Reef Festival yet as we mark our fifth anniversary with a weekend full of unforgettable live music, family-friendly activities, and those unmatched Blue Reef Festival vibes! Taking place on July 25th & 26th at…
Exhibitions
Chatham
The internationally acclaimed exhibition, Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks, is making its UK debut at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Designed by Certified Professional Ryan "The Brickman" McNaught in partnership with the Australian National…
Other
Appledore
Welcome to the APPLEDORE CLASSIC CAR SHOW and VILLAGE FAIR 2025. This is our 40th Year and ARGMC are pleased to host once again. We're fast becoming one of the largest in the area with 5,000 visitors and 450 beautiful vehicles of all ages, shapes…
Festival
Maidstone
Maid of Stone festival is a 3-day rock music event held in Maidstone, Kent
Based in the beautiful Mote Park, we are a small rock festival with a 5000 capacity that has outstanding facilities, all situated close together and is described by many…
Antiques
Edenbridge
Vintage Fair at Chiddingstone Castle
Childrens Events
Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst
Come along to meet Stick Man himself at our fun day!
Stick Man will be appearing at various times throughout the day and there will be lots of Stick Man-themed activities on offer at Bedgebury.
Appearance times: Watch our Forestry England…
Special Events
Chatham
Pack up your troubles and join The Historic Dockyard Chatham in one final Salute to the '40s. The festival will return to the Dockyard for one last time this September in a powerful celebration to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the…
Walking
High Street, Rochester
Have fun (re-)discovering Rochester, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst discovering more about this fascinating town. Curious…
Childrens Events
Ashford
Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig and Evie are coming to the farm on Saturday 27th September!
Get ready for a day full of laughter and family fun as Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig and Evie visit the farm for special meet and greets at intervals throughout the day. It's…
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.
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.
Fete / Fair
Dover
Dover's most popular and anticipated event will return to the seafront this July!
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