August Bank Holiday Events In Kent
Find out what’s on in Kent this August Bank Holiday weekend with our round-up – from country and dog shows to jousting and tribute, family, and history festivals, there’s lots on for everyone. Also, check out our What’s On, Things To Do, and Blog categories for more ideas and inspiration.
For over 30 years Santus Circus has been entertaining with a range of acts including the Wheel of Death, aerial and juggling artists, clowning from the dastardly duo Lucien and Sacha Santus, plus lots more. See Santus Circus In Herne Bay until the 28th of August.
The annual Ramsgate Festival of Sound offers a wide range of activities and events for all ages – with live music, talks, shows, and the Sonic Trail, until the 28th of August 2023.
Ashford Festival In The Park is a three-day free music and arts festival run by the community for the community. With funfair, acts including Iona and the Ambush, Great Grannies Rock and Dusty’s Disco, and lots more. From 25th to 27th of August.
See displays of daring and skill with stunts, falls, and fights this Summer as the Knights of Royal England demonstrate their action displays in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box. The annual Jousting Events at Hever Castle in Sevenoaks see the knights battle it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, as they compete for points to find the ultimate champion. From the 25th to 28th of August.
Proms Spectacular at Hole Park in Cranbrook on the 26th of August will feature favourite proms music, spitfire aerial acrobatics, and fireworks displays, with music from London’s Orion Orchestra. Take along your picnics and also enjoy a parachute display, and music from Sam Griffiths & The Mini Big Band, with the aerial display set to World War II movie themes.
On the 26th of August at Dover Pride 2023, there will be lots of parading through the heart of Dover with music, entertainment, and a market space to enjoy. You can get tickets for the live music events at Roman Lawn.
Catch the last days of the Herne Bay Festival 2023 includes a folk festival, Baytastic, Herne Bay Carnival, Jazz Festival, music, fireworks, and much, much more. Finishes on the 26th of August.
Music4Martha Sandwich at Guildhall Square is a day of music, face painting, and lots more alongside the Sandwich Festival. Martha Trust provides inclusive, lifelong care for people with profound physical and multiple learning disabilities. On the 26th of August.
The Cliftonville Games At Oval Bandstand in Margate on the 26th of August is a community family fun day with arts & crafts, street food stalls, and a range of fun activities and games. There will also be free entertainment.
Range of theatrical, sports, film, science, and music events and workshops at bOing! Family Festival at and around the Gulbenkian in Canterbury. With local, national, and international artists this is a festival for all ages and interests with lots of free fun events. There’s a live music stage, a baby zone, storytelling, yoga, and lots more. 26th and 27th August 2023
At the Brogdale Cider Trail 2023 in Faversham savour the Summer while you sample over 40 ciders, locally produced. Brogdale rolls up the barn doors to local producers of artisan and specialist cider. Exclusive barrels of scrumptious cider and Perry will be racked and ready for visitors to sample at this annual cider festival. Plenty of entertainment over the two days, including live music, food, and crafts from a wealth of Kent talent. And of course, there will be cider-making demonstrations. On the 26th to 27th of August.
Kent Gin Fest 2023 at Tonbridge Castle is the UK’s biggest gin festival with over 250 premium craft and small batch gins. There will also be live entertainment and international artisan food stalls, on the 26th and 27th of August.
With over 4,000 re-enactors and living history enthusiasts in attendance as well as over 250 stalls and 200 vehicles, Military Odyssey at Kent Showground in Maidstone is a multi-period living history event. Living History scenes and live action displays will provide a unique picture of life in conflict with depictions from Ancient history to modern-day warfare. From the 26th to 28th August.
Three days of events at the Sandwich Festival include a medieval experience on the Quay Green, a craft fair, a market, and a barn dance on Saturday and Sunday. Plus Italian car display, a concert for Martha Trust, the popular picnic concert, and live music in Delf Street. On Monday plenty more with classic cars, market stalls, craft fairs, duck race, and more live music. From the 26th to 28th August 2023.
Celebrating the lives of some of Britain’s most intrepid plant hunters with tours of the World Garden at Plant Hunters Weekend at Lullingstone Castle in Sevenoaks. Plus surprise animal guests from Second Chance Animal Rescue on both days and on Sunday the Hadleigh Community Choir entertains. From the 26th to 28th August 2023.
At Hever In History at Hever Castle in Sevenoaks step back in time at Hever Castle during the August bank holiday weekend. Immerse yourself in different periods of history with encampments and re-enactments from the Middle Ages to as recent as the 20th Century. 26th to 28th August 2023
Head to the music stage whilst soaking up the surroundings at the We Love Hythe Food Festival for a long weekend of fun, food, and music for all ages. 26th to 28th August 2023 for this three-day event with over 70 stalls, with music and entertainment for this ‘more than a food festival’.
Enjoy a wild weekend in a gorgeous forest retreat with Camp Wildfire for adults in Sevenoaks. It offers a range of 100 activities, 50 live bands and DJs, games, a spa, plus food and drinks. There’s plenty to choose from including cocktail mixology, parkour, creative writing, zorbing, burlesque, and lots, lots more. From the 25th to the 28th of August, and also from the 1st to the 4th of September.
It’s a Clash Of The Knights at Dover Castle is an all-action contest as teams of knights battle it out for victory armed only with clubs and shields, strength, and skill. In this adrenaline-fuelled combat, only one team will triumph. There’s also a medieval encampment, with musicians playing tunes from the Middle Ages. Plus, budding young knights can take part in drills to experience the thrill of the battle for themselves. From the 26th to 28th August 2023.
At the Annual Beer & Cider Festival at The East Kent Railway Trust near Dover all ages can enjoy all the attractions at the venue, from the 26th to the 28th of August.
Starting this weekend As part of their Festival of Craft & Design the Sublime Sculptures at Leeds Castle in Maidstone returns for another year. See the unique themed sculptures placed sympathetically throughout the grounds. 26th August to 8th October 2023.
Enjoy great shows on the August bank holiday with the Kent Tribute Festival at Strode Park in Herne Bay with a range of acts playing homages to a range of stars and bands. For children, there will also be free all-day inflatables, animal attractions, and lots more. The food village returns for this Strode Park Foundation fundraiser.
The Kent Country Show & The Kent Festival of Dogs at Quex Park in Birchington Thanet see a range of animals with displays, show rings, and live demonstrations. Dog delights include Dima Dog School from Britain’s Got Talent, workshops, games, dog shows, and plenty more. Plus, lots of children’s activities at the Festival for Kids include animal attractions, inflatables, and character meets. Throughout the show, there is live music, workshops, demonstrations, rural crafters, and lots, lots more. 27th & 28th August 2023.
On the 28th of August, the Summer Fair & Dog Show at Whitstable Castle features over 40 food, drink, craft, and gift stalls with live entertainment throughout the day.
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