We will update for 2027 as soon as events are confirmed

Visit our Festivals in Kent for the current main guide to the top festivals in the Garden of England.

February Festivals in Kent: Your 2026 Guide

February in the Garden of England is all about beating the Winter chill with a packed calendar of culture. This month, Kent’s streets are lighting up with community trails, coastal pubs are filling with the sound of the blues, and historic towns are hosting world-class literary talent.

From the Broadstairs Blues Bash and Light Up Maidstone to the Faversham Literary Festival, we’ve rounded up the must-visit events across the county. We also take a look at a brand-new music festival in Canterbury to round out your month.
Don’t miss your guide to the best festivals in Kent this February.

Kent Festivals Guides for 2026

We’ve also made it easier to plan your perfect outing with our curated, dedicated guides for specific events and themes. Explore the best festivals in Kent, the Garden of England, from music and food festivals to historic fairs and county shows.

Festivals in Kent: Main guide to the top festivals in the Garden of England.

🎶 Music Festivals in Kent: Every beat and bassline showcased in one guide.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family-Friendly Festivals: Children’s festivals and events with ‘festivals within festivals’ for all ages.

🥂 Food & Drink Festivals: Street food, culinary delights, and local Kentish brews.

🆓 Free Festivals in Kent: Our definitive guide to the best no-cost events.

🎡 Carnivals & Fayres: Country shows, community fairs, and traditional carnivals.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride in Kent: Your ultimate guide to Pride celebrations across the region.

TOP FEBRUARY FESTIVALS
2026

Last updated 18th February 2026

Light Up Maidstone
🏮

Where: Maidstone
When: 6th to 28th February
A month-long celebration of light and wellbeing. It kicks off with a spectacular Lantern Parade followed by a trail that illuminates the town’s best-loved landmarks.
Highlights
Parade: 6th February, enjoy an evening taking part or watching the parade, followed by entertainment.
Lantern Trail: 10th-28th February – perfect for the February half term
Good to Know: Most wellbeing events are free; some run year-round.
Price: Free.
⭐ See our listing for the Light Up Maidstone event for more information ⭐

Broadstairs Blues Bash
🎶

Where: Broadstairs (various venues)
When: 18th to 22nd February 2026
One of the UK’s favourite free blues festivals. Expect over 130 bands and artists across the town’s legendary pubs and bars.
Highlights: Showcases, workshops, jamming sessions, and the famous Gospel Breakfast.
Price: Mostly free; a small number of events are ticketed. Programme, £3.
Don’t Miss: Four new acts showcase, Gospel Breakfast with Thanet Jubilee Singers and lots more.

⭐ See our Broadstairs Blues Bash listing for parking info and the full programme link. ⭐

Discover more events and attractions while you are visiting by checking out our Broadstairs Area Guide for local attractions and our Thanet Area Guide for nearby towns. Also visit the latest What’s On in Kent to see what’s happening today.

Faversham Literary Festival
📖

Where: Faversham (various venues)
When: 20th February to 1st March 2026
Enjoy talks, readings, and sessions from a range of authors and poets at this celebration of the written word featuring big names and local talent. Plenty of kids’ events too.
Highlights: Top authors, writers and historians.
Celebrity Appearances: Jenny Elclair – Enjoy a special talk with the celebrated writer and broadcaster.
Family Fun: Supertato creator Sue Hendra (CBeebies), draw-alongs, and the Return to Wonderland adventure.
Workshops: Creative writing, poetry, and spoken word sessions.
Price: Free-£25.

⭐ See our Faversham Literary Festival listing for ticket links and venue details. ⭐

Looking for more events and things to do while visiting? Check out our Faversham Area Guide for local attractions, or visit our What’s On in Kent menu and filter by location.

Maidstone’s Lunar New Year 2026
🎉

Where: Jubilee Square, Maidstone
When: 21st February 2026
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with traditional ceremonies and high-energy performances at this fantastic free event.
Highlights: The ‘Dotting of the Eyes’ ceremony to awaken the Chinese Lions, lion dancing, and a traditional Puppet Show.
Special Performance: He Wei Opera and the SOAS Musical Ensemble.
Price: Free

⭐ See our  Maidstone’s Lunar New Year listing for more information ⭐

Looking for more events and things to do in North Kent? Check out our Maidstone area guide for local attractions, or visit our What’s On in Kent menu and filter by location.

You Are Here Festival
🎶

Where: Gulbenkian and Colyer-Fergusson Hall, Canterbury
When: 27th February to 1st March 2026
A three-day fest of grassroots sounds, ranging from West African griot to Belgian punk and ‘retro-future electro-shambles.’
Price: £10-£40
Good to Know: Tickets are limited to 300, so book early to avoid disappointment!

⭐ See our You Are Here Festival listing for more info and the ticket link⭐

Looking for more events and things to do in Canterbury? Check out our Canterbury Area Guide for local attractions, or visit our What’s On in Kent menu and filter by location.

See Kent, Know Kent
🏛️ 🌹 Explore the Garden of England with our Things to do in Kent category for lots more attractions and historic places to visit.

Discover More
🎭 🎤  What’s On In Kent: Check our events menu for the latest updates.
💡 Ideas & Inspiration: Don’t miss our features – Seasonal Round-ups, Festivals, County Shows, and School Holiday highlights for Kent.
🏰🦒 Top Guides: Explore our Top Attractions in Kent, 18 Adventure Activities, Animal Experiences, and Festivals in Kent.

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We do our best to endeavour to be as accurate and comprehensive as possible from the information we have at the time of publication. We are not liable for any changes that a company or event makes at the last minute, whether time changes or price amendments.

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