Festivals In Kent
If you are looking for top festivals in Kent, this is the guide for what’s on. The Garden of England offers fun with music events, food and drink festivals, family-friendly events, and even fur babies get paw-festivals. Find Festivals in Kent for all interests and tastes – there’s something for everyone with our Festivals in Kent guide.
FESTIVALS IN KENT 2025 GUIDES
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 stunning Garden of England. From music and food festivals to historic fairs and county shows.
Music Festivals in Kent 2025
Find top music festivals in Kent showcased in one guide, so you won’t miss what’s on the music festival scene this year.
Family-Friendly Festivals in Kent 2025
Those looking for family-friendly festivals in Kent need this handy round-up of events, including children’s festivals to those that have festivals within festivals for little ones and bigger ones too!
Food and Drink Festivals in Kent 2025
There are many Food and Drink Festivals in Kent to sample street food, culinary delights, as well as live comedy and music to keep you entertained. See our guide for what’s on near you.
Free Festivals in Kent 2025
Find free festivals in Kent with our definitive guide.
Carnivals, Country Shows, & Fayres In Kent
County and country shows, community fayres and fairs all over the county – we’ve got the top events covered in our Carnivals, Country Shows, & Fayres In Kent guide.
Pride in Kent
Searching for a Pride event near you? Explore our ultimate guide to Pride celebrations across the region.
Discover even more to enjoy and discover in Kent – check out our Things To Do in Kent and What’s On sections for a full list of attractions and events across the Garden of England. Don’t miss our features, with more guides in our Ideas & Inspiration for Kent section.
See Kent, Know Kent
FESTIVALS IN KENT IN 2025
Last updated 20th May 2025
For more details on each event, click the heading to view our full listing of Festivals in Kent.
MAY 2025 FESTIVALS IN KENT
SMALL WORLD SPRING FESTIVAL
Headcorn, Ashford
22nd to 26th May 2025
Family-friendly festivals in Kent include this 5-day event of music, entertainment and family fun. Packed days full of musicians, performers, artists, craftspeople, jesters, magicians and lots more for family fun powered by the sun. There’s plenty for children with creative play, theatre, circus skills workshops leading to a fire show, a kids parade, a teen chill area and lots more.
SPRING BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL
Woolton Farm, Canterbury
23rd to 26th May 2025
Enjoy four days of live music, food and drinks over the Bank Holiday weekend with a large selection of craft cider & real ale for the adults. Plus, lots of family fun in Kent with garden games, a bouncy castle and face painting for the little ones. ⇒ More details
CHATHAM MARITIME FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Maritime Wharf
24th to 26th May 2025
This is a free, family-friendly festival, run by the Chatham Maritime Trust, with something for everyone to enjoy. There will also be live music, children’s activities, water-based fun including a Dragonboat Race and have a go sessions, and lots of food and drink delights! ⇒ More details
4 PAWS AT THE FORT
Fort Amherst, Chatham
24th and 25th May 2025
Enjoy fun dog competitions, Bubble Dog Disco, Doggy Ball, Water Pits and lots more with your four-legged friend(s) at this pawsome event. With lots of stalls and activities, don’t miss this fun day out for all the family.
BRITISH COUNTRY SHOW KENT
Wings of the Morning Field, Sevenoaks
25th & 26th May 2025
. Over two days, there will be motorbike stunts, wrestling, barrel racing, cookery demos, with Toploader headlining the music line-up. This country show includes the British We Love Dogs in Wrotham in Sevenoaks, including a charity dog show and agility classes. Don’t forget the family-friendly fun with children’s activities, rides, Punch and Judy shows, and lots more.
JUNE 2025 FESTIVALS IN KENT
THE KENT WELLNESS FESTIVAL
Kent Showground, Maidstone
7th and 8th June 2025
Two-day celebration for wellness enthusiasts, offering a range of workshops, talks, and classes led by industry professionals. Tickets will be available soon.
BROADSTAIRS DICKENS FESTIVAL
Broadstairs, Thanet
13th June to 15th June 2025
Head to the seaside town for one of the many festivals in Kent, where you can see several Victorian-costumed residents during this annual family fun event. Plus, the festival play this year is The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
FESTABILITY
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
14th June 2025
The family-friendly festival in Kent is accessible to all, regardless of ability or impairment. This open-air, live music festival offers a day of entertainment, performers and activities.
SEVENOAKS SUMMER FESTIVAL
21st June to 6th July 2025
The fun starts with the free Festival Fair with a day of live music, Morris dancing, walkabout & street theatre, a roving magician, puppet shows and lots more. There’s plenty for everyone during the festival, including walks, opera, poetry, theatre, art exhibitions and lots more at this annual event at various venues in and around the town. The festival ends with Pam Ayres in her Doggedly Onward show.
TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN MAIDSTONE
Mote Park, Midstone
28th June 2025
Festivals in Kent include the Taste Of The Caribbean, Maidstone, which promises to be a foodie fiesta with rhythmic beats of reggae, Motown, and R&B classics to enjoy too! There’s a great music line-up, family-friendly activities, including a bouncy castle, face painting and more, plus a One Love Bake Off competition.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS FRINGE FESTIVAL
Tunbridge Wells
28th June to 13th July 2025
Another great festival in Kent that showcases local, national and international talent in a variety of genres including music, theatre, comedy, children’s shows, workshops, opera, dance and lots more. In over 43 venues, see over 165 acts.
SANDWICH FOLK & ALE FESTIVAL
30th June to 6th July 2025
Enjoy a week of live music, food and drink stalls, and Morris dancers. This multi-arts festival highlights traditional and contemporary folk life and art in a beautiful medieval town.
JULY 2025 FESTIVALS IN KENT
JAM On The Marsh 2025
New Romney
3rd to 13th July 2025
New Romney is a multi-arts festival with music, theatre, film, and workshops. Highlights include Kosmos Ensemble (pictured) present a fusion of jewish, gypsy, tango, flamenco, celtic, and jazz influences, an outdoor production of Twelfth Night and free art workshops.
DEAL MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2025
Deal
3rd to 13th July 2025
Annual event of concerts, theatre, workshops, and literature, plus walks, exhibitions, storytelling, a town takeover and lots more. Full of events for all interests and ages, including family workshops, circus acts, free live music, outdoor theatre and Deal Pride.
THE IBIZA ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE THANET
Quex Park, Birchington
4th July 2025
New for 2025, The Ibiza Orchestra are a 26-instrument orchestra ensemble with vocalists and DJs who present their unique take on Ibiza anthems and White Isle classics. With a Groove Amanda DJ set, expect a night of music from Massive Attack, Ian Van Dahl, Daft Punk, and lots more.
THE SPIRIT OF TENTERDEN FESTIVAL
Tenterden Recreation Ground
4th to 6th July 2025
Enjoy live music, food, drink, a real ale festival, arena displays, children’s entertainment, and lots more at this community event. Fun for fur babies too, with a Fun Dog Show on the Sunday.
RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL
Gravesham
5th July 2025
With live music and family fun activities. More details to follow once confirmed.
SAUSAGE & CIDER FESTIVAL THANET
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
5th July 2025
Lots of great live acts as you enjoy flavours of sausage and cider from around the world, as this festival in Kent returns to Thanet for another year. There will be live entertainment from artists and bands, including The Hoosiers, Reef, and tribute acts of bands such as Kings of Leon and Fleetwood Mac.
THE PANTILES COUNTRY AND WESTERN FESTIVAL
The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
5th & 5th July 2025
Inspired by American and South American, and Western cultures, this food and drink festival in Kent offers over 20 food and drink stalls, with live music and entertainment throughout the weekend. Free entry
MARGATE COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Oval Bandstand, Cliftonville, Thanet
12th July 2025
Plenty of country fun with interactive line-dance routines, competitions, bucking bronco rides and live bands including Buckle ‘n’ Boots, a UK country duo, blending traditional Americana with modern pop influences. Plus, Britain’s Got Talent’s Nick Edwards & His Band, and the multi-award-winning British band, Gasoline & Matches.
FAVERSHAM’S PIRATE FESTIVAL 2025
Front Brents, beside Faversham Creek
13th July 2025
Enjoy another great festival in Kent that returns for 2025. This waterside day of fun offers nautical displays at Front Brents, beside Faversham Creek. There will be entertainment including Punch and Judy shows, and cannon and weapon displays featuring the Sheppey Pirates and Canterbury Medieval Combat. Don’t miss appearances by Captain Jack Sparrow himself and the chance to visit the Mermaid Cove. Plus, boat trips, food and charity stalls, nautical games and lots more.
HYTHE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Holman’s Field, Hythe
16th to 20th July 2025
Family fun at this foodie fest with produce and crafts stalls and plenty of attractions. There are two music stages, children’s workshops and funfair rides, cooking demonstrations and comedy.
THE IBIZA ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells
18th July 2025
See the 26-piece live orchestra’s unique take on Ibiza and White Isle classics, including music from Candi Staton, Daft Punk, Robert Miles, Energy 52, Faithless and lots more. Plus vocalists, DJs and support acts.
THE GARDEN GATE MUSIC DAY
Garden Gate Project, Margate
19th July 2025
The Garden Gate Music Day in Margate is Thanet’s boutique festival. For a fun weekend event, enjoy the day of music and fun, with food, drinks, and lots more.
SAUSAGE & CIDER FESTIVAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells
19th July 2025
Discover the different flavours of sausage and cider from around the world, alongside special guests, including Barrioke and Big John Bosh, with Ne Night in Nashville and Reef on stage. There are also tributes to bands including Mumford and Sons, Foo Fighters and Fleetwood Mac.
BAYTASTIC FESTIVAL
Herne Bay
20th July 2025
Enjoy a day of great family and community fun. Enjoy live music, DJs, demonstrations, wrestling and lots more. The festival also offers traditional funfair games in collaboration with Age UK Herne Bay and Whitstable. This year also sees the return of the Junior Driving School, where little ones can have a go at driving a ‘proper car’.
HERNE BAY FESTIVAL
Herne Bay
20th July to 17th August 2025
The annual festival offers weeks of celebrations of free art and culture and stands as a beacon of community spirit. They are currently fundraising to ensure they can continue the festival in 2025 – visit the Herne Bay Festival website for details.
MAIDSTONE RIVER FESTIVAL
Maidstone
26th July 2025
Enjoy a day of water-based fun, displays, entertainment, with dance and music performances, watch raft races, and there are activities throughout the day. The Carriage Museum will be open for visitors, you can visit the All Saints Church bell tower, and an all-day craft market. The day ends with the Firmin Family Fireworks Spectacular at Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre.
CHICKENSTOCK FESTIVAL 2025
Pett Wood Farm, Sittingbourne
31st July to 3rd August 2025
The big little festival with a heart returns for four unforgettable days of family fun! Dance along to live music from Squangey Bobbins, Brooke Law, The Mustard and many more incredible acts, plus loads of surprises for all ages. For little ones in the Hen House, there will be sing & sign, circus skills, craft tables, magic shows, African drumming and storytelling to keep them entertained. Dogs are welcome, too.
AUGUST 2025 FESTIVALS IN KENT
MARGATE SOUL WEEKENDER
Margate, Thanet
1st to 3rd August 2025
The Margate Soul Festival. Back for another year of live music that uses the town’s ultimate backdrop for a packed, long weekend of soul music. Don’t miss the UK’s biggest soul music street party and its impressive lineup of great soul artists and DJs.
THE ISLE OF THANET FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
1st to 3rd August 2025
Part of the QuexFest event includes street food, live music, stalls, and lots more that are free to enter. The festival also includes ticketed events, with an ale & cider festival, comedy and a children’s play area with activities.
QuexFEST
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
1st to 10th August 2025
Ten days of festival fun with two festivals, art and culture, children’s activities and lots more. This includes The Isle of Thanet Food & Drink Festival, which offers street foods, stalls full of produce, live music, cookery demos and food competitions. Extra ticketed events include an ale & cider festival, comedy and a children’s play area with activities. Following this is a week of talks, quizzes, comedy and children’s activities. QuexFest concludes with the Motor Mule Music Festival and Classic Vehicle Show, full of country, soul, blues and rock n roll in a local, national and international line-up of musicians, motorcycles and automobiles.
MOTOR MULE MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
8th to 10th August 2025
Also part of the QuexFest event, enjoy this country showcase of musicians, motorcycles and automobiles.
WILDERNESS GATHERING BUSHCRAFT FESTIVAL
Hole Park, Tenterden
14th to 17th August 2025
Festival in Kent with workshops, masterclasses, live music and lots more is at this, the longest-running and still the original festival of bushcraft, survival and primitive living skills. Plenty for little ones too, with kids’ bushcraft events and activities.
SOUND OF KENT FESTIVAL
Woolton Farm, Canterbury
16th August 2025
This festival in Kent is designed to give new musicians a stage to show everyone what they can offer and is centred around showcasing Kent musicians.
BIDDENDEN TRACTORFEST
Holden Farm, Biddenden
16th & 17th August 2025
Over 200 vehicles on display, including vintage tractors, steam engines, vintage buses and lots more, plus demonstrations, children’s entertainment, animals, and arena displays to entertain all ages, and is another great fun family event in Kent.
PRESTON SUMMERFEST
Preston, Canterbury
22nd to 24th August 2025
The date has been confirmed for this three-day family-friendly three-day music festival celebrating the vibrant party spirit of music and togetherness. Acts include Squangey Bobbins and Shiva.
bOing! Festival 2025
Canterbury
23rd & 24th August 2025
Enjoy a weekend of fun shows, performances, interactive sports and activities, live music, arts & crafts, and lots more, with lots of free events.
KENT TRIBUTE FESTIVAL
Strode Park, Herne Bay
24th August 2025
See top tributes to Dua Lipa, Michael Bublé, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, Adele, Lewis Capaldi, and lots more. For little ones, there are all-day inflatables, animal attractions and lots more.
FAVERSHAM HOP FESTIVAL 2025
30th & 31st August 2025
Enjoy sounds from over 70 bands and performers providing 70 hours of live music across four stages, and dedicated busker areas for two day of great festival fun in Kent. With a Festival Village for camping, dancers including Morris and other styles, a fairground, magic shows, juggling, balloon twisting, Harry (iet) the Hop and lots more.
SEPTEMBER 2025 FESTIVALS IN KENT
COT’S RUBY JULILEE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford
6th & 7th September 2024
Celebrate COT’s 40th Anniversary as a registered charity with music, fun and community activities.
RENAISSANCE FAIRE UK
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
13th & 14th September 2025
enjoy a weekend of music, food, and immersive storytelling with unique performances, exotic food and drink stalls, and the chance to meet extraordinary characters at this event where fantasy becomes reality.
SALUTE TO THE ’40S
Historic Dockyard Chatham
20th & 21st September 2025
Family-friendly festivals in Kent include this annual event with circus acts, an enchanting bubble wizard, and storytelling sessions. Enjoy Live entertainment that will transport you back to the vibrant 1940s, with classic cars and military vehicles, plus lots more displays of the era’s remarkable history at this family fun vintage festival.
HARVEST CIDER & BEER FESTIVAL
Woolton Farm, Canterbury
26th, 27th & 28th September 2025
Enjoy three days of live music, food and drink and plenty for little ones with garden games, face painting and activities throughout the weekend.
OCTOBER 2025 FESTIVALS IN KENT
OKTOBERFEST THANET
Quex Park, Birchington, Thanet
18th October 2025
Festival vibes and plenty of beer, sing-alongs and Oompah bands, with a Bavarian beer bar, mini trader village, a photo booth, gourmet bratwurst and lots more.
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