NOW

The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle keeps raging on. Set in the stunning gardens of Hever Castle this open air venue has music acts, operas, films, plays and family shows planned all summer long. Highlights include; The Circus of Curiosities (Sun 14 July), Ronnie Scott’s All Stars (Sun 11 Aug), Blackadder (Fri 16 & Sat 17 Aug), Horrible Histories Live on Stage (Thurs 29 Aug) and the muscial theatre group, West Enders (Sun 25 Aug). Book up asap.

JUNE

Haven’t got your tickets yet? What are you waiting for?! Huge artists Sheryl Crow, Joe Bonamassa and Rufus Wainwright are set to headline the UK Americana Festival on Fri 14 – Sun 16 June. Yup, Black Deer returns to Eridge Park in Tunbridge Wells for a barn-storming three-day family fest of live music, late-night parties, vintage vehicles, outdoor pursuits and foodie delights. As per you can expect a stellar lineup of established and new Americana, country, blues, folk and bluegrass artists so step to it!

Get music festival vibes at the stunning outdoor theatre, Dreamland with a fab variety of artists playing throughout the summer. Go see Craig David with special guest Wes Nelson (Fri 21 June), Sam Ryder (Thurs 27 June), JLS (Sat 6 July), Jess Glynne (Fri 26 July), Paloma Faith (Fri 16 Aug), Busted (Fri 23 Aug) or Becky Hill (Sat 31 Aug & Sun 1 Sep).

For a celebration of all things reggae, don’t miss Margate Reggae Festival on Sat 22 June. The open-air weekender at Dreamland with live music from Julian Marley & The Uprising, Steel Pulse, Aswad, The Skints, Desmond Dekker’s Aces ft. Delroy Williams and many more. As well as bags of fun from theme park rides, roller disco, disco yoga to dance classes. Ready for fun in the sun?

The vibrant annual Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival is coming BACK, Sat 29 June – Sun 14 July, two weeks of jam-packed events featuring up-and-coming artists and performers in a range of venues across the town. This year will see almost 200 performances with award-winning comedy, classical theatre, head-banging bands and everything in between from magic to children’s workshops, cabaret, dance and drag. The tickets range from being completely free up to £20. Explore the whole programme and get booking asap.

JULY

What’s better than summer, the seaside and wonderful music in the air? Deal Music & Arts Festival, Thurs 4 – Sun 14 July is a unique celebration in the historic surroundings of Deal and Dover. Expect great classical and contemporary music from some of the world’s finest music-makers plus theatre, opera, cinema and dance.

Enjoy not 1 but 3 big music events this July at the stunning setting of Rochester Castle. Rochester Castle Live on the weekend of Fri 5 – Sun 7 July will see Downtown Festival with headliners Kaiser Chiefs, Superboxx with B*Witched and Uptown Festival will be bringing UB40 to town.

Dust off your smartest smock for this one as the iconic event that is the Leeds Castle Concert on Sat 13 July. Set in the most stunning location and natural amphitheatre in front of the beautiful Leeds Castle. People in their thousands flock to see this amazing open-air musical delight. Expect world-class music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a spectacular fly-over with a Spitfire and a fireworks finale. Fancy your chance at winning some tickets to go? Enter now asap!

This annual multi-art festival hosts a wide range of events and exhibitions over various venues in Romney Marsh, including its famous medieval churches. JAM on The Marsh is back on Thurs 4 – Sun 14 July and is internationally recognised as a creative, dynamic and forward-thinking festival, drawing an audience of over 17k every year. Enjoy visual arts, theatre, poetry, music and children’s events. Check out the full line-up here.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Canterbury’s annual Medieval Pageant and Trail, brought to you by the Canterbury BID team, will be taking place on Sat 6 July, celebrating the role pilgrimage has had on the historic city and this year they’re celebrating King Henry II’s famous visit to Canterbury, 850 years ago! Expect a colour parade featuring historical characters and re-enactment groups, music and giants along with a family trail through various locations in the city.

AUGUST

Green Room is a new three-day, music festival series featuring world-class artists that the whole family will love coming Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sep. Taking place in the UK’s largest medieval Tithe Barn, located in the picturesque village of Lenham, audience numbers are limited so you really get the best possible experience. Think 3 days, 5 concerts, classic cars, local refreshments, beautiful spaces and world class performers – including Lance Ellington, the resident vocalist on Strictly Come Dancing. This is not to be missed!

Visit Woolton Farm near Canterbury not only for their wonderful cider and award-winning wines but also huge range of fun events this summer like; Classic Car Show (Sun 4 Aug) with free entry see a fantastic range of Classic motors and enjoy freshly made sourdough pizzas, The Sound of Kent Festival (Sat 17 Aug) is two-days of live music from Kent’s best up-and-coming musicians and closing the summer season is the End of Summer Party (Sat 24 – Sun 25 Aug) with garden games, freshly baked pizza, live music, face painting, bouncy castle, BBQ, large selection of craft cider and beers!

Now in its 10th year, The Milk House in Sissinghurst’s Milk Fest promises to be the biggest and best one yet, the four day festival kicks off on Fri 23 Aug til Mon 26 Aug. Friday kicks off with Twilight Tunes and piccolo pizzas, the next day will see full-fat family fun with a bouncy castle, bubble-ologists, glitter tattoo artists and the evenings gives way to headline bands and a Silent Disco. If you’re after a chiller vibe, head on Sunday for a day of music and chill rounded off with DJ AJK in the afternoon. Going out with a bang, Monday Madness has spin the wheel and a grand finale with The Generations Band. BBQ and pizza available all weekend long.

Biddenden Tractorfest is returning to the fields of Holden Farm in Biddenden over the weekend of Sat 17 – Sun 18 Aug. Now in its 10th year, it’s a fun day out for all the family! The tractors are definitely the centre of attention with over 200 expected to exhibit over the weekend plus plenty of stalls, vehicle demos and children’s entertainment. Arena demonstrations will include falconry, fun dog show and sheep agility, to name just a few. Not forgetting food and drink, live music and so much more.

Be quick cos there’s limited availability left for Camp Kindling returning to Sevenoaks on Fri 16 – Mon 19 Aug, it’s a wild weekend set in a gorgeous forest retreat with over 100 amazing activities (included in your ticket) to do, learn, and discover. Dance the night away amongst the trees with 50 live bands and DJs across the weekend and relax in wood-fired hot tubs or chill around the campfire. The whole family will love this.

bOing! is bouncing back at The Gulbenkian in Canterbury on Sat 26 and Sun 27 Aug. Expect an amazing weekend of the very best in theatre, dance, films, and fun for all the family, packed with magical performances and experiences. And as always, it’s free to enter so you can enjoy a brilliant festival day of outdoor performances and activities. Plus there’s a range of ticketed indoor performances (from £6).

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Join Kent Life Heritage Farm’s Ice Cream Festival running over the bank holiday weekend in August, Sat 24 – Mon 26 Aug. Get to try a huge range of ice creams (dairy free and vegan options too!) and finish off your ice cream at their toppings station with a variety of syrups, marshmallows and sprinkles. Or why not try a waffle or sundae? Enjoy live music, food stalls and plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. Adult and Child tickets (aged 2 – 15 years) are £11.36 each.

Words by Mollie Manning

Make some noise! 30 summer festivals to book now

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