ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
THE ARTS HOTLIST 2026
JAM ON THE MARSH
KENT’ S FESTIVALS
25. Stour Music Festival, Stour Valley
26. Wealden Literary Festival, Boldshaves 20- 21 June Join the annual celebration of nature, arts, literature and food, set within the ancient woodland of Boldshaves. Discover bespoke workshops, talks and naturefocused activities to help you reconnect with the natural world and learn about sustainable practices. boldshaves. com boldshaves
27. Broadstairs Dickens Festival, Broadstairs 12- 14 June Hosting their 86th showcase, the Broadstairs Dickens Festival celebrates the life and work of Charles Dickens, who regularly visited Broadstairs during his lifetime. Running since 1937, the festival allows you to get dressed up in Victorianthemed costumes, indulge in beach picnics and enjoy theatre performances in honour of the esteemed author. broadstairsdickensfestival. co. uk visit _ broadstairs
28. The Spirit of Tenterden, Tenterden 3- 5 July Join the historic town of Tenterden over three days of community-led spirit, with live music, family and children’ s entertainment, plus a variety of street food and drink stalls. The festival will highlight a number of artisan makers and creative stalls from local artists, along with arena displays and the annual dog show. spiritoftenterden. co. uk spirittenterden
29. St Edmund’ s Festival, Canterbury 24- 30 June St Edmund’ s much-loved annual Festival on the Hill will return again for another joyous celebration of music, art, drama and sport. This year, expect Festival Evensong and an inspiring singing workshop with acclaimed vocal coach Mark De-Lisser. With performances from Stringfever and The Horne Section alongside Sunday sporting sessions and a vibrant art exhibition. stedmundsfestival. org. uk stedsfestival
30. Creative Arts in Diversity Festival, Maidstone 4 July A special day dedicated to celebrating diversity through the arts, helping to bring communities together through forms of storytelling, crafts, music and heritage experiences. Held in the beautiful Brenchley Gardens, expect an open parade with a South Indian traditional band, alongside textile workshops, folklore performances and drumming workshops. creativeartsindiversity
31. Herne Bay Folk Festival, Herne Bay 24- 26 July The Herne Bay Folk Festival is a communityfunded, vibrant arts festival. This year’ s lineup is set to thrill with live music from Alan Prosser( Oyster Band), shanties and morris dancing. The festival will make its way through Herne Bay’ s streets, with multiple stages and acoustic acts. hernebayfestival. com hernebayfest
32. JAM on the Marsh, Romney Marsh 8- 12 July Founded in 2014, the annual festival is set on the breathtaking open landscape of Romney Marsh, bringing world-class art to medieval churches and community spaces. With a local spirit and international presence, the festival invites the artistically ambitious, with ensembles from BBC singers and composers including Judith Bingham OBE and Jonathan Dove CBE. jamconcert. org jamconcert _ uk
33. Canterbury Festival, Canterbury 16- 31 October Recognised as Kent’ s leading arts festival, the annual two-week extravaganza is returning for another year of artistic celebration. With two weeks of diverse performances from music and theatre to comedy and science, there will be classical concerts including the FREINDly Concert held at Canterbury Cathedral and a contemporary circus; suitable for all ages. canterburyfestival. co. uk canterburyfest
100 • www. insidekent. co. uk