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August in Kent is a gentle crescendo—of light, warmth, and possibility. Mornings open with golden light pooling over orchards; afternoons hum with festivals; and evenings stretch lazily into conversation, music, and memory. From theatre in Canterbury to cider under orchard trees, art trails by the sea to jazz in medieval streets, the month offers a sequence of invitations—each worth answering.

This guide gathers the best of Kent’s August calendar, with special focus on the August Bank Holiday weekend—Saturday 23 to Monday 25 August 2025—when the county brims over with life. Whether you’re plotting a family day out, a culture-soaked weekend, or a spontaneous road trip, you’ll find handpicked highlights, practical tips, and a few locals’ secrets to help you make the most of it.

Early to Mid-August: Folk Traditions and Coastal Creativity

8–15 August – Broadstairs Folk Week (60th Anniversary)

Where: Broadstairs (Thanet)
Vibe: Seaside sessions, ceilidhs, Morris on the promenade, craft fair on the clifftop

For one luminous week in August, Broadstairs becomes a living stage. In 2025 the festival marks its 60th anniversary with music in pubs and on bandstands, family ceilidhs, dancing along Viking Bay, and the Craft & Music Fair in Victoria Gardens. It’s a blissful mix of sea air and fiddles, free fringe sessions and bookable headline shows—ideal for first-timers as well as folk fans.

Plan it

• Tickets: From day to full-week options (mix of free and paid)

• Getting there: Southeastern to Broadstairs; beach and venues are walkable

• Family note: Easy to dip in and out between swims and shows

19 July–19 October – Folkestone Triennial: How Lies the Land?

Where: Folkestone (across town & coast)
Vibe: World-class outdoor art you can stroll through—free, surprising, and conversation-starting

Every three years, Folkestone becomes a vast gallery. In 2025, international artists respond to coastline, geology, migration, and memory with large-scale public artworks, sound pieces, and interventions you stumble upon in cliff paths, harbour fronts, and historic streets. It’s free, walkable, and perfect for curious families and design lovers alike.

Why go in August? Long days, sea breezes, and the chance to see the work bathed in golden evening light. Pack comfortable shoes and a camera—the unexpected is part of the experience.

19–23 August – The Addams Family (UK Tour) at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Where: The Marlowe Theatre (Main House)
Vibe: Big-hearted gothic musical comedy; matinees for family days

The Broadway-born musical arrives in Canterbury just in time for the Bank Holiday build-up. Expect a live orchestra, lavish staging, and laugh-out-loud moments as Wednesday Addams introduces her unconventional boyfriend to the family. Performances run Tuesday to Saturday, with matinees midweek for family-friendly afternoons.

Plan it

• Tickets: Tiered pricing; check accessibility and captioned performances on The Marlowe’s website

• Make a day of it: Early supper along the King’s Mile; twilight stroll by the Cathedral

The August Bank Holiday Weekend: Festivals, Markets, Picnics & Music

(Saturday 23 – Monday 25 August 2025)

23–24 August – Brogdale Cider Festival, Faversham

Where: Brogdale Farm, home of the National Fruit Collection
Vibe: Kentish cider, live music, kids’ activities amid heritage orchards

The Cider Festival is Kent summer distilled: over 40 local ciders and perries, live bands, craft stalls, and free family activities such as tractor rides, apple juicing, and games. Dates are Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–17:00, with prices held from last year. There’s a free shuttle bus running to and from Faversham station.

Tips

• Arrive early: Popular barrels can run low by late afternoon

• Bring a picnic rug: Orchard edges make perfect perches for music sets

• No car? Use the train and shuttle

24 August – Artisan Market, Tonbridge Castle

Where: Tonbridge Castle grounds
Vibe: Handcrafted finds, patisserie, small-batch beauty and a castle backdrop—free to browse

A perfect Sunday roam: 10:00–16:00, free entry, indoors and outdoors. Browse ceramics, textiles, and food producers in the shadow of a historic castle, then wander the River Medway for coffee and cake.

Practical:

• Parking: Town centre car parks nearby

• Combine with: Haysden Country Park for a lakeside stroll

24 August – Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Walmer Castle & Gardens

Where: Walmer (English Heritage)
Vibe: Gentle, interactive theatre with puppets and songs for ages 2–6, shows at 1pm & 3pm

Bring your favourite bear for Rainy Day Bear’s Adventure—lively, colourful, and perfectly timed between lunch and a garden wander. Book ahead; performances often sell out.

Make a day of it

• Walk the coastal path to Deal for ice creams on the pier

• English Heritage members: admission included, but show tickets required

21–24 August – Greenbelt Festival, Boughton House (near Kettering)

A weekend of music, comedy, craft, theatre, dance, food, spirituality, talks, and community. Greenbelt’s ethos is inclusivity and creativity, welcoming people of all backgrounds to share in performance and conversation.

23–25 August – Local & Live Festival, Tunbridge Wells

Where: Calverley Grounds + fringe at The Forum & pubs
Vibe: Free, family-friendly grassroots music in a natural amphitheatre

A Tunbridge Wells tradition, Local & Live returns with original music, food stalls, and sundowners in Calverley Grounds, plus after-hours shows at The Forum. Perfect for a picnic-blanket evening.

Insider tips:

• Bring low camping chairs

• Parking at Crescent Road multi-storey

23–25 August – Kent Life Ice Cream Festival, Maidstone

Where: Kent Life Heritage Farm Park
Vibe: 20+ flavours, waffle stacks, chocolate stalls, farm animals

Celebrate summer with ice cream tastings, toppings bars, children’s activities, and farmyard encounters. Pre-book entry slots to keep queues down.

23–25 August – Military Odyssey, Kent Event Centre, Detling

Where: Kent County Showground
Vibe: One of Europe’s largest multi-period living-history shows—with battle re-enactments

For history enthusiasts of all ages: tanks, encampments, historic vehicles, and staged battles from across 2,000 years. Wear comfortable shoes and bring ear protection for children.

21–25 August – Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival (near Kent)

Where: Rye (East Sussex, near Kent border)
Vibe: Intimate headline concerts, late-night sessions, and a free Butter Market stage

Rye’s cobbled lanes and historic buildings make a rich setting for mellow evenings and bold headliners. Free street music under the Butter Market runs across the Bank Holiday weekend, while St Mary’s Church hosts bookable evening concerts.

Travel note: Rye is easy from Kent towns like Tenterden or Hawkhurst by car; trains run via Ashford International.

Late August: Farewells to Summer

29–31 August – Green Room Concert 2025, Tithe Barn, Court Lodge Farm, Lenham

Where: Grade I-listed 14th-century tithe barn near Maidstone
Vibe: World-class artists in an intimate, candlelit medieval space

A weekend of close-up performances beneath soaring timber beams. Expect jazz brunches, classical recitals, and cinema with live accompaniment. Seats are mostly unallocated—arrive early to choose your spot.

30 August – Meri Festival, Coakham Farm, Edenbridge

Where: Working farm on the Kent/Surrey border
Vibe: Independent, local, and family-friendly
Times: 12pm–11pm
Tickets: Early Bird £37.50, Second Release £42.50, Final Release £47.50, Family £90 (2 adults + 2 under-16s)
Details: A small-scale, one-day festival celebrating rural culture, local farmers, unsigned musicians, artisan vendors, and community. Spread across barns and fields, with farm activities, a farmers’ market, healing village, and live music all day.

30–31 August – Faversham Hop Festival

Where: Faversham town centre
Vibe: Free town-wide celebration of hops and harvest—parades, music, markets

The Hop Festival fills streets with market stalls, Morris dancers, and music. Most events are free; camping is available nearby for the full weekend.

Leeds Castle: Elegance in Every Season

Summertime at Leeds Castle

Dates: 1–31 August
Picnic on the lawns, enjoy live acoustic music, play lawn games, and explore the castle’s summer gardens in full bloom.

An Invitation to Decadence – 1930s Immersive Audio Experience

Dates: Selected days in August
An atmospheric storytelling journey through the castle, blending historical detail with period music, voices, and intrigue.

Travel & Practicalities

• Trains: Southeastern serves Canterbury, Faversham, Tunbridge Wells, Broadstairs, Maidstone, Deal/Walmer; Rye via Ashford International

• Driving: Arrive early on Bank Holiday weekend; use signed festival parking

• Accessibility: Many events have accessible routes—check official sites

• Weather: Coastal breezes—bring a layer and a picnic rug

August in Kent is a tapestry of pleasures: a mandolin line over a Folkestone cliff path, apple-sweet breezes in Faversham, a chorus line high-kicking in Canterbury, brass riffs bouncing off Tunbridge Wells brickwork, the hush of a medieval barn before the first chord. Build your weekend your way—mix free street music with ticketed headliners, taste cider under orchard trees, and linger over ice cream as the summer light begins to soften.

In Kent, late summer isn’t rushed—it’s savoured.