What's On in Kent

Kids Go Free

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral

Website: www.canterbury-cathedral.org/whats-on

With ‘Kids go Free’ and loads of fun visitor activities and events, now is the perfect time to explore Canterbury Cathedral. There’s lots for families to enjoy at the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage...

RNLI 200: The Exhibition

Venue: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Website: https://thedockyard.co.uk

Experience the exhilarating story of the RNLI as the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary. The exhibition allows you to discover the heroic tales of the men and women who have risked their...

Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/library-zone

This year’s Challenge is called Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity! From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone. Regional variations may apply, so...

The Big Butterfly Count

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org

Whether done with friends and family, or in a moment of quiet calm and solitude, the Big Butterfly Count is free, fun and takes just 15 minutes. No green space is too small - a back garden, a small terrace...

Jousting Events

Venue: Hever Castle and Gardens

Website: www.hevercastle.co.uk

The Knights of Royal England will entertain visitors with displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one...

A Himalayan Summer: Week 1 - Prayer Flag Making (Nepal)

Venue: Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Make a string of flags to take home, plus an extra one to add to the Riverhill Collection. Go on the first week and get your ‘passport’, then return for each activity and get it stamped each week....

Summer Fun At Broadditch

Venue: Broadditch Farm

Website: www.broadditch.co.uk

Navigate your way through the woods and search for pictures of things you’d expect to find in a woodland habitat, as well as a couple of unusual visitors in the scavenger hunt plus enjoy Farmer John's...

Summer of Play at Emmetts Garden

Venue: Emmetts Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden

Visit Emmetts Garden for a summer of active play! The whole family can enjoy the play equipment and toys on the meadow this summer during opening hours. The event is free, but normal admission charges...

The Adventures of Jock: Children's Trail

Venue: Chartwell

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/chartwell

Learn more about Chartwell’s furriest resident as you follow Jock the Cat around the garden in a choose your own story adventure. The original Jock was a gift to Winston Churchill on his 88th birthday....

Summer of Play

Venue: Knole House

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/knole

Take your pick from cricket, boules or croquet. If there's a bit of a breeze then there are kites for you to borrow. Or why not become a summer explorer and pick up an adventure pack? You can use it to...

Adventures in Time Travel

Venue: Hever Castle and Gardens

Website: www.hevercastle.co.uk

Throughout the summer holidays your little ones can take part in a series of hands-on activities and challenges as part of Adventures in Time Travel. Adventures in Time Travel begins daily at 11:30am,...

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Venue: Smallhythe Place

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/smallhythe-place

This Shakespearean comedy of love and misadventure, culminating in the hilarious play The Tragedy of Pyramus and Thisbe, performed by the hapless band of local Athenian mechanicals, always guarantees a...

Falconry Displays

Venue: Hever Castle and Gardens

Website: www.hevercastle.co.uk

On selected days in July and August be entertained by the falconry displays from Willow’s Bird of Prey Centre at Hever Castle. The displays will last about 20 minutes and will happen twice a day at 11:30am...

Charity Summer Trail!

Venue: Ruxley Manor

Website: www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

Visit Ruxley Manor for a fun-filled trail around the garden centre to celebrate and support their chosen charity, Dandelion Time! Simply collect a booklet from the customer services desk then follow the...

Reptiles at The Bluebell Railway

Venue: Bluebell Railway

Website: www.bluebell-railway.com

The reptiles will be located in the booking hall and waiting room at the station. They will be free to view, although a donation is required to hold/interact with the animals. See them 11am and 3.30pm...

Summertime at Leeds Castle

Venue: Leeds Castle

Website: www.leeds-castle.com

Enjoy the sun at the Beach at Leeds Castle, a perfect spot for relaxation, enjoyment and of course, building sandcastles! Get lost in the Maze before discovering the underground mythical Grotto designed...

'Big Top, Big Fun' Summer of Play

Venue: Scotney Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

Family days out with great Big Top-themed games and activities included in your entry. Little ones and big ones alike can test their stilt-walking skills, try their hand at juggling, plate-spinning and...

Millbrook Mad Hatter Crazy Golf

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Millbrook Mad Hatter's Crazy Golf is back this Summer for the whole family to enjoy! The 9-hole course is filled with fun features and obstacles everyone can play. Tickets cost £3 per person. Open daily...

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Venue: Tonbridge Castle

Website: www.quantumtheatre.co.uk

Poor Jemima wants to hatch her own eggs, but when she meets a charming 'whiskered gentleman', will he turn out to be as nice as he seems? Find out in Quantum Theatre's charming new adaptation of the much-loved...

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Venue: Walmer Castle and Gardens

Website: www.quantumtheatre.co.uk

Poor Jemima wants to hatch her own eggs, but when she meets a charming 'whiskered gentleman', will he turn out to be as nice as he seems? Find out in Quantum Theatre's charming new adaptation of the much-loved...

Toy and Rail Collectors Fair

Venue: Bluebell Railway

Address: Horsted Keynes Station

Website: www.bluebell-railway.com

Catering for everyone from avid collectors, and enthusiasts, to just about anyone who is interested in (or just curious about) collectable toys, model trains and vintage railway artefacts.Admission is...

Around the World with Our Amazing Animal World

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Experienced animal handlers, Mark and Jerry, will be returning with a selection of their much loved rescued pets. You're guaranteed a truly unique, entertaining, and fully interactive animal experience....

A Himalayan Summer: Week 2 - Jinzo Clay Sculpture (Bhutan)

Venue: Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Jinzo, or clay sculpture, is one of the oldest crafts in Bhutan and has been practiced and passed down over the centuries. Design and make your own magical creature to watch over you. All activities are...

Master Builders - LEGO Play

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

75 minutes of mixed floor and table based LEGO® activities, based around free play. Mosaics, Car building, City building, Marble runs and more......This event is aimed at children aged 5 to 11 however...

Unicorn Princess Party with Mascot Moments

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Join the wonderful Unicorn Princess, from Mascot Moments, for a summer party, full of fun, with non stop music, dancing and games! The party includes the opportunity for all children to be transformed...

Outdoor Theatre: Five Children & It by This is My Theatre

Venue: Emmetts Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden

Based on the classic children's novel by Edith Nesbit - with live music and puppetry throughout - children and adults alike will love this ever-popular story reimagined for the stage. You are welcome to...

Pirates! At Dover Castle

Venue: Dover Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/dover-castle-pirates

See some of history’s most famous pirates fight it out at close quarters, and listen to them tell their tales of booty, bounty and barnacles. With shows, demonstrations and hands-on activities, there’ll...

The Gondoliers - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Dartford Central Park

Website: www.illyriatourdates.co.uk

The story revolves around two charming gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe, who suddenly find themselves elevated to the status of royalty. Tasked with choosing their queen from a bevy of beautiful women, hilarity...

Outdoor Theatre: The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck

Venue: Scotney Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

A perfect summer holiday treat for younger audiences and new for 2024, Quantum presents a delightful new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale, 'The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. Perfect for families.

Creation Station - Kids Birds & Butterflies Craft Workshops

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Includes a selection of different workshops throughout the day based around birds and butterflies. If time permits, children will also get the opportunity of some paper flower modelling. Each workshop...

HI Play in a week - Annie!

Venue: Hazlitt Theatre

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

Play in a Week for 6-11 year olds (Primary) £150 per child Mon 5th August - Thurs 8th August - 10.30am - 4pm daily Friday 9th August - 10.30am - end of performance (performance starts at 4.30pm) Age...

Royal Tudor Week at Knole

Venue: Knole House

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/knole

Pose for a family portrait dressed in Tudor costume and parade around the courtyards like royalty. Finish the look off with free crown facepainting. One of the most popular Tudor sports was archery, so...

Dinosaurs at Bluebell Railway

Venue: Bluebell Railway

Website: www.bluebell-railway.com

Get ready for a thrilling adventure as the Dinosaur pals return to The Bluebell Railway for two exhilarating days of roaring fun in both June and August. Regardless of the weather, you’ll have the opportunity...

Wild Classroom Family Cooking Workshop

Venue: Belmont House and Gardens

Website: www.belmont-house.org/events/

Step outside this summer with Wild Classroom, where you and your family will be able to cook over fire using fresh produce from the Kitchen Garden. £70 includes the registration of 2 adults and 2 children...

A Himalayan Summer: WEEK 3 - Paper Plate Mandalas (India)

Venue: Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Mandala means ‘circle’ in the ancient Sanskrit language and is used to help create balance and harmony. It is also a meditative and relaxing process, so take your time. Don’t forget to get your Himalayan...

Jack and the Beans Talk

Venue: Smallhythe Place

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/smallhythe-place

Charming and inventive with plenty of puppets, interaction, an enormous beanstalk, bags of gold and a smelly old giant. Jack and the Beans Talk is a cautionary tale about what might happen if you throw...

Wild Classroom: Outdoor Cooking

Venue: Brogdale Farm

Website: www.brogdalecollections.org

Book your Wild Classroom: Outdoor Cooking kids session for some delicious, healthy, hearty, seasonal fun and spend some time exploring the orchards, learning new skills, and having an enjoyable day.This...

Roald Dahl’s ‘Billy and the Minpins’, Storytelling with Andy Copps

Venue: Great Comp Garden

Website: www.greatcompgarden.co.uk

This charismatic storyteller enjoys interacting with his audience, using the diverse yet beautiful rhythms and sounds of Dahl’s language, instruments, and even authentic animal sound recordings to bring...

Beastie Days at Brogdale

Venue: Brogdale Farm

Website: www.brogdalecollections.org

A day of exploring Brogdale and discovering fantastic bugs and mini beasts. Book your Live Bug Show time and meet an impressive collection of mega bugs, including giant cockroaches, millipedes, tarantulas,...

Pop Divas Live!

Venue: Hazlitt Theatre

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/hazlitt-theatre

Pop Divas Live! is the UK’s number one pop concert experience meaning you can sing and dance along to all your favourite pop stars! With family friendly choreography and lyrics, your little divas and...

Punch and Judy and Magic Show

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Millbrook are thrilled to welcome David Wilde and his authentic Punch and Judy magic show to Gravesend for the first time. A traditional show, with all the usual knock about fun loved by children of all...

Barn Dance @The Alex

Venue: The Alexander Centre

Website: www.thealex.org.uk

Get ready to swing into summer at this Barn Dance featuring the Boughton Ceilidh Band. With live music and expert calling, it’s guaranteed to be a toe-tapping, fun-filled event suitable for all ages...

Festival Italia

Venue: Brands Hatch

Website: www.msv.com/calendar

Festival Italia returns to Brands Hatch in August to celebrate Italian automotive culture. For one day only, the historic race track will transform into the Temple of Speed! Flaunting the best of Italy,...

Hysterical History Workshop

Venue: Chiddingstone Castle

Website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on

Dr Digby Rocks is visiting Chiddingstone Castle again to bring to life Adventures in Egyptology. Hysterical History’s very own archaeologist, will help your little ones become mini Egyptologists through...

Top Secret – The Magic of Science

Venue: Malthouse Theatre

Website: www.malthousetheatre.co.uk

Fusing the mystery of magic with wondrous and miraculous feats of science. Hang on to your seats and experience a non-stop action packed interactive magical science show with experiments and magic that...

PQA's High School Musical Summer Youth Project

Venue: Rochester, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells

Website: www.pqacademy.com

Perform at a local theatre this Summer and join the cast of High School Musical or The Aladdin Showcase. Summer Schools are held at King`s Rochester or SKA Pembury and the performance will be this dazzling...

Show in a Week

Venue: Malthouse Theatre

Website: www.malthousetheatre.co.uk

Musical Theatre Training for 7-18 year olds led by West End Professionals. Students will take part in a wide variety of Musical Theatre workshops in singing, acting and dancing, led by West End professionals,...

Outdoor Theatre: A Midsummer Night's Dream by Immersion Theatre

Venue: Emmetts Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden

This hilarious adaptation sees Shakespeare’s fantastical characters brought vividly to life as audiences are transported to an enchanting world bursting with magic, romance, and of course, heaps of laugh-out-loud...

A Himalayan Summer: WEEK 4 - Dream Catcher Weaving (Pakistan)

Venue: Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Symbolising oneness and are said to protect the sleeper from bad dreams, enjoy using bamboo and wool to create one unique to you. Don’t forget to get your Himalayan Passport stamped each week! All activities...

SISATA's Peter Pan - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Dartford Central Park

Website: www.dartford.gov.uk/events/event/107/outdoor-theatre-sisata-s-peter-pan

Take your family and friends, a chair or blanket and a picnic to the outdoor theatre in Central Park. Tickets for this family friendly performance are just £2. If you have any questions please email leisure.services@dartford.gov.uk....

Family Films at Maidstone Museum

Venue: Hazlitt Theatre

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/hazlitt-theatre

Fancy an 80s throwback that the whole family will enjoy? Join this screening of The Princess Bride. Snacks and drinks with lids are welcome. Ticket includes free entry into the 'I grew up 80s' exhibition....

Relaxed Sessions at Knole

Venue: Knole House

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/knole

Knole's showrooms will be open for an extra hour and modified for a gentler sensory experience. During the sessions visitor numbers are limited, and lights and sounds can be adjusted where possible. To...

The Three Musketeers

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/hazlitt-theatre

Don't miss the ultimate summer adventure set against some of Maidstone's most scenic outdoor venues! Grab a picnic, your blankets and the family to join us somewhere outdoors around Maidstone to watch...

Open Air Theatre: Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Belmont House and Gardens

Website: www.belmont-house.org/events/open-air-theatre-beauty-and-the-beast

Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company at Belmont this summer for a brand-new telling of this classic fairy tale.Presented with lively original music and sparkling humour in delightful settings, this rollicking...

The Wind in the Willows

Venue: Chiddingstone Castle

Website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on

Bringing the era back to life from the excitement and energy of the dawn of the motor car to the serene beauty of an easy river-side existence, this roisterous one-man show uses only the author’s original...

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral

Website: www.canterbury-cathedral.org

Multi award-nominated Immersion Theatre have developed a reputation for producing first class, fast-paced adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. This is Shakespeare as it’s meant to be: interactive, fun,...

How to Train Your Dinosaur Show

Venue: Millbrook Gravesend

Website: www.millbrookgc.co.uk

Join this fun-filled theatrical Dinosaur Show, full of slapstick mischief, educational entertainment and lots of magical moments! Fun for all ages, come and learn how to train your own dinosaurs with...

A Himalayan Summer: WEEK 5 - Shadow Puppets (China) Incl BH Monday

Venue: Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Make your own shadow puppet with paper fasteners and sticks and then put on a show! Don’t forget to get your Himalayan Passport stamped each week! All activities are drop-in and included in admission....

Outdoor Theatre: Peter Pan by Immersion Theatre

Venue: Emmetts Garden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden

Get ready to fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing Wendy Darling to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters...

Romeo and Juliet Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Tonbridge Castle

Website: www.illyria.co.uk/shows

A passionate, poetic and utterly gripping production of this Shakespeare favourite. Shakespeare states in the opening lines of this play that we are going to see an explosive swash-buckling romance. But...

Swanley Park 1812 Fireworks Spectacular

Venue: Swanley Park

Website: www.eynsfordconcertband.co.uk/concerts/swanley-park-1812-fireworks-spectacular

A summer’s evening of family fun including the popular entertainment, food and stalls, culminating in a concert of popular classics and 1812 fireworks finale. Entertainment from 6.30pm.

Clash of Knights at Dover Castle

Venue: Dover Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/dover-castle-clash-of-knights

Between the breathtaking bouts, you can soak up the gentler atmosphere in the medieval encampment. With jester shows, exciting storytelling, and have-a-go archery, there's plenty of medieval fun for the...

Hever in History

Venue: Hever Castle and Gardens

Website: www.hevercastle.co.uk

Step back in time at Hever Castle during the August bank holiday weekend. Immerse yourself in different periods of history with encampments and re-enactments from the Middle Ages to as recent as 20th Century....

Kent's Magical Market

Venue: The Alexander Centre

Website: www.thealex.org.uk

Go and browse around the stalls during the day, whilst meeting some special guests! There will be Axe Throwing, facepainting and other items of entertainment going on throughout the weekend, so take all...

The Sounds of the 80's - Live from the Orangery

Venue: Chiddingstone Castle

Website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on

Celebrating The Sounds of the 80’s with Hit after Hit by Crowded House, U2, The Pretenders, Squeeze, Fleetwood Mac, The Travelling Wilbury’s, Dire Straits, The Cranberries, Paul Weller, Bryan Adams,...

A Himalayan Summer: WEEK 6 - Make Your Own Yeti

Venue: Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

It is the last week of the hols and we couldn’t have a whole Himalayan summer without including this guy! Don’t forget to get your Himalayan Passport for your final stamp of the Summer. All activities...

Peter Pan

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral

Website: www.canterbury-cathedral.org

Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugh-a-minute script, this hilarious and exciting musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained...

The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle

Venue: Tonbridge Castle

Website: www.illyriatourdates.co.uk

When Dr John Dolittle of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh is taught by his wise old parrot Polynesia how to talk to animals, news of his skills spreads far and wide. Soon animals across the world send messages asking...

The Hound of the Baskervilles - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Dartford Central Park

Website: www.illyria.co.uk/shows

An evening of mystery, intrigue and things that go woof in the night. The original and greatest literary detective of them all, Sherlock Holmes, and his assistant Doctor Watson, tackle the most baffling...

The Hound of the Baskervilles - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Tonbridge Castle

Website: www.illyria.co.uk/shows

An evening of mystery, intrigue and things that go woof in the night. The original and greatest literary detective of them all, Sherlock Holmes, and his assistant Doctor Watson, tackle the most baffling...

Kids Juicing Workshops

Venue: Brogdale Farm

Website: www.brogdalecollections.org

Visit Brogdale during the apple harvesting season and walk through the orchards where you will see more than 3000 varieties of fruit trees including apples, cherries, pears and plums. Pick some apples...