Kent’s biggest events in 2024 you won’t want to miss

We’ve now entered a new year and with that comes a fresh calendar to fill up with exciting events. Whether you’re after some incredible concerts with huge headliners or unique festivals you won’t find anywhere else in the country, you can find it all lined up for Kent in 2024.

All of the wonderful events are also nicely spread out across the county, giving some great opportunity to see all the Garden of England has to offer. You might even find a new favourite annual tradition.

With so much to choose from over the next 12 months, finding the best of the best can be quite a daunting task. However, have no fear, KentLive is here to make life a little bit easier.

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We’ve rounded up some of the very best and biggest events taking place in Kent across 2024 to save you some Googling. Take a look below and keep your calendar close by, you won’t want to miss any of these this year.

Margate Summer Series

A previous Margate Summer Series at Dreamland
A previous Margate Summer Series at Dreamland
(Image: Margate Summer Series/PR image)

When: Summer 2024

One of fastest growing and most popular events in the Kent calendar, Margate Summer Series 2024 promises to deliver an even bigger offering of incredible live music than last year. Dreamland is hosting another string of huge outdoor concerts by the sea throughout the summer starting in June, and there are some huge names on the way for the multi-month event.

From Bryan Adams and Limp Bizkit to Nile Rodgers and Becky Hill, there’s a little something for everyone with even more yet to be announced. Further details can be found here . The line-up that has been currently confirmed is as follows:

  • Thursday, June 13 – Bryan Adams

  • Friday, June 14 – Madness

  • Saturday, June 15 – Limp Bizkit

  • Thursday, June 20 – Simple Minds

  • Friday, June 21 – Craig David

  • Friday, July 5 – Jack Savoretti

  • Saturday, July 6 – JLS

  • Friday, July 12 – Richard Ashcroft

  • Saturday, July 13 – Nile Rodger and Chic

  • Friday, July 19 – Manic Street Preachers and Suede

  • Saturday, July 20 – Idles

  • Friday, July 26 – Jess Glynne

  • Friday, August 16 – Paloma Faith

  • Friday, August 23 – Busted

  • Friday, August 30 – DJ Spoony featuring So Solid Crew and more

Faversham Hop Festival

Faversham Hop Festival is full of amazing live music and market stalls
Faversham Hop Festival is full of amazing live music and market stalls
(Image: sasastro/Wikimedia Commons)

When: Saturday, August 31 – Sunday, September 1

Keeping with the theme of summer events, Faversham Hop Festival is a yearly tradition that attracts visitors from far and wide. Taking place this year from Saturday, August 31 the weekend street festival brings together live music and charming market stalls in Faversham’s town centre.

Expect to see Morris dancers and street parades at this free to attend festival that has plenty to offer for the whole family. Plus, be sure to enjoy some of the amazing varieties of beers, ales and ciders on offer from Shepherd Neame and a number of independent breweries. Further details can be found here.

Pride festivals

Pride Canterbury
Pride Canterbury sees tens of thousands of festival goers flock to the city centre every year
(Image: Pride Canterbury)

When: Various dates

In recent years, Pride festivals have become a hugely popular tradition throughout Kent, with such events taking place at key locations throughout the county. This year, Canterbury Pride will be taking place between Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, with tens of thousands of festival goers expected to flock to the historic city in celebration of all things LGBTQ+.

Meanwhile, Margate Pride will take place across Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 for a fantastic weekend festival by the sea. Keep your eyes peeled for more Pride festival announcements which will be covered by KentLive throughout the year.

Black Deer Festival

Black Deer Festival is a celebration of all things Americana
Black Deer Festival is a celebration of all things Americana
(Image: Black Deer Festival)

When: Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16

Another festival for those looking to enjoy some live music this year, Black Deer Festival returns to Eridge Park in Tunbridge Wells this June with some huge talent on the way. The annual festival will see more than 60 performances across the three days, with hit American blue rock singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow confirmed as one of the headliners.

At the heart of the festival is Americana and country music, paired with delicious food staples from America’s Deep South. Full details can be found here .

Rochester Sweeps and Dickens Festivals

Rochester Sweeps Festival is a staple of the Medway calendar every year
Rochester Sweeps Festival is a staple of the Medway calendar every year
(Image: Getty Images/James Millington)

When: Saturday, May 4 – Sunday, May 5

One of the most hotly anticipated events in Medway every year, Sweeps Festival will once again offer a May Day celebration in the heart of Kent unlike any other. The three-day event in Rochester town centre is full of entertainment, live music and delicious food and drink to enjoy, making for the perfect family trip out.

As May Day was also the traditional Bank Holiday for chimney sweeps, the event celebrates both for a unique festival that honours the town’s rich history. Morris dancing and displays will take place in the high street throughout the weekend, and there will also be a fun fair and parades to enjoy.

The two Rochester Dickens Festivals are another highlight every year in Medway, taking place in summer and around Christmas to celebrate the life of Charles Dickens through entertainment, displays, live music and market stalls. Exact details of the 2024 Dickens Festivals have not yet been announced but will be covered by KentLive when they are.

Mote Park Oktoberfest

When: Saturday, September 28

Kent’s biggest German beer festival returns in 2024 with lots to look forward to. Known for the array of beer choices, traditional German foods, live tribute act performances and Bavarian Drinking Games, it certainly one of the county’s more unique annual traditions.

Oktoberfest returns to Mote Park in Maidstone on Saturday, September 28 for an outdoor festival that has a little something on offer for everyone. Further details can be found here.

Headcorn Battle of Britain Air Show

An incident involving a Spitfire in Gosport was investigated
Headcorn Battle of Britain Airshow features many historic aircraft
(Image: PA)

When: Date TBA

Aviation fans from around the county will want to pay Headcorn’s iconic Battle of Britain Air Show a visit when it takes place later this year. Featuring historic aircraft taking to the skies and carrying out awe-inspiring choreographed displays, the event also features family attractions and re-enactments in the airspace where the Battle of Britain actually took place.

The event typically also features stunning displays from the popular Red Arrows. An exact date for the display’s return has not yet been announced, but the event usually takes place at the end of June and start of July. Kent residents were recently saddened to learn that the popular annual Folkestone Air Display has been cancelled for 2024 as the star of the airshow is “unavailable”.

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