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Canterbury Events and Canterbury Festivals
(Canterbury, Kent, England, UK)



The city of Canterbury has long been associated with festivals and events. In fact, the extremely popular Canterbury Festival of the arts first took place in the 1920s and has grown in popularity ever since, always attracting large crowds.

Apart from Canterbury's many annual festivals, events and celebrations, the city's two theatres, the Gulbenkian and Marlowe, have usually got plenty on offer, including musicals, concerts, plays and comedy events.

Around the city there are also plenty of things to do, especially during the summer months, when many outdoor events take place at the Dane John Gardens and Westgate Gardens, next to the River Stour. Here are Canterbury's main annual events, festivals, celebrations and things to do.




Canterbury National Public Holidays - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Good Friday / Easter Monday - late March or early April
• First and last Monday in May
• Last Monday in August
• 25th December - Christmas Day
• 26th December - Boxing Day

Canterbury Calendar of Festivals and Events - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

Canterbury Events and Festivals in January - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• January Sales - throughout January, the majority of shops around Canterbury's shopping district and High Street discount their stocks to prepare for next season's

Canterbury Events and Festivals in February - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Valentine's Day - February 14th, local restaurants in Canterbury celebrate this day with special romantic meals for two, usually complete with red roses

Canterbury Events and Festivals in March - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Easter Celebrations - late March / early April, a range of religious Easter festivities take place at Canterbury Cathedral and other venues, whilst the shops are suddenly full of chocolate eggs

Canterbury Events and Festivals in April - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• There are no noteworthy annual events held in Canterbury during the month of April

Canterbury Events and Festivals in May - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Canterbury Half Marathon - late May, attracting large crowds as athletes run through the streets of the city and pass many landmarks en route

Canterbury Events and Festivals in June - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Stour Festival - mid-June, lasting around ten days and featuring a range of live music, this major festival is more than 40 years old and includes a range of gigs, concerts and choir recitals
• Canterbury Pride - mid-June, this popular 'Picnic in the Park' gay pride event is a relatively new event and takes part at the Westgate Gardens, culminating in a parade along the High Street

Canterbury Events and Festivals in July - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Tour de France - early July, cyclists travel through the Kent countryside from London, with this stretch of the famous race ending in central Canterbury
• Kent Beer Festival - mid-July, with more than 100 different real ales and tasty ciders, held each year at Canterbury's Merton Farm

Canterbury Events and Festivals in August - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Herne Bay Festival - mid to late August, dating back to 1993 and lasting around two weeks, this colourful event truly has something for everyone, with live music, workshops for children, fireworks, competitions and much more besides

Canterbury Events and Festivals in September - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Hop Hoodening - early September, a traditional and extremely English festival historically based in Kent and featuring Morris Dancing and parades

Canterbury Events and Festivals in October - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Canterbury Festival - mid to late October, the biggest and most popular cultural event in the whole of Kent, lasting two weeks and also known as the Kent's International Arts Festival
• Halloween Events - October 31st, various Halloween events take place throughout the city, including themed ghost walks around Canterbury and also fun at the Haunted Castle in nearby Dover

Canterbury Events and Festivals in November - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Bonfire Night - around November 5th, with various bonfires and firework displays around Kent
• Euro Fair - late November, a major Christmas-themed market, with colourful stalls arriving from all over Europe and selling many tasty local specialities, held at the Dane John Gardens

Canterbury Events and Festivals in December - Canterbury, Kent, England, UK

• Pantomime - early December to mid-January, seasonal fun at a traditional Christmas panto, head each year at the Marlowe Theatre
• New Year's Eve - December 31st, celebrations and parties held all over Canterbury, include a number of big bashes, discos and balls

 
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