Canterbury is a vibrant city and there is plenty to see and do all year round. There are also lots of festivals to enjoy, during which you can soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere in the city and enjoy the entertainment on offer. Even better, most of these festivals are free so they are the perfect excuse to book a break to Canterbury.
Canterbury Wine Festival: Saturday 20th May 2023
CSP In the Park: 27th – 29th May 2023
The City Sound Project returns this year for a vibrant weekend full of music, poetry and comedy. Both internationally recognised and local bands and DJs will perform over the course of the weekend in Dane John Gardens and there will be street food vendors and multiple bars to choose from. This free festival will appeal to everyone, and family friendly entertainment and children’s workshops will be available to entertain the little ones whilst you relax and listen to the music. There will even be free yoga sessions available! The city really will come to life with the City Sound Project and is definitely a festival to enjoy while you are staying in Canterbury.
Pride Festival: 10th – 11th June
Canterbury’s pride festival this year is going to be a two-day event, spanning the second weekend in June. A celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, this free festival kicks off with a parade through the High Street at 11am on Saturday 10th June for a vibrant and all-inclusive celebration complete with representatives from a whole host of local organisations and groups. The parade will then conclude in Dane John Gardens where a programme of events can be enjoyed, including some special guests (yet to be named) and a plethora of food and drink stalls to sample. In previous years up to 35,000 people have attended the festival, with even more anticipated this year over the two days. For more information including announcements of special guests, visit the website at www.pridecanterbury.com
Boing Festival: 26th – 27th August 2023
A firm favourite of ours is the bOing Festival at the Gulbenkian which is a mixture of free workshops and performances, and ticketed shows. Last year the weekend was jam packed with the very best in theatre, dance, films and fun, perfect for the whole family, all set on the beautiful University of Kent campus. This year’s line-up is yet to be announced but look out for updates on their website to plan your weekend: www.boingfestival.com
Canterbury Festival: 26th September – 4th November 2023
The Canterbury Arts Festival is an extravaganza of events, which take place at a variety of different venues in Kent. There really is something for everyone, be it a Classical concert at the Cathedral, theatrical performances at the Gulbenkian, gospel choirs, comedy nights and a wide range of talks by some fascinating guest speakers. To get a taste of what could be in store for you, here is the link to last year’s programme. We can’t wait to see what will be planned for 2023!
To book your break to Canterbury so you can coincide it with one of these fantastic festivals, head to our website here.
