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What's On

What's On in Canterbury

Things to do in and around Canterbury: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.

Top story What's On in Canterbury: the Festival, Oktoberfest and Bonfire Night Canterbury Festival runs 16 to 31 October, with Circa's acrobats in the Cathedral nave. Before it, Oktoberfest on 2 October; after it, fireworks on 5 November. · 8 min read

Dates for the diary

  1. On now to 22 Nov The Making of Marlowe: Poet, Playwright, Provocateur The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge
  2. On now to 8 Nov Eerie: The Canterbury Bestiary The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge · Free
  3. Thu 1 Oct Tom Davis: Spudgun 7.30pm · The Marlowe · From £29
  4. Thu 1 Oct John Hegley's Biscuit of Destiny 7.30pm · Gulbenkian, University of Kent
  5. 2 to 3 Oct Oktoberfest Canterbury Westgate Hall · From £20
  6. Fri 2 Oct Laibach 7.30pm · Gulbenkian, University of Kent
  7. 3 Oct to 1 Nov Fright at the Museum: Tudor Traitors The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge · From £6
  8. Sat 3 Oct Canterbury parkrun 9am · The Pavilion, University of Kent · Free
  9. Sat 3 Oct Whitstable parkrun 9am · Whitstable Promenade · Free
  10. Sat 3 Oct Herne Bay Market 10am · Mortimer Street
  11. Sat 3 Oct Philharmonia Orchestra: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony 7.30pm · The Marlowe · From £35
  12. Sat 3 Oct Jazz Sabbath 7.30pm · Gulbenkian, University of Kent

More stories

Community What's On in Canterbury This Weekend, 25 to 27 September Kent's promotion decider at the St Lawrence Ground, Barnum at the Marlowe, a riverside walk and chalk-stream day, and a split Sunday train to plan around. · 6 min read Christmas Canterbury Cathedral Christmas 2026: Carol Service Dates Free carol services on 23 and 24 December, doors 4.30pm, Midnight Mass at 11pm, Christmas Day at 11am. Winter admission £18, kids free, locals free with a Pass. · 4 min read Canterbury Canterbury Fireworks 5 Nov: On Sale, Adults £14, Kids £6 Kent Cricket has confirmed its St Lawrence Ground display for Thursday 5 November. Early bird adults £14, juniors £6, and it sold out in advance last year. · 6 min read Canterbury Canterbury Christmas Market: Opens 12 Nov, Free to Enter Canterbury Christmas Market opens Thursday 12 November and runs to Christmas Eve on three city-centre sites. Free entry; Santa bookings open 1 October. · 4 min read Herne Bay Canterbury Christmas Lights: Herne Bay 22 Nov, Others TBC Herne Bay switches on at 1pm on Sunday 22 November 2026, and its volunteers still need £20,000. Canterbury and Whitstable have not published 2026 dates yet. · 6 min read Canterbury Canterbury Panto: Peter Pan, 27 Nov to 10 Jan, from £19 The Marlowe's panto is The All-New Adventures of Peter Pan, 27 November to 10 January. Prices move with demand and the cheapest dates are not the obvious ones. · 7 min read Canterbury Canterbury Festival: Lapwood Sold Out, Circa Seats Left Canterbury Festival runs 16 to 31 October. Anna Lapwood, Paul Merton and Jacqueline Wilson have sold out; five of Circa's seven Cathedral shows have seats. · 11 min read Heritage Open Days Canterbury Heritage Open Days: 31 Free Sites, 16 in a Day St Augustine's Abbey and the Westgate open free from 11 to 20 September, among 31 Canterbury district openings. Full list, with times and what needs booking. · 8 min read