Presenting a feast of fun festivals in Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh

Feast of entertainment and events right round the year

Folkestone, Hythe and the towns and villages of the Romney Marsh are famous for their family-fun festivals and entertainment. Here, listed in the order of months in which they are due to take place, are some of theevents which attract visitors from near and far. Those traditionally held annually are marked *; those less frequently ~.

Because they are planned long in advance there may be changes. For latest information, please visit the website relevant to the event or call 01303 258594.

FOLKESTONE

MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL*

June. Four days of family-fun entertainment, exciting music and artistic presentations of the customs and cultures of many countries at venues in the town centre and Creative Quarter. Street theatre, food and craft stalls, workshops and children's events. www.folkestonefestival.org

CHARIVARI DAY PARADE *

July Colourful procession from the harbour to the town centre of hundreds of children in bright costumes. Bands and entertainment. www.strangecargo.org.uk

FOLKESTONE HARBOUR FESTIVAL *

July.Events and attractions include raft racing, sandcastle competition, fun fair, live music and food stalls.

SKABOUR FESTIVAL *

September. Lively weekend of ska music by popular bands, events and activities. More information

EUROMILITAIRE *

September. The world's premier exhibition of military models, staged at the Leas Cliff Hall for more than 25 years. Thousands of items and hundreds of trade stalls. www.euromilitaire.co.uk/

HG WELLS FESTIVAL *

September. Celebrations of the period when the novelist lived in the town and wrote some of his most successful books. www.wellsfestival.com

BOOK FESTIVAL *

November. Well-known writers, critics, radio & TV personalities present a week-long programme of discussions, lectures, workshops & children's activities. www.folkestonebookfest.com

CHRISTMAS PARADE AND ENTERTAINMENT *

The festive season starts with a grand procession from the Leas to the town centre led by Father Christmas on a reindeer sleigh, bands and pantomime characters. Entertainment in the town centre, with after-dark switch-on of spectacular illuminations by a celebrity. Stalls and German market. Entertainment and activities for children in the town centre and Creative Quarter in November and December. www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk

OTHER EVENTS

Top-line shows and concerts at the Leas Cliff Hall , Quarterhouse , Tower Theatre Saga Pavilion and other venues. Classical music and choral concerts at St Eanswythe's Church. Summer season band concerts on the Leas and outdoor entertainment at the Amphitheatre in the Lower Leas Coastal Park. Art, craft and artefacts exhibitions at Folkestone Library, The Grand and venues in the Creative Quarter . www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk

SANDGATE SEA FESTIVAL *

Family fun event celebrating the sea and local food from the area, beer festival, live bands, tug of war competitions and much more. www.sandgatepc.kentparishes.gov.uk

HYTHE HYTHE FESTIVAL ~

July. Week-long fun-for-everyone programme of events, mostly free, held in ‘even' years (the next in 2012). Bands, comedy entertainment, dancing, rides, stalls.www.hythe-festival.com

HYTHE VENETIAN FETE ~

August. Spectacular five-hour afternoon and evening show on the Royal Military Canal every on the third Wednesday of the month every other year (the next in 2013). Floating tableaus of decorated floats, illuminated after dark, bands, live entertainment, children's fun fair and grand firework display www.venetian-fete.com

OTHER EVENTS

Summer season concerts at Oaklands and music events at Port Lympne , Folkestone Racecourse and Westenhanger Castle . Classical music season at St Leonard's Church. Christmas shopping and family fun events in the High Street.

ROMNEY MARSH LYDD CLUB DAY *

June. Carnival court, parades, music, entertainment and all the fun of the fair. www.lyddtc.kentparishes.gov.uk

NEW ROMNEY COUNTRY FAYRE *

July. Traditional fair with parades, bands, arena displays, competitions. www.newromneycountryfayre.co.uk

DYMCHURCH DAY OF SYN ~ 

August Bank Holiday. Held in ‘even' years (the next in 2012). Pageants, re-enactments and lively celebrations of encounters between the fictional eighteenth-century vicar of Dymchurch, leader of a notorious gang of smugglers, and excise men. www.dymchurchdayofsyn.org.uk

OTHER EVENTS

At stations on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway , Dungeness Nature Reserve Brenzett Aeronautical Museum and other venues.

Event highlights June - September 2011