The summer is coming to a close, and what better way to round things off than with a bank holiday weekend?

Whether you want to visit a medieval camp, sing and dance at a family festival or join in with a teddy bear’s picnic, we’ve got you covered with some great bank holiday ideas…

CIVIC PARK, Ashford

The long-running Ashford Festival in the Park is an annual event that almost didn’t make it this year. Thanks to charity Find a Voice, the festival was saved from having to shell out hefty fees and can now go ahead with low running costs, which means visitors can still attend for free. The three-day festival has a bumper line-up of live music, including bands such as Citrus Blue, Something Else, Iona and the Ambush and Dockyard Rock, as well as beer tent, raffle, fairground and food stalls.

Details: Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27 at Civic Park in Ashford. Entry is free, no need to book.

DOVER CASTLE

This weekend, the historic Dover Castle is being taken over by an order of brave knights who will battle it out for victory. The Clash of Knights event will see the soldiers fight one another with clubs and shields, using only their strength and skills in adrenaline-fueled combat. To really transport visitors bank in time, there will also be an authentic medieval encampment, open-fire cooking and musicians playing instruments and tunes from the Middle Ages. During your time at the castle you can also explore the secret underground tunnels and enjoy views of the English Channel from the rooftop.

Details: Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28 at Dover Castle. Activities are included in a standard entry ticket, which can be booked online here.

GREEN DUCK, Tunbridge Wells

Start the bank holiday weekend with one of the best-loved dino blockbusters on the big screen. The T-rex and velociraptors will be larger than ever before as Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film is shown on a huge outdoor screen. Settle down for an evening of cinema under the stars and enjoy the soundtrack of specially curated songs playing before the film starts, a fully stocked bar with snacks and drinks, and covered seating just in case it rains.

Details: Friday, August 25 at Green Duck Events Space in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.

THE GULBENKIAN, Canterbury

One of the county’s largest family festivals is coming back for a bank holiday bonanza. The bOing Family Festival includes a journey to the North Pole with polar bear puppets, a sensory-led ballet all about a playful tiger, a cosy bedtime story and giant colour and light sculptures at the Luminarium. There will also be workshops, live music, dance performances, circus shows, film screenings and a baby zone. The events, many of which are free to attend, are suited to audiences of all ages and aim to bring families together to celebrate the city’s cultural influence.

Details: Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre and University of Kent in Canterbury. Some events are free, others are ticketed and can be booked online here.

HEVER CASTLE, Edenbridge

Journey through a number of historical eras, from the Middle Ages right up to the 20th Century, at Hever in History. The weekend event will bring living history displays, traditional English crafts, campfire cooking and medieval battles to the award-winning castle grounds and gardens. Visitors can watch demonstrations, such as cannon-firing, muskets and guns, in the arenas, try on suits of armour and cheer on the knights at the jousting tournament over the weekend. There’s also food and drink, spectacular summer gardens and self-guided tours of the castle.

Details: Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Activities are included in a standard entry ticket, which can be booked online here.

KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY, Tenterden

Bring your favourite teddy bear or soft toy along to the Kent and East Sussex Railway for a special Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Children who bring their toys will get a trip aboard the heritage train for free, and there will be plenty of themed activities to keep the kids entertained during the journey. You can make and colour your own teddy bear badge, book an on-board ploughman’s lunch and visit the railway museum to make the most out of your trip.

Details: Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28 at the Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden. Book tickets online here.

KENT EVENT CENTRE, Maidstone

Immerse yourself in the Home Front and find out what it was like to live in wartime Britain at the Military Odyssey. The three-day multi-period living history event is packed with full-scale choreographed re-enactments spanning 2,000 years of battles. There will also be military vehicles from around the world, stalls selling antiques and merchandise, hand-crafted model displays, and an on-site beer hall with live entertainment including music and jive dancing lessons.

Details: Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28 at the Kent Event Centre in Detling, near Maidstone. Book tickets online here.

KENT LIFE, Maidstone

Who doesn’t love a cone of ice cream on a summer’s day? Treat yourself this bank holiday with Kent Life’s Ice Cream Festival, where you can sample more than 40 varieties of ice cream. Try a taste of everything, from classic flavours to waffles and sundaes, with toppings such as syrups, marshmallows and sprinkles. There will also be dairy-free and vegan options, so everyone can enjoy the sweet treats. During the festival, visitors can also pick up a glass of Pimms and listen to live music.

Details: Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28 at Kent Life in Maidstone. Book tickets online here.

LEEDS CASTLE, Maidstone

Introduce your kids to the wonder of art with an outdoor exhibition that opens this bank holiday. The Sublime Sculpture Trail Safari is part of Leeds Castle’s Festival of Craft and Design and will bring a selection of stunning sculptures to the castle grounds. The pieces, which are themed around animals and their habitats, will be dotted around the grounds and gardens and have been carefully created by artists from a wide range of backgrounds and skills. There will also be workshops, talks, photography competitions and more.

Details: Saturday, August 26 to Sunday, October 8 at Leeds Castle near Maidstone. Activities are included in a standard entry ticket, which can be booked online here.

ROMAN LAWN, Dover

Pride season continues over the bank holiday with a huge seaside parade. Dover Pride will kick off at 10:30am with a march through the Maison Dieu Gardens, Market Square and Roman Lawn. The celebrations then continue at the Roman Lawn with live music, family entertainment, food vendors, bars and an artist’s market. It’s free on a first come, first served basis during the day and then, from 7pm, there will be a ticketed after-party with performers such as Miss Di Vour, The Diety, Janet District Council and a Kylie Minogue tribute act taking to the stage.

Details: Saturday, August 26 at the Roman Lawn in Dover. The parade is free to watch and entry to the Roman Lawn is free during the day. Tickets to the after-party cost £5 and can be booked online here.

QUEX PARK, Birchington-on-Sea

Enjoy a traditional county show filled with family-friendly activities this weekend. The Kent Country Show is filled with thrilling displays and demonstrations, such as motorbike stunts, BMX biking, wrestling, magic shows and falconry displays. There will also be a charity dog show with more than 20 dog classes, agility courses and competitions, as well as a petting zoo and donkey rides. Adults can take part in cookery workshops, grab a bite from food stalls and try out the bars selling local produce. Children can also meet characters, including Stormtroopers and Hercules, and enjoy puppet shows and Punch and Judy.

Details: Sunday, August 27 and Monday, August 28 at Quex Park in Birchington-on-Sea. Book tickets online or buy tickets at the gate.