From traditional events, such as the Kent County Show and Sweeps Festival, to the highly-anticipated Folkestone Triennial, some brilliant days out are coming to the county next year.

Make sure you don’t miss out on Kent’s biggest events of 2025 by putting these five essential dates in your calendar…

FAVERSHAM HOP FESTIVAL: This annual beer festival is one of the biggest in the county and, given that it’s completely free to attend, there’s no excuse not to get involved in the festivities. There will be live music on outdoor stages and in lots of the town’s pubs and the beer will be flowing, not only from Faversham’s Shepherd Neame brewery but also from many of Kent’s independent breweries. There’s also Morris dancers, a children’s funfair, food and gift stalls and street entertainers.

Details: Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 in Faversham. Free entry, no need to book.

FOLKESTONE TRIENNIAL: This huge arts festival will return to the coast for its sixth year in 2025. The contemporary outdoor art exhibition usually takes place every three years, but organisers held off an extra year to give the town a chance to improve its transport links. It will be directed by former Edinburgh Art Festival director Sorcha Carey and the theme will explore Folkestone’s geology and geography, going all the way back to the Stone Age.

Details: Saturday, July 19 to Sunday, October 19 in and around Folkestone. Free entry, no need to book.

KENT COUNTY SHOW: It’s been one of the biggest dates in Kent’s summer calendar for decades and next year is no exception. The Kent County Show will return to Detling in July, with three days of livestock, showjumping, vintage vehicles, fairground rides, live music, shopping, food and drink stalls and children’s entertainment. It’s all to celebrate the county’s rich farming industry and is hosted by the Kent County Agricultural Society.

Details: Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6 at the Kent Event Centre in Detling, near Maidstone. Book online here.

MANSTON INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW: It’s been more than 10 years since Manston has hosted an airshow but, in 2025, the closed airport is set to throw a “last hurrah” before the old runway is transformed into an international hub. The details are still being ironed out - including whether the necessary road closures can go ahead - but it has been confirmed that Belgium-based Bronco Demo Team OV-10B will be in the lineup.

Details: Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 at Manston International Airport near Ramsgate. Ticket information to be confirmed.

SWEEPS FESTIVAL: Celebrate the start of the summer with the traditional Sweeps Festival. The event, which has been going for more than 40 years, will have Morris dancers and street performers, live folk music at venues all over Rochester and pop-up bars and food stalls in the town centre. It all takes place across the early May bank holiday weekend.

Details: Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5 in Rochester town centre. Free entry, no need to book.