Thousands are set to descend on Faversham this weekend for the long-awaited return of the Hop Festival.

Cancelled during 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the popular event will be back on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4, as it celebrates the humble hop with live music, food, festivities… and of course, plenty of drink!

The free festival brings the small market town alive as more than 20,000 people are expected to celebrate in the pubs and streets throughout the weekend.

There will be several pop-up stages with live music, and more than 70 bands performing, and some events also taking place on Friday, September 2.

A ceremonial hop blessing will take place on the Sunday at 10.30am on the Brewery Stage in Court Street.

There will also be a family fun area, Morris dancing and street performers, and a lively parade through the streets.

Bands performing range from Green Diesel and The Chillbillies to the Smokin’ Mavericks and the Fabulous Fez Heads, with pubs across the town having live line-ups to look out for.

A series of sponsors came together to make this year’s event happen at the eleventh hour, including Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, which has been supporting the event commemorating the golden days of hop picking in Kent since it was first held 32 years ago.

“The Faversham Hop Festival is a fantastic way of celebrating an intrinsic part of Kent’s heritage, and also provides a significant economic boost for our pubs, retailers and town as a whole,” says Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame.

“After the unprecedented events of the past two years, it is more important than ever to bring people together, and we look forward to joining the celebrations.”

The brewery will also be holding special tours of its Faversham site on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 when under 18s will be allowed in for the first time, with family tours running from 11am both days.

Tour spaces need to be booked in advance and cost £30 for a family of two adults and up to four children.

There is also a campsite for visitors with its own entertainment marquee, food stalls and a licensed bar

Faversham Hop Festival takes place on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4, with some live music and events taking place on Friday, September 2.

The festival is free and no booking is required. Find out more information here.

The same weekend as the Faversham event, over in the west of the county, the East Malling Beer and Cider Festival will be making a welcome return after also missing out because of Covid in the last two years.

You can find out more about one of CAMRA's best local events of the year here