After kicking off with celebrations through the streets of Canterbury, the county’s biggest international arts festival continues with music, dance, talks and family fun.

Music star Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be performing at the Marlowe Theatre on Saturday, October 27. The Brit Award nominated singer, songwriter, model and Strictly star performs at 7.30pm.

On Friday, October 26, Classic FM radio presenter, author and newsreader John Suchet will be exploring the troubled genius of Russian composer Tchaikovsky, who wrote some of the best-loved classical pieces including Swan Lake and the 1812 Overture at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge at 5.45pm.

On Saturday, October 27 Blue Planet wildlife cameraman Doug Allan, who has been working as a cameraman for 35 years on Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Planet Earth and other series, will share the challenges and triumphs of capturing wildlife images in some of the world’s harshest environments is at Shirley Hall in The King’s School.

On Tuesday, October 30 the festival hosts an evening of dance, created by Kent-based dancers and choreographers in St Mary’s Hall Studio Theatre at 7.30pm.

The festival also has plenty of family-friendly events going on.

The Festival Spiegeltent will host a free workshop following the performance of Greek Myths on Friday, October 26.

Greek myths will be retold with traditional puppetry and innovative storytelling by actor and puppeteer Craig Johnson, celebrating nature, science and the astoundingly beautiful world around us at 2pm, followed by the workshop at 3pm. The workshop is suitable for ages five and up.

Fresh from Edinburgh Fringe with five stars, Children are Stinky is a new comedy by Circus Trick Tease, with a 90s soundtrack,circus skills and comedy. Expect dare devil stunts, and incredible acrobatics in the show on Saturday, October 27at 2pm in the Festival Spiegeltent.

And for silly grown-ups, on Sunday, October 28 the Spiegeltent will play host to some novel zoology with Flanders and Swann’s tales of warthogs and gnus.

DETAILS

The Canterbury Festival runs until Saturday, November 3. To find out more and book tickets go to canterburyfestival.co.uk or call 01227 787787. The event is an independent charity.