A rich mix of arts from stage and science to music and comedy will be unleashed on Canterbury this weekend.

The Canterbury Festival, which has been running since 1929, brings a diverse mixture of performing arts from around the world to Kent, inspiring performances by new artists and commissioning new work.

Each year it draws more than 60,000 people of all ages to events held around the city from the cathedral to the Spiegeltent, a colourful tent at the Kingsmead car park.

Every year the festival hosts a wide range of events including music, theatre, dance, comedy, science, exhibitions, walks and talks.

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEKEND?

There are some 200 free and ticketed events across the three-week festival. Opening day on Saturday, October 15 has a number taking place in the town centre.

They include a festival parade in the Canterbury Precincts from noon and a non-stop dance-a-thon by the Ragroof Players, DJs and dancers from 1.20pm in Whitefriars.

The community stage will see music and dance acts from 1.30pm to 4pm in the city centre for free while between 3pm and 4pm in Whitefriars Square, UK Parliament brings an interactive free family puppetry show.

On Sunday, October 16, the festival opens with a special Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral at 3.15pm.

A MUSICAL MUST

On Thursday, October 20 a giant of the Irish folk scene, Frankie Gavin, plays at the Marlowe Theatre with his renowned band De Dannan.

The flamboyant fiddle player has played several times at the White House for US presidents and all over the world in a lengthy career that has seen him named as the fastest fiddler in the Guinness Book of Records.

He’s played and recorded with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello and Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the band’s current line up features accordion, double bass, guitar and vocals.

DON'T MISS

Art lovers are in for a treat as the Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences exhibition which runs until Saturday, November 5, is part of the Canterbury Festival.

On display are a series of six large scale tapestries by Grayson Perry, created alongside the BAFTA award-winning Channel 4 series, All In The Best Possible Taste.

At the Beaney Museum or Art and Knowledge in Canterbury High Street, the exhibition is free although a suggested donation of £5 is encouraged so the venue can continue to put on free events.

FESTIVAL DETAILS

Those travelling from outside Canterbury can access the festival easily by bus, car or train, with Stagecoach providing bus services to those locations that are a little further afield.

If you are planning to travel by car, there are pay and display car parks across the city centre, and although park and ride services run until 7.30pm, Stagecoach buses to New Dover Road and Sturry Road will accept park and ride tickets throughout evening during the festival period.

The Canterbury Festival runs from Saturday, October 15 to Saturday, November 5.

For details visit canterburyfestival.co.uk or call 01227 787787.