Local & Community Events

Discover local community events for Medway residents and visitors to enjoy!

July

Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival- Saturday 4, to Sunday, 19 July
Various locations throughout Medway

Each year, visitors are welcomed to explore the hidden creative work spaces and secret studios across Medway. Visit this link for more details.

MedFringe - Saturday, 4 to Sunday, 19 July
Various locations throughout Medway

A performer led festival to give the opportunity to try out new work, develop work and reach new audiences. From basement theatre and late-night laughs to pop-up performances that defy definition, there will be unique acts to see across Medway. Visit this link for more details.

Funfair - Thursday, 9 to Sunday, 12 July
Jacksons Field, Rochester

Family funfair for all age ranges.

How we can see the invisible: imaging Black Holes - Friday, 10 July
Bredhurst Village Hall (ME7 3JZ)

This talk by Georgia Richardson will explore how the Event Horizon Telescope combined radio telescopes across the world is used to image the supermassive black hole at the centre of the galaxy M87. Visit this link for more details.

The Vines Cherry Picnic - Saturday, 11 July
The Vines, Rochester

The Cherry Picnic is the main annual event hosted by Friends of The Vines. Enjoy fresh cherries from a local farmer, live music, and a variety of stalls.

Rochester Choral Society Summer Concert - Saturday, 11 July
St Augustine's Church, Gillingham

On Saturday, 11 July, Rochester Choral Society will celebrate 153 years of community singing with a strikingly different concert. They will present "Make More Sail," an original cantata about the Battle of Trafalgar. Ticketed event. Visit this link for more details.

Summer Proms at the Fort - Starting from Sunday 12 July to Sunday 30 August
Fort Amherst, Chatham

Every Sunday from 12th July -30th August Fort Amherst, thanks to funding from Medway Council, will have live music in their Spur Battery Amphitheatre from 2pm - 4pm. For more details click this link.

KArtsCon - Tuesday, 14 to Friday, 17 July
Medway School of Arts (The Historic Dockyard Chatham)

The Kent Arts Conference (KArtsCon) is an annual event that brings together people who are interested in the arts to share their ideas, knowledge, and experience around a theme. Visit this link for more details.

Medway Mile - Friday, 17 July
Medway Park, Gillingham

Join thousands of other runners, joggers, and walkers for this free, mass-participation community event. Visit this link for more details.

European Market - Saturday, 18 July
Gillingham High Street

The European Market will be located at the lower end of Gillingham High Street, with around 12 stalls providing a range of food and gifts, alongside the traditional Gillingham market. Visit this link for more details.

Isle of Grain Fete & Carnival - Saturday, 18 July
St James' Playing Field

Free event. Starts at 1:30pm. A community fun-day for all ages, featuring a carnival procession and fete officially opened at 3pm. Enjoy a funfair, stalls, beer tent, and entertainment.

Love Gillingham's Big Day Out - Sunday, 19 July
Gillingham High Street

Family fun event on Gillingham High Street, featuring entertainment, stalls, and face painting. For more information, visit this link.

Let Loose - Saturday, 25 July
Balmoral Gardens, Gillingham

Free concert dedicated to raising awareness and supporting victims of abuse.

August

Rochester Airport Family Day & Air Display - Saturday, 1 August
Rochester Airport

Bring the whole crew for a day of cool planes, fun activities, and awesome air displays you won’t want to miss! Visit this link for more details.

Medway Culture Club Carnival - Saturday, 8 August
Royal Engineers Museum

Medway Culture Club Carnival is a FREE Family Fun Day is a chance for us to get together and celebrate the diversity within our community. Charitable donations are welcome. Visit this link for more details.

Dino Day - Wednesday, 12 August
Chatham town centre & Pentagon Centre

Join us for a FREE family adventure filled with prehistoric fun!

Medway Pride - Saturday, 22 August
Rochester Castle Gardens

This vibrant, not-for-profit community event proudly celebrates equality, inclusion, and diversity across all of Medway’s communities. Visit this link for more details.

Sticks N Stones - Saturday, 22 August
University of Greenwich (Chatham Campus)

Interactive wellbeing event, with family friendly activities. Visit this link for more details.

Super Saturday - Saturday, 29 August
Chatham town centre

Super Saturday brings superheroes, movie cars, fun activities to Chatham town centre.

September

Heritage Open Days - Friday, 11 to Sunday 20, September
Various participating venues across Medway

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore. Visit this link for more details.

October

International Circus - Wednesday, 14 to Sunday 18 October
Jacksons Field, Rochester

International circus featuring traditional, modern, and specialty acts from around the world. Ticketed event.

November & December

Remembrance Sunday - Sunday, 8 November
(Parades & services) at various town centres

Remembrance Sunday is a day to honour and commemorate the contributions of British and Commonwealth military personnel and civilians in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.

Christmas in Medway

The festive spirit in Medway features pantomimes at the theatre, Dickensian Christmas festivities with parades and carols, and of course, the ever-popular Rochester Christmas markets. Not to be missed this year is the Panto "Cinderella" at the Central Theatre in Chatham.

What's On at Chatham's Central Theatre?

Enjoy blockbuster comedy, scintillating live music, and plenty to spark the kids’ imagination.

For shows and performances taking place at The Central Theatre in Chatham, visit Medway Tickets Live website.

More Events!

For more festivals and events happening across Medway, visit our What's On section.