Whether you like to converge on one big stage or hop from one pop up venue to another, Kent has an amazing range of music festivals lined up for 2024. With big name acts in rock, pop, ska, soul, folk to experimental, you can enjoy a boutique boogie-fest by the sea or get literally lost in music at the park...
Slap on some suncream, dig out the wellies (just in case!) and check out our line-up of some of the best festivals to grace Kent’s stage this year...
Festival feeling at Dreamland
Various dates throughout the summer
Dreamland is a festival-goers heaven this summer. When you step out into the amusement park in the summer you are welcomed by the ferris wheel, historic rides and food and drink outlets, but the loudest thing is their iconic stage! For countless days and evenings this summertime, you can watch live concerts from the likes of The Roots, Jess Glynne, Status Quo and JLS - not to mention the likes of the Margate Rock Festival and Margate Reggae Festival! Plus, starting in late May, Southeastern will be running additional trains for concerts and gigs so you can return home safely.
Find their events schedule here.
Rock the Mote
31st May - 2nd June
The ultimate rock and roll festival returns to Mote Park for another year this summer, with a jam-packed line-up full of the country’s top tribute bands, including the Foo Fighters, Killers, Eminem, The Prodigy and more! This event has been very popular with fellow rock and rollers so be quick...
Nearest Station - Maidstone East
Black Deer Festival
14th - 16th June
Possibly the UK's finest Americana and Country festival will be returning to Tunbridge Wells once more for 2024, bringing with it scores of top artists, including Sheryl Crow, Rufus Wainwright and Seasick Steve - Black Deer Festival makes its return to Eridge Park for no less than a full weekend.
Nearest Station - Frant
Deal Music and Arts Festival
4th - 14th July
There’s something irresistible about the combination of summer, the seaside and wonderful music in the air. The Deal Festival is a unique celebration of all three – great classical and contemporary music from some of the world’s finest music-makers, as well as theatre, opera, cinema and dance – in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Deal and Dover on England’s south coast.
Nearest station - Deal
JAM on the Marsh
4th July - 14th July
Curated by Nicholas Cleobury, JAM on the Marsh returns to the medieval churches, pubs and stunning landscape of Romney Marsh, bringing you a thrilling festival of outstanding music, theatre, poetry, visits to homes and more. Highlights include an evening with the Holst Singers, the opening of Derek Jarman's home in Dungeness and operas written during the festival.
Tonbridge Music Weekend
5th - 7th July, Tonbridge
Get ready for fun and music at Tonbridge Castle as some of the best tribute acts sing the songs you know and love. Sing and dance to your favourite Whitney, Frankie Valli & the Four Seaons and Coldplay numbers through to Reggae hits this music weekend set just a few moments from the castle's grounds!
Nearest station - Tonbridge
Leeds Castle Classical Concert
13th July
The Leeds Castle Classical Concert promises to be a highlight this festival season. Enjoy world-class music, captivating performers and fireworks, all set against the stunning backdrop of Leeds Castle - bring a picnic, bring the family, bring a candelabra! Be sure to book up as these tickets sell out fast!
Nearest Station - Bearsted
Rochester Castle Live
Weekend of 5th to 7th July
Immerse yourself in not only the stunning setting of Rochester Castle, but a journey through various music genres at Rochester Castle Live. On the weekend of 5th to the 7th July, there are three big events - Downtown Festival with headliners Kaiser Chiefs, Superboxx with B*Witched, and Uptown with that will bring UB40 to town!
Nearest station - Rochester
Music at the Mote
Various dates, Ightham Mote
Get your picnic blankets, mini scotch eggs and deck chairs at the ready to sing along to Music at the Mote this summer as they've got a schedule of musical events such as The Dial Band and more. Sit back, unwind and dance away the evening as you listen to live music in the grounds of the stunning, 14th century Ightham Mote.
Nearest Station - Borough Green & Wrotham
Blue Reef Music Festival
26th to 28th July
The Blue Reef Music Festival is back for another year, and its all about keeping a healthy mix of rock bands through to acoustic, so there really is something for everyone across the five stages. The lineup this year includes the likes of Scouting for Girls, Starsailor and Turin Brakes, but keep an eye out for the rest of the reveal!
Getting to and from the festivals
Southeastern
Getting back home after a busy day or full weekend, the last thing you want to do is drive, so helpfully Southeastern have stations across Kent, including those noted below the festivals in this list! Plus, additional late trains for the likes of the Dreamland concerts mean you can get home easily and safely. Remember - be sure to plan your journey with their app for no additional fees and handy e-tickets.
Stagecoach
With all of the hard to reach spots and getting back from the fields some of these festivals are set in, be sure to consider the bus - with kids going for a quid across their network, it's the cheapest way too! Use their handy journey planner to see where you can get to...
Margate Soul Festival
2nd - 4th August
A soul festival by the sea in one of Kent’s coolest coastal towns, sounds pretty good, right? With a new venue this year, right on the beach at Newgate Lower Promenade, just beneath the iconic Lido sign this years' festival will host Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Heatwave and Dexter Wansel. Trust us, this one sells out quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Nearest Station - Margate
Broadstairs Folk Week
9th to 16th August
Broadstairs Folk Week is once again here! This cornerstone of Kentish celebration is perfect for musical adventures (yes there's even events on a Monday!), those who want to taste local food and drink at the festival bar and food stalls in the park and who wish to have a proper festival experience with camping (we pray for good weather!). If you are camping, there's a Festival Campsite located just a 15 to 20 minute walk from the centre of Broadstairs, and handily a regular mini bus service is available to and from the main Festival venues.
Nearest station - Broadstairs
A New Day
16th - 18th August
Set against the backdrop of the 800-acre Mount Emphraim Gardens in Faversham, this rock, blues and roots festival is offering a sensational line-up this year with over 20 bands! You'll be able to see the likes of Tangerine Dream, Hawkwind and Feeder across the three-day festival where you can also glamp out in the beautiful settings... So, what are you waiting for? Early bird tickets are now available!
Nearest Station - Faversham
