Canterbury Bid

The Canterbury Castle Quarter Dog Show
2026-04-11 10:00 - 14:00 (Europe/Paris) | St Margaret Street, Castle Street, Beer Cart Lane and Stour Street.
Save the date- Canterbury’s Castle Quarter will be hosting the city centre’s first ever Dog Show with prizes, events and stalls – plus ‘Best in Show’, judged by the Lord Mayor.

Free Kent AI Conference to Support SMEs and VCSE Organisations
2026-04-30 10:00 - 15:15 | Westgate Hall
Hosted by Social Enterprise Kent, this conference will explore how organisations can adopt AI safely, responsibly, and effectively.
The conference will showcase learning from the Kent AI Skills Accelerator (KASA) programme and launch a new AI Best Practice Toolkit, funded by Kent County Council.
Professor Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh, Senior Lecturer in Law, Canterbury Christ Church University will share expert insights on AI governance, risks, and opportunities. Jaspal is an international expert in AI governance and ethics and advises governments on responsible AI policy.
Why attend?

Learn how to use AI practically, safely and responsibly in your organisation.
Hear real-world insights from organisations already applying AI successfully.
Build your Kent-wide network and connect with like-minded organisations.
Find out more about the new AI Best Practice Toolkit.

Medieval Canterbury Weekend
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03 | The University of Kent
Canterbury will be celebrating its rich medieval heritage with an inspiring programme of 20 in‑person talks from Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May. Hosted across 11 sessions in two venues at the University of Kent.
The Medieval Canterbury Weekend brings together leading historians, engaging conversations, and fresh perspectives on the Middle Ages.

Food Partnerships - A Growing Future For East Kent?
2026-05-11 18:30 - 20:30 | St Andrews URC, Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2UA, United Kingdom
From gardeners to grocers, cafés to composters, farmers to food banks – a food partnership is about uniting people who care about locally produced food and its journey to reach your table. All welcome – free to members – donation kindly requested from non-members of the Canterbury Society at the door.

Canterbury City Orienteering Race
2026-05-15 | Canterbury City Centre
The Canterbury City Race brings two easy‑navigation running events to the city: a 5‑mile race and a 5k, delivered in partnership with Saxons Orienteering.

You’ll receive a map and basic navigation guidance before you start, then follow the checkpoints on a simple time‑trial format. Expect great refreshments, sports retailers, music and live commentary at the race hub, plus real‑time results streamed directly to their website.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three male and female finishers, as well as male and female V40, V50 and V60 winners.
The weekend also features optional additional races: a Friday evening Prologue on 22 May at Canterbury Christ Church University, and two Orienteering Sprint races on Sunday 24 May from the University of Kent. Entry for these is available through the main event entry link.
Entry fees: £14 Early Bird, £16 from 2 February, £18 from 11 May.

Canterbury Wine Festival
2026-05-15 - 2026-05-16 | Westgate Hall
Kent’s award-winning wines at Westgate Hall’s Canterbury Wine Festival, the must-attend event for both seasoned wine lovers and curious newcomers.
Discover and enjoy more than 70 Kent wines at this year’s festival, with tastings and the chance to meet the talented producers who make Kent one of the UK’s most exciting wine regions.

From award‑winning wineries to family‑run estates and emerging vineyards, the festival brings together the very best of Kent’s thriving wine scene.

Cargills 100th Anniversary!
2026-05-20 09:00 - 18:00 | Cargills Canterbury, 59 St Peters Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BE, United Kingdom
Happy 100th anniversary to Cargills! Celebrate with them on 20 May, 9am-6pm. They will be offering free iris photography and deals on frames and lenses.

Canterbury Unlocked 26
2026-05-24 | Canterbury City Centre
Join on Sunday 24 May, during the bank holiday weekend, for a city-wide celebration for Canterbury’s transformed public spaces and mark the end of these exciting milestone projects within the city’s Levelling Up Fund work.
Enjoy live music from Hullabaloo, The Native Oysters Band and Goblin Band, witness The Great Escape aerial theatre performances at Westgate Square and experience Folk Lore Kent’s Mayhem Fair at the Dane John Gardens, complete with big top marquee, maypole and Morris dancing, folk entertainment, live music and crafting and dance workshops.
Plus, enjoy food markets, pop-up bars and much more.

Vegan Market
2026-05-24 10:00 - 17:00 | St George’s Street
A vegan market that will have a mixture of Vegan and ethically produced food and products. Between 10am and 5pm on the 24th of May 2026.

Pride Canterbury
2026-06-06 | Canterbury City Centre
Pride Canterbury is a spectacular celebration of LGBTQ+ identity for the whole family. Featuring a parade through Canterbury High Street, followed by a diverse artist line-up, entertainment, marketplace, food, drink and much more! Join tens of thousands in Canterbury for Kent’s biggest Pride event. Together we celebrate diversity, equality and progress at Canterbury’s most fabulous event!
Happening on the 6th of June 2026.

UCA Grad Show
2026-06-11 - 2026-06-24 | University of Creative Arts (UCA), New Dover Rd, Canterbury, CT1 3AN
Art, design and architecture combine with activism and innovation in the UCA Grad Show.

University of Kent End of Year Show
2026-06-18 - 2026-06-26 | Canterbury Campus, the University of Kent,
A student-led showcase ‘Connect’ – outstanding work from across Architecture, Graphic Design, Spatial and Interior Design, Film, Media, Drama and History of Art students.

Canterbury Business Show
2026-06-18 | University of Kent, Sibson Building
Taking place on 18 June 2026 at the University of Kent, Canterbury Business Show, delivered by Brilliant Businesses, is set to bring together entrepreneurs, SMEs, and corporate leaders from across the region for a dynamic day of networking, learning and opportunity. The event will showcase a diverse range of local and regional organisations, providing a platform for businesses to connect, collaborate and grow.
Attendees can expect exhibitor stands, expert speakers, interactive workshops, dedicated networking sessions and a vibrant, supportive business environment. The Canterbury Business Show aims to strengthen connections within the local business community while providing actionable strategies for growth in today’s evolving marketplace.

Dragon's Den - Business Networking Breakfast
2026-06-18 | Gulbenkian Arts Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NB, United Kingdom
Join Kent Business School and ASPIRE students for a student start-up Dragons’ Den!
The morning kicks off with a short introduction to KBS and the ASPIRE programme, setting the scene for what promises to be a high‑energy, ideas‑driven event. You’ll then hear three standout student pitches, each delivered Dragons’ Den–style. But this time, you get a say. The audience will vote for their favourite pitch before the overall winner is announced on the day.
This is more than a competition – it’s a chance to shape future talent. Businesses attending will have the opportunity to sign up as ASPIRE mentors, offering guidance, insight and support to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Be there to spot great ideas early, share your expertise and help aspiring talent take their next step. ASPIRE Dragons’ Den – where potential meets opportunity.
This relaxed event is the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute to shaping future partnerships and initiatives. You can expect delicious breakfast pastries, tea, coffee and juice.
Tickets £10.
Free for current Director’s Circle members
Parking is free.

Exhibition Celebration
2026-06-19 | Templeman Library Lecture Theatre, University of Kent, University of Kent, Library Rd, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NU, United Kingdom
Come along to a special reception celebrating There and Back Again: Journeys through the Medieval World, a collaborative exhibition exploring medieval maps, pilgrimage, and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Please RSVP to Dr Suzanna Ivanic (Director, Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies): s.ivanic@kent.ac.uk.

A Diamond Weekend
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-21 | Canterbury Campus, the University of Kent,
The University of Kent is celebrating its Diamond Weekend, marking 60 years since its founding.
Event highlights include:
Weekend Warm Up – Fri 19 June, 7:30pm Gulbenkian, featuring Laura Lexx and Attila the Stockbroker.
Culture Fest – Sat 20 June, from 1pm
Live music, performances, global food, and Fenwick Festival pop‑ups on the lawn overlooking Canterbury. All welcome.
Jazz Brunch – Sun 21 June, 10am
Colyer‑Fergusson Concert Hall, featuring Earl Okin.

Kings Week
2026-06-25 - 2026-07-01 | King’s School, Bursars Office, 25 The Precincts, CT1 2ES, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2ES, United Kingdom
King’s Week is a festival of music, drama and creativity to celebrate pupils at King’s School, attracting a multitude of attendees including parents, friends of the school, alumni, and other guests. Events include Jazz on a Summer Sunset, the Gala Symphony Concert, theatre performances and more.

Lenley's 90th Birthday Party
2026-06-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Lenleys Home
To celebrate its 90th anniversary, Lenleys is hosting a special summer evening event at its Canterbury store.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxed and lively atmosphere with a range of activities, including a pizza van, welcome drinks, live music, demonstrations, and a market-style setup.
The event is open to the local community and is a great opportunity to celebrate this long-standing Canterbury business.

County Clothes 50th Anniversary
2026-06-26 17:00 - 20:00 | County Clothes, 19 St. Margaret’s Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2TH, United Kingdom
Happy 50th anniversary to County Clothes!
To mark this milestone, County Clothes will be hosting a special in-store anniversary event from 5th to 7th June in our Canterbury store. To kick things off, the stores will be opening late on the evening of 5th June, welcoming customers with complimentary refreshments and a celebratory atmosphere. Throughout the three-day event, shoppers can also take advantage of special anniversary offers across the range.

Canterbury's Medieval Family Trail
2026-07-04 | Canterbury City Centre
Come and join in on the 4th of July 2026 for Canterbury’s Medieval Family Trail!

Community Governance Review: have your say on local representation
2026-07-05 | Kent
Canterbury City Council is carrying out a Community Governance Review (CGR) to assess how local areas are represented and whether current arrangements still work.

Why it matters

Local government is set to change, with Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council expected to be replaced by a single new council within the next two years.
Existing parish councils will remain, but:

Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay currently have no parish councils
Without changes, they will be represented only by the new single authority

What’s being considered

Whether Canterbury should have its own town/parish council
Whether changes are needed to existing parish boundaries or councillor numbers

Have your say
Businesses, residents and organisations can share views to help shape future local representation.

Deadline: Sunday 5 July 2026
Email: consultations@canterbury.gov.uk
Online survey: via Canterbury City Council website

What happens next

Feedback will inform draft proposals (Stage 2 consultation)
Final decisions will follow after further consultation

Thomas More Commemoration Service
2026-07-06 19:30 | St Dunstan’s Church Hall, 80 London Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8LS, United Kingdom
The annual Thomas More Commemoration Service will take place at St Dunstan’s Church on Monday 6 July at 7:30pm. This year’s guest speaker is Sir Mark Warby, Court of Appeal Judge, whose talk, “More and more: law and the Charterhouse in London”, will explore Thomas More’s connection with the Charterhouse and its enduring links with the legal profession.

Canterbury City Show
2026-07-25 - 2026-07-26 | Westgate Gardens, St Peter's Street, Canterbury, CT1 2BQ
A community celebration for the city, by the city!

Join us for the Canterbury City Show on the 25th & 26th of July 2026 for 2 days of music, food & fun.
It’s a free, family friendly event with 50+ live artists performing throughout the day with lots of street food and drink options available.

Canterbury Live
2026-08-07 - 2026-08-09 | Kent Cricket, St Lawrence Ground, Old Dover Rd, Canterbury, Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Canterbury Live is a brand new festival weekend of concerts coming to Kent’s UNESCO World Heritage city between 07 – 09 August 2026.
Set against the stunning backdrop of St Lawrence Ground, home of Kent Cricket, this August weekender will bring together some of the UK’s most exciting artists and all day festival line ups, attracting over 40,000 music lovers to Canterbury across the weekend.

Pilgrims Hospices Charity Golf Day
2026-09-11 | Canterbury Golf Club, Scotland Hills, Littlebourne Rd, Scotland Hills, Canterbury CT1 1TW, Canterburyr, Kent, CT1 1TW, United Kingdom
Pilgrims Hospices are delighted to be hosting our annual charity golf day on Friday 11th September 2026 at Canterbury Golf Club. Last year they raised £23,000 for local hospice care with 100 golfers in attendance. Plus, they also enjoyed hosting a morning networking session where 60 people joined us for a putting competition.

Canterbury's Cooking Festival
2026-09-25 - 2026-09-27 | Dame John Gardens, Dame John Gardens, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2QU, United Kingdom
Canterbury’s Cooking blends great food with excellent entertainment set in the convivial grounds of Dane John Gardens. Come and join us to enjoy the last of the summer wine as this great gathering delivers some serious foodie fun.
Canterbury’s Cooking returns in September 2026 following last years extensive improvements works in Dane John Gardens. Enjoy a feast of food-focused family fun. Children’s entertainment, workshops, live music, street foods, liberal libations and competitions together with an eclectic food and craft market featuring local, national and international stalls.

Canterbury Festival
2026-10-16 - 2026-10-31 | Canterbury City Centre
Canterbury’s annual two-week extravaganza of the arts will return this autumn from 16 – 31 October 2026. Expect classical concerts and eclectic gigs, theatre, circus, talks, family events and more in the heart of historic Canterbury.

Heritage Expo 26
2026-11-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Westgate Hall
WHAT IS HERITAGE EXPO 26?
Our city’s heritage is unique: we embrace a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attract millions of tourists each year, and are applying to become a UNESCO City of Literature.

Heritage Expo 26 is a day-long (10.00-16.00) exhibition featuring numerous groups, commercial and charitable, that have an interest in or connection to this magnificent heritage.

The day presents a special opportunity to get together, network with like-minded groups, and promote your cause. Last year, one organisation signed up over a dozen new members!
