May bank holiday weekend events happening in Kent
From living history events in wartime Britain and a medieval village to classic cars, dragon boat and duck racing!
Kent's May Bank Holiday weekend is packed full of events and activities.
We've picked some of the best taking place over the three-day break.
Deal Classic Motor Show, Walmer Green
Saturday, May 25
More than 900 classic cars are expected to pull up by the seaside on Saturday for the classic car show. Billed as the largest show to date, it will be opened by Vic Reeves and wife Nancy Sorrell. Alongside all the vehicles on show will be two stages of music, retro stalls, dealerships, children's entertainers and rides, classic buses, military vehicles and more.
The event will be supporting the RNLI Walmer Lifeboat. To learn more click here.
Medieval Jousting Tournament, Leeds Castle
Saturday, May 25 until Monday, May 27
Competing over three days for the coveted Leeds Castle International Cup, a team of five skilled fighters from France will battle against five brave competitors from England, each with their own horse and precious armour. Points will be accumulated across all three days, with the Cup being awarded to the highest scoring team. The tournament consists of four challenging events, each demonstrating strength and ability.
But alongside the competition will be arena displays, firepower demonstrations and a medieval encampment and market. Plenty to keep the entire family amused. Learn more at leeds-castle.com/Jousting
Louango's First Birthday Party at Port Lympne Reserve
Saturday, May 25
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is celebrating baby gorilla, Louango’s first birthday and you're invited to the party! The festivities will take place from 11.30am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 4pm.
There will be colouring and craft activities and the chance to make birthday cards for Louango to be displayed in the Conservation Station. Take part in a raffle to win a large cuddly gorilla and meet members of The Aspinall Foundation to learn more about projects with Western Lowland gorillas in the wild.
There will be free talks at Palace of the Apes where visitors can learn about the family group and, at the midday talk, visitors can also watch Louango and the family tuck into their own gorilla friendly cupcakes. There will be free cake for visitors too! To learn more click here.
Second World War Weekend, Dover Castle
Saturday, May 25 until Monday, May 27
Thousands are expected at Dover Castle's much celebrated living history event this weekend. There will be displays and renactments, the chance to learn about life on the Home Front, the opportunity to meet wartime soldiers and medical staff, grab a cuppa from the Naafi wagon, see the bombed-out street and learn more about the tricks of espionage that were used in Dover in 1944 to deceive the German forces about plans for the D Day landings. For further details and admission information please click here.
Food and Drink Festival, Chatham Maritime Trust
Saturday, May 25 until Monday, May 27
This fantastic free three-day festival is serving up more than just food this weekend.
Alongside a wide range of food stalls and food producers will be music from bands and DJs across all three days and on Sunday, May 26 the Dragon Boats will be taking to the water!
The 40ft long elaborately decorated Chinese war canoes with a dragon’s head and tail attached will be racing on Sunday from 10.30am through to the finals at 4pm. There will also be plenty of free festival parking at the Universities at Medway campus which is a short walk to the event site.
Click here to learn more about the three-day festival.
Medieval Weekend, Lullingstone Castle
Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27
Lullingstone’s popular Medieval Weekend is back! A magical medieval village is being recreated where visitors will be able to step back in time to experience the authentic sights and sounds of life in medieval times.
There will be living history displays including live firing of cannons and mock battles, character dress, campfires, tents and medieval weapons, courtesy of the Woodvilles Medieval Re-enactment Group. There will be live medieval displays each day in the arena at 1pm and at 3pm in the camp area as well as have-a-go archery activities for all the family.
Admission is £10 for adults but children under 15 go free. Learn more about visiting Lullingstone here.
Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May
Sunday, May 27
From 10am until 4pm on Sunday Cranbrook High Street will be closed to traffic and packed with stalls, nurseries, food, drink, music, dancing, arts and crafts and activities for children.
The much-anticipated event will also include free early-bird goody bags, the chance to join the Decorated Wellies Competition and the chance to win toys by joining the Window Walk around the shops.
The festival programme is packed full of events and activities for visitors from spray can workshops, exhibition and displays, craft areas, games, face painting and refreshments. To view the day's programme please click here.
Loose Duck Race and family fun afternoon
Monday, May 27
Buy a ticket for a duck and watch it float down the stream in this unusual race. All winners will be entered into the Grand Final. Alongside duck racing on the water will be children's entertainment, Punch & Judy shows, face painting and refreshments.
All activities are taking place in Brooks Field, Loose Village. Race ticket sales open at 11.30am and with races from 1pm.
Historics on the Hill, Lydden Hill Race Circuit
Monday, May 27
The Historic Racing Drivers Club is motoring to the Lydden Hill Race Circuit for the first time to be part of its May bank holiday event. This year's big and better car festival will see more on track action than ever before alongside hundreds of classic car displays, a trade village, auto-jumble, childrens entertainment, and street food throughout the circuit grounds.
For ticket information please click here.
