Whitstable Harbour Day and Whitstable Carnival on Saturday, August 3

Hundreds of families are expected to enjoy all the free fun on offer in Whitstable this weekend.

Both the town's annual Harbour Day and carnival take place this Saturday.

More than 200 volunteers will be involved in Harbour Day which is an action-packed day of entertainment celebrating Whitstable's martime past, present and future.

Arriana and Edison Green on the lifeboat at last year's event
Arriana and Edison Green on the lifeboat at last year's event

There will be visiting boats including 60ft Border Force patrol vessels, Thames barges and lifeboats and emergency services such as the RNLI and Coastguard will be displaying their equipment.

Several Thames barges will also be on display and a 45ft ex-naval launch belonging to the Maritime Volunteer Service is due to offer boat rides.

Both events come just a week after the Whitstable Oyster Festival which also attracted thousands of visitors to the town.

There will be lots of boats for visitors to see
There will be lots of boats for visitors to see

Other attractions during Harbour Day include a Marine Environment Zone where local groups, charities and organisations will be encouraging visitors to help protect people and wildlife from different forms of pollution. There will also be guides in how to identify marine life and their local habitats.

And a firm favourite, say organisers, with children (and grandparents!) is the on-site boating and the hand crafted radio controlled model boats. There will also be the chance to ride on the model steam train along the quay!

Bands, live performances, children's drama, food and drink stalls and local crafts will also line the free event.

The sea cadets marching in the Carnival last year
The sea cadets marching in the Carnival last year

And if you're still in the town come the afternoon - it is worth sticking around for Whitstable Carnival.

The parade begins at 5pm in Tankerton and winds its way into Whitstable via Tower Parade, Harbour Street and the High Street.

  • For more more suggestions of things to do in Kent this weekend, including our pick of the biggest events happening this Saturday and Sunday, please click here.

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