Rochester Sweeps Festival 2017

Street performers, workshops, shows, fairs and of course live music and morris dancing will all come to Rochester this weekend with the annual Sweeps Festival 2017.

A staple in Rochester’s calendar for more than 35 years the event attracts thousands to watch the spectacle and revel in the free entertainment on offer throughout the bank holiday weekend.

The event, centered around the traditional English folk dance to music, takes place on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

It celebrates the traditional holiday that chimney sweeps would have had on May 1 each year.

In fact - you and your family can look out for the the distinctive Jack-in-the Green over the three days, an 8ft walking bush which symbolises the arrival of spring and which traditionally awakens on May Day.

As well as street performances, there will be fun family activities at Rochester Castle Moat and on Bank Holiday Monday Splat! will bring free craft workshops, children’s shows and roaming performers to the town between 11am and 4pm.

In the Castle Gardens will be an artisan produce fair, children's fun fair and the festival's main stage over the three day event.

While High Street highlights include morris dancers, have-a-go pianos, five festival stages and plenty of food and drink.

GETTING THERE

The new Rochester Station is a short walk from the High Street. For details go to setrains.co.uk

Limited car parking is available near Rochester and car parks are chargeable.

The new multi-storey car park at Rochester Station will also be open and parking is also available at the Civic Centre, Strood, throughout the festival.