What's on
Dated events in and around Whitstable for the months ahead, checked with the organisers and the main listings, then the regular markets, the big annual dates and where to look for anything new. Past events drop off automatically, and any event can go straight into your calendar.
Checked and updated on 10 October 2026
The annual open exhibition of work by artists from across Kent, with the Contemporary Kent Artists Shepherd Neame Kent Artist Award as first prize. The Horsebridge galleries are free to visit.
Kent County Council sends Kent Test (11 plus) assessment decisions to parents of children who sat the test in September 2026 for secondary school entry in September 2027.
A screening of the National Theatre production, filmed live in London and starring Sandra Oh. The Playhouse bar opens before the show.
Canterbury's arts festival returns with over 130 events including Circa: Eternity in Canterbury Cathedral (20 to 24 October) and a free Family Takeover at the Malthouse Theatre on 31 October. Box office 01227 457568.
A Canterbury Festival day for singers led by Whitstable Choral Society, with rehearsals through the day and a free informal concert in the afternoon.
A guided Canterbury Festival walk with the RSPB Canterbury Local Group along the Seasalter marshes. Walks must be booked in advance.
A family Halloween disco in the South Quay Shed on the harbour, with music, dancing and a chance for children to show off their costumes.
A half-term Halloween trail at the castle, running every day of the Kent half term week.
A children's Halloween disco at the castle to round off half term week, with music and games, and the tearoom open for parents. Book in advance online.
Phil Hartnoll of Orbital plays the Umbrella Centre's Soundhouse music series, with support from Nanoplex and Shape Navigator. Tickets are sold through Skiddle.
The South Quay Shed's grown-up Halloween night on the harbour, with costumes encouraged.
Readings, healers and stalls selling crystals, books, candles, artwork and jewellery, with the castle tea rooms open throughout. Free to attend with no need to book.
National closing date for Year 7 secondary school applications for children starting in September 2027.
The Lindley Players Youth Group perform Mike Poulton's adaptation of Chaucer's pilgrims and their tales.
Antique and vintage stalls at the Umbrella Centre, with public and charity car parks nearby.
A screening of the National Theatre production, with Josh O'Connor as a gifted young violinist.
Canterbury switches on its Christmas lights on the day its Christmas market opens. Times not yet published.
A tribute evening of Rat Pack songs at the Playhouse, with the bar open beforehand.
Wooden huts selling gifts, food and drink across the city centre and in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, from the night of the lights switch-on until Christmas Eve.
A fundraising ball on the harbour with live band FNKHAUS, a raffle, and food and drink. The listing advises booking early.
A candlelit performance of Handel's Messiah presented by Canterbury Cathedral, booked through the Canterbury Festival box office.
The Marlowe's Christmas pantomime with Janette Manrara, Phil Gallagher, Ben Roddy and David Bedella. Box office 01227 787787.
The Cathedral's Advent Carol Service, open to all and also livestreamed. There is no parking on site for Christmas services.
Antique and vintage stalls at the Umbrella Centre in the run-up to Christmas.
The Lindley Players present The Vortex at the Playhouse, with the bar open before each performance.
The Christmas pantomime at the Malthouse Theatre in Canterbury.
A free service of carols in the Cathedral a fortnight before Christmas, also livestreamed.
The On Another Night tour brings the music of Dire Straits to the Playhouse. Book through the Playhouse box office on 01227 272042.
Canterbury Cathedral's candlelit carol services are unticketed and seated first come, first served, with doors opening at 4:30pm. Expect queues, and note there is no parking at the Cathedral.
A Family Crib Service on Christmas Eve morning, Midnight Mass that night, and a Christmas Day Eucharist and afternoon Evensong with carols. All are free, and all but the Crib Service are livestreamed.
Antique and vintage stalls at the Umbrella Centre, with public and charity car parks nearby.
Whitstable's own January pantomime at the Playhouse. Book through the box office on 01227 272042, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to noon.
Antique and vintage stalls at the Umbrella Centre, with public and charity car parks nearby.
Parents who applied for a Year 7 place for September 2027 hear which secondary school their child has been offered, by email after 4pm or by first class post.
A tribute to George Harrison covering his songs with the Beatles, his solo years and the Traveling Wilburys.
Nothing dated is listed for the weeks ahead. The regular markets below run all year.
Every day, all year
South Quay, Whitstable Harbour, CT5 1AB. Around 15 food, drink and craft units under one roof on the harbour. Each unit sets its own hours. More about South Quay Shed
Summer: Thursday and Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Winter hours differ
South Quay, CT5 1AB. Huts selling oysters, seafood, street food and crafts. Times are Time Out's summer listing, so check in winter. More about Whitstable Harbour Market
Saturdays at 9am
The promenade below Tankerton Slopes, CT5 2BE. A free, timed 5km run of two laps along the paved promenade. Register once in advance and bring your barcode. More about Whitstable parkrun
Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 3pm
180 Cromwell Road, Whitstable, CT5 1NA. A weekly craft market next to the Thirst Love Cafe on Cromwell Road. More about Craft Love Market
Second Sunday of the month, 10am to 2pm (next listed: Sunday 11 October, then 8 November)
Wimereux Square, William Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5NX. A monthly local food market in Herne Bay town centre, the nearest regular farmers' style market to Whitstable that we could confirm. More about Kent Food Hubs Market, Herne Bay
Christmas to Easter: Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 1pm; Easter to Christmas: daily
Whitstable Lifeboat Station, The Harbour, Whitstable, CT5 1AB. The RNLI shop on the harbour has a viewing area into the lifeboat station. More about Whitstable RNLI lifeboat station open to visitors
Mondays 2pm (doors 1:30pm)
The Horsebridge Arts Centre, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF. Afternoon film screenings, £6 or £5 for Friends. Times from the summer brochure, so check the current programme. More about Film matinees at the Horsebridge
Sundays 5pm to 7pm (bar from 4pm)
The Horsebridge Arts Centre, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF. Live jazz on Sunday evenings, £17.50 or £15 for Friends. Check the current programme for autumn dates. More about Sunday jazz at the Horsebridge
Monthly on Thursdays, 6pm to 7pm (next listed: Thursday 29 October 2026)
The Horsebridge Arts Centre, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF. A monthly evening talk in the Art Decades series, £8 or £7 for Friends. More about Art Decades talks at the Horsebridge
September, Friday to Sunday
Now held in September rather than late July. 2026 ran 11 to 13 September with fireworks, the Landing of the Oysters and the Mud Tug o' War; 2027 dates not yet announced.
August
Free, run by the charity Whitstable Maritime. 2026 was Saturday 15 August; 2027 not yet announced.
August
Held on Tankerton Slopes. Check with the organisers for 2027 dates.
Late November or early December
2026 date not yet announced. In 2025 it was Saturday 29 November from midday at the harbour.
Thursdays in December
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025 independent shops stayed open to 7pm and Gorrell Tank and the Whitstable Centre car park were free on 4, 11 and 18 December.
January
Whitstable's own pantomime. 2027 is Dick Whittington, 21 to 31 January.
Mid November to Christmas Eve
2026 runs 13 November to 24 December on St George's Street, Rose Lane, Whitefriars and the Cathedral precincts, opening on the night of the lights switch-on.
Second half of October
2026 runs 16 to 31 October, with some events in Whitstable and Seasalter.
October, at the Horsebridge
The open exhibition of work by Kent artists. 2026 runs 8 to 18 October, free.
The High Street theatre for Lindley Players productions, tribute concerts and NT Live screenings. Box office 01227 272042, Tuesday to Saturday mornings.
playhousewhitstable.co.ukFree galleries, films, jazz, talks, classes and seasonal makers' markets, with quarterly brochures on its site. 01227 281174.
thehorsebridge.org.ukHalf-term trails, children's discos, fairs, murder mysteries and ghost hunts, booked through the castle's TicketSource box office. 01227 281726.
whitstablecastle.co.ukThe fullest single listing for the town, covering the Playhouse, the South Quay Shed, the castle and the Umbrella Centre.
whitstable.co.ukThe council's visitor listings for Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, with filters for Whitstable and the harbour.
canterbury.co.ukCanterbury's main theatre, with the Christmas pantomime, musicals and concerts. Box office 01227 787787.
marlowetheatre.comEvents checked with the organisers, Whitstable.co.uk, Visit Canterbury, the Horsebridge, Whitstable Castle, the Canterbury Festival and Kent County Council on 10 October 2026. Christmas 2026 dates for Whitstable had not been announced when this was checked. Past events drop off automatically. Always check with the organiser before you travel.
More of the guide
High and low water for the next three days, The Street and sea temperature.
Open the guideOyster bars, harbour huts, fish and chips, cafes and restaurants.
Open the guideWhere to eat them, what half a dozen costs and the oyster festival.
Open the guideThe pub on the beach, micropubs, cocktail bars and late openers.
Open the guideSights, free things and four ready-made day plans.
Open the guideBeach rules by season, walks and pubs that welcome dogs.
Open the guideEvery car park, its charges and how to pay.
Open the guideWeekday timetables, journey times, last trains and season tickets.
Open the guideUrgent care, the GP, pharmacies, dentists, the council and taxis.
Open the guideBaby and toddler groups, classes, swimming, playgrounds and days out.
Open the guideGrammar, secondary, primary and nurseries, with inspections and key dates.
Open the guideCommuting costs, council tax and what locals rate.
Open the guideAll 138 pubs, cafes and restaurants in the guide.
Open the guide