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Marvellous May
May is the perfect month to explore White Cliffs Country. With new openings, brilliant visitor attractions and fantastic outdoor events in full swing, it’s an ideal time to discover this beautiful area. Whether you visit for a fun day out, a weekend away or a longer stay, you'll leave with great memories.
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 Music at the Marina
Head to Dover Marina Curve on the seafront over May Bank Holiday for the Big Sounds Weekender, a weekend of free live music and family workshops. Celebrating the town’s creativity and culture, the event kicks off this summer’s Music on the Curve season and features the fantastic South Coast Samba, Salsadelic, the Steve Nathan Big Band and CohesionPlus. There will also be workshops by Little Artlings (a creative group for small children), stalls from the Forge Youth Market and dynamic movement sessions with Primal Runners.
Find live music on the Marina Curve in the afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays throughout May, so come along, find a deckchair and enjoy the entertainment! Music on the Curve is brought to you by Future Foundry and Port of Dover. All events are weather dependent - please check social media before travelling.
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 800 years of mayors
This May, the historic town of Sandwich will celebrate an extraordinary milestone - the 800th anniversary of the appointment of its first mayor, a tradition dating back to 1226. Celebrations include entertainment by medieval musicians Rough Musicke and St Clements Choir on Quay Green near Sandwich Medieval Centre on Friday 1 May from 8.30pm, plus lighting the town’s beacon. A spectacular pageant is planned for Saturday 2 May with a vibrant procession of Cinque Ports dignitaries, historic reenactors and local volunteers walking from the Quay at 1pm, through town to the Guildhall and back to the Quay. This should be a spectacular event so do come along to this remarkable medieval town to witness this historic occasion.
A dedicated exhibition at Sandwich Guildhall Museum will also mark the occasion from Wednesday 6 May until Sunday 7 June. The museum is open to the public on Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm, plus Bank Holidays, and is free to enter..
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 Photo credit: English Heritage
Mystery missions
Take part in top-secret trails at Dover and Walmer Castle & Gardens during May half term holiday from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May. Important messages have gone missing at both English Heritage castles and young visitors are needed to help find them before they fall into the wrong hands! Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trails, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret messages. Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around each site - they may be able to help you complete your mission...
Both castles are open daily until the end of October from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free to English Heritage members or book online before your visit to save 15% on the admission fee.
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 Stone Masonry Festival
The ancient craft of stone carving is coming to the Maison Dieu in Dover over the Spring Bank Holiday, Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May. Meet stone masons from across the UK, France and the Netherlands as they carve fantastic creatures from blocks of Maison Dieu stone. Visitors will be able to have a go at stone carving and stone rubbing, learn about Kent’s incredible geology and exciting plans for the Cross-Channel Geopark, add to a chalk graffiti wall and create colourful raku-fired gargoyles and grotesques. There will also be live music and visits to other local sites including St Edmund’s Chapel and St Mary’s Church. This is a free drop-in event with no need to book, and there will be activities for all ages.
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 Delicious Deal
A must-visit destination for food lovers, Deal is firmly on the UK’s food and drink map and there are plenty of places to explore with lots of exciting reopenings, new establishments, events and awards.
Popular Deal Spring Feastival returns to the promenade by Deal Castle from Friday 1 May to Monday 4 May with street food, bars, food and crafts market, live music and ticketed stand-up comedy evenings on the Friday and Saturday.
Wine bar Le Pinardier at 100-102 High Street has been extended, refurbished and reopened, now also serving a small menu of delicious sharing boards. There’s a new garden behind The Bar, the dog-friendly bar with live jazz performances at 152 High Street. Nearby, at 160-162 High Street, Bloody Mary’s wine bar has been refurbished, and the Deal Hoy pub on Duke Street now serves sourdough pizzas made on site (Thursdays to Saturdays).
Brand new coffee bar Climpson & Son opens at 86 High Street over the Early May Bank Holiday. The first branch outside London, this BCorp café brings its sustainable and ethical approach to Deal.
The Just Reproach, the characterful family-run micropub at 14 King Street, has been awarded the CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2026. Open on Thursdays to Sundays, this is a great place to enjoy special and small batch beers and ciders. Chalkboards display what’s on and if you can’t decide, there are tasting flights.
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 East Kent Railway
Have you visited this heritage railway tucked away in the beautiful Kent countryside between Shepherdswell and Eythorne? Once a thriving industrial line serving the Kent Coalfield, the East Kent Railway is now a wonderful heritage railway ideal for a family day out. The site contains everything a train enthusiast could wish for - think model railway exhibits, a miniature railway and lovingly restored trains. Take a trip through beautiful rolling countryside, steep chalk-lined cuttings and the fascinating 500-m Golgotha Tunnel. There’s also a visitor centre, a café at either end of the line and lovely woodland walks.
The Shepherdswell site is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Trains rides are every Sunday and on Bank Holiday Monday at 10.45am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm (Shepherdswell to Eythorne and back).
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 Photo credit: National Trust-Megan Taylor
Walk for wellbeing
With two Bank Holidays this month (fingers crossed for good weather), it’s an ideal month to pack a rucksack and explore our beautiful area on foot. There is no doubt that a walk will do you good - the health and wellbeing benefits of walking are well researched and documented – and as May is National Walking Month, where better to walk than in this special corner of the UK. With almost a quarter of the region designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and miles of waymarked trails, from gentle seafront strolls to long distance routes like the North Downs Way, you’ll find a route to suit all ages and abilities.
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 Deal Spring Feastival
Promenade by Deal Castle
Festival with street food, craft market, bars, live music and children’s entertainment. Stand up comedy evenings on Friday and Saturday (tickets required).
1 – 4 May
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 Big Sounds Weekender
Marina Curve, Dover
Returning this May is Music on the Curve, with entertainment from local artists and performers from the across the region over the bank holiday weekend.
2 – 4 May
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 800 years of Mayors in Sandwich
Celebrating 800 years of mayors with a procession through the town, exhibition of artworks by local children plus re-enactments and demonstrations on the Quay Green.
2 May
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 Cattle Market Party
Sandwich
Live music event along with food and drink stalls on the Guildhall Forecourt in Sandwich.
3 May
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23-24 May
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 Sunday afternoon concerts
Deal Memorial Bandstand
Free afternoon concerts by the sea on Walmer Green. Concerts start at 2.30pm.
3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May
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 The Searchers and Hollies Experience
Astor Theatre, Deal
Experience the unforgettable sound of 2 great harmony bands in one sensational tribute show.
9 May
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 National Mills Weekend
White Mill, Sandwich
Open weekend of this historic mill with its museum, gardens and workshops.
10am - 4pm
9 – 10 May
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 National Trust Plant Fair
White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre
Popular plant fair on the White Cliffs. Free admission (normal parking charges apply).
9 – 10 May
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 Sandwich Antiques Market
Guildhall Forecourt
Outdoor antiques market with a great range of stalls selling antiques & collectibles.
10am - 3pm
10 May
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 Model Boat Regatta
Kearsney Abbey
Come along to Kearsney Abbey to watch the model boats performing on the lake at this free, family-friendly event.
10 May
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 Ripple Windmill Open Day
A fine example of a working Kentish windmill in the beautiful countryside near Deal. Free entry, donations welcome.
10 May
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 Dover Fringe Festival
Experience a wide variety of performances over one weekend at three fantastic venues in Dover (Maison Dieu, Vinoteq and SQ Gallery).
15 – 17 May
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 Mayor’s Parlour Tour
Maison Dieu, Dover
With an expert guide, enjoy a short tour to discover the story of this Victorian gem.
2.00 - 2.30pm
15 May
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 Grand Shaft Open Day
Dover
Visit the amazing Napoleonic triple helix staircase in the White Cliffs. Free entry.
17 May
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 Beer and Cider Festival
Crabble Corn Mill
Featuring around 50 beers and 30 ciders, book tickets for the annual festival.
22 – 24 May
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 Stone Masonry Festival
Maison Dieu, Dover
Meet stone masons as they carve fantastic creatures, have a go at stone carving and stone rubbing at this free drop-in event.
23 - 25 May
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 Colour Assault Course Challenge 2026
Betteshanger Park
Take part in this assault course challenge while being showered in vibrant colour! Suitable for ages 5+.
24 May
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 Classic Car Show
Dover Transport Museum
See a wide range of classic vehicles on display at this popular event at the transport museum.
Open from 10.30am.
24 – 26 May
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Explore the Heights
Western Heights, Dover
Join WCCP to explore the Western Heights and discover more about its wildlife and history. Approximately 2km long walk.
10am - 12pm
28 May
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Fort Burgoyne
Open Day
Dover
A rare opportunity to explore Fort Burgoyne and discover more about the sites history and its diverse range of wildlife.
29 May
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Spring Rallysprint
Lydden Hill Race Circuit
A thrilling race against the clock as the Rallysprints return to Lydden Hill.
Tickets £7 in advance / £10 on the gate.
30 May
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