Culture events in Medway

We have lots of cultural events for you to get involved in this year around Medway.

Find out more about:

Spare a Fort for Bees

A unique beekeeping experience with the Fort Amherst bees.

  • Date: Saturday 2 May to Sunday 13 September 2026.
  • Location: Fort Amherst Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4UB
  • Time: daily at 11am
  • Cost: £75 per person.

Find out more about Spare a Fort for Bees.

Medway Open Studios and Arts Festival

A free art trail with fascinating studios to visit.

  • Date: Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July 2026.
  • Location: various locations across Medway.

Find out more about the Medway Open Studios and Arts Festival.

Kent Arts Conference

The Kent Arts Conference is an annual event that brings together people who are interested in the arts to share their ideas, knowledge, and experience.

This year's theme is 'Art: Starting a Conversation'.

  • Date: Tuesday 14 July and Friday 17 July 2026.
  • Location: Medway School of Arts, Church Lane, Chatham, ME4 4TE.

Find out more about the Kent Arts Conference.

MedFringe

More than 30 unique acts are taking place across Medway. Acts include, comedy, theatre, and pop-up performances.

  • Date: Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July.
  • Location: various locations across Medway.

Find out more about MedFringe.

Medway Culture Club Carnival

A free family fun day to celebrate the diversity within our community.

  • Date: Saturday 8 August
  • Time: 12pm to 5pm.
  • Location: Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, ME7 1UR.

Find out more about the Medway Culture Club Carnival.

Medway Pride

Medway Pride 2026 will include a parade and a festival with local, national, and international acts.

  • Date: Saturday 22 August.

Parade

The parade starts at 10.30am in Rochester High Street.

The parade is free to watch.

If you want to take part in the parade, you'll need a ticket. This will give you access to the festival too.

Festival

The festival is 12pm to 8pm in Rochester Castle Gardens, ME1 1SW.

Entry to the festival costs:

  • £10 for adults
  • £7.50 for 5 to 17 year olds
  • free for children under 5.

Find out more about Medway Pride.

Book tickets for Medway Pride 2026.

Medway Pride Fringe

More details will be announced soon.

  • Date: Monday 17 August to Sunday 23 August.
  • Location: various locations across Medway.

Find out more about Medway Pride Fringe.

Sticks 'N' Stones Festival

The Sticks 'N' Stones Festival provides people with the tools and knowledge to develop their wellbeing and have a whole lot of fun discovering new things.

  • Date: Saturday 22 August.
  • Location: University of Greenwich Medway Campus, Central Avenue, Gillingham, ME4 4TB.

Find out more about the Sticks 'N' Stones Festival.

Fun Palace

This celebration of community, art, and science is built by local people for local people.

Medway Fun Palace is free to attend and suitable for all ages.

  • Date: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October.
  • Location: to be confirmed.

Find out more about Fun Palace.

Electric Medway

Full details of the event will be announced soon.

  • Date: Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October.

Find out more about Electric Medway.

Medway River Lit

Celebrate the history and future of literature, poetry, and spoken word in its many forms.

The event takes place in November.

Full details of the event will be announced soon.

Find out more about Medway River Lit.