Published: Friday, 24th April 2026
Historic Rochester will once again host the ever-popular Sweeps Festival – a festival of international folk music and dance.
Taking place between Saturday, 2 May and Monday, 4 May, Rochester Sweeps Festival continues to be one of the largest May Day Festival celebrations of its kind.
Rochester’s cobbled high street is gearing up to become a vibrant dancefloor for dozens of Morris sides, whose lively performances across the weekend bring an infectious energy!
The festival is not one to be missed – being the largest celebration of folk and dance music in the UK, there’s nowhere better to sing your heart out to live music and tuck into tasty food and drink, than across this three-day extravaganza. The festival brings together bands, dance groups and communities from all over the world - with strong representation from across the UK, as well as groups from Slovakia, India and Ireland in attendance.
Rochester’s historic streets, full of independent shops, bars, pubs, cafés and famous landmarks will come alive with a diverse range of dance and live folk-music for the entire weekend – with headline acts including Medway’s own sellout sensations, The Singing Loins, returning favourites Black Ship and The Silver Darlings, who mix humour with harmony. It’s the perfect chance to escape for a long weekend, taking in the culture, attractions and spirit that Rochester Sweeps has to offer.
As well as buskers throughout the high street, theatre company Pretending People will also be unravelling the history of the festival in a fun and interactive performance.
Also returning are Jetstream tours, who will be running cruises along the River Medway from Limehouse Landing. These hour-long tours pass by the sights of Rochester Bridge, the infamous submarine, The Historic Dockyard Chatham and Upnor Castle before returning to the celebration of Sweeps.
Rochester Castle will be buzzing with activity across all three days, but won’t be the only iconic heritage site in Rochester with activities during the festival. Both Eastgate House and the Guildhall Museum will be running trails to explore, as well as the popular and mystical ‘Psychic Alley’ making a return too.
The Guildhall Museum’s Members' Chamber will also have exclusive daily performances at 11am, however, standard admission fees apply.
The Sweeps Festival has been run by the council, alongside festival founder Gordon Newton, since 1981.
The festival remains a beloved Medway tradition, and a symbol of the beginning of the British summer. The annual festival was designed to recreate the joy and laughter enjoyed by chimney sweeps on their traditional holiday and was even mentioned in a Charles Dickens article in 1836.
Perfect spring festival
Cllr Nina Gurung, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “The Rochester Sweeps Festival is the perfect spring festival, and makes Medway shine both across the country and internationally. We can’t wait to see Medway residents and welcome visitors from all parts of the UK and the world come together for the 44th Sweeps Festival, where we promise a weekend full of live folk music, dancing, parades, plenty more entertainment, as well as delicious food and drinks! Make sure you save the date!"
Completely free
Doug Hudson, Musical Director of the festival, said: “This year's Sweeps Festival promises to bring smiles, colour, dancing, singing and merriment to the streets, pubs and Castle Gardens of Rochester. The many stages host the best of folk music whilst the High Street boasts Morris dancers from all over the country as well as many international teams. The best thing is the festival is completely free!”
Travelling to the festival
Due to the popular nature of the event, travelling via public transportation is recommended.
Medway’s free bus weekend will be active during the entirety of the festival, with Nu Venture also operating a free park and ride service from the University of Greenwich (Medway Campus). For returning visitors, please note Jackson’s Field is not available for use.
Arriva also provide 10-minute bus services between historic Rochester and Chatham Maritime, as well as other services throughout Medway for local visitors.
For those visiting from further-afield, Rochester train station is just a few minutes walk from the festivities on the high-street and is just a 34-minute journey from central London. There are also direct trains from surrounding areas such as Canterbury, Gravesend and Sittingbourne – find out more on Southeastern’s website.