This Easter weekend on the 21^st & 22^nd April, The Festival of Steam & Transport is back at The Historic Dockyard Chatham and bigger than ever! With a variety of entertainment onsite, they’ll be plenty of fun for the whole family to join in with!

The Festival of Steam and Transport, now in its 16^th year is an annual event that welcomes in excess of 8,000 visitors to The Historic Dockyard Chatham on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Lining the streets of the Dockyard will be a variety of classic cars from the 1930s right up to the 1980s to admire, as well as the Dockyard’s trains steaming through the site throughout the day. The event wouldn’t be complete without the giants of steam gracing the site with their presence – from road rollers to steam traction engines, the air will be filled with the nostalgic smells of steam from a bygone era.

Back by popular demand are the Victorian inspired Steampunks who will take over the iconic mezzanine floor of No.3 Slip with live acts, fashion stands, photo opportunities and much more! Their quirky sense of fashion and wacky inventions are a sight to behold for all ages!

Street Entertainers will be popping up all over the Historic Dockyard over the weekend, from the Giant Balloon Show, a Dodo Rider and even Phileas Fogg making an appearance following his journeys around the globe. More to be announced soon.

New for 2019…

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is delighted to announce that we are working in partnership with BBC Radio Kent to fill the air with the very best in live music from across Kent! With a variety of live music taking place all weekend, catch artists featured on BBC Radio Kent’s – “The Kent Sessions”.  Acts confirmed so far include:

• Sam Winston – a folk rock/alt pop artist from London, Sam writes and produces in a studio that he built. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has studied the piano since he was 6.
• Jayne Snow – a professional singer/songwriter who has over 10 years’ experience gigging and performing live.
• Aid Lewis – a singer, songwriter, performer and lover of life. Through his music he tells stories of life, love, experience and society.
• Mike Mayfield – Renowned in the music industry as an incredible vocalist and guitarist, Mike has played in front of huge crowds alongside artists such as Emeli Sandé, Jessie J and Rita Ora.
• James Hodder – London based troubadour who fuses Folk and Americana influences with bittersweet lyrics and storytelling on his debut album ‘In The Beginning’

Also back this year by popular demand are Rock Choir! Performing for over 10 years with 25,000 members in 360 different choirs across the country, make sure to catch performances by Rock Choir throughout the weekend!

The event would not be complete without the FREE Victorian Funfair – all included in the price of admission to the event.  Visitors can ride again and again on classic funfair favourites including the Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Dodgems and many more.

Plus, don’t miss the pop-up Secret Lab experience in the No.1 Smithery Courtyard! If you missed joining in with science fun before this event, or even if you want more – there will be a chance for interactive science fun all based on sound in the courtyard over the weekend!

Sample delights from across the world with a variety of unique and appetising food and drink stands.

All that – and an 80-acre Historic Dockyard to explore. Whilst we’re bringing all the fun of the fair to the Historic Dockyard, visitors can still experience our 3 historic warships, 10 museums galleries, 3 play areas and a unique heritage environment that is the most complete dockyard of the age of sail in the world!

Mark Sandberg, Trading Services Director at The Historic Dockyard Chatham says “Every year we look forward to The Festival of Steam & Transport, not only because it’s such a great family event over Easter but because it feels like the beginning of the exciting visitor season here at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. This year, we’re particularly excited working with BBC Radio Kent and the musical talent booked in to play at this wonderful event.”

Advance tickets are selling fast, and we have some amazing offers for those that want to secure their ticket to the event early. Head to https://thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/festival-of-steam-transport-2019/ to take advantage of these amazing offers.

What better way to have a day out with all the family this Easter! Tickets can be purchased online now!

Steam into Easter in 2019 at The Historic Dockyard Chatham!