Finally, the summer months are in full swing, and with this comes a wealth of activities for the diary, making it the perfect time to make the most of the months ahead. Whether you’re looking to pack your diary with memorable experiences or simply searching for new ways to enjoy the summer, the Garden of England offers a calendar jam-packed with events celebrating the county’s diverse heritage and cultural attractions, from historical figures to iconic festivals and family-friendly shows; there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

To help you plan the perfect July, The Kentish Diary will guide you through the very best events and attractions taking place across the county. With a bespoke week-by-week schedule, featuring annual favourites, foodie experiences and unique days out. You will discover plenty of diary-worthy events throughout the month, making sure you don’t miss a thing this summer in Kent.

Week One 

Kent County Show

What is better than starting the month with the county’s showcase event, The Kent County Show. Running from 3 – 5 July, an annual Kentish favourite, this year will be the 95th event, showcasing the very best of the county’s farming, agriculture and countryside life. 

Take a ringside seat and witness a number of must-see shows across the weekend, including the equine village, hosting over 100 equine classes, alongside livestock showing, which showcases dedicated exhibitors who train for years. There will be judging of cows, sheep and goats based on breed standards, muscle tone, age and overall health; you will be sure to see the best of Kentish husbandry. Plus, you’ll find insideKENT’s Best of Kent® Discovery Zone where you can meet Florrie, the iK team and enter to win a bundle of Best of Kent® prizes too – come and say hi, we’d love to meet you!

Continuing through the week, you can make your way to Hever Castle, for the final stretch of Hever in Bloom 2026, running until Sunday 5 July. The event showcases the award-winning Hever gardens in the height of summer, with one of the finest displays of 5,000 roses in Kent. 

Hever Castle

With rose garden tours running until Friday 3 July, at 11.30am and 2pm, alongside family craft activities, running on 4 – 5 July from 11am to 4pm. Get creative with leaf-hammering bookmarks; choose from a selection of leaves and petals and hammer their natural pigment onto the smooth stone for a keepsake to remember.

Discovering Kent’s coastline will lead you to the coastal town of Margate, home to the Turner Contemporary, a cultural hub celebrating Margate’s unique community, culture and history. Running throughout July and continuing until Sunday 13  September, the Hulda Guzmán: Please Awake – Asked Nature Kindly exhibition will be available to visit from 11am to 5pm daily. The exhibition showcases how Hulda Guzmán’s paintings open portals into vibrant, dreamlike worlds, where the artist, her family, animals and mythical beings interact with the natural world. 

Week Two

Betteshanger Country Park

Moving into week two, you can make your way back to Margate to watch David Gray at Dreamland. The show will run on Friday 10 June, at 5.30pm and will showcase David Gray’s Past & Present Tour with special guest The Divine Comedy. Known for his landmark album, White Ladder, he is recognised as one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his generation, with nearly three decades of acoustic melody and innovation. 

Finish off your time in Margate with an evening spent at the Pearly Cow, a must-visit on Kent’s coastal restaurant scene, with indulgent meat cuts and fresh fish sourced from local suppliers, the restaurant makes the perfect end to a day spent by Kent’s coast.

Heading inland to Kent’s countryside can lead you to Godinton House & Gardens in Ashford, an idyllic setting within an ancient estate that extends to over 900 acres. The house regularly holds events throughout the calendar year, showcasing regional and national talent, which includes the Open Air Theatre: The (Almost) Complete History of Britain on Saturday 11 July at 6.30pm. 

Godinton House & Gardens

Bring your picnic and enjoy the critically acclaimed Pantoloons Theatre Company, who will be performing the two-hour show, stepping through Britain’s highly turbulent and equally lengthy historical past, from romantic comedy to light operetta; the show will span a number of genres, with an inventive twist.

Working our way into the middle of July, the Betteshanger Rocks Music Festival will be running from 17 – 19 July. The festival will showcase some of the UK’s best tribute acts, set in the serene grounds of Betteshanger Park, with three jam-packed days of live music and delicious food and drink vendors. 

Across this week, you can also attend the touring Sausage and Cider Festival at Quex Park on Saturday 18 July. With over 30 various ciders, ranging from small independent vendors to nationally recognised brands, alongside a range of independent food vendors, you can sit back and enjoy a memorable day of live entertainment and Kentish delights.

Week Three

Brands Hatch

Moving through the month to our penultimate week, add to your diary the open-air theatre at Tonbridge Castle to see Around The World in 80 Days, running on Wednesday 22 July, at 7pm. Inspired by the much-loved novel by Jules Verne, a globe-trotting comedy of actor-musicians hurtling across continents in 80 days. The show is suitable for families and explorer-driven individuals seeking an evening of unrivalled entertainment set in the medieval grounds of the castle.

After the show, head into Tonbridge’s historic high street, where you can find Verdigris for relaxed riverside dining with views across Tonbridge Castle. Choose from a selection of carefully crafted cocktails and award-winning wines from across the world, perfectly paired with flavourful dishes. From tender steak to freshly shucked oysters, with a number of ingredients sourced from trusted local producers.

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Later that week, discover The Making of Marlowe: Poet, Playwright and Provocateur at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge. The interactive exhibition will start on Saturday 25 July and will run until Sunday 22 November, where you can explore the life of Canterbury’s most famous poet and playwright, Christopher Marlowe. Leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of translations, plays and poetry, the exhibition will showcase artefacts, historical documents and interactive displays that bring Canterbury’s poet into the spotlight.

If you’re seeking a thrill-seeking experience this month, Brands Hatch will be hosting the Ferrari Challenge UK across 25 – 26 July for the penultimate event of the 2026 season. Celebrating a centenary of British motor racing this year, the iconic circuit will showcase Ferrari’s powerhouse engines, with drivers racing identical, high-performance supercars, bringing energy to one of the UK’s most famous racing tracks.

Week Four

Sea Scrub Sauna

Making our way into the final week of July, Kent’s coastline is calling for a few days spent taking in the panoramic views of Folkestone’s shoreline. Start off your morning with an early swim on Folkestone Beach before swiftly arriving at Sea Scrub Sauna, the UK’s biggest beach spa, showcasing two wood-fired saunas, hot tubs and warm showers after your spa experience.

After a relaxing morning, you can head to The Creative Quarter, an urban village with over 115 studios and 50 shops to explore, including Gallery 66 and Custard HQ, two local independent galleries with innovative creative spaces to discover, these creatives bring their unique artistic expression to the heart of Folkestone’s Old High Street.

While exploring the Creative Quarter, make your way to Folkestone Harbour Arm for a little tipple at the Champagne Lighthouse Bar. Set in a 19th-century venue, the iconic lighthouse is positioned at the pier head of Folkestone Harbour Arm, with spectacular views across the coastline; it is recognised as Britain’s closest champagne bar to France. Sample a number of delicious champagnes or award-winning English sparkling wines.

Lighthouse Champagne Bar

Finishing off your July diary with one last must-visit event, the Chickenstock Music Festival in Sittingbourne, running from 30 July to 2 August. Set in a picturesque Kentish landscape, The festival has reached its eighth successful year of family-friendly entertainment. Enjoy a range of activities, from adult craft workshops to morning yoga, alongside a wealth of children’s entertainment, varying from magicians to circus skills. 

The event will feature an array of local and national talent, with music genres varying from folk songs, roots, acoustic and folk-rock variations. Experience the music while enjoying a range of food and drink from across the county, including locally crafted ale from Canterbury Ales Brewers and cider from The Kent Cider Company, for a Kentish experience worth adding to your summer diary.