40 upcoming events in Dover, White Cliffs Country · page 1 of 2
October 2026
Dover Repair Cafe
Community repair event at Biggin Hall, Dover, where volunteer fixers help mend electrical items, clothing, textiles, china and bicycles, with tea and cake provided.
Deal Film Festival, Astor Community Theatre
Four days of screenings at Deal's Astor Theatre, built around films linked to Deal and south-east Kent, opening with a gala premiere. A good autumn reason to spend a long weekend in the seaside town.
November 2026
Deal Castle 5-Mile Race
A morning road race based at the Deal Sea Scouts hut on Marine Road, taking runners past Deal Castle and along the seafront. Spectators can cheer from the promenade before warming up in town.
5 Nations British Rallycross with Fireworks, Lydden Hill
A weekend of mixed-surface rallycross racing at Lydden Hill circuit near Dover, combined with a fireworks display. Ideal for motorsport fans wanting close-up, noisy, wheel-to-wheel action.
Great Farthingloe Fireworks Night
Bonfire night fireworks display with fire dancers, a funfair and food and drink stalls at Great Farthingloe Farm, Dover.
Grand Shaft November Open Day
Self-guided open day for the Napoleonic-era Grand Shaft triple-helix staircase hidden inside Dover's White Cliffs.
Wild Lights at Wingham Wildlife Park
After dark, Wingham Wildlife Park becomes an illuminated winter trail winding through its grounds. Tickets are limited per evening, so book ahead for this festive family outing near Sandwich.
Deal Town Christmas Lights Switch On
Deal's festive season kicks off outside St George's Church on the closed-off High Street, with an hour of stage entertainment before the lights go on. A friendly community event for all ages.
Sandwich Christmas Lights Switch On
A full day of live music, local stalls and festive food around Sandwich Guildhall, organised by Martha4Music and building up to the switch-on of the medieval town's Christmas lights.
December 2026
Dover Christmas Market & Lantern Procession
Dover's Christmas market opening with a lantern procession.
Christmas at Betteshanger Park
Festive family experiences on selected dates through December at Betteshanger Park, the former colliery turned country park outside Deal. Tickets must be booked online in advance.
Dover Community Christmas Market
Community Christmas market in White Cliffs Country with local makers, festive food and gifts for the Dover area.
Father Christmas at Dover Castle
Children can meet Father Christmas inside English Heritage's Dover Castle on selected December days. Advance booking is required, making it a memorable festive visit to one of England's great fortresses.
Festive Fun at Walmer Castle & Gardens
English Heritage dresses Walmer Castle and its gardens for Christmas, with seasonal activities for families to enjoy while exploring this Tudor coastal fort near Deal.
Dover's Winter Light Up
Christmas lights switch-on with a lantern procession from Pencester Gardens, an artisan market in Market Square and a youth market with food village.
Dover's Christmas Lights Market
Festive market with local food and craft stallholders held alongside Dover's Christmas lights celebrations in the town centre.
Dover Twilight Christmas Market
Evening Christmas market on Dover's foreshore with festive stalls, food and drink beside the seafront.
Mediaeval Baebes: Twelfth Moon, St Mary's Arts Centre Sandwich
The acclaimed vocal ensemble brings its winter programme of early and seasonal music to a historic church-turned-arts-centre in Sandwich. A fittingly atmospheric setting for a candlelit-feeling December night.
Sleeping Beauty Panto, Maison Dieu Dover
Great British Pantos return to Dover's restored medieval Maison Dieu with an evening family pantomime of Sleeping Beauty, running nightly through the Christmas holidays.
Snow White Panto, Astor Community Theatre Deal
Deal's Astor Theatre stages its Christmas pantomime of Snow White, with a jealous queen, a magic mirror and plenty of festive fun. Family tickets are kept good value for the season.
January 2027
The Sound of Muesli, Astor Community Theatre Deal
Former Royal Marines from Deal put on their latest anarchic charity spoof, a send-up of The Sound of Music full of rapping nuns and cross-dressing chaos. A much-loved local January tradition.
Maison Dieu Highlights Tour and Cream Tea
Expert-guided tour of Dover's medieval Maison Dieu, taking in the Stone Hall, the Connaught Hall's William Burges ceiling, and the Courtroom, finishing with a cream tea.
February 2027
Paul Foot: The Future, Astor Community Theatre Deal
The eccentric alternative comedian, familiar from Cats Does Countdown, brings his new touring stand-up show to Deal. Expect surreal, unpredictable humour in an intimate community theatre.