12 weeks to go - here's what's happening at Canterbury City Show 2026
25–26 July 2026 Westgate Gardens / Westgate Square / Toddler’s Cove / The Guildhall Free entry. Two days. Five zones. One brilliant weekend.
Thanks for being on the Canterbury City Show mailing list — you’re getting the inside scoop before anyone else. Here’s where things stand with 12 weeks to go.
The Programme Is Taking Shape
The lineup is looking fantastic. Here’s what we can share so far — and there’s more to come.
Live Music — Gardens Mainstage
The Gardens Mainstage programme is packed across both days. Saturday kicks off with The Raven Drummers — their 15–20 piece drum troupe will be headlining and doing walkabout sets throughout the day. You’ll also hear live performances from Kent Soul Choirs, the brilliant Some Voices choir (50–70 singers doing uptempo pop), plus shanty favourites Upping The Shanty and Lowering The Tone.
Sunday brings a completely different feel — the Doddington Ukulele Movement, Herne Bay Community Singers, Canterbury Musical Theatre Society, Canterbury Sing Space, the Gypskazz ensemble, and the Callum & Josh Quartet with their gypsy jazz.
Saturday also features Landmark Show Choir and vocal group Terravoces. On Sunday, you’ll hear Marie on harp, Graeme on saxophone, and the Crush duo. Plus Ian Fox on piano and vocals throughout the day.
And we’ll have JG Mascots wandering the Gardens on Sunday — keep your eyes peeled.
Sports Zone — Westgate Square
This year we’re launching a brand new Sports Zone at Westgate Square. UK Pro Wrestling will have a full-size ring with four shows a day, both days — this is going to be brilliant.
The Prince of Wales Youth Club are bringing axe throwing and archery. Kent Cricket will be running activities. The University of Kent are setting up a minigolf course, an inflatable tennis target, plus Zumba and Kids Yoga sessions. And Sports Connect are running pop-up arena sessions.
Talks & Workshops — The Guildhall
The Guildhall programme is shaping up nicely. Canterbury Speakers Club, the Doina Foundation, Savoir Academy’s language workshops, and Brandspire’s creative sessions are all confirmed. The University of Greenwich are running their Stour Monitoring Programme — a live flash demo right by the river, plus talks on what they’ve found. We’re also working with the Canterbury Children’s Literature Festival on some sessions for Sunday.
Toddler’s Cove
The GABz KANTAB Afro-Caribbean Family Fest is taking over Toddler’s Cove for the whole weekend — all day, both days. The Hip Hop Academy will be running workshops, there’s a Blue Light Zone with Kent Fire & Rescue and Kent Police, and the UK Army will have interactive kit and a careers stand. Plus street food from some brilliant local vendors, and The Stroppy Mare horsebox bar.
Food & Drink
We’ve got a properly good food lineup this year. Plan Burrito, Fornace Neapolitan Pizza, On The Stick, Outdoor Coffee Company, Cité Crêpes, The Duck Shack, and Kadi’s Ice Cream are all confirmed. The Cricketers Canterbury are doing a Pimms stall by the Mainstage, and Wild Box Events are running the bar at Westgate Square.
Stallholders & Exhibitors
Over 30 exhibitors and stallholders are confirmed so far — a mix of local traders, artisans, charities, and community organisations spread across Westgate Gardens. From handmade crafts and florals to community projects and interactive displays. The full exhibitor list will be on the website soon.
Get Involved
Volunteers — We’ll need marshals, setup crew, welcomers, and helpers across both days. Whether you can spare a couple of hours or fancy the whole weekend, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line.
Stallholders — A few pitches are still available. If you’re a local trader, maker, charity, or community group and you’d like to be part of the Show, get in touch soon.
Email edd@canterburycityshow.co.uk or visit the website.
Save the Date
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July 2026 Westgate Gardens, Westgate Square, Toddler’s Cove & The Guildhall, Canterbury Free entry — all welcome
Follow us for updates at canterburycityshow.co.uk
Thanks so much for supporting the Canterbury City Show!
Meet Our Sponsors
Lenleys Home — A Canterbury institution since 1936, Lenleys has been helping Kent families furnish their homes for nearly 90 years. Three generations of the Watts family run the business from their Roper Road showroom, and they’re passionate supporters of community life in the city they call home.
Take Off — Based on Military Road in Canterbury, Take Off is a mental health charity that supports people through recovery with peer-led groups, activities, and employment opportunities. Everything they do is designed and delivered by the people who use their services — grassroots support at its best.
Hannah Croft IBCLC — Canterbury mum and internationally certified lactation consultant Hannah provides infant feeding support to families across Kent. From home visits to group sessions, she’s a lifeline for new parents navigating the early days.
The St Lawrence Clinic — Situated at the Spitfire Ground (home of Kent Cricket), The St Lawrence Clinic offers physiotherapy, osteopathy, sports medicine, and more. A trusted name in Canterbury’s health and wellbeing community.
With thanks to our sponsors and partners:
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Canterbury City Council / Kent County Council / Whitefriars / Omicron Repro / Mayah’s Legacy
Bronze Sponsors
Mental Health Matters / Meta / Hannah Croft IBCLC / Westgate One / Lifestyle Fitness Canterbury / Rotary Canterbury Clubs / University of Kent / TinyTalk Kent Downs / Take Off / St Dunstan’s Dental Practice / The St Lawrence Clinic