One week to go
CANTERBURY CITY SHOW UPDATES · Thursday 17 July 2026
25–26 July 2026 Westgate Gardens / Westgate Square / Toddler's Cove / The Guildhall Free entry. Two days. Four zones. One brilliant weekend.
One week to go.
The programme is set and the traders are confirmed, so this is the last useful nudge before the weekend itself: which sessions are worth booking ahead, a quieter corner of the Show you might have missed, and a proper thank you to the people printing every sign you'll see on the day.
The programme, one week out
Most of what happens across the weekend is drop-in and free, so you can just turn up, wander through, and find something.
The exceptions are worth flagging. Guildhall talks and workshops are ticketed and free to book, with pay what you can on the door. The Sports Zone timed sessions (Zumba, yoga, taiji, kung fu tasters) are the same. By the River bookings (Tai Chi and Qigong, Stour Monitoring) work the same way.
Everything is at canterburycityshow.co.uk. If you know which sessions you want, it's worth booking them soon as they'll fill fast.
Also on in Canterbury: Sunrose Festival
Canterbury Sunrose is a peer festival running workshops and community programming across the city this summer. Different scale to us, same instinct: get people together, keep it free where possible, make Canterbury feel like a place things happen.
Glad to have them in the city. If you're at the Show and looking for what's next, they're worth a look — linktr.ee/sunrosearts.
Three Guildhall talks worth booking ahead
Guildhall rooms are smaller than the Gardens, so if a session catches your eye it's worth booking it soon rather than turning up on the day and hoping.
Razzamataz Theatre Workshop. Sat 10am, Guildhall. A hands-on theatre workshop for younger kids from the Canterbury branch of Razzamataz.
Around the World in 45 Minutes. Sun 12.15pm, Guildhall. Savoir Academy's interactive language adventure for kids.
The Canterbury Storymakers. Sun 3.15pm, Guildhall. A collaborative book-making session with the Canterbury Children's Literature Festival.
All free to book at canterburycityshow.co.uk/tickets. They'll fill fast, so worth grabbing a spot soon.
A word from our sponsor: Omicron Repro
Every site notice, residents' letter, banner and sign you'll see across the weekend was printed by Omicron Repro. Nice to have them on board as our print partner.
YOUR SAME-DAY PRINT SPECIALISTS
Passionate about print and design, Omicron Repro offer a full design service, same-day printing and next working day delivery to any UK mainland address.
Established for over 25 years, we pride ourselves in providing excellent customer service, advice and printed products.
Our friendly, skilled and knowledgeable team are on hand with a keen eye for detail to deliver great quality every single time.
By the River: a quieter corner of the Show
Away from the main squares, tucked along the Stour, there's a slower part of the weekend most people don't know about unless they look. Three sessions worth flagging.
Tai Chi and Qigong in the Park. Paul Roberts leads a gentle intro for beginners. Sat 10.30am and Sun 3.30pm, By the River. Calm, slow, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Soul Choirs Workshop. Sat 11.30am, By the River. Ross Power from Kent Soul Choirs leads a standing, energy-filled singing workshop by the river — learn a song, bring the energy, feel good. No experience needed. A different vibe from the full choir's mainstage set at 1pm.
Stour Monitoring Flash Demo. Sat 12pm, By the River. A practical look at the river monitoring work happening on the Stour.
All three are free to book, pay what you can on the door if there's room. canterburycityshow.co.uk/tickets.
If the crowds around the bandstand get a bit much, a five-minute walk upriver is a lovely change of pace. It's a different feel down there.
A word from our sponsor: St Dunstan's Dental Practice
St Dunstan's Dental are backing the Show from the top of St Dunstan's Street. Good to have them with us.
"A better dental experience in the heart of Canterbury"
"Maintaining a reputation for dental excellence for over 60 years"
Our services include: Specialist treatment in Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, oral surgery, sedation for any type of treatment, cosmetic dentistry including Implants, composite bonding, veneers, teeth whitening and Invisalign. We also offer facial aesthetics and oral hygiene.
Free facial consults for Show attendees with the code STDFAFREECON.
Mascots on Sunday
James from JG Mascots is bringing some of your kids' favourite characters to life on Sunday, with a walk-around that's pure joy if you've got little ones in tow. It's a lovely, fun attraction for younger children, and a chance to see some familiar faces up close. If you're curious about what James does the rest of the year, there's a write-up here.
Book Guildhall and Sports Zone tickets and see the full programme at canterburycityshow.co.uk.
With thanks to every organisation backing the show
Lenleys Home · Canterbury BID · University of Kent · Omicron Repro · Mayah's Legacy · Kent County Council · Whitefriars · Canterbury City Council · Meta · Rotary Canterbury Clubs · Canterbury Christ Church University · Hannah Croft IBCLC · Westgate One · Lifestyle Fitness Canterbury · TinyTalk Kent Downs · Take Off · St Dunstan's Dental Practice · The St Lawrence Clinic · Mental Health Matters
Book Guildhall tickets and see the full programme at canterburycityshow.co.uk
Register as a stallholder, performer, or volunteer at canterburycityshow.co.uk
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Thanks for supporting the Canterbury City Show.