DISCOVER FOLKESTONE’S UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2025
There’s always something going on in Folkestone and Hythe… discover just a few of the highlights for 2025!
Folkestone Triennial: How Lies the Land?
Running until 19 October, the Folkestone Triennial invites you to explore the town as a vast, open-air gallery. Under the theme How Lies the Land?, internationally acclaimed artists have created site-specific installations that respond to Folkestone’s landscapes, history, and community.
From striking sculptures and playful interventions to immersive soundscapes in unexpected spaces, each work offers a fresh way of seeing the town. Many will remain after the festival as part of the permanent Creative Folkestone Artworks trail; so you’re not just visiting an exhibition, you’re witnessing the shaping of Folkestone’s cultural future.
Read more here: Folkestone & Hythe – Folkestone Triennial or visit www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/news/folkestone-triennial
Folkestone Harbour Arm Summer Series
Soak up the seaside atmosphere at Folkestone Harbour Arm as it comes alive with an exciting programme of live music, outdoor film screenings, street theatre, and family-friendly workshops.
Running through August into early September, the Summer Series offers something for everyone: whether you’re enjoying a laid-back evening of jazz, dancing to reggae beats, or taking part in an African drumming workshop.
With independent food vendors, pop-up bars, and stunning views across the Channel, it’s the perfect place to spend a summer’s evening. Best of all, many events are free, making it a must-visit for both locals and visitors looking for vibrant entertainment by the water.
Folkestone Documentary Festival
Between the 22nd and 26th of October, Folkestone celebrates the art of storytelling through film with the Folkestone Documentary Festival.
Spread across local venues like the Silver Screen Cinema and Creative Folkestone Quarterhouse, the festival showcases gripping documentaries from around the world—alongside director talks, panel discussions, and Doc Club screenings. Expect powerful, eye-opening stories that spark conversation, challenge perspectives, and bring you closer to the people and issues shaping our times.
Whether you’re a devoted documentary fan or just curious to try something new, this is your chance to experience the best in non-fiction cinema right here in Folkestone.
Creative Folkestone Book Festival
From the 13th to 23rd of November, Folkestone becomes a literary hotspot as the Creative Folkestone Book Festival welcomes more than 70 authors, artists, and thinkers.
This year’s line-up features headline names such as Joanne Harris, Amanda Knox, Rupert Everett, and Irvine Welsh, alongside an inspiring mix of new voices.
Across 11 days you can enjoy readings, workshops, debates, and discussions that span fiction, memoir, politics, poetry, and more. Whether you want to meet your favourite author, discover fresh ideas, or simply soak up the festival buzz, this celebration of the written word has something for everyone.