Events
There are many fun family events across the borough each month.
Hosting an event
If you would like to add an event to this page, please e-mail your details to Leisure Services.
If you are planning to hold any event, there are a number of organisations that you, as the event organiser, need to request permission from and consult.
Country Park events
Events take place in Haysden Country Park and Leybourne Lakes Country Park throughout the year.
View our Country parks events booklet.
Tonbridge Events
Please download our Tonbridge events poster
Rotary Club of Tonbridge events
The Rotary Club of Tonbridge run a number of events as listed on their newsletter.
RecycleForAll Roadshows
The RecycleForAll team are holding a number of roadshows where you can chat to them about the introduction of new recycling services.
A Dragon's Tale
Theatrix Arts - Children's performance and arts workshops
9 & 10 August 2019 - Tonbridge Castle
First performance 11am - Followed by puppet making workshop at 12noon
Second performance 2pm - Followed by puppet making workshop at 3pm
Free to attend but please contact leisure.services@tmbc.gov.uk to register (£2 donation for the puppet making)
Illyria - Tempest
27 August 2019
THE TEMPEST By William Shakespeare
The magician Prospero is marooned on an island with his daughter Miranda. With the assistance of a powerful air spirit he keeps in servitude, he conjures up a storm to shipwreck his enemies on the shore of the island. Inexorably they are driven towards the centre of the island to answer to Prospero – until Prospero learns that in spite of everything Miranda has met and fallen in love with Ferdinand, the son of his enemy. Which is greater – his thirst for revenge or his aptitude for forgiveness?
Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)
Enjoy the Open Air Theatre on the Castle Lawn, bring a picnic or take advantage of the stalls on site.
For tickets https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/627437
Summer Band Concerts
A series of free summer concerts will be taking place on the Bailey Lawn at Tonbridge Castle and everyone is welcome to come along.
The concerts, which will be performed by a mixture of amateur and professional bands, have been organised by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and will take place between 3pm and 5pm. There is no need to book a ticket – people can just turn up on the day and enjoy the music, bring a picnic or take advantage of the stalls on site.
Every Sunday will feature a different band:
14 July – Jon Hamilton Big Band
28 July – Second Wind Jazz Band
11 August – Invicta Jazz Orchestra
18 August – Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band
25 August – East Grinstead Concert Band
Medieval Fair
7 - 8 September 2019 10am-4pm Tonbridge Castle
Step back in time at Tonbridge Castle's Medieval fair
Have a go at archery
Become a Knight for the day
Medieval crafts and demonstrations
Plate spinning and juggling workshops
Stalls, Hog Roast and Knights in combat
FREE Admission
Scottish Country Dancing FREE Taster Session
Friday 20 September 2019 7.30 - 9.30pm
St Stephen's Church Community Centre, Waterloo Road, Tonbridge TN9 2SW
A friendly welcome to all 16+ and no partner required
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
More information @ http://tonbridgescottishdancers.co.uk
Heritage Open Days
12 - 22 September 2019
Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. Organised by volunteers – usually property owners or managers – for local people, Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event, attracting some 800,000 people annually.
The Heritage Open Days Partnership gives central co-ordination and additional voice to the event which is made possible by funding and support from English Heritage. Locally this event has been co-ordinated by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council in partnership with The Malling Society and Tonbridge Civic Society. Tonbridge Art Group, Tonbridge Civic Society, Tonbridge Historical Society, Tonbridge Parish Church Bell Ringers and members from the Jane Austen Society (Kent branch) will be exhibiting at Tonbridge Castle throughout the weekend.
For more details, visit www.heritageopendays.org
Tonbridge Town Team's Dragon Boat Race
8 September 2019
Dragon Boat Race Watergate, River Medway, Tonbridge, KentThe 7th Tonbridge Dragon Boat RaceDear Dragons, Welcome Dragons past and prospective! The 7th Tonbridge Dragon Boat Race will be held on Sunday 8th September 2019. For six years now the Tonbridge Town Team has hosted what many feel to be the Tonbridge event of the year. As in previous years, the event relies on the professionalism and expertise of Dragon Boat Events – the company that supply the boats and equipment. On the same weekend the Tonbridge Medieval Fair will be taking place on the Castle lawn and we at the Town Team will be organising stalls along the newly refurbished River Walk. The RaceThe Dragon Boat Race will take place in Tonbridge town centre on the River Medway at the Watergate (Big Bridge).
Theatres
EM Forster Theatre
The Box Office, EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, TN9 1JP
For a full list of shows visp;www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk/home/
Oast Theatre
London Rd Tonbridge Kent TN10 3AN
For a full list of show visit www.oasttheatre.com
Happy Tonbridge
A video has been made in Tonbridge to show off its thriving community and put a bit of happiness into the town. Inspired by Pharrell Williams' number one hit Happy, more than 2,000 happy films have been made worldwide and Tonbridge wanted a slice of the action. Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council recognised the film's worth and a Community Enhancement Grant was given to support the launch event. See the full video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEApL1fxZ-U
Jane Austen's Connections to Tonbridge
You can have an MP3 audio guided tour of the monuments in the Church of St Peter & St Paul; these include the tomb of Jane Austen's grandparents, other Austens and people they knew narrated by Louise Jameson. You may also download this guide.
A circular walk of Tonbridge includes local links to Jane Austen. Download a copy of the leaflet.
Farmers' Markets
There are a number of Farmers Markets across the borough.