Events
Events cancelled due to Covid 19.
Please note that due to the coronavirus outbreak, many previously advertised events have been cancelled. Please check directly with organisers for the latest information.
There are many fun family events across the borough each month.
Hosting an event
If you have any community events that you would like publicised please provide the details by emailing leisure.services@tmbc.gov.uk
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.
If you are planning an event on a public open space owned by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council please complete an Event application form for public open spaces
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council cannot accept any responsibility for any errors, omissions or subsequent alterations.
Country Park events
Events take place in Haysden Country Park and Leybourne Lakes Country Park throughout the year.
View our Country parks events booklet.
Rotary Club of Tonbridge events
Tonbridge Christmas Festival – Sunday 29 November 2020
(A decision on whether to cancel or continue with this event will be made on 30 September).
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:
16 August – Invicta Jazz Orchestra
23 August – East Grinstead Concert Band
30 August – Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band
Due to COVID 19 the Summer Band Concerts programme has currently been suspended, updates will be given in line with government guidance on social gatherings.
Heritage Open Days
11 -- 20 September 2020
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 Teams Dragon Boat Race
8 September 2020
Dragon Boat Race Watergate, River Medway, Tonbridge, Kent. The 8th Tonbridge Dragon Boat Race Dear Dragons, Welcome Dragons past and prospective! The 8th 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 Dragon Boat Race will take place in Tonbridge Town Centre on the River Medway at the Watergate (Big Bridge).
Luna Cinema
25 - 27 September 2020
This summer, The Luna Cinema transforms the grounds of the majestic Tonbridge Castle into an impressive setting for open air cinema.
Tonbridge Castle is steeped in 900 years of English history, and we invite you to come and enjoy a unique cinematic experience; watching classic films on a giant screen in one of Kent’s most ancient sites.
To book please visit http://www.thelunacinema.com/tonbridge-castle/4592091961
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.
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council welcomes amateur photographers to our sites and we hope you will share your pictures of your visit with us on social media. If you are looking to use our site for commercial, corporate or professional photography please contact leisure.services@tmbc.gov.uk as soon as possible to check availability and acquire the relevant permissions and paperwork.