May is when Tonbridge properly comes to life. The evenings stretch out, the river gets busier, and the calendar fills up quickly with a mix of fitness, food, theatre and festivals. It is one of the easiest months to find something to do after work as well as at the weekend.
Here is your fully streamlined Tonbridge Bean guide to May 2026, with each event listed once so you can see the month clearly at a glance.
1/ Parkrun (Every Saturday: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th May 2026)
The weekly 5k at Racecourse Sportsground is a core part of the local routine. And May is giving 5 chances to run. Open to all abilities whether you run, jog or walk.
2/ Market House DJ Nights (Fridays and Saturdays throughout May 2026)
Regular late-night DJ sets in the centre of town with a mix of house, disco and crowd favourites. Details TBC.
3/ Tonbridge Triathlon (4th May 2026)
A major local event based at Tonbridge School and organised by the Lions Club. It’s not too late to sign up, or just get out and support. The event includes a full triathlon, a sprint version and variations, like duathlon. Full details here.
4/ Weald of Kent Country Craft & Food Show (2nd to 4th May 2026)
A huge event held at Penshurst Place for the bank holiday weekend. Expect craft stalls, food, artisan shopping and country-style entertainment. Tickets are required and more info can be found here.
5/ Tonbridge School Chamber Music Concert (8th May 2026)
Held at the EM Forster Theatre, showcasing talented young musicians. A chance to watch a free concert on a Friday evening.
6/ SUP and Soundbath (8th May 2026)
Friday night is a chance to try a sound bath from the comfort of a private lake, on paddle boards. This event is hosted by Paddle with Ana. Full details can be found here.
7/ Tonbridge Farmers’ Market (10th May 2026)
One of Kent’s best markets with local produce, baked goods and excellent breakfast options. Ideal for picking up some bits for the barbeque or a park picnic. Find it at Soverieign Way from 09:30 to 13:30.
8/ Castle Canines at Hever Castle (10 May)
This is one for dog lovers – a full day of canine adventures at Hever Castle. Bring your dog along and enjoy the various displays and doggy shopping opportunities. Full details and tickets on the Hever Castle website.
9/ Nelson Arms Sunday Quiz nights (10 and 17 May)
The Nelson Arms isn’t just one of Tonbridge’s best loved pubs, it also hosts a fantastic quiz night. And in May, there are two to enjoy! The quiz takes place on the 10th and 17th May – book in advance. Full details here.
10/ The Brothers Outdoor Roman Comedy (12th, 13th and 15th May 2026)
Outdoor performances in the EMF Theatre Library Gardens. Relaxed, funny and ideal for a spring evening. Details and tickets here.
11/ Epic Life Cocktail Paddle (13th May 2026)
A relaxing and social paddle along the river, with a break for cocktails on the water from Verdigris. This is the first cocktail paddle of the season, with more to come throughout the summer. Details and bookings here.
12/ Tonbridge Comedy Night (15th May 2026)
Lonestar Comedy returns to the EMF Theatre with professional touring comedians. A chance for a few drinks and a good laugh. This event is invariably a sell out, so book early to avoid disappointment.
13/ Yoga with Goats (16th May 2026)
A unique yoga and Qigong session at Princess Christian’s Farm surrounded by friendly goats hosted by Tonbridge yogi Candice Machtus.
14/ The Master Builder (16th to 23rd May 2026)
A full run of the Henrik Ibsen classic at the Oast Theatre. Full details and tickets can be found here.
15/ Animal Farm (19th to 21st May 2026)
A student-led production at Tonbridge School’s EMF Theatre with a fresh take on the Orwell classic. Details and tickets here.
16/ Soul, Motown and Reggae Night with Jean-Paul (22nd May 2026)
A themed music night at the Market House with classic tracks and a lively atmosphere. Tickets can be purchased through the Market House website, with options to include burgers and drinks.
17/ HandleBards As You Like It (23rd May 2026)
A bicycle-powered outdoor Shakespeare performance in the EMF Theatre Gardens. Last year’s Handlebard’s performance got rave reviews. Details and tickets here.
18/ TN90 Festival (23rd to 24th May 2026)
The TN90s festival has become a staple in the Tonbridge calendar over the last few years. The two day festival takes place at Deacon’s Field and showcases 90s and 00s classics. This year promises an eclectic mix of General Levy, Sweet Female Attitude and N-Trance, to name just a few. Details and tickets here.
19/ Balfour Winery Spring Celebration (23rd to 25th May 2026)
A Bank Holiday vineyard event with live music, DJs, food and of course, wine. Balfour is so easy to get to from Tonbridge – no driver required. Tickets need to be booked in advance – details here.
20/ Tonbridge Castle Artisan Market (24th May 2026)
A large outdoor market with local crafts and handmade goods around the castle.
21/ Fuggles Quiz Night (26th May 2026)
A popular and fun monthly quiz – booking absolutely recommended. Tables fill fast! Enjoy a delightful craft ale alongside some hard hitting questions. Full details here – and if you’ve missed out on a table – get booked in for June!
22/ Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival (30th to 31st May 2026)
Over 50 street food and drink stalls on the Castle grounds. Come hungry. It’s our favourite foodie event of the year! Full details can be found here.
23/ Big Paddle Clean Up (31st May 2026)
A community paddle hosted by Epic Life event focused on keeping the River Medway clean. Join in for free with your own paddle board, or hire one from Epic Life. Full details here.
24/ Wild Swimming in Tonbridge (TBC)
Triswim will be opening up slots to book a wild swim at Haysden Lake starting in May. A circuit will be set up in the lake to allow swimmers to complete 600m or 1000m laps. Dates are TBC but we can expect sessions on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday evenings from May to September. Details here.
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