September is kicking off in style, and Tonbridge is serving up a jam-packed weekend of local food, riverfront thrills, and live music! Whether you are tucking into street food at the Racecourse, cheering on high-stakes dragon boat racing, getting hands-on with crafts, or taking a quick hop out to a vineyard for a glass of local bubbles, there is a fantastic lineup waiting for you across town and nearby.
Friday 4th September 2026
Live Music with Usual Suspects at The Market House
Kick off the weekend on Friday night at The Market House on the High Street. Grab a drink and head in for a live performance from Usual Suspects, starting at 8:30 PM with free entry all night long.
Saturday 5th September 2026
Tonbridge Parkrun
Start your Saturday morning bright and early at 9:00 AM at the Racecourse Sportsground for this classic Tonbridge tradition. Join hundreds of local runners, joggers, and walkers for a free, timed 5km loop around the park and lake—just remember to register online beforehand and bring your barcode along.
Tonbridge Food & Drink Festival (Saturday & Sunday)
Running from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday, the 14th edition of this foodie spectacular transforms the Racecourse Sportsground into a culinary paradise. Enjoy free entry while browsing over 50 artisan food stalls, watching live chef demonstrations, and sampling global bites at the Street Food Café (with hot dishes capped at £9 or under).
Balfour Winery Harvest Celebration (Saturday & Sunday)
Take a short trip out to nearby Balfour Winery (Marden) to celebrate the start of grape harvest season. Running across Saturday and Sunday, the day features a welcome glass of bubbles, live music, delicious pizza & BBQ, tours, tastings, and wines by the glass or bottle. A free shuttle service will be running to and from Marden station all day long. Full details can be found here.
Live Jazz at The Market House
Keep the Saturday evening vibes going over at The Market House. Enjoy a relaxed, atmospheric evening with live jazz music kicking off from 7:00 PM with free entry.
Sunday 6th September 2026
As well as the food & drink festival continuing into Sunday, there are three more events to be aware of.
Tonbridge Lions Dragon Boat Race
Head down to the Medway riverbank between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM to watch around 30 colourful teams battle it out along a 200-metre course between Tonbridge Castle and Big Bridge. It’s free for spectators, complete with fancy dress, riverside stalls, and plenty of noise as teams raise money for local causes. Find out more about the Dragon Boat Race here.
And if you’re looking for a team to support, the Sea Scouts have a boat in the race and they are currently raising money.
Beaded Plant Workshop at The Market House
Get creative on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at The Market House. Learn how to craft your own beaded plant in this hands-on workshop (£25 per person). Find the full details here.
Open-Air Theatre: The Pirates of Penzance
Round off your weekend on the iconic Tonbridge Castle Lawn with an outdoor performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, brought to life live by the touring theatre company Illyria. You can find full details of this performance here.
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