If you’re fed up with the gloomy weather and are already looking forward to the summer festival season, you’re not alone.

Lots of Kent’s festivals are gearing up for another unforgettable summer, with rock bands and folk fanatics all expected to flock to the county this summer. Here are five of our top picks…

A NEW DAY FESTIVAL, near Faversham

Fans of classic rock and real ale will be delighted to hear that A New Day Festival is set to return in 2024. The three-day festival will bring even more pints, pop-up bars and prog-rock riffs to Faversham’s Mount Ephraim Gardens.

The latest line-up includes German electronic band Tangerine Dream, psychedelic pioneers Hawkwind and ‘00s guitar group Feeder as headliners, alongside more than 20 artists. Crowds can also expect lots of festival bars, overnight camping and food stalls.

Details: Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18 at Mount Ephraim Gardens in Hernhill, near Faversham. Book tickets online here.

BLACK DEER FESTIVAL, Tunbridge Wells

It’s impossible to talk about Kent’s music festivals and not mention the biggest one of all. With artists such as Van Morrison, James, The Pretenders and Bonnie Raitt performing in previous years, the next Black Deer Festival has a lot to live up to.

The rock, country, blues and American festival will be back with a bang in 2024, having already announced multi-Grammy Award-winning singer Sheryl Crow as the Saturday night headliner. Fans can also expect the return of the festival’s many counter-culture activities including the BBQ firepit, motorbike displays and music workshops.

Details: Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16 at Eridge Park near Tunbridge Wells. Book tickets online here.

BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK

The seaside town of Broadstairs will once again be taken over by hundreds of musicians, Morris dancers and folk singers this coming summer. The week-long festival, which is mostly free, is an annual celebration of local talent and must-see folk, rock, country and blues artists.

The festival includes a variety of pub gigs, as well as headline acts at its indoor venues and free performances on the clifftop bandstand. There will also be market stalls, food vendors, sing-along sessions, instrument workshops, cèilidhs, barn dances, street entertainers and more.

If you’re a big folk fan, it’s also worth checking out Tenterden Folk Festival in October, which is a similar event with a combination of free and ticketed gigs taking place all over the town.

Details: Friday, August 9 to Friday, August 16 in and around Broadstairs town centre. Some events are free, others are ticketed and can be booked online here.

MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL, Maidstone

Kent’s newest rock festival made its mark when it debuted in July. Maid of Stone Festival, named after the county town, included a stellar line-up for its first year, including Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes, Australian band Airbourne, metal group Skindred and more, along with outdoor activities, beer and ale bars and festival food.

The line-up for this coming year has recently been announced and it includes American chart-toppers Mr Big, former Iron Maiden and Wolfsbane singer Blaze Bayley, Scottish rock band Gun and Download Festival favourites Those Damn Crows. Festival organisers have also confirmed that the New Blood Stage, which features up-and-coming unsigned bands, will return next year, as well as bars and food stalls, a VIP chillout area, street entertainers, a signing tent, axe throwing and camping and glamping options.

Details: Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 at Mote Park in Maidstone. Book tickets online here.

SAUSAGE AND CIDER FESTIVAL, Tunbridge Wells and Birchington-on-Sea

One of Kent’s best-loved food and drink festivals, Pub in the Park, sadly announced that it will not be returning to Kent this summer. While Tom Kerridge’s pop-up pub might be giving the county a miss, another tasty food festival has come to the rescue, with a top line-up of food, drink, music and entertainment.

The Sausage and Cider Festival will be coming to both Tunbridge Wells and Birchington-on-Sea this summer, featuring music from pop rock band Scouting For Girls and tribute acts performing anthems by Queen, Abba, The Killers and more. There will also be, as the name suggests, 30 flavours of cider and 20 types of sausages on offer.

Details: Saturday, June 15 at Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells and Saturday, July 27 at Quex Park in Birchington-on-Sea. Book tickets online here.