What's on in Canterbury, United Kingdom through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Busy — February half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Busy — Easter / spring holiday in United Kingdom, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Peak crowds — Coach and school-trip season, Late-May half-term in United Kingdom

• Season

  Coach and school-trip season

  15 May – 10 Sep · usuallyDay-tripper crushCrowded

  Coaches from Dover and the Channel ports unload school parties and cruise excursions into the precincts from mid-morning. The cathedral and the high street are yours before ten and after five. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Coach and school-trip season, Pride Canterbury

• Festival

  Pride Canterbury

  5–15 Jun · usuallyCrowded

  A Saturday parade through the city walls to Dane John Gardens, small enough that the whole thing fits in an afternoon. The high street closes for a couple of hours around it. Source ↗

Still on: Coach and school-trip season (15 May – 10 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Coach and school-trip season, Summer holidays in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Canterbury Cricket Week

  28 Jul – 8 Aug · usuallyMajor festival

  The oldest cricket festival in England, a run of Kent home matches at the St Lawrence Ground with marquees round the boundary. Fixture dates move with the county calendar each year. Source ↗

Still on: Coach and school-trip season (15 May – 10 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Coach and school-trip season, Summer holidays in United Kingdom

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Coach and school-trip season (15 May – 10 Sep (usually)), Canterbury Cricket Week (28 Jul – 8 Aug (usually))

Busy — Coach and school-trip season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Coach and school-trip season (15 May – 10 Sep (usually))

Busy — October half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Canterbury Festival

  15 Oct – 5 Nov · usuallyMajor festivalBook early

  Kent's main arts fortnight: concerts in the cathedral and the Malthouse, plus talks, comedy and walks in venues around the city. It is the one time of year the place is busy without coaches. Source ↗

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Festival

  Advent and Christmas at the cathedral

  28 Nov – 26 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New YearBook early

  Advent carol services and the Christmas Eve sung liturgy are the cathedral at its best, and they are ticketed and go early. Sightseeing hours are cut back on service days. Source ↗

Still on: Canterbury Festival (15 Oct – 5 Nov (usually))

Busy — Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Advent and Christmas at the cathedral (28 Nov – 26 Dec (usually))