Hey {{first_name | LoveKent Community}}, here’s your roundup of what’s going on in Maidstone this October? Take your time - it’s a BIG one…

Maidstone has a cracking October coming up, full of energy and plenty going on across town and beyond. From packed-out gigs and family-friendly days, plus plenty of theatre shows, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

Are you ready for an enchanting Halloween adventure unlike any other? Join us at Leeds Castle for a magical experience that will spark your imagination and fill your autumn with wonder.

Embark on a magical, spellbinding letter hunt across Leeds Castle’s grounds. The scattered alphabet has been hidden far and wide, but only eight colourful letters can reveal the secret password. Together, you will unlock Ember the Autumnal Witch’s spellbook, break the Evil Sorceress’s curse, and restore the Guardians’ true selves.

🚑 Kent Search & Rescue ‘Show and Tell’ | 3rd Oct | Police Training College
Our Search and Rescue team will be showcasing their skills and equipment in an exciting Show and Tell event. Learn how we locate missing persons, conduct rescues, and keep your community safe.

✏ Life Drawing | 4th Oct | Maidstone Museum
Join us for a creative morning of life drawing. Grab your sketchbook and pencils and get ready to unleash your inner artist! Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, this event is open to all skill levels.

🚶 Moonlit Walk | 4th Oct | Aylesford

The annual ‘Moonlit Walk’ is all about raising funds for Heart of Kent Hospice and celebrating and remembering our loved ones. Enjoy the entertainment, live music, a warm-up event, café, face painting and even purchase a glass of bubbles before the walk begins.

🕺 Raver Tots | 5th Oct | Ballin Maidstone
The Ultimate Family Dance Party Suitable for ALL AGES! Get the kids active at the UK’s number one award winning, family friendly rave event, playing the best in House, Garage, Drum and Bass and Old Skool Club Classics!

🧺 Bearsted Market on the Green | 5th Oct | Bearsted
Bringing together fresh local produce and quality, handmade, artisan goods, we have a wide range of truly unique traders offering delicious treats, amazing art and craft and so much more. 

🎷 Jazz Sunday Lunch | 5th Oct | Chilston Park Hotel
Join us for a 3-course Sunday lunch accompanied by live smooth Jazz.

🎬 Maidstone Film Society | 6th Oct Sept | Hazlitt Theatre
Showing a wide range of films from around the world to audiences in Maidstone since 1948. Todays movie is I’m Still Here.

👩‍⚕ Breast Health Awareness Event | 8th Oct | Maidstone Innovation Centre
This free, in-person workshop is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer, break down taboos, and give you the personal tools to take charge of your breast health.

👻 Ghost Hunting | 11th Oct | Maidstone Museum
This will be an unforgettable night of ghost hunting and paranormal exploration! Watch as seasoned ghost hunters detect and communicate with the unknown and discover the eerie history of Maidstone Museum and hear spine-chilling tales of its haunted past.

⚽ Maidstone United V Chesham United | 11th Oct | Gallagher Stadium
Come and watch the local team beat the visitors.

🤣 Rosie Jones | 14th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
Self-professed prick and star of Taskmaster Rosie Jones heads back out on the road with her brand-new stand-up show. She's talking about the big stuff: being single, the pressures of representing huge sections of the population, and gravy.

🤣 Hal Cruttenden | 15th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
Hal is back with a brand-new tour for 2025 with a show that promises to stick it to ‘The Man’, as long as ‘The Man’ doesn’t stick it back to him.

🐵 Go Ape Sundown Adventures | 17th Oct - 9th Nov | Leeds Castle
Back for 2025, experience tree top thrills in a whole new light for a limited time between 17^th October and 9^th November. It’s the ultimate autumn adventure with epic forest views under the night sky.

📖 Darker Side of Dickens | 18th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
Join Dr Geoff Doel as he walks through the history of literary genius Charles Dickens, uncovering the darker side to his career and personal life. 

👰 Kent Wedding Show | 19th Oct | Kent Event Centre
The Kent Wedding Show brings together the best local wedding suppliers and specialists, dedicated to making your special day perfect, with over 100 exhibitors all under one roof.

♟ Board Games | 24th Oct | Maidstone Museum
Put your skills to the test and join us for a Family Games Day (11am - 3pm)

😵 Murder Mystery Night | 25th Oct | Lockmeadow
Step back in time to the roaring twenties for a glamorous evening of intrigue, style, and suspense. Dress in your finest 1920’s glamour and prepare for an unforgettable night of mystery and detection as professional West End actors bring the drama to life around you.

🧺 West Malling Farmers Market | 26th Oct | High Street West Malling
This popular market hosts a great array of farm produced meats, fruit, vegetables and cheeses, as well as artisan made breads, cakes, and extremely tasty designer stuff.

🏴‍☠ Dame Dolly’s Spooktacular Pirate Party | 26th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre

It's time to jump aboard the Dolly Roger, scrub the deck and splice the mainbrace, as we prepare to set sail for some nautical nonsense on the seven seas with Dame Dolly Dollop! 

👻 Halloween Casino | 31st Oct | Yew Tree
Blackjack, roulette, canapes, prizes - what’s not to love! Be there or be scareddddddd….

Hey {{first_name | LoveKent Community}}, do you have a family friendly event in Maidstone worth shouting about? Email us at [email protected], and we could feature it in the next LoveKent newsletter.

What started as a conversation between friends, has ended up as a week-long celebration of literature. Don't miss out on this celebration of literature and culture in Maidstone! Line up includes Olivier Award Winner Celia Imrie!

🎵 Johnny Cash Roadshow | 2nd Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
The Johnny Cash Roadshow is heading into its 20th year on the road and stronger than ever!  A face paced, energetic, constantly evolving show that's now the longest running and most critically acclaimed show across the UK and Europe. Book today - selling fast!

🎵 The Neil Diamon Story | 8th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
Described as one of the world's finest vocal tributes to Neil Diamond, Bob Drury has been astounding audiences with his vocal likeness for fifteen years.

🎸 Coldplace (Coldplay Tribute) | 9th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
The only tribute to have worked for Coldplay, this outstanding band leads you through all your favourite Coldplay hits from the last 20+ years including Yellow, Paradise and A Sky full of Stars, right through to Higher Power and My Universe from their latest album, Music of the Spheres.

🕺 Disco Night | 11th Oct | The Flower Pot
Dust off your flares, tease up that beehive, and get ready to twist the night away as they turn back the clock and cranking up the music for a night of pure retro revelry.

🎸 History of Rock | 11th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
We'll be taking audiences on a thrilling ride through the history of rock - but this time, we're turning the spotlight on Led Zeppelin, as they headline the ultimate rock concert line-up the world has ever seen.

🎵 Coldplay Candlelight Dinner Experience | 11th Oct | Great Danes Hotel
Renowned pianist Frank McNamara & The Bridgerton String Quartet reimagining Coldplay’s iconic hits in the enchanting glow of 1000 candles. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of Coldplay’s greatest hits while indulging in a delectable dinner.

🎵 Spice Girls Experience | 13th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
Fresh off the back of their stint as opening act for Adele’s August 2024 Munich Residency, The Spice Girls Experience are touring the UK. The girls have put together a very special theatre show with a fun party vibe.

🕺 80s Disco | 18th Oct | Hazlitt theatre
Get ready to let loose with Debbie V and Matt B at our 80s Disco. Back due to popular demand after a sold out venue in November, we’ll be bringing more 80s music than ever before!

🎵 Sound of Music | 23rd - 25th Oct | Hazlitt Theatre
Join the Hazlitt Institute of Performing Arts for their annual musical. This year, they take on The Sound of Music! 

Hey {{first_name | LoveKent Community}}, do you have a gig in Maidstone worth shouting about? Email us at [email protected], and we could feature it in the next LoveKent newsletter.

The Bugs Are Back!!
Fremlin Walk - Maidstone

On Friday 31st October, 11am – 3pm, get ready for The Wicked Walk Presents: Creepy Critters!

Brave the bugs, meet the snakes, and step into a world of spooky crawlies at this free family-friendly Halloween event.

Hey {{first_name | LoveKent Community}}, do you run a shop in Maidstone and would like to feature in the Love Kent newsletter, email us at [email protected].

Kent’s tourism industry has been dealt a major blow with the sudden closure of Visit Kent, the organisation that for over two decades coordinated how the county promoted itself to visitors. More than just a website or events calendar, Visit Kent acted as the central hub that brought together thousands of small businesses, councils, and attractions to present a unified voice for the “Garden of England.”

Kent County Council has acknowledged the loss as significant, blaming cuts to national tourism funding.

And of course, while our thoughts are with the staff of Visit Kent who are currently dealing with this on a personal level, the longer term challenge is ensuring Kent’s attractions continue to local reach audiences in a competitive tourism market.

While the big-name attractions may still find ways to advertise, smaller venues, gigs, and community festivals risk becoming far less visible, so here at Love Kent, we want to make sure that you still get the attention you deserve, so if you run one of these local events or you are a local attraction, then please reach out and we’ll happily partner with you to ensure you get seen by the local folks in Kent (for free!) via our fast growing local events newsletters, covering Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury and Ashford!