News Join the ‘Echoes of Maidstone’ arts carnival
Everyone is invited to join the spectacular ‘Echoes of Maidstone’ Arts Carnival which will burst into Maidstone town centre on Saturday 12 July 2025.
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is once again working with Emergency Exit Arts to bring the vibrant Arts Carnival to the town and will include more than 350 people taking part: from dancers and performers to local primary and secondary school pupils, and participants from community groups.
The procession will start from the High Street at 2pm, where dance performers, a samba band and carnival sculptures will parade through the town into Brenchley Gardens, where there will be a finale event with music from 2.45pm until 5.30pm. There will be a refreshments van, so bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the festivities.
Cllr Stephen Thompson, MBC Cabinet Member for Stronger Healthier Communities, said:
It is wonderful to see the return of the community arts carnival to our town centre this year. It is always such a vibrant event and there will be so much family entertainment, all for free. I encourage everyone to take part in the day, including the workshops!
There is still time to get involved with the Carnival by attending a free workshop at a series of venues around the town. Come and make a headdress and participate in the procession.
The workshops will take place:
28 June – Fremlin Walk, 10am – 2pm
5 July – Fremlin Walk, 10am – 12pm
12 July – Creative Maidstone Community Arts Hub, Gabriel’s Hill, 11am – 12:30pm
The workshop on the morning of the Carnival will be held in the brand-new Creative Maidstone Community Arts Hub: an MBC project also supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Hub aims to give local creatives a dedicated space in the town centre and increase public access to the arts. More information will be shared about the facility soon.
MBC and the Carnival organisers would like to thank all of the wonderful local schools, community groups, artists, organisations and individuals who have helped deliver this event.