FOLKESTONE FESTIVALS 2025
Welcome to music at the Folkestone Bandstand. Every Saturday and Sunday from 7th June – 14th September, 2.30-4.30pm unless otherwise stated.
Arranged for you by Folkestone Festivals with support from Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Folkestone Town Council, Eurotunnel, Roger de Haan Charitable Trust, Hotel & Catering Association, The Folkestone Soundmen, Sponsorships, private donations and general donations.
Enjoy traditional bandstand entertainment include brass, silver and concert bands and discover a range of different genres with live music, entertainment and dance from local groups including Tribute Bands.
OUR AMAZING 2025 PROGRAMME:
Download the 2025 Folkestone Bandstand Programme [PDF].
JUNE 7th SATURDAY
MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Live music, Craft, art, food and drink stalls, amusements, free Punch & Judy Show, Hoopsea Hulahooping demos and workshops, dance demonstrations, classic vehicle display, community group displays and more. Music on the day will include:
10.30am FILIPINO COMMUNITY Jamboree
3 – 5pm MAMPAMA (African pop songs and fusion music)
JUNE 8th SUNDAY
MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND MUSIC & DOG SHOW
Live music, Craft, art, food and drink stalls, amusements, free Punch & Judy Show and Bodger & Badger messy mash potato routine, Dog Show various categories with prizes, community group displays and more. Music on the day will include:
10.15 11.15am JAMMIN DODGERS young all girl band
12 – 2pm THE CONCORDS GROUP great music from the 60’s & 70’s
3 – 5pm TEQUILA BRASS inspired by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
JUNE 14TH SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm UK PAPER BAND A non contesting brass band based in Sittingbourne.
JUNE 15TH SUNDAY
1 – 1.30pm ASHLEY local school singer with superb voice
2.30 – 4.30pm SOMETHING ELSE BAND 1950/1960’s modern rockin feel
In memory of John Corcoran a regular at the Bandstand until his untimely death IN 2023. Sponsored by his widow Marie.
JUNE 21st SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm TURMOIL play a wealth of cover songs by bands such as The Killers, Oasis, Green Day, Stereophonics, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters and many more, guaranteed to get the crowd singing and dancing along
JUNE 22ND SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30PM 1st WHITSTABLE BRASS BAND The Canterbury District’s longest established brass band, performing a wide variety of music with style.
JUNE 28th SATURDAY
2.20 – 4.30pm JOE SWING RAT PACK & SWING TRIBUTE Singing the hits from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Junior. Joe a professional singer from Kent also sings the hits of other great lounge singers such as Bobby Darren, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and Matt Monroe as well as songs by more recent artists Harry Connick Jr, Robbie Williams and Michael Buble.
JUNE 29th SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm SHEPWAY BRASS ACADEMY An exciting and affordable youth project that is bringing Brass Band music to a younger generation.
JULY 5th SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm AMY WINEHOUSE TRIBUTE The amazing Joanna Rose Barton returns with her fabulous tribute. Not to be missed.
JULY 6TH SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pn ABBA CHIQUE Kent based tribute band – the most sought after tributes in the country with authentic Abba sound and look with a powerful stage presence full of energy and fun)
JULY 12th SATURDAY
CHARIVARI organised by Strange Cargo
JULY 13th SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm ALTONES Taking northern soul classics, sat on old school reggae and ska rhythms. Lo fi, stripped back ; 3 soulful voices, harmonica led, double bass
JULY 19th SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm HEROES Tribute to New Wave/Mod/2 Tone late 70s to 80s
JULY 20TH SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm SEVENOAKS & TONBRIDGE BAND a symphonic wind band, playing original works for wind ensemble to arrangements of orchestral pieces, military band items and light music of various styles.
JULY 26TH SATURDAY
12 noon start PRIDE PICNIC organised by Folkestone Pride
JULY 27TH SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm COLD SHOULDER Rock & Blues from 60’s to modern. If it rocks, we play it.
AUGUST 2nd SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm INVICTA CONCERT BAND A traditional Concert Band playing everything from Big Band, Waltzes, Marches, Show Selections, Overtures – in fact anything that can be described as popular music can be found in our repertoire. Based in Herne Bay, North Kent, the Band established in 1983 and has achieved a following and reputation as being one of the most popular Concert Bands in the area.
AUGUST 3rd SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm MICHAEL BUBLE TRIBUTE Ben Hills
AUGUST 9th SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm GUMBOOTS Based in Folkestone, Gumboots Reggae band have been playing on the Kent music circuit for a number of years playing a fine selection of all the classic reggae/ska songs from Jimmy Cliff Toots and The Maytals, Bob Marley, Desmond Decker and many more.
AUGUST 10TH SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm ASHFORD CONCERT BAND A local community band for adults with the aim of enjoying making music as well as raising money for charity. We are a friendly group and new members are always welcome.
AUGUST 16TH SATURDAY
MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Great live music, Craft, art, food and drink stalls, amusements, shows, demonstrations and workshops, community group displays and more. Music on the day will include:
10 – 11.45am ADAM REGGIO A splendid tribute to Michael Buble & other legendary crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & many more.
12.15 – 2.15pm ROCK OF AGED Five piece Classic Rock band based in South East Kent covering the best bands from 1970s and 1980s
3 – 5pm NICK LAWRENCE Nick has been writing songs since 2000 and has produced over forty original compositions utilizing instruments such as acoustic guitar, cajon, harmonica and ukulele.
AUGUST 17TH SUNDAY
MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND Music on the day will include:
12 – 2pm BLAKE SONNET 60’s Sensations Tribute to 60’s music
3 – 5pm HYTHE/SHEPWAY U3A SWING BAND 15 piece swing band
AUGUST 23rd SATURDAY
2.30 – 5pm PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE BAND “ON THE RUN” Kent-based band pride described as ‘the most authentic live Pink Floyd tribute’ – live music at its best. The Dark Side of the Moon/Animals.
AUGUST 24th SUNDAY
2.30 – 5pm PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE BAND “ON THE RUN” Kent-based band pride described as ‘the most authentic live Pink Floyd tribute’ – live music at its best. Later Floyd Ronnie Gilmour & other bands.
AUGUST 30TH SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm THE CAPTAIN’S BEARD perform upbeat pirate-themed rum-driven folk rock and Sea Shanties that are bound to get all the drunken sailors dancing.
AUGUST 31st SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm CITY OF CANTERBURY BAND Brass Band formed in 1969. The band prides on providing entertaining music for its listeners
SEPTEMBER 6th SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm 5 IN THE BAR Jazz, swing, Latin groove celebrating the great composers and singers of our time.
SEPTEMBER 7th SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm RAILWAY SWING BAND a BIG band based in Sandwich, playing a mixture of music of the great Swing era: Ellington, Goodman, Basie, Miller, Kenton and Herman with more modern compositions
SEPTEMBER 13th SATURDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm THE BREEZE Songs from Beatles, Stones, Who, Searchers, CCRevival, Fleetwood Mac, Police, George Michael, Queen, George Ezra, James, Amy Winehouse along with many more.
SEPTEMBER 14th SUNDAY
2.30 – 4.30pm FOLKESTONE COMMUNITY SWING BAND (Formed in 2017 to create a band that was as fun to be a part of as it was good to listen to)
Sponsored by “Inspiring Hope for a Future” www.freshstartineducation.co.uk
SOME 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
The Folkestone Festival website will provide all of the up-to-date information regarding the many impressive events we are involved with this year, keep checking back with us to make sure you do not miss out; be sure to keep an eye out for the other various organisations working hard to schedule brilliant events for the benefit of Folkestone.
