23rd July – Saturday « Whitstable Oyster Festival

Chris Corcoran Trio

Chris Corcoran Trio Deco 5 Wine Bar Oxford Street 9pm Classic instrumental blues from one of the most sought after guitarists on the UK blues scene. Free entry

The Lindley Players Music Hall

The Lindley Players Music Hall Whitstable Playhouse Theatre High Street 7.45pm A summer extravaganza of the senses to delight, surprise and maybe titillate. A superior and sparkling series of salubrious scenes and scintillating solos subtly sequestered into a stylish symposium. Oh, and magic and comedy renditions too. Tickets £7.50, £8.50 & £9.50 from box office [...]

O Duo

O Duo Methodist Church, Argyle Road 7.30pm to 9.30pm Percussion Duo presented by the Whitstable Music Society. The Daily Telegraph said “Phenomenal Artistry. Brimming with style & panache with invigorating rhythms and brilliant transcriptions”. They will perform music by Bach, Chopin, Brubeck, Prokofiev & others. Single tickets £12 Students £6. Available on the door, from [...]

Horsebridge Singers

Horsebridge Singers Horsebridge Centre 7.15pm Details and cost TBA

Ben Russell And The Charmers

Ben Russell And The Charmers 7pm onwards Harbour Garden Cafe Whitstable Harbour The Harbour Garden Cafe in association with Plan A Events Ltd proudly present Saturday Night Live! featuring BEN RUSSELL & THE CHARMERS. This original reggae roots band from Canterbury have a style best described as a cross between traditional reggae such as Bob [...]

Parade Party

Parade Party High Street & Oxford Street 6.30pm to 8.30pm approx The roads are closed to traffic from Horsebridge right down to the Nelson Road for maximum celebration room. Watch the Oyster Parade then stay in the streets for free music entertainment and more. Shops and restaurants will be open so look out for special [...]

The Oyster Parade

The Oyster Parade Bowls Centre (Harbour) to Oxford Street 6pm (approx) to 7pm (approx) From the Harbour to Harbour Street and through the High Street to the Library in Oxford Street, the Oyster Parade is wonderfully Whitstable! The Lord Mayor leads local giants, musicians, performers and scores of Whitstable people in this colourful, noisy [...]

Landing of the Oysters

Landing of the Oysters Long Beach 5.30pm approx The tide is high so it’s time for the Landing of the Oysters and the official Festival opening. In this simple ceremony, a catch of oysters are brought ashore in a traditional yoke to be formally blessed and presented to Whitstable. A short pause for media photographs [...]

Festival – Bands at the Belmont

Festival – Bands at the Belmont Belmont Football Ground Belmont Road 5pm start. Main band at 9pm. An afternoon of great music leading to an even better climax with the ever popular Rubber Biscuit headlining at 9. The ticket allows you to come and go so you can plan your day for maximum enjoyment. Begins [...]

Samba Pelo Mar

Samba Pelo Mar Long Beach 5pm Twitchy feet? Big smile? Infused by energy? You know when you’ve been Samba’d! Enjoy the dynamic rhythms of Samba Pelo Mar, Whitstable’s community Samba band while you wait for the Landing. Watch the Landing of the Oysters and follow the band as it leads the Oyster Parade through the [...]

Circa Rum Ba Ba

Circa Rum Ba Ba Tower Hill Tea Gardens 4pm Hope you are not scared of bugs because these are BIG!!! Free

Music Spot: Spyplane

Music Spot: Spyplane Horsebridge Square 3.45pm Head to Horsebridge Square for free live music mid-afternoon. It’s mellow, it’s laid back and it’s just perfect for a summer’s afternoon in Whitstable. Free

Ale to Dead Horse Morris

‘Ale to Dead Horse Morris Whitstable Library Square 3.15 to 5pm Last opportunity to see Dead Horse Morris and friends. Free

Champagne Master Classes from Taittinger with Quentin Sadler

Champagne Master Classes from Taittinger with Quentin Sadler The Duke of Cumberland Hotel 3pm Come to the Old Stables at the Duke and sample a variety of Taittingers’ fine Champagnes with an informative talk (canapés included). Tickets £TBA. Available in advance or on the day from the Duke of Cumberland. Brasserie open for evening meals [...]

Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse Whitstable Harbour 2.30pm approx Witness the clanking and comically beautiful universe of Acrojou Circus Theatre. Free

Little Cauliflower

Little Cauliflower Whitstable Library 2.30pm approx Those three mechanics need your help again! Street combining puppetry live sound and physicality. Free. Made possible by the Marlowe Arts fund.

The Nielsen Swingtime Jazz Band

The Nielsen Swingtime Jazz Band from Albertslund, Denmark. 2pm to 4pm Bandstand Whitstable Castle Enjoy an afternoon of cool Jazz in the tranquility of the wonderful new gardens at Whitstable Castle. Our Danish friends, Lb Lund Nielsen (double bass) and Rene Nielsen (guitar), from the twinned town of Albertslund will tickle your fancy with a [...]

Ale to Dead Horse Morris

‘Ale to Dead Horse Morris 2pm to 3pm St Alphege Church, The New Inn, The Wall Tavern, Reeves Beach/Sea Wall and The Neptune. See Dead Horse Morris and friends as they continue to entertain. Free

Escape to create a pin cushion, fairy cake, paperweight

Escape to create a pin cushion, ‘fairy cake’ or paperweight using wet felt-making techniques 2-4 pm Horsebridge Arts Centre Enjoy a textural and colourful introduction to the process of felt making to produce your very own 3D ‘fairy cake’, pin cushion or paperweight. No experience necessary. Suitable for age 16 plus. Cost: £18 To book: [...]

The Lindley Players Music Hall

The Lindley Players Music Hall Whitstable Playhouse Theatre High Street 2pm A summer extravaganza of the senses to delight, surprise and maybe titillate. A superior and sparkling series of salubrious scenes and scintillating solos subtly sequestered into a stylish symposium. Oh, and magic and comedy renditions too. Tickets £7.50, £8.50 & £9.50 from box office [...]

Escape to create a lovely Whitstable tote bag

Escape to create a lovely Whitstable tote bag 2-4pm Horsebridge Arts Centre Enjoy a taster workshop in how to use a sewing machine and make and take away a lovely ‘Whitstable’ calico tote bag decorated with bunting and braid. It’s the perfect souvenir from your ‘Escape to Create’ during the festival. Suitable for age 14 [...]

Acrojou Circus Theatre – Wheelhouse

Acrojou Circus Theatre – Wheelhouse Whitstable Harbour 1pm approx A kaleidoscopic piece of rolling theatre, the Wheel House blends acrobatics, dark comedy and stunning design in a Petri dish of highly original theatre. Join these travellers on the road to nowhere, and experience for yourself their clanking and comically beautiful universe. Free

Spyplane

Spyplane Whitstable Library, Oxford Street 12.30pm to 1.30pm approx. Acoustic guitar and mellow voice combo relax you into that lovely “hey it’s a festival and I’m on holiday today” feeling. What could be better? Free

Café Esperanto

Cafe Esperanto Whitstable Museum Education Space Oxford Street 12noon to 6pm Artists Uddin & Elsey will be presenting Café Esperanto in association with the Whitstable Twinning Association and the Whitstable Biennale. Esperanto is the most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language. Its name derives from Doktoro Esperanto (Dr. Hopeful), whose goal was to

Little Cauliflower make MAD Streets

Little Cauliflower make MAD Streets Whitstable Library 12 noon approx You hear the whirling of cogs, the clanging of chains and the frantic shouts of three mechanics! There is crisis, the mechanics are trying to fix and repair their machine and they need your help! This street performance made possible by the Marlow Arts Development [...]

Pearl Dive

Pearl Dive Whitstable Swimming Pool 12 noon to 1pm (under eight years old) 1pm to 2pm (ages 10 to 11) Collect the shells and maybe the prize! One chance to grab as many things from the bottom of the pool as possible. Under 8s in the small pool and everyone else in the big pool. [...]

Champagne Master Classes from Taittinger with Quentin Sadler

Champagne Master Classes from Taittinger with Quentin Sadler The Duke of Cumberland Hotel 12 noon Come to the Old Stables at the Duke and sample a variety of Taittingers’ fine Champagnes with an informative talk (canapés included). Tickets £TBA. Available in advance or on the day from the Duke of Cumberland. Brasserie open for evening [...]

The Oxford End

The Oxford End Whitstable Library 12 noon Make sure to take a trip down Whitstable’s vibrant Oxford Street. You’ll find entertainment all afternoon, plus it’s a great place to watch the parade before the post-parade party. Try the Oxford Street Experience presented by local traders and restaurants – you’ll be amazed at what the street [...]

Whitstable Brewery Beer Festival

Whitstable Brewery Beer Festival East Quay Bar Beach 12 noon to 3am Barbecue on the beach and over 30 fabulous cask beers to try. Live bands begin at 7pm with Loose Change on stage at 9pm. Free entry daytime, £6.50 on the door 7pm onwards. Note that the venue closes at 6.30pm and re-opens at [...]

Ale to the Morris

‘Ale to the Morris 11.45am to 12.45pm Dead Horse Morris on the move! Horsebridge Square, The New Inn, The Wall Tavern, Reeves Beach/Sea Wall and The Neptune. Lots of opportunities to see Dead Horse Morris and their friends as they continue to entertain. Free

Artisan Craft Market

Artisan Craft Market Whitstable Castle 10am to 4pm Every handmade piece tells its own unique story at Artisan, the wonderful arts and craft market where you can meet talented creatives from across the region. All types of fabulous crafts on display for browsers and buyers alike. Free entry

Open Studios Saturday

Open Studios Over the years Whitstable has become home to many artists, who contribute much to the town’s diversity and character. During the Whitstable Oyster Festival several artist are opening their personal studios to members of the public. The diversity and quality of work on offer is fabulous. There is no obligation to buy so [...]

Oyster Lacemakers

Oyster Lacemakers The Whitstable Shop, 34 Harbour Street – outside 10am to 4pm (weather permitting) The craft of lace making practised by experts. Marvel at the nimble fingers of Whitstable’s lacemakers, and feel free to ask questions. Our lacemakers love to chat! Free

EPICentre Food Fair

EPICentre Food Fair – Day 1 Whitstable Harbour 10am to 5pm For the very best in local foods, visit the EPICentre Food Fair. Over 70 stalls selling fabulous food plus demonstrations and entertainment on the Food Fair Stage. Pick up a special EPICentre programme when you get to the Harbour for full details of everything [...]

Toy Town: Favourite Toys

Toy Town: Favourite toys from Whitstable and beyond Whitstable Museum, Oxford Street. 10am to 4pm A treasure house of toys. See entry for full details. Entry to free to Canterbury District Residents card holders and children under 16. All other adults £3. Students & concessions £1.

Splashpals

Whitstable Harbour Times vary – tide & weather dependent Loveable lifeguards return for another day of splashing good fun. These shaggy Newfoundland dogs are a big Festival hit each year. Water rescue and carting demonstrations. Free. Voluntary donations to RNLI welcome. 07887 777 826 for more information. www.splashpalsworkingnewfoundlands.co.uk

Escape to create darling cup cakes

Escape to create darling cup cakes inspired by the coast 10am-12.30pm Horsebridge Arts Centre You’ll make butter cream ready for icing and sugar decorations and then choose from four ‘seaside’ designs to create a box of six gorgeous cup cakes. Suitable for ages 16 plus. Cost: £25 (plus £5 for materials) To book: www.createinwhitstable.co.uk

Ale to Dead Horse Morris

‘Ale to Dead Horse Morris Whitstable Harbour 10 – 11.30am Now with more Morris than ever before! Whitstable-based Dead Horse Morris has persuaded a whole host of Morris sides to dance around the town today. Two huge celebrations at the Harbour and the library with smaller demonstrations in-between. Free

A1 Open Art

A1 Open Art Exhibition Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre 9am to 6pm In this completely open art exhibition local artists submit two dimensional works sized A1 or smaller. A diverse selection of artworks is on show and on sale to visitors. Free

Browse 2011 Events

Twitter

Festival Friends

2011 Gallery