Sweeps Festival

The Sweeps Festival is held on the May Bank Holiday weekend. The Festival has been in Rochester for the last 26 years and celebrates the May Day holiday which the local chimney sweeps used to enjoy. It brings together a variety of people including local chimney sweeps, morris dancers and folk groups from around the UK. The event has a lively atmosphere with an ever expanding list of activities.The Two Brewers plays host to 5 or 6 Bands during the weekend of festivities.

 

Summer Dickens Festival

The Summer Dickens Festival has been held in Rochester for the last 27 years. Charles Dickens spent 5 of his childhood years in Medway and later returned to spend the last 13 years of his life at Gads Hill, where he died in 1870. The event has become a big tradition in Rochester and celebrates the Victorian Era. The many participants dress up in wonderful costumes from the time. Street parades, drama, music and dance take place on the streets of Rochester over the 3 day event. A street parade takes place every day.

 

Dickensian Christmas Festival

The Dickensian Christmas Festival is held every year at the beginning of December in the historic City of Rochester. The festival creates a lively and exciting atmosphere throughout the City with a variety of events taking place, including parades, singing, fairs, guided tours and the chance to experience a wide range of traditional foods. The festival brings a variety of people to the City of Rochester including The Dickens Fellowship, The City of Rochester Society and many others. Some dress in costumes from the Victorian era and parade the streets and castle gardens of the city.