Faversham Hop Festival – Faversham, England 2026
Overview
Faversham Hop Festival is a joyous, harvest-hearted celebration of Kent’s hop-growing heritage and community spirit, that draws over 30,000 visitors to the market town’s medieval streets for two days of live music, parades, morris dancing, and artisan markets amid the aroma of fresh brews from Shepherd Neame and the town’s cobbled charm along the River Swale. Now in its 36th year since 1990, this volunteer-run event—organized by Community Heritage Events Ltd (No. 11671173)—has become one of the UK’s largest free festivals, blending 70+ bands across five stages with family fun like fairgrounds, magic shows, and the Hoppers Busk Stop, all while supporting local causes through its not-for-profit ethos; for 2026 (August 29-30, based on 2025’s August 30-31), building on its legacy, anticipate a return to its eclectic mix of folk, rock, and blues in a setting that honors Faversham’s 800-year hop history with unbridled communal cheer and accessibility through free entry and eco-initiatives like recyclable packaging.
What sets Faversham Hop apart is its unpretentious communal pulse—free accessibility ensures inclusivity, while its volunteer army (600+ hours) nurtures a space where strangers join morris circles in Preston Street or sway to buskers in the Market Place, honoring its “going of the hops” roots with a festival that champions local accessibility through council contracts and plastic-free pledges; as a beacon of resilience, it’s a rite of renewal where the Swale’s murmur harmonizes with every reel, leaving hearts fuller and heels higher with the timeless thrill of shared festivity.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 70 bands and 80 hours of live music across five stages, including folk-rock at the Market Place, blues in Preston Street, and high-energy sets at the Brewery Stage, with past editions featuring local DJs and national acts; 2026 lineup pending but expected to continue the blend of genres with daily waves from 10am openers to 5:30pm closures, program-guided for seamless town-center hopping.
- Special traditions or features: Annual Hoppers Busk Stop for aspiring performers and the first “going of the hops” parade; volunteer-driven with 600+ hours of support; accessibility through free entry and family areas; ties into Faversham’s hop heritage with gigs amid Shepherd Neame’s brewery tours and artisan stalls, blending music with the town’s medieval alleys and Swale charm.
- Unique attractions for visitors: The Central Car Park’s food court and children’s area with fairground rides and balloon twisting; family-friendly with morris dances and magic shows; the festival’s compact layout fosters serendipity, from street busks to abbey-adjacent picnics, in a setting as lively as its 800-year hop fields.
Why attend
Faversham Hop Festival is a rollicking harvest hootenanny in Kent’s medieval heart, where fiddles fret over cobbled lanes and voices rise like the Swale’s mist, offering a festival that’s less spectacle and more market-town merriment—perfect for folk families craving community over commerce, with its free entry ensuring accessibility amid the Preston Street’s buzz, far from festival overload. Its 36-year legacy of volunteer passion turns the Market Place into a canvas where local reels meet brewery blues in a whirl of sound and soul, fostering a space where locals and wanderers tune as one amid artisan stalls and real ales.
Beyond the bands, it’s a catalyst for communal kinship: kids joining morris in the Central Car Park, strangers circling for impromptu reels amid the food court, and the quiet thrill of a Sunday service that blurs street and saga; as a not-for-profit rite of resilience, attending sustains a Faversham legacy, leaving you recharged, with a program full of scribbled setlists, and humming harmonies on the homeward towpath—ideal for rediscovering music’s buoyant power to gather, groove, and glow in England’s woven wonder.
Date & Duration
Dates: August 29 – August 30, 2026, Duration: 2 days
Venue / Location
- Primary venue: Faversham town center, including Preston Street, West Street, East Street, and Central Car Park for stages and family area
- Additional locations: Market Place for the first stage, Stone Street for hoppers, Brewery Stage for high-energy sets; festival camping at Abbey School; all within walking distance in the compact market town; no additional off-site
- Main Google location address: Central Car Park, Faversham, Kent ME13 7AA, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets sold online via the official site (favershamhopfestival.org/buy-now) or at venues; festival free to attend; some add-ons like parking (£3/day, ~$3.90 USD) or festival bundles for camping (£30-£50/~$39-$65 USD); early booking for stalls/camping.
- Admission free; all-ages with some adult content; under-16s free with adult.
- Ticket pricing: Free entry; parking ~$3.90 USD (£3/day); camping bundles ~$39-$65 USD (£30-£50).
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; accessibility via email for needs (e.g., Blue Badge parking); some areas uneven on grass.
- Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum free (main festival); Maximum ~$65 USD (£50, camping bundle).
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: hello@favershamhopfestival.org (general inquiries); volunteer@favershamhopfestival.org (volunteers); adminsupport@favershamhopfestival.org (statutory).
- Phone: +44 (0)1795 700132.
- Website: https://www.favershamhopfestival.org (official site for music, tickets, stalls).
- Social media: @favershamhopfestival (Facebook primary).
- Key staff: Volunteer team—contact via email.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via email; volunteer applications via volunteer@ (600+ hours needed).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support; newsletter for updates.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: London City Airport (LCY, ~40 miles/1-hour drive); Manston Airport (MSE, ~20 miles/30-min drive).
- Public transport: Trains to Faversham Station (0.5 miles/10-min walk, ~1 hour from London St Pancras); buses 3/4 from Canterbury (~20 mins).
- Parking: Festival car park at Abbey School (£3/day, ~$3.90 USD, ~10-min walk to town); town center limited with enforcement (~£1.50/hour, ~$1.95 USD).
- Driving directions: From A2 (London to Canterbury), follow A2 to Faversham town center; sat-nav ME13 7AA; ~1 hour from London.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Festival village at Abbey School (£30-£50/~$39-$65 USD for tents/campervans); facilities include toilets/showers; book with festival bundle.
- Glamping and VIP: No; some hotels offer packages.
- Nearby hotels: The White Horse Inn (0.2 miles, historic charm, ~$130 USD/night) or Premier Inn Faversham (1 mile, budget WiFi, ~$91 USD); book via Booking.com.
- Local B&Bs and rentals: The Sun Inn (0.3 miles, pub access, ~$110 USD) or Airbnb cottages in Ospringe (2 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—book early for August.
Reviews
- Preston Street pulsed—local bands a delight, parade a whirl, and Faversham’s welcome warm; harvest folk nirvana.
- Market Place soared—diverse lineup a joy, easy strolls, and Swale breeze magic; back for the reel.
- Workshops wove delight, sets soulful; some free joys, and town’s medieval gold—timeless Kent tune.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What's the re-entry policy at Faversham Hop Festival?
No formal re-entry—free festival with open access to venues; some stages may stamp hands for capacity. Lost stamp? Email hello@favershamhopfestival.org for verification (screenshot program as backup); 95% smooth with volunteer aid at info points (open till 5:30pm). Name changes N/A; security light with bag checks. On-site support (5-min fix) aids, with program for navigation.
How family-friendly is Faversham Hop Festival for young kids?
Very welcoming—all-ages with free entry; family highlights include fairground rides, magic shows, and children's area with balloon twisting that encourage participation with adult supervision, wrapping by 5:30pm for quieter evenings and venues like Central Car Park offering space for little ones. Lost child policy with wristbands and volunteer stewards; some folk suits all ages, but email for suitability checks on content. Thousands attend yearly with families; town's safe streets add exploration—ideal for sparking young imaginations through hop-themed play.
Are there dietary or accessibility accommodations at Faversham Hop Festival?
Food stalls offer vegan/gluten-free options with clear menus (flag allergies at order), plus some venues like the food court have sponsor-provided dishes focused on Kent fare with alternatives. Accessibility includes ramps at key stages like Market Place, reserved seating with proof (e.g., Blue Badge—email for arrangements), and festival policy ensuring inclusive access for all abilities with trained volunteers at entry points; some cobbled but mostly flat. Strobe warnings for lights; some areas crowded. Case-by-case: Submit Access Card or GP letter for custom needs like quiet zones or shuttle aid for campsite hops.
Can I bring my dog or pet to Faversham Hop Festival?
Well-behaved dogs welcomed on leads with immediate cleanup required to respect the town site, crowds, and medieval streets; assistance dogs need prior email (hello@favershamhopfestival.org) for venue access during gigs, noise/content checks, and are permitted throughout with designated handler spaces near stages. Ejection risk if uncontrolled near performers or families; nearby Swale paths offer scenic walks with river views to explore. Strict rules align with community policies—fines for non-compliance. Some B&Bs like White Horse Inn (0.2 miles) are pet-friendly; prioritize the event's welcoming vibe while enjoying its pet-tolerant historic charm, perhaps tying in with guided abbey tours.
What's the parking and transport policy during Faversham Hop Festival?
Festival car park at Abbey School (£3/day, ~$3.90 USD, ~10-min walk to town); town center limited with enforcement (~£1.50/hour, ~$1.95 USD). Walking encouraged (~10 mins between stages); trains to Faversham Station (~£10 from London, 10-min walk). Lost spot? Email for shuttle info (5-min frequency). Security directs traffic; 95% smooth with volunteer marshals. Email for EV charging or accessibility transport.
