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What's on in Deal
Markets, music, festivals and family days out, in town and just along the coast.
Coming up
Last updated 20 October 2026. Dates and times can change, so check with the organisers before you travel. For shows, films and gigs, see what's on at The Astor Theatre.
October 2026
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OutdoorsIn Deal
Betteshanger Hunted
An outdoor challenge game across the park. The aim is simple: stay hidden until the very end.
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FestivalNearby
Canterbury Festival
Kent's big autumn arts festival fills venues across the city with music, theatre, comedy and talks. Canterbury is an easy trip by train or car.
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FamilyNearby
Pumpkin Patch at Felderland Farm
Pick your own pumpkins and squash, from £2 each, at the farm just outside town. Entry is by booked time slot, and there's face painting on selected days.
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FamilyIn Deal
Halloween Trail
A woodland trail packed with Halloween surprises, in the country park just north of Deal. Book ahead on the park's website.
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FamilyIn Deal
Scarecrow Trail at Walmer Castle
A scarecrow trail through the gardens at Walmer Castle. The castle's interior is closed for conservation work, but the gardens, tearoom and play trail are open.
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HeritageNearbyFree
Grand Shaft open day, Dover
A rare chance to walk down Dover's Napoleonic-era triple-helix staircase, built into the cliffs. Free, and open again on 15 November.
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FilmIn Deal
Deal Film Festival
Four days of films, filmmaker talks and live music at The Astor. Guests include actor Brenda Blethyn and costume designer Sandy Powell. It opens with the UK gala premiere of Dover Unlocked and closes with The End of the Affair.
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FamilyIn Deal
Woodland Trail and Pumpkin Patch
The Halloween woodland trail returns with a pumpkin patch, where every child can choose a small pumpkin to take home. It covers the whole of October half-term.
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FamilyIn Deal
Pupkin Patch for dogs
An autumn day out for dogs and their owners. A ticket covers one dog and up to two people, with entry to the Halloween woodland trail and a pumpkin.
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FamilyIn Deal
Half-term crafts at Walmer Castle
Make a mini scarecrow on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 October, or create your own mask on Wednesday 28 October.
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MusicIn Deal
Caravan (trio show)
The veteran Canterbury-scene band Caravan play an intimate trio show at one of Deal's best small music venues. Tickets £30, and few are left.
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FamilyIn DealFree
Free Halloween Party
A free Halloween party at Betteshanger with a disco, crafts and a fancy dress competition. No ticket needed; some games and face painting are extra.
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FilmIn Deal
Landmarks of French avant-garde film
Three classic silent shorts from the 1920s, including Paris qui dort, shown at Deal's museum of cinema history. A £5 donation is suggested.
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MusicIn Deal
Halloween up at The 'House
A Halloween night at The Lighthouse, hosted by Adam White.
November 2026
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ChristmasIn Deal
Christmas wreath-making workshops
Make your own wreath in a cosy workshop at the country park. Places are limited, so book ahead.
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MusicIn Deal
Guy Davis in concert
The American blues singer and guitarist Guy Davis plays The Lighthouse. Tickets £16.
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FireworksNearbyFree
Firework Night at Viking Bay, Broadstairs
Live music by the bandstand and fireworks over the bay, run by the town council. Roads close and parking is tight, so take the train.
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FireworksNearby
Kent Cricket's Fireworks Evening
Fireworks, live music and a food village at the county cricket ground. It sold out last year, so book early, and only through Kent Cricket's own website.
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MusicIn Deal
Lorne Lofsky and Nigel Price Quartet
Two fine jazz guitarists together, presented by Altered State Jazz. Tickets £18.
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FilmIn Deal
Silent film Fridays at Kent MOMI
Weekly screenings of silent classics, including Greed, Hitchcock's The Lodger, Buster Keaton's The General and Chaplin's The Gold Rush. A £5 donation is suggested.
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FireworksNearby
Rallycross and fireworks at Lydden Hill
A day of British Rallycross ending with fireworks. Fireworks-only tickets from 3pm; children 13 and under free if booked ahead.
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FireworksIn Deal
Warden House fireworks display
The school's parents and friends association runs a popular family display. Listings give 7 November this year; check the date on the ticket page before you book. No parking on site.
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BooksNearby
Folkestone Book Festival
Writers, talks and workshops for adults and children in Folkestone's Creative Quarter, about half an hour down the coast.
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HeritageNearbyFree
Grand Shaft open day, Dover
The last chance this year to walk down Dover's Napoleonic-era triple-helix staircase inside the cliffs. Free, no booking needed.
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FamilyIn Deal
Baby and children's table top sale
Pre-loved clothes, toys, books and equipment for babies and children. Parking is £2 for sale visitors.
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ChristmasIn DealFree
Deal Christmas lights switch-on
Music, a performance, snow and a visit from Father Christmas as the town's lights go on. Free and family-friendly.
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MusicIn Deal
Chris Wood in concert
An evening with one of England's most respected folk singer-songwriters, in an intimate Deal venue.
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ChristmasNearby
Sandwich Christmas lights and parade
A parade of floats through the medieval town, craft stalls, mulled wine and the countdown to the lights, run by volunteers with the Martha Trust.
December 2026
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ChristmasIn Deal
Christmas at Betteshanger
A Christmas trail with clues and festive surprises (£13 per child, including two adults) and Father Christmas in his grotto (£10 per child). Book ahead on the park's website.
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ChristmasIn DealFree
Deal Christmas Market
Handmade gifts and local makers, an ice rink, Santa's grotto and live entertainment. Free to get in; some attractions charge.
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OutdoorsIn Deal
Kent Christmas Cracker run
A flat, traffic-free two-lap race round the park. Fancy dress encouraged, with a medal for every finisher.
We're adding the next round of events. In the meantime, see what happens through the year.
Every week, all year
You don't need a festival to have a good day out in Deal.
Every Saturday
Deal Saturday Market
Fruit and veg, flowers, bread, plants and bric-a-brac at the north end of the High Street, 9am to 2pm. There's been a market here in one form or another since 1699.
All year
The Astor Community Theatre
Deal's own arts centre on Stanhope Road puts on live music, comedy, theatre, talks and films throughout the year, from touring names to local groups.
Sundays, May to September
Concerts at the bandstand
Free afternoon concerts at the Deal Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green, which remembers the eleven Royal Marines bandsmen killed in the 1989 bombing of their barracks.
All year
Betteshanger Country Park
Trails, play areas, the Kent Mining Museum and a busy calendar of family events, from festivals in summer to Christmas in December.
Deal's year at a glance
The regular fixtures, month by month. Exact dates are announced by the organisers each year. For the summer festivals in more detail, read Deal's year in festivals and events.
January
The quiet season: empty beaches, cosy pubs and the sun rising out of the sea at about eight o'clock.
February
Half-term is a good time for the museums. Check the castles' winter opening days before you go.
March
Lighter evenings and the first good walking weather along the coast to Kingsdown and Sandwich Bay.
April
Easter holidays. Many attractions move to longer seasonal hours around now, so check before you visit.
May
Sunday concerts return to the bandstand on Walmer Green and carry on through the summer.
June
Long light evenings on the pier and the start of sea-swimming season for the brave.
July
Deal Music & Arts: ten days of concerts and events in early July.
Walmer Children's Festival, early July.
Deal Carnival and Regatta Week, with the carnival parade on the last Thursday of the month.
August
Deal Food & Drink Festival on the seafront by the castle, late August.
Walmer Brocante antiques fair on Walmer Green, August bank holiday Monday.
September
Deal & Walmer Transport Event: vintage buses and vehicles on Walmer Green, early September.
The last bandstand concerts of the summer.
October
Halloween trails and parties at Betteshanger, plus the Canterbury Festival just up the road.
November
The Christmas lights switch-on in the town centre, usually on a Saturday in late November, with music and a visit from Father Christmas.
December
Deal Christmas Market in Victoria Park, and carols on Walmer Green.
Running an event in Deal?
We're happy to list local events for free: markets, gigs, talks, fundraisers, exhibitions and family days. Send us the name, date, time, place, a line or two about it and a link for more information.
Tell us about your eventMake the most of your visit
Our local guide covers the castles, the pier, the old town, walks and day trips.