A Celebration of Coast, Community & Craft.
Whitstable Harbour Day returns on 15 August 2026 with another unforgettable celebration of our town’s maritime heritage, local talent and vibrant coastal culture. Building on the success of previous Harbour & Boat Shows, the 2026 event promises a full day of family‑friendly entertainment, hands‑on activities and the unique atmosphere that makes Whitstable such a special place to live and visit.
Visitors can look forward to a bustling harbour packed with stalls, demonstrations and displays from local makers, charities and maritime organisations. Expect traditional boats, coastal crafts, live performances and plenty of opportunities to learn about Whitstable’s rich seafaring history. Whether you’re here for the food, the music, the boats or simply the buzz of the harbour, there will be something for everyone.
As always, entry is free and the event is designed to bring the whole community together – from long‑time residents to first‑time visitors.
What’s on – our programme of events
| When | Attractions, Events and Entertainments | Where |
|---|---|---|
| All day attractions | Shipwrights, Tackle and Youth Maritime Opportunities. | East Yard |
| Kids Fun Cabin, Miniature Railway Rides and Truck Simulator. | East Quay | |
| Charity Stalls, Environmental Groups, Fire and Rescue and Model Boats. | West Yard | |
| Shops, Cafés and Restaurants | South Quay | |
| RNLI Open Day | RNLI Lifeboat Station | |
| National Coastwatch Institution Open Day | Long Beach | |
| Vintage Lifeboat Trips | Harbour Pontoon | |
| Timed events | ||
| 10:30 | Herne Bay Community Singers | Stage |
| 11:00 | Children’s Harbour Day Play by the Horsebridge Arts Centre | Stage |
| 11:00 | Children’s Maritime Creative Workshops (children must be accompanied by a responsible adult).* | Horsebridge Arts Centre |
| 11:30 | Punch & Judy Show on the Beach | Harbour Beach |
| 11:40 | 2nd Whitstable Sea Scout Band | Stage |
| 12:00 | Boats leave the Harbour for the Barge and Smack Race | Harbour and West Quay |
| 12:10 | Merlin and The Rockets Band | Stage |
| 13:00 | Start of Barge and Smack Race | Whitstable Bay |
| 13:00 | Useless Pluckers Ukulele Band | |
| 13:00 | Children’s Maritime Creative Workshops (children must be accompanied by a responsible adult).* | Horsebridge Arts Centre |
| 14:00 | Whitstable Yacht Club “Wanderer” and “Wayfarer Races” begin. | Whitstable Bay |
| 14:00 | 1st Whitstable Sea Scout Band | Stage |
| 14:30 | Punch & Judy Show on the Beach | Harbour Beach |
| 15:00 | Children’s Maritime Creative Workshops (children must be accompanied by a responsible adult).* | Horsebridge Arts Centre |
| 15:30 | Barges and Smacks return to Harbour | Harbour and West Quay |
| 16:15 | Awards Ceremony for Barge and Smack Race | Stage |
Please note: this programme is provisional and may change. The Children’s Maritime Creative Workshops must be booked in advance – visit The Horsebridge web site for more information.
Accessibility
Visit our accessibility guide for information about access to the harbour and events, we also have a dedicated playlist on our Whitstable Maritime YouTube channel with videos showing accessible routes into Whitstable Harbour.
Get involved
Stay tuned, spread the word and get ready to celebrate Whitstable Harbour Day 2026 in true coastal style. If you would like to get involved, get in touch with us via our contact form below:
