Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and events in Kent

With everything from street parties to firework displays, Kent's diamond jubilee celebrations look set to go off with a bang.

Across the county communities are coming together to mark the special occasion in all manner of different ways with lots of jubilee events in Kent.

From a summer ball and swing band in Ramsgate, to a teddy bears' picnic at Willesborough Windmill near Ashford, there is an event to suit everyone.

One place that is really pulling out the stops over the jubilee bank holiday is Leeds Castle near Maidstone. The former royal palace is hosting two days of events that include a nostalgic 1950s-themed fayre and a big screen beaming live coverage of the jubilee celebrations in London.

Gemma Watts, PR officer at Leeds Castle, said: "Last year we had the royal wedding on a big screen in a similar way and it was really popular so we are doing it again but this time over two days.

"It is a great chance for people to get together and watch the events together and the beautiful background of the 900 year-old castle makes it extra special."

Over the course of the weekend the castle is putting on an eclectic range of activities from craft-making to classic car displays.

Gemma said: "As well as the big screen, the weekend will be 1950s themed and very patriotic. There will be cream teas in the restaurant, lots of classic cars, a steam engine you can have rides on and a craft marquee for children. They will be able to make all sorts of patriotic things like crowns rosettes and that sort of thing.

"We are also holding our own version of the Thames flotilla with raft racing on the castle lake. We are inviting people to bring a picnic and it should be a fantastic day out."

The event will be brought to close with a fabulous firework display and a screening of hit film Grease which is set in the 1950s.

Elsewhere in Kent the county's royal heritage is being upheld with a Tudor weekend and open air theatre at Hever Castle and a regal river festival at Chatham waterfront.

Kent also boasts more jubilee beacons - 182 - than anywhere else in the country.

For more on the events above and our pick of the other top jubilee events in Kent check out our list below.

1. Tudor Jubilee Celebrations at Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG, 01732 865224

When: June 2-5

Highlights: Tudor music, period craft demonstrations and archery

Tickets/price: Adults £14.50, senior citizens £12.50, children £8.30 (castle and gardens)

The childhood home of Anne Boleyn is turning the clock back to Tudor times for its jubilee celebrations.

The castle is laying on a right royal shindig marking the coronation of its famous ex-resident, who was married to Henry VIII.

The event features Tudor music, jesters and period craft demonstrations including a 'jeweller to the crown'.

Adults can try their hand at archer, while children can enter a prince and princesses-themed fancy-dress competition.

2. Westerham Jubilee Celebrations, The Green and King George’s Field, Westerham, TN16 1TD

When: June 3 and 4

Highlights: Street party, concert and firework display

Tickets/price: Free

Westerham is really pushing the boat out for the jubilee with a bumper bank holiday weekend of events.

Celebrations are taking place throughout the town with the main festivities centred on The Green and King George Field.

The fun starts on June 3 with a street party featuring stalls set up by local restaurants. From Italian to Indian you can try fabulous food from pretty much every corner of the globe.

There will also be children's rides, live music and a Punch and Judy show.

On June 4 King George Field hosts a free night of entertainment including an Abba tribute, barbecue and firework display.

3. Kent Life Jubilee Celebrations, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU, 01622 763936

When: June 2 to 10, 10am-6pm

Highlights: Traditional fete (June 4 and 5), street parties and games

Tickets/price: Adult £8.95, concession £7.75, four to 15-year-olds £6.50

From a traditional fete to a week-long street party, Kent Life is offering an array of fantastic family-friendly jubilee activities.

Visitors can take part in a wide range of retro games including coconut shies, splat the rat and a tug-of-war.

There will also be a number of nostalgic sporting activities and even a royal lookalike competition.

Events take place throughout half-term with the main celebrations taking place on June 4 and 5.

4. Grand Jubilee Summer Ball, Court Stairs Manor, Pegwell Road, Ramsgate, CT11 0JE, 01843 591850

When: June 4, 7.30pm-12am

Highlights: Live music from the Beverley Big Band

Tickets/price: £25 per person

For a night of music and dance head to the stunning Court Stairs Country Manor on June 4.

The venue is hosting a Grand Jubilee Summer Ball featuring the 20 piece Beverley Big Band led by musical director John Myhill.

The group will play a set comprising classics from the 1930’s and 1940’s by the likes of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Duke Ellington as well as a number of more modern pieces.

There will also be canapés and a loyal toast to Her Majesty the Queen.

5. Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery Big Jubilee Street Party, Civic Way, Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells

When: June 3, 12pm-3pm

Highlights: Games, art and crafts and live entertainment

Tickets/price: Free

The community of Tunbridge Wells is coming together on June 3 for a special jubilee street party.

Located outside the library the event is being put on by the Museum and Art Gallery and features historic games, craft workshops and traditional entertainers.

The centrepiece of the occasion is the Big Jubilee Lunch where people are encouraged to bring a picnic, sit back and enjoy the celebrations.

6. Diamond Jubilee 1950s Weekend, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL, 01622 765400

When: June 2 and 3

Highlights: Big screen broadcast of the jubilee, craft activities, fireworks and open air cinema

Tickets/price: Adult £19.75, child £12.50, concessions £17.50 (includes free repeat visits for a year). Fireworks and open air cinema evening adults £20, children £15

With a mix of 1950s-themed fun and fireworks, Leeds Castle is holding a jubilee show fit for royalty over the bank holiday weekend.

The two day event takes a fond look back at the 50s with a display of classic cars and authentic artefacts on June 2, before modern technology takes centre stage on June 3.

A big screen will beam live pictures of the jubilee celebrations in London before a fantastic firework display and an open air screening of the ever-popular film Grease round off the festivities.

7. Diamond Festival Theatre, Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG, 01732 866114.

When: June 2, 3 and 4

Highlights: One-off performance of royal-themed variety show The Hollow Crown

Tickets/price: The Hollow Crown, £20, open air cinema £12.

As well as its weekend of Tudor-themed activities Hever Castle is also hosting several evenings of open air jubilee entertainment.

On June 2 a brand new variety show, The Hollow Crown takes to the stage.

The one-off performance, originally written for the Royal Shakespeare Company, features the letters, speeches, poems, songs and music by and about the kings and queens of England.

Over the rest of the bank holiday you can sample some of Hever Castle’s ever popular ‘cinema under the stars’ with open-air screenings of The King’s Speech (June 3) and Shakespeare in Love (June 4).

8. Teddy Bears’ Jubilee Picnic, Willesborough Windmill, Mill Lane, Willesborough, Ashford, TN24

When: June 10, 11am-4pm

Highlights: Disco, live music, teddy bear abseil

Tickets/price: Family, £7, adult £3, children and concessions £1.50

Willesborough Windmill is the location for a jubilee celebration both your children and their cuddly companions will cherish.

On June 10 kids and their teddys are invited to take part in a wide range of activities including a picnic, disco and crafting.

There are prizes for the best dressed jubilee bear and brave teddys can even try abseiling down the windmill.

The day also includes bouncy castles, face painting and a barbecue.

9. Medway River Festival, Chatham Waterfront

When: June 2, 10.30am-4.30pm

Highlights: Yacht and dragon boat races, exhibitions and live music

Tickets/price: Free

Celebrating the royal jubilee and the area’s rich maritime connections, the Medway River Festival promises to be a truly eye-catching occasion.

Running from 10.30am to 4.30pm the day features river displays, stalls and all manner of live entertainment.

Highlights of the action-packed event include yacht and dragon boat races.

10. Spring Spectacular, Victorian Gardens and Promenade, Broadstairs

When: June 2, 10am-4pm and June 3 12pm-4.30pm

Highlights: Jubilee Fair (June 2), street party (June 3)

Tickets/price: Free

With its Blue Flag beaches and attractive high street Broadstairs is a great place to visit over the bank holiday.

And with its double dose of jubilee celebrations the town is all set for a weekend to remember.

On June 2 you can enjoy the fun of a traditional fair, while on June 3 there is a church service and street party featuring delicious strawberry cream teas.