Welcome to Deal Music and Arts Festival 2026
Get ready for 10 days of culture in Deal, Sandwich and Dover. The information below gives details of all the exciting events taking place. You’ll find ticket prices and all you need to book your festival visit.
Tickets go on general sale on Thursday 9 April at 10am and for Friends and Patrons on Monday 23 March.
For other festival information, please browse the Festival 2026 drop down in the menu above.
Festival Calendar
View all this year’s events or click on the drop down menu below to browse by category.
The Tony Nandi ARPS Photographic Award Exhibition
An exhibition of the finalists' photographs of this year's Tony Nandi ARPS Photographic Award responding to the theme 'the Power of Music'. Tony Nandi lived and worked in Deal and continues to inspire emerging photographers.
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Deal’s Historic Walking Tour
Join local tour guide and character George Chittenden as he conjures up Deal’s colourful history. Book early as George always sells out!
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Versa Winds – saxophone quartet
A lunchtime concert from Versa Winds, a dynamic young saxophone quartet, with an exciting selection of works from jazz-infused Gershwin to Ravel’s lyrical Le Tombeau de Couperin.
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Isata & Braimah Kanneh-Mason (piano & violin)
In a revised programme, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and her brother violinist Braimah, come to Deal! A spellbinding performance of music by Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, Tchaikovsky and Tabakova.
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Hiding in Plain Sight – An architectural walk from Dover to Deal
A glorious ramble along the White Cliffs, this architecture walk from Dover to Deal is led by architect Charles Holland and includes some of the nine 21st-century structures of CHALKUP21 as well as other buildings of interest along the route.
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Jack Hancher – guitar
A triumphant return to the Festival for Jack Hancher, one of the UK’s finest young classical guitarists. His concert will include a performance of José’s beautiful Sonata for Guitar, Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Guitar, along with music by Ravel, Albeniz and contemporary composers.
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Gavin Esler in conversation with Dame Penny Mordaunt
Gavin welcomes Dame Penny Mordaunt, former Conservative Cabinet Minister and famously the sword-bearer at the King’s Coronation, to talk about her book Pomp and Circumstance - Why Britain’s traditions matter.
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Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
Join us in the spectacular surroundings of Dover Castle for an evening of outdoor entertainment with Changeling Theatre’s bold and unapologetically fun Much Ado About Nothing.
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Jazz at The Lighthouse
An evening of jazz with alto sax talent Donovan Haffner and his quartet drawing on influences such as Kenny Garrett and Freddie Hubbard, enhanced with his own distinctive style. Donovan has wowed audiences at London's Ronnie Scott's and Pizza Express.
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Andrea Molteni – piano
A lunchtime concert from an exciting young Italian piano talent, Andrea Molteni. His concert will include one of Beethoven’s greatest and most challenging piano sonatas, the Waldstein and Brahms’ romantic Sixteen Waltzes.
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Gavin Esler in conversation with Sir Jeremy Hunt MP
Gavin Esler’s guest is Sir Jeremy Hunt, formerly Conservative Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer. His experience in international relations will make for a fascinating discussion around his book on Can We Be Great Again - Why a dangerous world needs Britain.
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Gigspanner Big Band
A mouth-watering gig from the Gigspanner Big Band, a unique force in British folk music. Their high-energy, virtuosic performances appeal equally to traditionalists and to those looking for something more experimental.
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Writing workshop with Jacob Sam-La Rose
A day-long creative writing workshop exploring poetry as an act of attention and response to sound, place and memory, led by renowned poet, educator and mentor Jacob Sam-La Rose. programme. Open to writers of all levels of experience.
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Sokol – an acrobatic performance for families
From the creator of last year’s ingenious and enjoyable human croquet, comes another breath-taking, beautiful show of physical dexterity. Ilona’s solo acrobatic performance uses ropes and wall bars, inspiring children with what’s possible in the familiar surroundings of a school hall.
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Sokol – an acrobatic performance for families
From the creator of last year’s ingenious and enjoyable human croquet, comes another breath-taking, beautiful show of physical dexterity. Ilona’s solo acrobatic performance uses ropes and wall bars, inspiring children with what’s possible in the familiar surroundings of a school hall.
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Will Clark – violin & Mark Rogers – piano
Classical music with a swagger…..and a generous helping of mascara! Will Clark, a classically trained violinist, transforms from model student to exotic Anna Cruzis to celebrate Pride in Deal. This classical programme (with a touch of David Bowie) packs an emotional punch.
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Gavin Esler in conversation with Lord Kinnock
To round off his series, Gavin Esler welcomes Neil Kinnock, one of the giants of the Labour Party, for an expansive look at British politics over the six decades since he was elected as MP for Bedwellty in 1970.
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Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro with Wild Arts
Wild Arts returns to the festival with The Marriage of Figaro after whirlwind successes in 2024 and 2025. Enjoy Mozart’s glorious music in this fizzing production. Book early for a night to rival Glyndebourne in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Arts Centre – the perfect summer treat.
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The Conversation ContinuesTicket Required
A chance for those who have attended one or more of Gavin’s Esler’s talks to come together, with coffee and cake, to chew over their themes. This will be a relaxed, informal gathering in the peace of Deal library for anyone interested in sharing their thoughts and ideas.
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Festival Day @ The Astor
This year's festival comes to an end with a day-long celebration of local music-making at Deal's gem of a community theatre. Kicking off with a lively, interactive concert for children and their carers, the rest of the day showcases the talents of a host of local musicians.
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Listen al fresco
Imagine yourself sitting in the Captain’s Garden on a summer’s day. Through headphones, the natural sounds of the garden blend with specially chosen sound works to create a unique experience and listening with others becomes a surprising communal encounter.
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Listen al fresco
Imagine yourself sitting in the Captain’s Garden on a summer’s day. Through headphones, the natural sounds of the garden blend with specially chosen sound works to create a unique experience and listening with others becomes a surprising communal encounter.
Event details
Listen al fresco
Imagine yourself sitting in the Captain’s Garden on a summer’s day. Through headphones, the natural sounds of the garden blend with specially chosen sound works to create a unique experience and listening with others becomes a surprising communal encounter.
Event details
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