Night-time in Canterbury
Performance Arts
Every October, Canterbury puts on a sumptuous feast for the senses and the town breaks into festival fever for two glorious weeks.
This spectacular and vibrant explosion of creativity features every conceivable form of the visual and performing arts, from dance, drama, opera and music to walks and talks, exhibitions and installations.
Whatever you’re into, there’s something here for you in one of Southeast England’s premiere arts festivals.
This cultural bonanza always attracts big names. Greats from the worlds of dance, drama and opera have recently included the Royal Shakespeare Company, Phoenix Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance, English Touring Opera, Pimlico Opera and Cameo Opera.
Canterbury’s Marlowe and Gulbenkian Theatres play a pivotal role, but many small professional and amateur companies take over smaller venues to entertain with a wide variety of shows in the Fringe Festival, such as recent participants Teatro Sao Paulo Fabrica from Brazil and Hungarian children’s Theatre Kolibri Theatre.