Whether you want to throw yourself into traditional May Day activities or find things to do with the whole family, this bank holiday weekend is the perfect excuse to get out and about.

From Morris dancing and maypoles to doggy days out and classic car shows, we’ve got the best of Kent’s May Day celebrations…

Dreamland, Margate

Bring your four-legged friends to the coast over the bank holiday weekend and enjoy treats, training and fresh sea air. The Dreamland Dog Day welcomes visitors and their puppy pals to Margate’s vintage fairground with lots of fun activities, such as trick training classes, ‘have a go’ agility and competitions. There will also be free dog-friendly ice cream and stalls selling pet accessories and gifts.

Details: Sunday, April 30 at Dreamland in Margate. Entry is free, but activities are priced separately and can be booked online here.

Faversham Showground

Discover hidden gems and browse rare antiques at the Merton Vintage Show. The three-day fair near Faversham has not only got plenty of stalls selling vintage, retro and pre-loved treasures, but there is also a classic car show, tractor display, children’s funfair, dog show and an auction. Visitors can also grab a bite to eat from the food stands and a drink or two from the licensed bar.

Details: Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1 at Faversham Showground. Entry costs £6.50 for adults and can be paid on the gate, please note it’s cash only.

Heart of Kent Hospice, Maidstone

Stroll through the local woodland and countryside on a six-mile charity walk. The annual Bluebell Walk, hosted by the Heart of Kent Hospice, takes walkers through picturesque Kentish landscapes and bluebell vistas, with a stop in the tranquil Field of Memories and a picnic break. More than 1,000 people took part in the walk last year to raise money for charity, so why not stretch your legs for a good cause.

Details: Sunday, April 30 from Harrietsham Village Hall, near Maidstone. Registration costs £10 for adults, you can sign up online here.

Hever Castle, Edenbridge

Enjoy traditional May Day activities this bank holiday weekend. The historic Hever Castle will be home to a maypole, complete with brightly coloured ribbons, that visitors can dance around. You can also take part in face painting, garden walks and try to spot the Green Man carved into wood and ceilings around the castle. There will also be a family-friendly performance of Robin Hood, with a chance for children to meet the characters afterwards.

Details: Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Activities are included in a standard entry ticket, which costs £20.80 for adults. Book online here.

Kent Event Centre, Detling

Car enthusiasts can admire high performance vehicles and classic motors this bank holiday. The BHP Car Show is one of the longest-running car shows in the area and features a huge number of performance, modified, classic, rare and super cars to impress all kinds of visitors. Families can also enjoy children’s entertainment, live motorsport demonstrations and lunch from the food village.

Details: Monday, May 1 at the Kent Event Centre in Detling, near Maidstone. Entry costs £25 and can be paid on the gate, please note it’s cash only.

Kent Life, Maidstone

The Maidstone farm will be bursting with traditional May Day entertainment over the long weekend. There will be lots of dancing around the maypole, of course, as well as an old fashioned steam organ and farm rides. Kent Life’s usual activities, such as shows in the Big Top, farmyard animal encounters, paddle boats, outdoor play areas and the vintage village, will also be open.

Details: Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1 at Kent Life, near Maidstone. Tickets cost £12 for adults, book online here.

Penshurst Place, Tonbridge

The Weald of Kent Country Craft Show is celebrating its 40th anniversary at Penshurst Place this year. The show features 150 stall holders selling handmade jewellery, homeware, gifts, crafts and clothing, all of whom will be setting up shop in the grounds of the magnificent estate. There will also be artisan food and drink stands, children’s fairground rides, live music and workshops hosted by expert craftmakers.

Details: Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1 at Penshurst Place near Tonbridge. Tickets start from £8, book online here.

Rochester Town Centre

The annual Sweeps Festival, held all over Rochester, returns for the weekend with a programme of folk music and live entertainment. The free festival will see bands such as the Singing Loins, Stompin Dave, and the Beard Conspiracy perform on pop-up stages and in pubs throughout the town, while the grounds of Rochester Castle will be filled with food and drink stands, craft stalls, funfair rides, art and workshops. There will also be a gathering of Morris dancers performing over the weekend.

Details: Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1 in Rochester town centre and Rochester Castle. Entry is free, no need to book.

Southborough Cricket Green, Tunbridge Wells

Join in with a fun-filled community festival during the bank holiday. There will be maypole dancing for all ages, facepainting and children’s activities to keep the kids busy. Visitors can also enjoy toe-tapping live music, food and drink stalls, workshops and a friendly atmosphere from the Southborough Street Community group.

Details: Monday, May 1 at Southborough Cricket Green near Tunbridge Wells. Entry is free, no need to book.

Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells

Get the whole family aboard the Spa Valley Railway over the weekend and meet a beloved children’s character. Passengers will journey through the Kentish countryside behind a full size steam engine and stop off at Groombridge station, where Bluey will be meeting and greeting visitors throughout the day. You can snap a selfie with the pup before getting back on the train - and don’t forget to get yourself an ice cream from the station.

Details: Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 at Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. Tickets cost £13 for adults, book online.