From agriculture to live music, food and drink and days out - there's so much to look forward to in 2017. We round up the main events

Kent County Show, Kent Showground, Detling

The three-day agricultural event, which showcases what the county has to offer from livestock to food and drink, takes place at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone, on Friday, July 7, Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9, 2017.

Organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, last year's show attracted more than 80,000 people, with entertainment from the Bolddog Lings FX Motorcycle display team and the UK Pole Climbing Championships, plus Titan the Robot. To book for 2017, visit kentshowground.co.uk

Leeds Castle Classical Concert, Leeds, Maidstone

Tickets for the 2017 Leeds Castle Classical Concert are already on sale for an evening of popular classics performed live. Picture sun-soaked promenaders and picnicking, all taking place on Saturday, July 8, 2017.

Tickets at the early bird rate start at £35 for picnic-style tickets, £46 for seated tickets and £57 to include dining. To book visit leedscastleconcert.co.uk

Ramblin' Man Fair, Maidstone

Bearded rockers ZZ Top will headline the third Ramblin' Man Fair in Maidstone.

The two-day festival, which will be held in Mote Park on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30, 2017, attracts thousands of rock fans to the County Town.

ZZ Top will headline the main stage, in a UK festival exclusive, with other acts including Monster Truck, Magnum and Kansas. For details and to book visit ramblinmanfair.com

Changeling Theatre summer tour

The Maidstone-based group will mark its 20th anniversary with its 2017 tour, which takes in venues across the county. The 2016 summer tour took in venues including Margate Beach, Rochester Castle and Allington Castle.

In 2017, the tour will feature Hamlet and visit many of its popular venues - and some new ones. Announcements of dates, cast and new venues will be made in February, 2017. For details go to changeling-theatre.com

Sweeps Festival, Rochester

Celebrate May Day in truly traditional fashion as the festival celebrates the 19th century chimney sweeps’ annual holiday. Morris dancing, live music across the town, craft stalls and family activities will all be on offer from Saturday, April 29 to Bank Holiday Monday, May 1, 2017.

The Social, Kent Showground, Detling

The Social music festival started out in Mote Park by local and international DJ Nic Fanciulli, and has now grown to be one of the major stops on the festival circuit, with a winter and summer event for over 18s. The Winter Social will be on Saturday, March 11, 2017, and the bigger, late summer event will be on Friday, September 29, 2017. Both are now held at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone. For details go to thesocialfestival.com

Whitstable Oyster Festival

The traditional festival, marking the first catch of the season, and celebrating with local food, parades and live music. Dates are yet to be confirmed and the event may be over less days in 2017 as previously held, but a provisional start date is expected to be Saturday, July 22. For details nearer the time go to whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk

Broadstairs Folk Week

A huge event in the folk calendar for Kent - and further afield - the festival brings Broadstairs and the surrounding area alive with live music and events throughout the week. The 201 week will be from Friday, August 11 to Friday, August 18, 2017. For details go to broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

Kent Big Weekend

Enjoy a free day out at hundreds of attractions across the county for one, big weekend. This year's Kent Big Weekend will be on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, 2017. Local people can enter a draw for tickets, which will be announced in the New Year. For details nearer the time visit kentbigweekend.co.uk

Faversham Hop Festival

The two-day extravaganza to celebrate the county's hop harvest will be held on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, 2017. With parades, live music and nostalgic events, the weekend takes over the town. For details go to favershamhopfestival.org

Folkestone Triennial

Nine weeks of art will be celebrated during the Folkestone Triennial, which runs from Saturday, September 2, 2017 to Sunday, November 5, 2017. The fourth event of its kind will have the theme of double edge. The last triennial in 2014 attracted 135,000 people to the area.

Salute to the 40s, Chatham Dockyard

All things vintage from the music and clothes to the vehicles come to the Historic Dockyard, Chatham on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17 for the Salute to the 40s. For details go to thedockyard.co.uk

Forest Live Concerts, Bedgebury Pinetum

Eighties singer Rick Astley will headline one night of the 2017 Forest Live concerts at Bedgebury Pinetum near Goudhurst. The pop icon will play the Goudhurst site on Friday, June 16. Elbow will play the following night. For details go to forestry.gov.uk