One of the biggest multi-arts festivals in the county is back for its 40th anniversary.

With a stacked programme of live music, comedy, family theatre, talks and guided walks, this year’s Canterbury Festival boasts one of the event’s biggest line-ups to date.

The two-week festival opens with an evening of live music from Tenebrae, a choir who are performing Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles at Canterbury Cathedral, and indie-pop band The Feeling.

The group, fronted by Everybody's Talking About Jamie composer Dan Gillespie Sells, are best known for songs such as Fill My Little World and Love It When You Call.

The five-piece will be playing their greatest hits inside Kent College’s Great Hall.

The music continues over the following two weeks with performances from country duo The Shires, who played at Black Deer Festival earlier this year; the BBC Big Band, who will be playing the music of jazz composer George Gershwin; and reggae DJ and film director Don Letts.

While music is a huge part of the festival, there’s plenty of other live acts to catch this year.

There’s stand-up comedy from political satirist Rory Bremner, known for sketch shows Rory Bremner Who Else and Bremner, Bird and Fortune, and Live at the Apollo star Keith Farnan.

Comedy fans can also see a variety of shows, from the improv talents of Who’s Line is it Anyway to a side-splitting twist on Shakespeare’s Hamlet with Alas! Poor Yorick by the theatre company Ridiculusmus.

If you’re bringing the family, there will be laughs for all ages from clown comedian Mr Pineapple Head, Britain’s Got Talent magician El Baldiniho, Edinburgh Fringe Festival sell-out Mr Sleepybum and the Trash Test Dummies Circus.

There’s also an educational side to the festival, with a series of talks across a fascinating range of topics.

Canterbury-based activist Keith Oliver and NHS worker Reinhard Guss will discuss living with dementia, while Canterbury Auction Galleries’ Dave Parker will be delving into the works of HG Wells and gardening expert Frances Tophill will be sharing her tips on making the most of a small garden.

Visitors can also join in with walks around the city. From a silent disco walking tour with a feel-good soundtrack to historic explorations of areas such as Buttermarket, St Augustine’s College and the Crab and Winkle Way, there are lots of opportunities to get out and about.

The festival also brings together several community groups to give them a chance to perform in some of the city’s top venues.

The Beautiful Noise Community Concert features local choirs and musicians, the Upstart Silver Surfers will see over 60s showing off their comedy chops and the Canterbury Festival Youth Orchestra encourages young performers to take to the stage.

The Canterbury Festival takes place from Saturday, October 19 to Saturday, November 2 at various venues, including Westgate Hall, Great Hall and Canterbury Cathedral. You can find the full festival programme here.

Tickets to each event can be booked separately from the Canterbury Festival website.