Annual events in Kingston upon Thames

Planning a trip to Kingston? We’ve put together a list of events which happen every year in and around the area. Click the links and visit the event websites for the latest details.

Kingston’s a great place to snap up end-of-season bargains. The shopping area is largely pedestrianised with most shops in easy walking distance. It has the famous Bentall Centre and Bentall department store, a large M&S, John Lewis and Waitrose.  There are the high street big names as well as lots of independent outlets. Kingston has several arcades and markets including an indoor antique’s emporium.

No annual events information available for February. See What’s on in Kingston for other events. If you are organising an annual event in or around Kingston, please send your information to addme@kingstononline.co.uk

The Kingston Breakfast Run is a 20.1, 16.2 and an 8.2 mile run which starts and finishes in Kingston Market Place. It’s great prep for the London Marathon. It’s flat and the course takes you along the river via Hampton Court. It takes place on the last Sunday in March. We’ll update our site when we have the dates.

No annual events information available for April. See What’s on in Kingston for other events. If you are organising an annual event in or around Kingston, please send your information to addme@kingstononline.co.uk

This festival takes place over 2 weeks, usually starting at the end of the first week of May. It includes the Seething Wells Sardine Festival, the Surbiton Village Fete, a beer festival and a general celebration of fabulous local food. The Surbiton Farmers’ Market is also part of the festivities.

This festival is an unprecedented opportunity to glimpse a rich and diverse programme of dance from some of the UK’s best and most visionary choreographers. Supported by Arts Council England and the Royal Borough of Kingston the event usually takes place on a Friday and Saturday mid-June. Produced by DanceWest.

Malden Fortnight happens in the first 2 weeks of July. The town becomes a festive hub with a Fun Run, farmers’ market, grand parade, concerts, exhibitions, craft fair, dog show, heritage walks and lots of kids’ activities. Everything happens in and around New Malden High Street.

This festival showcases some of the most astonishing young talent from around the world.There are over 200 creative arts events over a 10 day period in a variety of venues in Kingston.

This river event is usually on a Sunday, mid-July. It’s a vibrant and colourful charity event organised by The Rotary Club. Around 50 teams battle it out on the river from 9.30 am to determine who makes it into the exciting eight boat final later in the day.  There are market stalls, sideshows and rides for the kids.

RideLondon is a homage to the London 2012 Olympics. It’s an annual cycle-fest (3 days in 2017) covering London and Surrey over a weekend in the last week of July. Kingston is a great place to view the event being the only town on the route where the cyclists pass through twice. The town centre is a hub of activity with cycling related displays, music, food and stalls.

From the end of July to the beginning of August, Kingston Town centre puts on fantastic events to entertain the children every Thursday.
Storytelling, craft sessions, river-related activities and lots of special offers.

Usually held on a Sunday in the first week of September, the carnival is a celebration of the areas’ cultural diversity. With most of the activity happening in the town centre, there is a parade at noon (always check as it can change) stalls, live music and the most amazing street food.

Over 300 teams from around the world compete in this spectacular, late summer, event at Ham on the River Thames. It’s a combination of competitive and leisure rowers, many in colourful fancy dress with decorated boats. 9th Sept 2017

Heritage Open Days 2017 will be 7-10 September. Experience local history, architecture and culture when some of Kingston’s landmark buildings open their doors to the public for free. Kingston Guildhall, Surrey County Hall and Coombe Conduit have been part of previous open days under the scheme.

This is a vibrant festival at the end of September in Surbiton, Surrey. Victoria Road closes to traffic for the day and the festivities begin. There is usually music outside the station and stalls cover the high street. A parade starts around noon.

The race takes place on a Sunday in early October (2017 is 1st October) It starts and finishes in Kingston’s Ancient Market Place and takes the runners through Thames Ditton and Hampton Court. It’s an early start at 8:30am and it’s a hugely popular event.

Kingston Rotary Club and Kingston Round Table jointly host this great event each November in aid of local charities. Kingsmeadow Stadium, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 3PB. Close to 5th November check here for updates closer to the time of the event.

14th November – Christmas lights switch on in Kingston town centre to mark the start of the festivities: the markets open, carols are sung and fabulous food is on sale.
Switch on celebrations also happen in Surbiton and New Malden.

The Ancient Market Place in Kingston is the perfect setting for a traditional Christmas market. It opens end of November with the Christmas lights switch-on. There are stalls offering seasonal gifts and food.

This large, covered craft fair opens for the festive season in the grounds of All Saints Church in Kingston. You can buy hand crafted jewellery, clothes, pottery, art and more.

The Bentall Centre looks spectacular at Christmas – children come to see the festive bears on the ground floor and there are lots of activities and offers and events throughout the centre and the Bentall’s department store.

Seeing the Rose Theatre’s Christmas production has become a family tradition here in Kingston. The cast of professional actors and the Rose Youth Theatre put on a dazzling show which offers something a little different to the usual festive pantomime.