Go Folkestone

The Tamesis String Quartet with music by Purcell (arr. Britten), Haydn and Mendelssohn.
2025-10-18 15:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | The Grand
Welcome to the Bayle Music Autumn concert series.
We are delighted to present a fascinating and varied programme to keep you entertained this autumn. Full programme details are listed below this message.
Admission remains at £15 with under-21-year-olds admitted free.
This season, we are offering a combined ticket for these four concerts for just £50 – a saving of £10. Also, if you are not able to attend a particular concert, you can transfer your ticket to a friend.
You can pay for a combined ticket on the day by cash, cheque (payable to Bayle Music) or card and in advance by post with a cheque payable to Bayle Music sent to I. Gordon, 16 Bayle Court, The Parade, Folkestone. CT20 1SN. Combined tickets will be issued at the concert on 27 September.
Individual concert tickets can be purchased in advance at this website:
www.soundsfolkestone.co.uk – follow the Bayle Music link.
We cannot offer combined tickets on this site.
If there is a concert you are especially attracted to and feel inspired to offer individual sponsorship, please be in touch with Ian – 07877 407 702 or email bayleman@gmail.com
All sponsors will be acknowledged in the appropriate publicity and programme.

Now the music:

All concerts are at The Grand on a Saturday afternoon at 3 pm. Put the dates in your diary now!
Saturday 15 November
‘Ode to Joyce’ performed by Cheryl Knight. Originally conceived for Joyce Grenfell’s centenary, this presentation recreates the setting of one of Joyce’s ever-popular stage shows.

Saturday 20 December
Grand Mansion Voices with Alex Rider (harp)
The programme will include Benjamin Britten’s evergreen ‘Ceremony of Carols’.

This truly unique show tells the diverse story of Country Music and is hosted by Sarah Jayne
2025-10-18 19:30 - 22:00 | Leas Cliff Hall
Sarah Jayne has been performing as Dolly Parton for 3 decades and is Europe’s Leading Tribute to the Queen of Country – Dolly Parton.
Sarah Jayne and Award-Winning Vocal Impersonator Andy Crust take us on a journey back through time, meeting some of the most influential icons who shaped Country music history. The show features Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Billie Jo Spears, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, John Denver, and Glen Campbell. This show proudly presents The Country Superstars Band.

As seen in London’s West End Adelphi Theatre and Leicester Square Theatre, and featured on Sky TV – ‘Europe’s Leading Dolly and Kenny Impersonators’ as said by Kenny Rogers on Kennyrogers.com

Dolly Parton said on the BBC One Show to an audience of over 4.5 million, “I wish them all the best and appreciate them doing Dolly and Kenny so well for so Long.”

Sarah Jayne and Andy also appeared on ITV’s Game of Talents as Sarah was chosen to portray Dolly in an episode with Vernon Kaye, Jonathan Ross, & Comedian Katherine Ryan.

One Night Only
This event is only on for one night!
Buy tickets

Folkestone Central
The Box Office is open for 90 minutes prior to the performance commencing. See ‘What’s On’ section for performance times

This show has an interval

Sat at 19:30

For group bookings of 10 or more:
Submit a request online
Or call 020 7206 1174

Vlad Maistorovici (composer and violinist)
2025-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Kollectiv, 69 Old High Street, CT20 1RN
Folkestone New Music
Concert
Artists

The Romanian composer and violinist Vlad Maistorovici talks about and plays his music.
Vlad appears internationally in repertoire ranging from Bach to contemporary. His music is championed by world-class ensembles and artists.

Ticket Prices
£10 on the door or online
Booking
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1701666

Vlad Maistorovici (composer and violinist)
2025-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Kollectiv, 69 Old High Street, CT20 1RN
The Romanian composer and violinist Vlad Maistorovici talks about and plays his music.

Vlad appears internationally in repertoire ranging from Bach to contemporary. His music is championed by world-class ensembles and artists.

Ticket Prices
£10 on the door or online
Booking
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1701666

The Tower Theatre is thrilled to have Barefoot Opera visit us, and work with our very own FHODS performers!
2025-10-21 19:30 - 22:00 | tower theatre
Barefoot Opera is creating a bold, emotionally charged production of Donizetti’s romantic tragedy – Lucia di Lammermoor, staged with the company’s inventive, collaborative spirit, for a 14-night tour from September 2025.
The score will be reimagined for the Barefoot Band, who bring together
classical music and gypsy jazz instrumentation, and several of the cast will be multi-tasking, seamlessly moving between playing an instrument and singing on stage.
Recommended 13+. Contains scenes of mental health trauma that may be triggering, as well as notions of death and suicide
Introducing Lucia….
For those new to opera, Lucia di Lammermoor offers a powerful introduction – an intense, emotionally charged work fusing Gothic romanticism with psychological unravelling. Composed by Gaetano Donizetti and based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor, the opera tells the tragic story of Lucia, a young woman caught between forbidden love and family obligation.
Her secret romance, forced betrothal, and eventual descent into madness unfold against a backdrop of hauntingly beautiful music. At the heart of the opera is Lucia’s iconic “mad scene” – a virtuosic display of vocal brilliance and dramatic depth. In this moment of psychological collapse, a soprano stands alone onstage, covered
in blood, spinning out ethereal, impossibly high notes that seem to float from another realm. It is one of opera’s most unforgettable scenes, where grief, betrayal, and fragile sanity are laid bare through music that is both otherworldly and deeply human.
Whether you’re an opera veteran or a curious newcomer, this Barefoot Opera production invites you to experience Lucia di Lammermoor as you never have before: not as a historic artifact, but as a living, breathing work of art with enormous contemporary relevance. It’s edgy, gripping, and urgently alive.
Creative team
Increasingly known for uniting theatre, music and movement, Barefoot Opera’s new production offers an innovative interpretation of this classic work, brought to the stage by an inspiring creative team.
Director Rosie Kat, known for her highly physical performances exploring power imbalance in interpersonal and political drama, is working alongside designer Fenna de Jonge, known for her experimental, multi-layered approach to set and costume. As ever, the aim is to break away from traditional opera conventions to create dynamic theatre that truly connects with audiences.
Laurence Panter (Barefoot Opera’s Associate Musical Director), has reworked the score for the Barefoot Band (piano, double bass, saxophone and accordion), ensuring the music retains its emotional weight while gaining vibrancy, rawness and spontaneity. This transformation remains faithful to the soul of the score, infusing it with fresh textures that electrify the drama further.
Musical Director and Pianist – Laurence Panter
Lucy Mulgan – Double Bass
Lydia Kenny – Saxophone
Alistair Sutherland – Accordion
The Cast
Driven by a bold vision to create fresh opportunities for singers and performers, this Barefoot Opera production shines a spotlight on a new wave of operatic talent. These emerging artists blend technical mastery with raw, emotional power, and they share the stage with seasoned professionals to create a truly electrifying experience.
Beren Fidan, who captivated audiences in last year’s celebrated La Traviata, returns to lead as Lucia.
Baritone Phil Smith with a track-record from Royal Opera and Ballet, Welsh National Opera, and BBC Radio 3 broadcasts, sings Lucia’s controlling brother, Enrico.
Adding a dynamic edge to the cast, tenor Jack Dolan (Edgardo, Lucia’s true love) infuses the production with the soulful energy of his rock and blues background, while Indian-American tenor Sandeep Gurrapadi (Arturo, the man Lucia is forced to marry) brings with him warmth, charisma, and vocal brilliance. The entire ensemble promises both artistic depth and vibrant chemistry.
The cast approach Lucia di Lammermoor with both reverence and risk, bringing to life the psychological complexity and volatility that lie beneath the bel canto elegance. Every aria and ensemble is rendered not just with precision, but with a deep intensity that reflects the opera’s dark heart.
Lucia – Beren Fidan
Edgardo – Jack Dolan
Enrico – Philip Smith
Raimondo – Alistair Sutherland
Arturo – Sandeep Gurrapadi
Alise – Deirdre Arratoon
Normanno – Laurence Panter
Partners and collaborators
This year, the Barefoot Opera team is delighted to collaborate with Soundcastle, a Hastings-based charity that highlights creative music-making in promoting positive mental health – perhaps an especially relevant focus for the Lucia project: the entire team and cast will be taking part in mental health awareness training. The team is also continuing its outreach work, including with long-term partner Seaview, which supports society’s most marginalised.
Working with choirs and local people
At Barefoot Opera, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do – on stage and off. Opera should be for everyone, not just to watch, but to experience and take part in! We are delighted to work alongside FHODS and their members for this performance in our tour.
Through our vibrant outreach work, we open the door to opera and singing for those who may never have encountered the artform before. Across our tour, many performances feature local choirs, school groups, and community singers who join the professional cast on stage. Singing side by side, they create a powerful, deeply human sound that resonates far beyond the theatre – immediate, emotional, and unforgettable.
Tour/ticket info
This year is Barefoot Opera’s biggest tour yet.
With our mission to bring opera to new audiences, our tour will take us across East Sussex and Kent, introducing our work to new audiences, as well as to the Grimeborn Festival in London.
Funders and supporters
With thanks to ACE (Arts Council of England), as well as Magdalen and Lasher, for their continued support.
Barefoot Opera pioneers a transformative approach to opera by uniting theatre, singing, and movement dance to inspire collaborative storytelling – empowering both emerging and established artists, redefining the art form through innovation, inclusivity, and a vibrant community ethos.
Barefoot Opera, a registered charity, pioneers a transformative approach to opera by uniting theatre, singing and movement to inspire collaborative story-telling – inspiring both emerging and established artists, redefining the art form through innovation, inclusivity and a vibrant community ethos.
At Barefoot Opera, we do things a little differently – and that’s exactly the point. We collaborate, experiment and innovate, aiming to create productions that push boundaries and redefine operative conventions. We bring together thrilling young professional singers at the start of their careers, full of energy and fearless emotion, and place them shoulder to shoulder with people from choirs and schools, creating a rich, human sound that is as immediate as it is moving.
Our productions don’t hide behind velvet curtains or full orchestras – we work with a live band right on stage, giving the music a punchy, intimate feel that draws the audience in from the first note. Audiences often tell us they feel the power of the music more deeply because they’re right there with the performers, close enough to see every breath, every tear, every triumph. It’s opera with no safety net—vibrant, raw, and real.
Tickets
Standard – £20
Concessions (Under 18s and over 65s) – £18

https://purchase.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk/ChooseSeats/3801

Killer Couples with Emma Kenny
2025-10-25 19:30 - 22:30 | Leas Cliff Hall
Deadly Duos

Join crime expert Emma Kenny for her live show, Killer Couples, exploring the chilling world of relationships turned deadly! Emma takes audiences on a journey through some of the most notorious cases of criminal partnerships, from some of the most infamous in history to their equally shocking contemporary equivalents. Don’t miss this deep dive into the twisted dynamics which transform love and loyalty into a murderous force!
The show unpacks the psychological and emotional threads which bind these dangerous duos, asking the question: what drives two people to commit unthinkable acts together? Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast or simply intrigued by the extremes of human behavior, Killer Couples promises an evening you won’t forget, even if you want to.

Audience
Strictly 16+

Run Time
Two hours and 45 minutes including interval

Tickets from £26

Roxanne Hicks playing live at Keppels
2025-10-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Keppels Bar, The Grand,, CT20 2XL
Come join us for an afternoon by the fire with Roxanne Hicks playing live @ Keppels

Sounds of the 60s with Tony BlackburnOBE
2025-10-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Leas Cliff Hall
Join BBC Radio 2’s Tony Blackburn for a night of 60s bliss as he hosts this live edition of his sensational show at a venue near you. Featuring a glorious array of the 60s most cherished hits, let Blackburn and the Sounds Of The 60s Live Band and singers transport you back in time to that revolutionary decade, when skirts and cars were mini and radio was king!

With a pedigree that saw him rule the airwaves in the 60s; Blackburn got his start at the legendary pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London, before landing the gig of first-ever DJ on BBC Radio 1. Ever since, he’s been the authority on the decade, as championed on his current live show!

Prices from £40

Mark Padmore
2025-10-30 19:30 - 21:30 | The Grand
Folkestone New Music
Type of event
Talk with music
Artists
Mark Padmore (tenor)
Andrew West (piano)

The great tenor Mark Padmore is one of the ‘foremost lieder and concert singers of our time’. In this event, Mark will talk about his career and perform songs from his repertoire.
Ticket Prices
£15

Booking
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1670777

Tony Kofi & The Organisation 'Celebrating Lou Donaldson'
2025-10-30 19:30 - 22:30 | Grand Burstin Hotel, The Harbour, Folkestone, CT20 1TX
WORLD JAZZ LIVE SESSIONS-2025-A PortCaia concept in support of live jazz
@ The NEPTUNE BASEMENT JAZZ Club,
The Grand Burstin Hotel, The Harbour, Folkestone-Kent-UK. CT20 1TXT

W.J.L.S. 2025 Presents- TONY KOFI & The Organisation ‘Celebrating Lou Donaldson’

Venue
The Neptune Basement Jazz Club, Folkestone

Date
Thursday 30th October 2025, 7:30PM – 10:30PM

Section
General Admission

Select the number of tickets you want to book from the available choices

Tickets by Ticket Source

£15.00

There are two entrances to the Neptune Basement Jazz Club; one is via the Grand Burstin Hotel underground car park, (this entrance is wheelchair accessible).You can also get to the Neptune Basement Jazz Club through the main hotel reception entrance, then follow the stairs leading to the Basement Jazz Club, (this entrance is not wheelchair accessible)
(If you use the Grand Burstin car park, please register your car details at the Hotel reception to avoid parking fines)

All Souls Night - Saint & Sips
2025-11-01 19:00 - 21:00 | The Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, Church Street,, Folkestone, CT20 1SW
Wine Tasting night with a lighthearted talk about saints.
Ticketed event – more later

The 1927 at Keppels Bar
2025-11-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Keppels Bar, The Grand,, CT20 2XL
Folkestone-based string and vocal trio performing jazz and blues songs from the early 20th century

Barrioke: Baz Out of Hell 2
2025-11-02 20:00 - 22:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Join soap-and-singalong sensation Shaun Williamson, star of Eastenders, Extras, and Life’s Too Short, for a frightfully fun evening of karaoke, live performance, and audience singalongs.

Armed with a host of brilliant tracks and his trademark joviality, Shaun’s BARRIOKE tour has taken the UK by storm – and now’s your chance to experience it firsthand. Come along and give us your grandest solo performance, a heartfelt duet with Shaun himself, or sing along from the sidelines.
In this Halloween edition, Shaun will be leading the crowd through a spectacular evening of classic hits and chart toppers with a spooky twist. Dig out your deadliest costume and warm up your vocal chords for an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned karaoke professional or you just fancy a wickedly good time, there’s place for you – onstage or in the audience. Costumes are encouraged, but vocal talent is entirely optional.
Book now and get ready to belt your heart out to classics across the decades in an unforgettable night.
Age Restrictions

18+
Tickets
£23 Standard
£28 On the door
Book this event online or email the box office at boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Morgan Hayes – pianist
2025-11-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Kollectiv, 69 Old High Street, CT20 1RN
Promoter
Folkestone New Music
Type of event
Talk with music
Artists

The composer Morgan Hayes is also an accomplished pianist. In this event, he will talk about and perform his music.
‘…one constant in Hayes’s music is his mastery of striking, satisfying shape and form. If architecture is frozen music, then his music is liquid architecture, never outstaying its welcome and indeed, like the man himself, full of abundant charm.’

Ticket Prices
£10 on the door or online
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1670778

Choralis Workshop ~ Led by Ben Saul
2025-11-08 10:00 - 16:30 | St George’s Church, Audley Road, Folkestone, CT20 3QA
Ben is an immensely popular and talented individual. He has practised as a church musician in Anglican and Catholic settings for many years. As assistant organist at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, and director of music for the Servite Priory – Fulham Road, All Saints’ – Blackheath, The Shrine of St Thomas of Canterbury – Burgate and currently St Mary of Charity, Faversham, he learned much about the beauty, discipline and application of polyphony and chant in modern liturgy.

Ben is a noted music therapist and a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In addition to his interest in ecclesiastical music, Ben is increasingly in demand as an accompanist, and he also loves to play jazz

•Registration Fee £30

•To book your place, please contact: Choralisworkshop@hotmail.com
Maddy Scarre: Tel. 07717 500060

The Music to be covered:
Chant – In Processionem ‘Kyrie’
Chant – Veni Creator Spiritus
Asola – Veni Creator Spiritus
Monteverdi – Cantate Domino
Dufay – Magnificat Quinti Toni
Victoria – O Quam Gloriosum
Morales – Pace mihi domine

2025-11-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Leas Cliff Hall
Why see Queenz: Drag Me To The Disco?

Discoballs And Dancing Queenz
The Queenz are back and this time they’re more fabulous and disco than ever. You might have caught them on one of their previous smash hit tours, but this time they’re bringing a brand new never before seen show, and it’s the glammest thing you’ve ever seen. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best drag shows, prepare to werk, dance, and sing along with the Queenz (who stun with their live vocals) in this eleganza extravaganza diva disco like no other!
Regularly taking the UK by storm, Queenz are beloved by the public and celebrities alike, earning praise from stars including Dawn French, Gary Barlow and Craig David.
Two shows 4.00p.m and 8.00p.m.
Tickets £15

A Return to Chocolat: Joanne Harris Opens the Folkestone Book Festival 2025
2025-11-13 19:00 - 21:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
We’re thrilled to welcome internationally bestselling author Joanne Harris to open the Book Festival with an unforgettable evening of storytelling, reflection and literary magic. She will be interviewed by our festival curator, Sophie Haydock.
More than 25 years after she first captured the world’s imagination with Chocolat – the beloved, bestselling novel that became an Oscar-nominated film – Joanne returns to Lansquenet with Vianne, a stunning new chapter in the life of Vianne Rocher.
In this special event, Joanne will reflect on her extraordinary career and the enduring power of Chocolat, and share why now was the moment to revisit her most iconic character. With her trademark warmth, intelligence and sparkle, she’ll explore themes of identity, memory and transformation – as well as the sensory magic of place, scent and, of course… chocolate.
A passionate defender of authors’ rights and free expression, and former Chair of the Society of Authors, Joanne is one of the most influential and inspiring voices in British publishing. Join us for a luminous, unmissable opening night – and raise the curtain on eleven days of books, ideas and imagination in the most delicious way possible.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

Book this event online or email the box office at boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Michael Finnissy – Composer & Pianist
2025-11-13 19:30 - 21:30 | The Grand
Folkestone New Music
Type of event
Talk and Concert
Artists
Michael Finnissy – composer and pianist

‘There’s a lifetime of listening in Finnissy’s music, an encounter with a way of hearing and relating to the whole of today’s world, not just its music – just as there’s been a lifetime of writing it for its composer.’ (Guardian)

Programme

Michael Finnissy plays a programme of his compositions in the context of music by other composers, including Satie and Ives.

Ticket Prices
£15 on the door or online
Booking
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1670781?

WORKSHOP: Writing Through Burnout with Dr Anna Vaught
2025-11-14 11:00 - 13:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Overwhelmed? Burned out? Drowning in drafts and self-doubt? It’s time to reclaim your creativity – without losing your mind in the process.

Join acclaimed author, teacher and literary powerhouse Dr Anna Vaught for a bold, brilliant workshop designed to help you write with clarity, confidence and compassion. A passionate advocate for writers working through and alongside adversity, Anna draws on her ambitious and varied publications, including her bestselling teaching book, The Alchemy, as well as her own challenging life experience. She’ll be sharing exclusive excerpts from The Elixir (2026) – the next book in her teaching series – and hopes to leave you comforted and inspired.
Drawing from her book The Alchemy: A Guide to Gentle Productivity for Writers, Anna brings deep wisdom, sharp wit and lived experience to the page and the room. With honest discussion, high-impact exercises and energising prompts, she’ll help you silence the inner critic, stop chasing perfection, and get words on the page – without burning out.
Whether you’re wrangling a novel, journalling through chaos, or simply trying to find your voice again, this session offers practical tools, emotional support and lasting momentum.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

Book this event online or email the box office at boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Rose Ayling-Ellis: Marvellous Family Fun
2025-11-15 10:00 - 12:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Join BAFTA-winning actor and Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis for a joyful, inspiring event celebrating communication in all its forms, from sign language and symbols to gestures, emojis and beyond.

Rose will be talking about her beautifully illustrated new children’s book, Marvellous Messages – a playful and powerful exploration of how we connect with each other, and how every voice matters. She’ll share her own journey growing up deaf, the challenges and joys of finding her voice, and why she believes difference should be celebrated.
This inclusive, interactive event is perfect for families and children aged 7+, and offers a chance to learn more about British Sign Language, discover new ways of expressing yourself – and meet a truly marvellous communicator who is passionate about sharing her story with children of all ages.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

t boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Word Play and Poetry​: Eley Williams and Abigail Parry
2025-11-15 12:00 - 13:30 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Step into the joyfully off-kilter world of Eley Williams, one of the most original voices in contemporary fiction, as she discusses her latest collection, Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good – a whip-smart, warm-hearted exploration of language in all its slippery glory.

Williams is the author of the prize-winning short story collection Attrib. (winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize), and the acclaimed novel The Liar’s Dictionary, a Sunday Times Book of the Year. Her writing is celebrated for its inventive wordplay, emotional insight and dazzling style – and her new collection confirms her as one of the most exciting literary stylists working today.
She’ll be in conversation with Abigail Parry, a TS Eliot-nominated poet whose collections Jinx and I Think We’re Alone Now have marked her as one of poetry’s boldest experimenters. With a background in both academia and game design, Parry’s work is known for its intellectual agility, dark humour and linguistic sparkle.
Together, they’ll dive into the mechanics and music of language, the delights of constraint and surprise, and the ways in which stories – and sentences – can trip us up and carry us away. Expect a fast-paced, funny, and mind-stretching hour from two writers at the very top of their game.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

A Journey into Clay with Jennifer Lucy Allan
2025-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Calling all claymakers, potters, artists and lovers of the land – this is where earth and imagination meet. In her mesmerising new book Clay: A Human History, writer and broadcaster Jennifer Lucy Allan unearths the deep, resonant story of one of the world’s most ancient, tactile and transformative materials. With poetic insight and atmospheric detail, she explores how clay has shaped human hands, culture and creativity.

Travelling across the UK and beyond, Allan meets potters, artists, walkers and sound-makers, weaving together memoir, history, geology, sound and environmental observation in a book that invites us to slow down, dig deep, and pay attention to the ground beneath our feet.
In a town with rich clay beds, a proud ceramics heritage and a thriving community of makers, this promises to be a truly grounded and inspiring conversation – perfect for anyone who works with their hands, walks the land, or listens closely to the world around them.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Ode to Joyce’ performed by Cheryl Knight.
2025-11-15 15:00 - 17:00 | The Grand
Originally conceived for Joyce Grenfell’s centenary, this presentation recreates the setting of one of Joyce’s ever-popular stage shows.
Welcome to the Bayle Music Autumn concert series.
We are delighted to present a fascinating and varied programme to keep you entertained this autumn. Full programme details are listed below this message.
Admission remains at £15 with under-21-year-olds admitted free.
This season, we are offering a combined ticket for these four concerts for just £50 – a saving of £10. Also, if you are not able to attend a particular concert, you can transfer your ticket to a friend.
You can pay for a combined ticket on the day by cash, cheque (payable to Bayle Music) or card and in advance by post with a cheque payable to Bayle Music sent to I. Gordon, 16 Bayle Court, The Parade, Folkestone. CT20 1SN. Combined tickets will be issued at the concert on 27 September.
Individual concert tickets can be purchased in advance at this website:
www.soundsfolkestone.co.uk – follow the Bayle Music link.
We cannot offer combined tickets on this site.
If there is a concert you are especially attracted to and feel inspired to offer individual sponsorship, please be in touch with Ian – 07877 407 702 or email bayleman@gmail.com
All sponsors will be acknowledged in the appropriate publicity and programme.

All concerts are at The Grand on a Saturday afternoon at 3 pm. Put the dates in your diary now!

Saturday 20 December
Grand Mansion Voices with Alex Rider (harp)
The programme will include Benjamin Britten’s evergreen ‘Ceremony of Carols’.

Sabrina Ghayour: Persiana Easy
2025-11-15 16:00 - 18:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Step into a world of spice, soul and sensational cooking with Sabrina Ghayour – the award-winning British-Iranian chef, Sunday Times bestselling author and beloved food writer hailed by the Observer as the “golden girl of Persian cookery”. Known for her bold, vibrant flavours and no-fuss approach, Sabrina has transformed the way we cook and eat Middle Eastern food at home.

In this joyful, appetite-whetting event, she introduces her latest book Persiana Easy – a celebration of unfussy recipes packed with flavour. From smoky aubergine dishes to saffron stews and sticky, irresistible desserts, these are meals you can throw together on a weeknight but that taste like a feast. Low on obscure ingredients and unnecessary steps – just clever, comforting dishes you’ll return to again and again.
With trademark humour and charm, Sabrina shares kitchen stories, essential tips, and the journey behind her much-loved Persiana series – one of the most successful and enduring Middle Eastern cookbooks of the last decade.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just dipping in your spoon, this is an event to ignite your culinary imagination. A perfect Saturday afternoon treat in the heart of Folkestone.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Success and Other Lies: Will Young & James Cahill in Conversation
2025-11-15 18:00 - 20:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
What do we sacrifice to succeed – and what do we conceal to survive? In this bold and searching conversation, Will Young and James Cahill come together to explore queerness, creativity, and the hidden costs of a life lived in public. One is a Pop Idol winner turned bestselling author and outspoken mental health advocate; the other, a rising star of literary fiction whose novels probe power, obsession and queer identity in the art world.

Together, they’ll reflect on the pressures of performance – both personal and professional – and the delicate balancing act between visibility and vulnerability.
James’s new novel, The Violet Hour, is a darkly elegant exploration of art, desire, and the fictions we cling to when control starts to slip. Will’s latest book, Be Yourself and Happier: The A-Z of Wellbeing, is a raw, often funny account of grief, healing and the messy path to self-acceptance.
Expect a rich, intimate and provocative exchange between two men about re-shaping identities in the spotlight, offering insight, humour and emotional honesty in equal measure.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Harry Baker: Wonderful!
2025-11-15 20:00 - 22:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Don’t miss this high-energy, soul-lifting night with Harry Baker – World Poetry Slam Champion, viral TED Talk star, and one of the UK’s most captivating spoken word performers. Coming to Folkestone for one-night only as part of the Book Festival.

In Wonderful!, Harry delivers a fast-paced, feel-everything mix of joy, humour and jaw-dropping wordplay. From dinosaurs and falafel-spoons to the unexpected beauty of being alive, this is spoken word at its most entertaining, moving and life-affirming.
Harry’s performances are legendary – not just because he’s a genius with rhyme and rhythm, but because he speaks directly to the moment we’re living in, with warmth, wit and wild imagination. His shows leave people buzzing, emotional, glad they stepped into his orbit.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Monisha Rajesh: Journeys by Starlight and Steam
2025-11-16 12:00 - 14:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
All aboard for an unforgettable series of train rides – with one extraordinary storyteller. Join award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh as she takes us on a lyrical, laughter-filled journey through her latest book, Moonlight Express: Around the World By Night Train – a beautifully observed account of navigating the globe after dark.

Following the runaway success of Around the World in 80 Trains, Monisha returns to the rails to explore the renaissance of sleeper trains: from Finland’s polar nights and Norway’s midnight sun, to Indian twilight and Peruvian dawns. With warmth, wit and curiosity, she brings to life the people she meets, the landscapes she crosses and the unique magic of moving slowly through the quiet hours.
This is more than just a travel talk – it’s a celebration of wonder, wanderlust and the slow romance of the railway. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a daydream traveller, Monisha’s stories will transport you. Come for the trains – stay for the tales that connect us across time zones, cultures and continents.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

The Art of Good Anger with Sam Parker
2025-11-16 14:00 - 16:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
What if your anger isn’t something to fear – but a tool for clarity, courage and change? In a town like Folkestone – creative, complex, and full of people pushing for better – anger can be a vital emotional signal. But too often we’re told to stay quiet, stay nice, stay calm.

In this powerful, eye-opening event, journalist and author Sam Parker invites us to rethink everything we’ve been taught about rage, drawn from his book Good Anger: How Rethinking Rage Can Change Our Lives. Sam explores how it shows up in our bodies, our relationships, our community – and how, if we learn to listen, it can lead us somewhere better.
From burnout to everyday aggravations, family frustrations to political fury, this conversation speaks directly to those feeling stuck, silenced or exhausted by the pressure to keep it all in. It’s about owning your voice, finding your edge, and learning how to use anger not to explode – but to evolve. This is for anyone in Folkestone who’s tired of bottling it up.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk
Book now

Labour Under Starmer with Gabriel Pogrund & Patrick Maguire
2025-11-16 16:00 - 18:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Last year, Folkestone made history – electing Tony Vaughan as its first-ever Labour MP after more than 70 years of Conservative rule. But earlier this year, Kent (along with many other parts of the country) swung hard to Reform. What happened? Where did the energy go? And is Keir Starmer’s Labour already losing touch with the people who gave it a chance?

In this urgent and eye-opening conversation, award-winning Sunday Times journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire dig into the power plays, silence, spin and brutal discipline at the heart of Starmer’s Labour Party – as revealed in their acclaimed new book Get In. With access to leaked memos, private messages and over 200 insider interviews, they offer a forensic look at a party desperate to win – and the risks it’s taken to do so.
With Reform gaining traction, trust in politics at rock bottom, and voters in Kent demanding more than cautious promises, the big question is: can Labour hold on – or will its hunger to govern cost it its soul? Expect gripping revelations, sharp analysis, and the inside story of a political moment that’s still unfolding – right here, right now, on our doorstep.
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Dr Steven Parissien: Cheers, Britain!
2025-11-16 18:00 - 20:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Which drinks define us? From gin palaces to tequila shots, tonic fads to teetotalism – what do our choices say about class, identity and change? And in a town like Folkestone – built on bars, beer gardens and beachside boozers – how does alcohol shape who we are?

Join cultural historian Dr Steven Parissien for an intoxicating journey through Britain’s long and messy relationship with alcohol. In his brilliant new book Another Round: A Post-War History of Britain in 12 Strong Drinks, Parissien uncorks the drinks that shaped generations – and reveals how what we drink (and how we drink it) tells the story of Britain itself.
From royal rituals to working-class pubs, 1950s cocktail parties to 90s club culture, this is a sparkling social history filled with flavour, nostalgia and sharp cultural insight – all served with a twist of humour. With Britain holding a place in the global top five for alcohol consumption since 1700, one thing’s clear: the story of this nation can’t be told without a trip to the bar. Cheers!
FIND OUT MORE
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk
