Rochester Sweeps Festival takes over Rochester, England, United Kingdom each Early May Bank Holiday weekend, celebrating May Day and the historic chimney sweeps tradition that once marked spring’s rare day of freedom. The festivities build from the dawn Awakening of Jack-in-the-Green to streets packed with Morris dancing, folk music, and costumed “sweeps” along Rochester High Street. Don’t miss the leafy Jack-in-the-Green parade from Rochester Castle Gardens, plus singalongs and pop-up stages beneath the cathedral-and-castle skyline.
DATES & TIMES
• Festival dates (2026): Saturday, May 2–Monday, May 4, 2026. Medway Council (official).
• Program times vary by day; confirm the current schedule on the official event pages. Official updates · Visit Medway listing.
• May Day tradition: the festival includes the Jack in the Green Parade on Monday (timing posted in official updates). Parade note (official).
LOCATION
• Main area: Rochester High Street, Rochester, Medway, UK. Open in Google Maps.
• The tourism board lists the event location as Rochester High Street. Location (Visit Medway).
TICKETS & ENTRY
• The festival is listed as a free event by Medway Council. Entry info (official).
GOOD TO KNOW
• The organizer notes different emphasis by day (Morris dance groups on Saturday; Morris and international dance/music on Sunday; Jack in the Green on Monday). Official day-by-day notes.
• Trader and participant information (stallholders, Morris teams, volunteers) is published on the official Medway Council page. Official information.