Rochester Sweeps Festival (Rochester Sweeps Festival, Kent) is one of England’s most colorful May Day celebrations, reviving the centuries-old tradition of chimney sweeps welcoming the arrival of spring. Held each early May in the historic town of Rochester, the festival fills the streets with Morris dancers, folk musicians, giant puppets, and performers in bright green and black paint. The event opens with the traditional awakening of Jack-in-the-Green, a leafy spirit symbolizing renewal, followed by lively parades and music across the city’s medieval backdrop. Blending pagan folklore, English folk culture, and joyous revelry, the Rochester Sweeps Festival is a vibrant celebration of spring’s rebirth.
DATES & TIMES
• Exact 2026 details not yet published—check official site nearer the date: Official site.
• Annual pattern: Runs over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday–Monday), with the Jack in the Green parade on Monday. See 2025 pattern for reference on the official page above.
• Programme: Exact timetable publishes annually — when released it’s posted by Visit Medway; see a recent example: Programme.
LOCATION
• Main areas: Rochester High Street, Boley Hill and Castle Gardens. Open in Google Maps.
• Visitor info: Overview and updates via Medway Council & Visit Medway: Official site / City tourism.
TICKETS & ENTRY
• Free entry: The festival is free across outdoor sites; some indoor/partner venues may have their own admission. Confirm via the official page: Ticket info.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Getting there: Fast Southeastern trains to Rochester station (≈40 minutes from London St Pancras).
• Parking: Use Medway Council town‑centre car parks; check locations and tariffs: Find a car park.
• Crowds: The High Street and Castle Gardens are busiest during parades and stage headliners; arrive early for viewing spots.
Want a bank‑holiday plan that dodges bottlenecks? We’ll time parades, pick viewing spots and map quick exits between High Street and Castle Gardens — Hire Tripologiste.