Things to do in Kent this weekend including Salute to the 40s at Chatham dockyard and Luna Cinema in Rochester Castle

by Lauren Abbott

labbott@thekmgroup.co.uk

One of Kent's biggest and best vintage festivals takes place this weekend but it's not the only event on offer.

Alongside the dockyard's popular Salute to the 40s is a Scarecrow Festival, Mexican Celebration and CactusWorld Live event and more Heritage Open Days.

Here's our seven best suggestions for Saturday and Sunday...

Rochester Castle will screen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban among this weekend's films

Luna Cinema, Rochester Castle

Friday September 20 until Sunday, September 22

With September's weather forecast still looking promising why not take your family for a movie under the stars this weekend. It's the final weekend of outdoor screenings at Rochester Castle with showings including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Bohemian Rhapsody and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. To learn more about showings and to book your tickets please click here.

Heritage Open Days, various locations

Until Sunday, September 22

It's the last weekend of this free festival of history and discovery. If you're looking for a reasonably-priced day out for all the family take a look at the museums, heritage centres or attractions opening their doors to visitors this Saturday and Sunday. Among the events on offer this weekend are model trains and vintage bus rides at Sevenoaks Bat and Ball Station, tours around Tonbridge Castle and a chance to see inside Canterbury Cathedral. All the details of this weekend's events can be found here.

Salute to the 40s, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22

Described as one of Britain's 'Best Vintage Festivals' the popular historical weekend at the Dockyard returns this Saturday and Sunday.

Hundreds of re-enactors, vintage vehicle parades, live music, live displays and air raid experiences will be among the things to see and do. There will also be a recreation of a 1940s village, a bombed out street and a 1940s Fire Station among the living history attractions for families to immerse themselves in. Plus the dockyard's usual galleries and exhibitions are open too. To learn more about the event and to book tickets please visit thedockyard.co.uk

Mexican music and food will filter through Lullingstone Castle this weekend

Mexican Celebration Weekend, Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford

Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22

Mexican food and a Mariachi band will bring the sounds and smells of South America to this fantastic weekend in north Kent.

The Mexican Celebration Weekend, which is teaming up with the British Cactus & Succulent Society for CactusWorld LIVE, will include a cactus show, plants for sale, a variety of stalls and children’s attractions, as well as authentic Mexican food and music.

The event runs from 11am to 5pm on both days. Admission is £10 for adults but children are free. Further details available here.

Scarecrow Festival 2019, Loose near Maidstone

From Saturday September 21 until Sunday, September 29

Spot celebrities hanging around in a Kent village from this weekend! The stars of stage and screen are set to be in scarecrow form as part of a village's popular autumnal trail running until September 29. Trail sheets to take part cost just £2 and will provide your family with a fun afternoon outside. Everything you need to know to visit is here.

Take the kids along to watch the ploughing match

Ploughing Match and Gymkana, Paddlesworth Farm, Snodland

Saturday, September 21

Ploughing competitions, trade and craft stalls, a hawking display, laser clay shooting, gymkhana, and produce for sale will be among the attractions at this event organised by Gravesend and Rochester Agricultural Association.

The ploughing Competition will include conventional, vintage, steam and horses and there will also be cookery, crafts and competitions for children and adults. Events start from 9.30am and entry for a car is only £5.

Magic Spells GPS Hunt, Ashford

Sunday, September 22

Join an interactive GPS adventure in Ashford this weekend. The technology based travel hunt is taking place across the town centre and is the ideal game for a family of super sleuths! The aim of the game is to uncover as many clues and score as many points as you can before the time runs out.

Organisers ask that tickets are bought in advance before going to the 'start location' outside the Tourist Information Centre. All the details on how to get involved are available here.