Historic Rochester will once again host the ever-popular Sweeps Festival – an international celebration of folk traditions, music and dance.
Taking place between Saturday, 3 May and Monday, 5 May, Rochester Sweeps Festival has become one of the largest May Day Festival celebrations of its kind.
Rochester’s cobbled high street is gearing up to become a vibrant dancefloor for hundreds of Morris dancers, whose lively performances across the weekend bring an infectious energy!
The festival is not one to be missed – truly an international celebration of all things folk, there’s nowhere better to sing your heart out to live music and tuck into tasty food and drink across this three-day extravaganza. The festival brings together bands, dance groups and communities from all over the world - with strong representation from across the UK, as well as groups from Slovakia, India and Ireland in attendance.
For those visiting Medway, Rochester’s iconic historic streets, full of independent shops, bars, pubs and famous landmarks will come alive with dance and live folk-music for the entire weekend, including headliners such as Folk Dance Remixed and Feast of Fiddles bringing a modern twist on an age-old tradition. It’s the perfect chance to escape for a long weekend, taking in the culture, attractions and spirit that Rochester Sweeps has to offer.
As well as buskers throughout the high street, Medway’s own sellout-sensations The Signing Loins, and returning favourites such as The Fabulous Fezheads and Jacob Bride’s ‘Mecurial’, also feature in a packed programme with more than 100 acts.
There are plenty of new additions to this year’s festival too, including a picnic area within the castle moat, where you can enjoy food, drink and music from the stage in a more relaxed environment.
Rochester Castle isn’t the only heritage site with activities during the festival – Eastgate House will have its own stage this year, as well as the mystical ‘Psychic Alley’ and a Gonk trail to explore.
The Guildhall Museum’s Members' Chamber will also have exclusive daily performances at 11am, however, standard admission fees apply.
This year’s festival will also coincide with the exciting launch of a new boat drop-off platform – Rochester Riverside Boathouse Landing – where residents and visitors can enjoy a one-hour round trip to Upnor and back to Rochester. Sailings will take place across the entirety of the festival, with multiple outings on each day. It is recommended that tickets are booked in advance on the Jetstream Tours website, however, tickets will also be available on the day subject to availability. See full details, including times and prices.
The Sweeps Festival has been run by the council, alongside festival founder Gordon Newton, since 1981.
The festival has become a much-loved Medway tradition, and is a symbol of the beginning of the British summer. The annual festival was designed to recreate the joy and laughter enjoyed by chimney sweeps on their traditional holiday and was even mentioned in a Charles Dickens article in 1836.
Start off the summer
Cllr Nina Gurung, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “The iconic Rochester Sweeps Festival is a wonderful event to start off the summer, and attracts people from across the country and internationally. It is a really exciting weekend full of live music, dancing and plenty more entertainment, as well as delicious food and drink! Make sure you save the date, as it’s sure to be an amazing festival with more than enough fun for everyone in Medway!"
Colourful and joyful
Doug Hudson, Musical Director of the festival, said: “I am really looking forward to this year’s Sweeps Festival. Some new bands, some favourites, some new venues and chances to join in with dancing and music sessions throughout the town. It is colourful and joyful and there is something for everyone to enjoy – including the many Morris and dance sides keeping alive our traditions.”
Due to the popular nature of the event, travelling via public transportation is recommended.
A park and walk service will be provided nearby at Jackson Fields, at £4 per vehicle. Arriva also provide 10-minute bus services between historic Rochester and Chatham Maritime, as well as other services throughout Medway for local visitors.
For those visiting from further-afield, Rochester train station is just a few minutes walk from the festivities on the high-street and is just a 34-minute journey from central London. There are also direct trains from surrounding areas such as Canterbury, Gravesend and Sittingbourne - find out more on SouthEastern's website.