Dover Winter Lantern Festival
Dover town centre, Dover · 5 December 2026
Image: Future FoundryDover's lantern and giant puppet parade, organised by Future Foundry and Dover Town Council, has grown into one of the town's favourite winter traditions since 2021. Local people carry giant animal lanterns and chandeliers through the town.
Highlights
- Giant animal lanterns and puppet parade
- Free star lantern workshops beforehand
Good to know
- Volunteers can sign up to carry the giant lanterns
Getting there
Dover town centre, Market Square, Dover, Kent, CT16 1NB
Get directionsChecked on 16 October 2026 against futurefoundry.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the organiser before you travel. How we check
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Nearby
Photo: Nessy-Pic, CC BY-SA 4.0Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery
Dover Museum in Market Square tells the story of Britain's historic port town through local history and archaeology. Its star exhibit is a prehistoric boat around 3,500 years old, found in Dover in 1992 and shown in its own gallery. It suits families and history fans, takes an hour or two and is free.
Roman Painted House
The Roman Painted House is a Roman building from around AD 200, discovered in Dover in 1970 and part of the town's Roman military site. It is known for its painted wall plaster and underfloor heating, and is often described as the finest Roman house on show in Britain. It is free, takes under an hour and suits anyone curious about Roman Britain.
Photo: Roger Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Unlocking Dover Gaol: a spooky family experience
An interactive behind-the-scenes tour of the Victorian prison cells under Dover's Maison Dieu. Children hear about the treadwheel and the punishments faced by young prisoners, pose for a mugshot by the original height stick, handle real artefacts and dress up for a mini trial in the Council Chamber.