The Great British Summer Holiday on Gravesend Town Pier

Pop up on the Pier August Overview

Our pop-up on the Pier weekend in August is themed around the ‘Great British Summer Holiday’ and we therefore have lots of fun seaside themed activities to celebrate the British seaside. Activity includes a small exhibition, workshops, music, entertainment and a pop-up café.

Saturday 16th August

Exhibition: ‘Oh I Do Like to Be Beside The Seaside’

Saturday 16th August 11am – 5pm

A small exhibition featuring work from 3 local artists themed around the Great British Holiday in response to an open call, and photo and information boards celebrating holidays from the last century.

Music: All That Swing by Shane Milligan

Saturday 16th August 4pm – 5pm

Performer Shane Milligan will keep visitors entertained with his Swing Set featuring classics by Frank Sinatra and others.

Workshops:  

Stained Glass Beach Scene Workshop with Mona Whitton

Saturday 16th August 11am – 12.30pm

Create your own simple, stained glass beach scene. A simple yet beautifully nostalgic piece that will fit in any home. Ages 18+ Workshop £6pp must be booked in advance via the Woodville website: Stained Glass Beach Scene Workshop | The Woodville

Wish You Were Here: Postcards from the Pier Workshop with Arts Outburst

Saturday 16th August 1.30pm – 3pm

An interactive art and craft workshop inspired by the golden age of the Great British seaside holiday. Participants will create their own nostalgic postcards using collage, paint, and drawing techniques, celebrating iconic imagery such as beach huts, deck chairs, donkeys, and ice creams. Suitable for ages 6+ and adults. Workshop £3.50pp must be booked in advance via the Woodville website: https://www.woodville.co.uk/events/wish-you-were-here-postcards-from-the-pier-workshop/

 Entertainment:

The Pram: by Jelly Rollers

Saturday 16th August at: 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm

“Attention! Colourful Edwardian character wheels curious, bubble-blowing, musical cart through town. Jolly street organ tunes accompanied by percussion and taxi horn cause one man bandemonium and streets full of laughter. A treat for the eyes and ears, and a wonderful walkabout installation, suitable for family friendly events.”

 Punch and Judy with David Wilde

Saturday 16th August at 1pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm

No seaside themed event would be complete without the traditional Punch and Judy Show! We are very excited to welcome Prof David Wilde to the Pier with his traditional show loved by children of all ages. Previous performances have included The V&A Museum, Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, Sotheby’s and on BBC Television. No need to book, just turn up. Free event

Partners in Mime

Saturday 16th August from 1pm

Keep an eye out for the hilarious and cheeky ‘Partners in Mime’ who will be popping up on the Pier from 1pm on Saturday 16th August.

Sunday 17th August

Exhibition: ‘Oh I Do Like to Be Beside The Seaside’ 

Sunday 17th August 11am – 4pm

A small exhibition featuring work from 3 local artists themed around the Great British Holiday in response to an open call, and photo and information boards celebrating holidays from the last century.

Music: PJ & Rose

Sunday 17th August 3pm – 4pm

PJ & Rose are a professional duo, based in Kent, specialising in popular jazz music from the 1920s-1950s, e.g. Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, with modern classics in a jazz style interspersed throughout. Their music is a unique combination of electric acoustic accordion and cabaret vocals.

Workshops:  

Pompom Ice Cream Workshop with Jo Lucy

Sunday 17th August 11am – 12.30pm

This fun workshop will offer children the opportunity to make two pom pom ice creams. Resources will be provided for all abilities.  2 items will be made per child (time permitting). Suitable for ages 7+ Workshops are £3.50pp and must be booked in advance  via the Woodville: Pompom Ice Creams - Workshop | The Woodville

“Stitched Scoops: 3D Appliqué Ice Cream Embroidery” Workshop with LucyAnn Trill

Sunday 17th August 2pm – 3.30pm

Celebrate summer with a sweet and simple embroidery workshop on Gravesend Town Pier! In this playful and beginner-friendly session, participants will create a fun 3D ice cream cone using basic embroidery stitches and appliqué techniques. Suitable for beginners or anyone curious about creative hand embroidery (ages 16+) Workshop £6pp and must be booked in advance via the Woodville: Stitched Scoops: 3D Appliqué Ice Cream Embroidery Workshop | The Woodville

Entertainment:

Merryman the Jester

Sunday 17th August 2025 from 11am

Mickey the Magician (a popular favourite at the Riverside Festival) who will be performing as Merryman the Jester, will be entertaining visitors with his close hand magic, silly jokes and excellent balloon modelling skills around the Pier.

Caricatures and Portraits

Sunday 17th August 2025 11.30am – 2.30pm

Paul Gurney from Caricatures and Portraits will be joining us on the Pier drawing live and fun caricature portraits with great likenesses of visitors between 11.30am – 2.30pm. Caricatures are free and will be done on a first come first serve basis during the times mentioned.

Talk: Deckchairs, Piers and Souvenirs: The History of the British Seaside in 100 Objects by Kathyrn Ferry

Sunday 17th August 12.45pm – 1.45pm

Author Kathyrn Ferry will be joining us on the pier for a fun talk on all things seaside. This is a free event, no need to book, just turn up.