Tunbridge Wells Events, What's On and Markets

What markets are there in Tunbridge Wells?

The two regular general markets in the town are run by the same company, which trades as The Pantiles Events and Markets, and its market pack for traders describes both. This guide uses that pack and The Pantiles' own pages, at the time of writing (September 2026). We are an independent directory, not affiliated with the council or the market operator, so check the operator's events page for any change, particularly in bad weather or over the holidays.

The Pantiles market is a two-day market held on the second weekend of the month, with up to 35 pitches when the Lower Road is used as well. It trades from 10:00 to 16:00 and is based at the Pantiles Bandstand, postcode TN2 5TN, which the pack describes as a ten-minute walk downhill from Tunbridge Wells station. The Calverley Precinct market is a one-day market on the last Sunday of each month, with up to 50 pitches, on Calverley Road and Victoria Road, postcode TN1 2SS, and it also trades from 10:00 to 16:00. The operator's pack says electricity is not available at the Calverley Road site, which is why traders there must be self-powered.

When are the next market dates?

The events page lists the following for the coming months. Pantiles Market on 10 and 11 October 2026, Calverley Precinct Market on Sunday 25 October, Pantiles Market on 7 and 8 November, Calverley Precinct Market on 29 November and on 20 December. The Pantiles Boutique Christmas Markets are listed from 13 November to 24 December 2026. A few of these dates do not match the second-weekend and last-Sunday pattern in the pack, so treat the events page as the source for exact days and check again closer to the date. The Pantiles' general information page also refers to fortnightly farmers' and craft markets, while the market pack describes monthly general markets, so it is worth confirming which applies on the weekend you plan to visit.

How do I get to the Pantiles market and where can I park?

The market pack lists three car parks for the Pantiles market: The Pantiles Car Park on Major Yorks Road by The Common, Union House on Eridge Road before the Sainsbury's roundabout, and Linden Park Road behind the Corn Exchange, with limited on-street parking. The Pantiles' information page adds that the Upper Pantiles car park on Major Yorks Road has 170 spaces and is open 24 hours, and that there are 114 council-operated spaces on Eridge Road and 54 on Linden Park Road. It also gives direct mainline train services to Tunbridge Wells and a ten-minute downhill walk to the Pantiles. For parking charges, use the operator or the council, as we have not quoted prices.

What else is on at the Pantiles?

The Pantiles says it hosts weekend craft markets, summer jazz nights, food and drink festivals and antique fairs, and describes festivals for jazz, food and fashion as regular fixtures. We have not found confirmed dates for those festivals, so we have not listed any. The events page does list The Royal Pantiles Walking Tour on 3 and 12 October, at £15 per person according to that page, and The Pantiles Ghost Walk on 7, 14, 17, 21, 28 and 30 October.

What is on at the Assembly Hall Theatre?

The Assembly Hall Theatre is on Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU. Its what's on page lists, among others, Simon and Garfunkel: Through The Years on 30 September 2026, Martin Kemp on 2 October, Russell Watson on 9 October, Harry Enfield on 15 October, a Halloween family show on 18 October and The Last Laugh from 20 to 24 October. Further ahead, the homepage lists the pantomime Cinderella from 12 to 31 December 2026, The Rock Orchestra on 8 February 2027 and The Silence of the Lambs from 9 to 13 March 2027. Ticket prices are not quoted here, because they vary by show, so book through the theatre.

What is on at Trinity Theatre?

Trinity Theatre describes itself as an inclusive arts charity and says it hosts over 600 events a year across theatre, music and dance, comedy, film and youth theatre. Its what's on page lists, at the time of writing, The Pantaloons' Twelfth Night on Thursday 1 October 2026, Rory Bremner and Guests on Friday 2 October, and a screening of The Odyssey on Wednesday 30 September, as well as children's story time on Fridays from 2 October to 4 December. The homepage also lists Elf The Musical as an upcoming performance, without a date that we could confirm.

What other annual or seasonal events are worth knowing about?

The Spa Valley Railway lists a Real Ale and Cider Festival from 15 to 18 October, a Model Brick Show on 24 and 25 October and The Polar Express Train Ride in November and December, with its next service day on Saturday 3 October 2026. The Commons list guided fungi walks on 1 and 13 October 2026 and a volunteering session on 3 October on their events page. The Friends of Dunorlan Park run nature walks, bat walks, moth mornings and a model boat regatta, but the dates on their website do not show a year, so check their site before travelling. We could not confirm the current Royal Tunbridge Wells Together or Town Forum event calendars for this guide, so look at their own pages for town-wide festivals.

Quick answers

The Pantiles market is on the second weekend of the month from 10:00 to 16:00, and the Calverley Precinct market is on the last Sunday of the month, also from 10:00 to 16:00, although the events page shows a few dates that differ from that pattern. The Pantiles Christmas markets are listed for 13 November to 24 December 2026, and Cinderella runs at the Assembly Hall from 12 to 31 December. Always check the operator or venue before you travel. For more ideas see things to do with kids in Tunbridge Wells and parks and open spaces.