Are you ready to get your tickets to the biggest party of the year?
Registration for Kent Big Weekend opens on 9th February, where more than 22,000 FREE pairs of tickets for a host of attractions and fun-filled activities across the county will be up for grabs.
More than 100 Kent tourist attractions and related businesses will be opening their doors or offering special gifts to lucky ticket holders on 1st and 2nd April, as part of Visit Kent’s annual celebration of the county’s tourism industry.
Some of the county’s biggest attractions have signed up to this year’s event, including Wingham Wildlife Park, Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park, Rochester Cathedral, Ashford Designer Outlet, Wildwood Trust, Tonbridge Castle, Betteshanger Country Park, Kent Life, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle, Hever Castle, Dreamland Margate, Dover Castle, Hush Heath Estate & Winery, and several National Trust properties.
Experiences on offer include close encounters for animal lovers, brewery and vineyard tours and tastings, high speed boat rides, rounds of golf, greyhound racing, family activities, river tours, railway adventures, and shopping experiences.
Visit Kent Marketing Director John Carmichael said: “Kent Big Weekend is the biggest party of the year for us as we get to see thousands of people out and about and falling in love with their county all over again.
“Last year’s Big Weekend broke all previous records for participation, tickets offered and applications, but we’re hoping that this year will be even bigger and better than before.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing what year 11 has in store for us. We have a brand new website platform and we’ve once again been overwhelmed by the support from tourism attractions across Kent and the range of visitor experiences on offer.”
Kent Big Weekend was set up to promote Kent’s incredible attractions and sights, and to encourage residents to discover how much there is to see and do in their home county. The event is also part of English Tourism Week (https://www.visitbritain.org/english-tourism-week), which highlights the importance of tourism as one of the fastest growing sectors in the national economy. Kent residents can apply for as many tickets as they like at www.kentbigweekend.co.uk from 9th February to 3rd March. Two tickets per household will then be allocated at random by ballot (some family tickets are available).
Last year, more than 120,000 people applied for tickets to the big event, so make sure you bid for as many tickets as possible to be in with a chance of winning. And anyone who signs up to the Visit Kent newsletter will get exclusive early access to the ballot.
Additional tickets have also been donated by attractions to the event’s chosen charity, The Family Holiday Association.
John added: “Over the last decade Kent’s Big Weekend has given Kent residents some brilliant opportunities to discover what’s happening in their home county.
“As the UK continues to experience a boom in staycations, events like the Big Weekend help to highlight just how many there is to see and do right on our doorstep. Also by helping our residents to connect with local tourism attractions and leisure experience, they are more likely to act as ambassadors for visiting friends and relatives during their stays.
“So please go to www.kentbigweekend.co.uk and take a look at the great range of attractions participating – you will be surprised at what you find!”
To register and to see the full list of attractions taking part, visit https://www.kentbigweekend.co.uk/.
For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk