Folkestone’s unofficial guide to what’s going on.
Organiser
Illustration festival in Folkestone running talks, workshops, drawing events, exhibitions and competitions.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
At Folkestone Illustration Festival, Scriberia co-founder Dan Porter discusses more than a decade of making creative work commercially viable. He’ll draw on the studio’s infographics, animation, illustration, murals and live drawing for clients including the NHS, BBC and Oxfam. Tickets are £8.50; book through the festival’s link in bio.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Animator Esther Ajibade discusses building a career in animation, drawing on 15 years of experience that includes work with Universal Studios and Netflix and creating her film “Swipe Right”. Part of Folkestone Illustration Festival. Tickets are £10; book via the festival’s link in bio.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Join Jess of Think Visually to draw, stamp and decorate a Halloween character inspired by Folkestone’s people, places and ghost stories, then add it to a shared illustrated townscape. This Folkestone Illustration Festival workshop costs £1.
Dani Belle Ink, Kaye Tattoo, Rhia Ink and Chloe Poke offer Halloween tattoo flash designs at Wild Hope Tattoo in collaboration with Folkestone Illustration Festival. Flash prices range from £50 to £120. To book, email kayetattoo@gmail.com or message an artist directly. Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Illustrator Sheena Dempsey and agent Sallyanne Sweeney join festival organiser Jen to discuss the origins of the Pablo & Splash graphic novels, publishing with Bloomsbury, and bringing history and humour into the stories. Part of Folkestone Illustration Festival. Tickets are £15.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Signwriter Charlotte Wright of Joe & Charlotte leads a hands-on introduction to traditional signwriting at kollectiv as part of Folkestone Illustration Festival. Participants will practise the techniques and take home their practice sheets, brush and a recap booklet. Tickets are £25; book via the festival’s link in bio.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Folkestone Illustration Festival presents a Halloween drawing showdown between local illustrators Scribyaktom and Jen the Illustrator, alongside obscure cartoon trivia and a roast from comedian Dyke Skinner. Audience participation and fancy dress are encouraged. Tickets are £10 via folkestoneillustrationfestival.com. Advertised hours are 7–11pm, though the poster says “till late.”
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Artist Phoebe Davis of The Art Club leads a guided drawing workshop exploring composition, colour and movement. Create a piece using oil pastels, watercolour, pencil and inks. Part of Folkestone Illustration Festival. Tickets are £7.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Flatworld & Friends present independent and local animation, including underground work and experimental cartoons, on the final evening of Folkestone Illustration Festival 2026. Ryan’s Doodles is credited for animation. The showcase starts at 7pm and runs late. Tickets are £8.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Make Folkestone Illustration Festival merchandise at this final-day drop-in. Customise a T-shirt with screen printing or a heat press alongside Flood & Pull and Dicky Smiles. Bring your own plain T-shirt or buy a new one for £17. You can print festival artwork designed by Jen the Illustrator on a T-shirt or paper; helpers will guide you, and no experience is needed. There will also be face painting with Han Man and Marin Karakaya and badge making. The event runs from 10am to 4pm. No booking is required; prices vary. Friends, families and dogs are welcome.
kollectiv, 69 The Old High Street, Folkestone
Make five birthday or Christmas cards using handmade stamps, washi tape and other print and illustration techniques, with Folkestone and seaside designs for inspiration. Suitable for all. The workshop is part of Folkestone Illustration Festival and costs £15; extra cards are £1 each. Book through the festival website.