A big, public invitation to Northfleet’s creative festival.
3rd October 2026
3RD OCTOBER 2026
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LOCAL VOICES • FREE PUBLIC EVENTS • ARTIST-LED • OPEN ACCESS • COMMUNITY DRIVEN • DISCOVER LOCAL CREATIVITY •
What is Open Northfleet
Open Northfleet is a creative initiative that celebrates the people, places and stories of Northfleet through arts and culture. While the town is home to a growing community of artists, makers, creative businesses and cultural organisations, opportunities to experience locally made culture haven't always been easy to access or highly visible.
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Open Northfleet was created to change that. By bringing together artists, organisations, businesses and local residents, we create free events, collaborative projects and creative opportunities that make culture part of everyday life.
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The Open Northfleet Festival brings this vision to life by opening studios, activating public spaces and showcasing the creativity that already exists across the town. It's an opportunity for artists and communities to come together, discover new perspectives and experience Northfleet through creativity.
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Together, we're building a stronger creative community and a lasting legacy for Northfleet.
How this started
As the programme evolved, it became clear that Northfleet didn't need a creative community, it already had one. What it needed was a way to bring artists, makers, organisations and local residents together to share ideas, collaborate and shape the future of the town.
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To build on that momentum, the Northfleet Creative Steering Group was formed: an independent network committed to championing creativity, developing opportunities and celebrating Northfleet's unique identity.
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Today, that vision has evolved into Open Northfleet. More than a name, it reflects our belief that creativity should be open to everyone, open to ideas, collaboration, participation and discovery. We want everyone to be part of the journey and to experience the creativity, culture and community that make Northfleet unique.
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Through events, projects and partnerships, Open Northfleet is building a lasting creative legacy that supports artists, brings people together and inspires future generations. Our mission below sets out the values and ambitions that guide everything we do.
The Northfleet Creative Steering Group grew out of the Northfleet Place Partnership, a collaboration between Creative Estuary, Gravesham Borough Council and Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. The partnership was established to invest in Northfleet's people, places and creative potential, recognising culture as a catalyst for community, opportunity and regeneration.
MISSION
Our mission is to make creativity part of everyday life in Northfleet. By supporting artists, working alongside local communities and building partnerships across the borough, we aim to create free cultural experiences that bring people together, celebrate local identity and inspire future generations.
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We're committed to developing a sustainable programme that continues to grow year after year, creating a lasting creative legacy for Northfleet.
PLAN
Support artists through workshops
and development opportunities
Create participatory work with local residents and community
Build partnerships across sectors
Deliver free, public cultural activity
Develop a sustainable, recurring programme
Strategic Partners
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DATES FOR THE DIARY
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
 8th July - CROSS-CURRENTS - Open Call
CROSS-CURRENTS - Open CallÂ
Submission deadline -Â 3rd August
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5th August - Open Studios - Open Calls
Submission Deadline - 23rd AugustÂ
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Community Play workshops - Open Call
Free Family Arts Workshops
5th August - The Hive
12th August - The Hive
19th August - The Hive
26th August - The Hive
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14th - 21st September - Exhibition -
St George's Gallery
3rd October - ONÂ Festival - Open Studios + Crosscurrents + Community Play
Open Northfleet Map
Find our events
Open Northfleet spans multiple locations including artist studios, community venues, and pop-up festival spaces throughout the area.
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There will be a bus that will circulate each location through the day to help visitors attend each event location.Â
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1. Open Studios
Clubb's Yard Studios
Unit 2
Clubb's Yard
May Ave
Northfleet
Kent
DA11 8RH
2. CROSS-CURRENTSÂ
St Botolph's Church Hall
The Hill
Northfleet
Kent
DA11 9EU
3. Community Play
The Hive
Hive Ln
Northfleet
DA11 9DE
GET INVOLVED AND JOIN THE CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Open Northfleet is a collaborative, community-led project.
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Whether you're an artist, a resident, or an organisation, there's a place for you in our programme.
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For partnerships, opportunities, workshops or general enquiries please email hello@opennorthfleet.co.uk
Artist open calls -Â Paid bursaries for local creatives -Â Community workshops -Â Volunteer opportunities -Â Partnerships with local organisations