Gillingham’s really going places, and it’s also the place to go next month as Medway comes together to celebrate Love Gillingham weekend.
Hotfoot it down to Gillingham for a long weekend of fun from Friday 17 July to Sunday 19 July, but be sure to conserve some energy as the party starts with the ever popular and famous Medway Mile.
Starting at 5pm on Friday 17 July, the Medway Mile is a one-mile fun-run which you walk, jog or race at your own pace, and is a highlight of the summer in Medway. Last year saw more than 2,000 people take part, and even more walkers, joggers and runners are expected this year for this fantastic inclusive event, which starts and finishes at Medway Park Sports Centre.
You can also enjoy children’s races at Medway Park athletics track (sponsored by Child-Friendly Medway), club and relay races organised by Medway and Maidstone Athletics Club, along with a mascot dash, free sports activities, and live entertainment.
Register your place now at Medway.gov.uk/MedwayMile
Saturday 18 July brings a European Market to the lower end of Gillingham High Street, with stalls providing a range of food and gifts, alongside the traditional Gillingham market – a high street tradition for more than 30 years – where you can grab a bargain from a range of traders selling food, clothes, homeware, toys and more.
The Markets will operate from 9am to 4pm, giving local businesses a fantastic opportunity to showcase themselves and everyone else a great chance to support them.
Sunday 19 July brings the finale of the weekend with the third annual Big Day Out, taking place from 11am to 4pm.
Popular activities from the first two events will return again this year, including live music, wrestling, street performers, creative workshops and much more.
New activities for this year include an exhibition to preview public realm improvements coming to central part of the main High Street, between Sappers Walk and Green Street.
Work on the range of regeneration-led improvements – a £500,000 project funded through the Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund – is due to start later this year, with the aim for completion in February 2027.
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “I’m really looking forward to Love Gillingham weekend, which is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Gillingham great. There’s so much being done throughout the community, and Love Gillingham is the perfect chance to get everyone together to showcase that work and thank everyone involved. I hope as many people as possible come together to join in the fun of the Medway Mile, and that it kickstarts a fun-packed weekend that gives Gillingham, together with its residents and businesses, a big boost.”
Naushabah Khan, MP for Gillingham & Rainham and Chair of the Gillingham Taskforce, said: “The Love Gillingham ‘Big Day Out’ on Sunday 19 July is a brilliant opportunity to bring our community together and celebrate our town centre.
As Chair of the Gillingham Taskforce, I am proud of the work the group has undertaken to improve our High Street – addressing anti-social behaviour, improving its appearance, and strengthening community relationships. There is still work to do, but we have made a solid start and remain committed to working with our community partners to build a better town centre.
The weekend begins on Friday 17 July with the Medway Mile at 5pm, followed on Saturday 18 July by a European Market and the traditional Gillingham Market on the High Street. The third annual ‘Big Day Out’ on Sunday rounds off what promises to be an excellent weekend for the town, and I would encourage residents to make the most of all three days.”
Other activities at the Big Day Out include children’s rides and craft activities in Balmoral Gardens, a range of food stalls run by local businesses, and a heritage walking tour in the afternoon, run by local historian Robert Flood. Tickets must be booked on our Eventbrite page.
In addition to the Saturday European Market, The Romanian Market traders will be located in Gillingham High Street on both Saturday and Sunday.
The family-friendly event involves several local partners including Brompton Barracks, Gillingham Football Club, Kent Police, and several Medway Council services, as we come together to celebrate Gillingham as a great place to live, work, learn and visit. Learn more: VisitMedway.org/BigDayOut
The Love Gillingham weekend is part of the Love Gillingham programme, which is delivering a number of positive changes to help improve the town centre. For further details visit Medway.gov.uk/LoveGillingham.