Dover at Night returns with a free time travelling adventure for all ages

Dover at Night 2026

Dover town centre will be transformed into a night‑time adventure as Dover at Night returns on Friday 20 March, from 5pm to 9pm.

This year, a lightning strike has disrupted the famous Maison Dieu clock, turning its intricate mechanism into a time machine and sending venues spiralling through different eras.

Visitors are invited to become intrepid “time‑travellers”, exploring Dover’s past, present and imagined ecological future while helping to restore order with the help of steampunk scientists.

The illuminated Dover Time Machine - complete with soundtrack and seating - has been created by EKC Dover College students working with puppeteer James Frost and will be in the Maison Dieu’s Council Chamber.

Residents and visitors are invited to explore 14 historic, cultural and creative spaces across the town centre, including the Maison Dieu, Dover Museum, St Mary’s Church, the Roman Painted House, Dover Big Local, the Dover SmART Gallery and Gamebase.

There’s a myriad of characters to meet along the way including a Roman soldier, medieval pilgrim, Queen Elizabeth I, mischievous hooden horses and a beautiful owl lantern. Expect games, stories, historic artefacts, fun facts and Kent Downs futuristic Airstream caravan.

Anyone participating in this family-friendly event can pick up a free trail sheet at any of the venues taking part and collect secret symbols using infrared goggles or magnifying glasses.

After sketching at least three symbols, participants can help to restore the time machine at the Maison Dieu to return to the present and claim a small prize. Prizes are also available at Dover Museum until 8.45pm.

Two performance stages will offer a packed programme of live music, dance and drama through the evening, where audiences get the chance to take part:

• Market Square Stage (Shiva Nova): South Coast Samba, Fuddlers dance group, Chinese fan and ribbon dancing, Nepalese dance and African drumming.
• Maison Dieu Connaught Hall: A journey through the decades with hosts Fraser Doyle and Emma Panda in futuristic costumes designed by EKC Dover College students. Expect Rock ’n’ Roll, 70s seated dance, Junk Punk 80s, crinolines to techno and tributes from the 1940s to the 2020s.

Artwork by more than 1,000 local schoolchildren - depicting Dover from prehistory to its ecological future - will be projected onto Maison Dieu House and the side of a building near the Market Square. St Mary’s Church will also be illuminated!

Refreshments will be available at St Mary’s Church and participating cafés staying open specially for the event.

Notes

For further information, see the Dover at Night page on the website.

All venues except historic St Edmund’s Chapel are wheelchair and buggy accessible. Programme details correct at time of issue but may be subject to change.

Dover at Night is organised by Artswork Dover and the Maison Dieu with a wide range of local partners. Artswork is a charity that empowers young people through creativity, so they can build a better future – for themselves and others. The event has been generously funded by Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Port of Dover and the Kent Community Fund.