The Golden Jack: celebrating the 50th Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green procession
The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green procession was revived in 1976 after a hiatus of over 60 years and is still going strong. It has been a colourful fixture in the town’s social calendar with its stampede of Morris Dancers and beloved characters such as Robin Hood and Maid Marian, the Hooden Horse, Boris the Bear and the foliage-covered Jacks.
Come and relive the sunny, and occasionally rain-drenched, May Day jollities of days gone by. At the Horsebridge
On Wednesday 30th April at 6pm exhibition curator James Frost will be holding a curators talk and Q & A and will also be in conversation with the Jack in the Green original organisers giving a special insight into how the procession has grown over the years. This event is free, with a suggeted donation of £2 if you are able on the night.
Jack in the Green Programme of Events 5 May 2025
| Time | Procession through town |
| 10:00-11:20 | Morris dancing displays on the Library forecourt |
| 11:30-11:50 | Procession from the Library to The Horsebridge |
| 12:00-12:45 | Morris dancing displays at The Horsebridge |
| 12:00-13:15 | Samba Pelo Mar playing at ‘Deadman’s Corner’ in the Harbour, until the procession arrives |
| 13:00-13:15 | procession from the Duke of Cumberland to the Harbour |
| 13:20-13:40 | Morris dancing dispalys at the Harbour |
| 13:45-14:00 | Procession from the harbour to the castle |
| 14:00-14:30 | Singing of the Whitstable May Song at The Castle, followed by morris dancing displays |
| In the Castle Grounds | |
| 11am-4pm | Stalls, crafts, Maypole Dancing workshop, Punch and Judy, morris dancing, Tankerton Dance Academy, entertainment, presentation of the prizes for The Poster Competition. |
A Special May Day Ceilidh with the Original Oyster Ceilidh Band and Friends
Join us for a very special May Day ceilidh! Original Oysterband members Ian Telfer, John Jones and Alan Prosser will play for a one-off event, along with some very special guests including Ian Kearey, Chris Taylor, Chris Wood, and Ray Sprawson. Your caller for the evening will be the supreme MC and ceilidh caller Chris Rose. The half-time floor spot will be a show from the incomparable Great Western Morris, who were at the very first Whitstable May Day and are joining us all the way from Exeter.
Expect incredible tunes, your favourite dances and a truly magical night. This event comes at the very end of the Oysterband’s retirement tour after five decades in the business, so this is your last chance to dance to their legendary music.
The original Whitstable Oyster Ceilidh Band came out of Duke’s Folk, the trailblazing folk club at the Duke of Cumberland, and were at the vanguard of the emerging English ceilidh dance scene. At their first gig they had 17 in the band! It settled down to about 7 and they toured up and down the country and to festivals spreading joy to feet and hearts across the land! This ceilidh brings together many of those original members – it’s going to be a one in a million ceilidh and utterly awesome!!
The bar will be open with Kentish cider and ales, and the ceilidh takes place in the beautiful Westgate Hall in the centre of Canterbury.
The ceilidh is part of the Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green May Day celebrations. We’re celebrating the 50th consecutive year of Jack-in-the-Green in 2025, and going all-out on a lavish party! Come and help us celebrate, and then join us in Whitstable on Monday for the big day itself.
Saturday 3rd May 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, CT1 2BT (view map)
