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Thanet's isle-wide mushroom festival.
Sporefaring is the Isle of Thanet’s 3-day mushroom festival bringing together a passionate community to celebrate mycology, cultivation, gardening, and ecological wellness. We bridge the gap between expert mycologists and a highly enthusiastic public.
Festival Programme
Friday
16 Oct 2026, 10:00 – 13:00
16 Oct 2026, 18:30 – 21:0016 Oct 2026, 18:30 – 21:00ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UKMagic in the Mundane is a cinematic journey into the overlooked miracles of everyday existence. It gathers philosophers, psychedelic guides, death doulas, trauma workers, ritual keepers and pilgrims to ask one question: who are we, when no one is watching?
Saturday
17 Oct 2026, 10:00 – 11:3017 Oct 2026, 10:00 – 11:30ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UKCan Mushrooms Help Us Fight Today’s Biggest Medical Challenges? Of all nature's diverse pharmacopeia mushrooms are probably the category with the greatest potential for helping us deal with the major health challenges facing us at this time.
17 Oct 2026, 12:00 – 13:3017 Oct 2026, 12:00 – 13:30ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UKWhere we are, where we're going, and how we get there. The Psilocybin Access Rights (PAR) campaign has developed below and between the grassroots, and this talk will introduce the campaign and how it has been inspired by mushrooms.
17 Oct 2026, 14:00 – 15:30Psychedelics and the Female Body with Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley /ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UK17 Oct 2026, 14:00 – 15:30ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UKPsychedelic medicine is on the cusp of becoming a licensed treatment in mental health - and the evidence base behind it has been built largely without women in mind. In this session, neuroscientist and psychedelelic researcher Dr Grace Blest-Hopley looks at where the clinical science actually stands
17 Oct 2026, 16:00 – 17:30Mycoremediation - Can fungi help save our rivers? with Alice Sophia Pefanis /ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UK17 Oct 2026, 16:00 – 17:30ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2HP, UKThis talk explores the emerging field of mycoremediation and the remarkable role fungi can play in restoring polluted ecosystems. Combining accessible science with real-world case studies, it invites participants to see fungi as active collaborators in ecological restoration.
17 Oct 2026, 18:15 – 20:3017 Oct 2026, 18:15 – 20:30Northdown Park, Margate CT9 3TP, UKDiscover the surprising colours and patterns concealed within fungi, lichens, insects, plants, and other woodland inhabitants at Sporefaring Festival. Species that appear ordinary by day, like slugs and snails, can glow brilliant greens, blues, oranges, and pinks under UV light.
Sunday
18 Oct 2026, 10:00 – 19 Oct 2026, 10:50Kids Theatre: The Mushroom Show /Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PT, UK18 Oct 2026, 10:00 – 19 Oct 2026, 10:50Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PT, UKAugustine Fogwoode might be the world’s MOST enthusiastic mushroom enthusiast! She is on a quest to make sure everyone knows about the brilliance of fungi: their scientific superpowers and amazing abilities.
18 Oct 2026, 10:00 – 11:15
18 Oct 2026, 11:30 – 12:30Mushroom Cooking Demo with Chef Craig Mathers of Kebbells /Gather &, 17 Military Rd, Ramsgate CT11 9LG, UK18 Oct 2026, 11:30 – 12:30Gather &, 17 Military Rd, Ramsgate CT11 9LG, UKCome and learn some new and really exciting ways to cook mushrooms with chef Craig Mathers from the wonderful Kebbells Seafood Bar & Restaurant in Broadstairs. Craig has been making magic with Margate Mushrooms' mushrooms since 2022!- 18 Oct 2026, 11:45 – 13:00Kids Theatre: The Mushroom Show /Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PT, UK18 Oct 2026, 11:45 – 13:00Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PT, UKAugustine Fogwoode might be the world’s MOST enthusiastic mushroom enthusiast! She is on a quest to make sure everyone knows about the brilliance of fungi: their scientific superpowers and amazing abilities.
18 Oct 2026, 13:30 – 15:00Biofluorescent Mushroom Painting Session with Kit Ondaatje Rolls /Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PT, UK18 Oct 2026, 13:30 – 15:00Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PT, UKGet creative with biofluorescent ink made from the Dyers Polypore Mushroom in a room surrounded by beautiful Reishi mushrooms which also glow under ultraviolet light. Create a painting, write a secret message, or paint your body and use movement to bring the glowing colours to life!
18 Oct 2026, 15:00 – 17:0018 Oct 2026, 15:00 – 17:00Gather &, 17 Military Rd, Ramsgate CT11 9LG, UKLearn the basics of mushroom cultivation, from spore to harvest, including substrates, growing conditions, and simple home techniques. This session is a hands-on workshop - and you’ll go home with your very own inoculated Grow Your Own kit ready to nurture and fruit!
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