The many cultures that make up Canterbury will be celebrated at a spectacular parade on Saturday.

The event, with a theme of internationalism, will mark the start of this year’s Canterbury Festival.

Groups from primary and secondary schools plus other organisations are taking part.

There will be live music, colourful costumes and paper sculptures as the parade wends its way from the Westgate Hall to the Dane John Gardens.

It starts at 5pm and ends with a pyrotechnic display at 6.50pm.

On Saturday evening the festival proper gets under way with the opening concert in the Cathedral, Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust, performed by Canterbury Choral Society.

• The festival runs from Saturday to October 25. For details of the programme and events, see our supplement in this week’s Kentish Gazette.