Christmas light switch-on events in Thanet 2022

Christmas lights Photo Brian Whitehead

Margate

Christmas comes to Margate’s Cecil Square thanks to Margate Carnival organisers teaming up  with a number of organisations and a county councillor.

Cecil Square missed out on the festivities last year – although there was plenty of Christmas spirit and events in the Old Town and Cliftonville – and the covid pandemic in 2020 meant the cancellation of all large switch-on events.

This year funding from Kent Community Foundation, KCC Cllr Barry Lewis and Barclays plus donations of services from D R Tech Services, Thanet Virtual High Street, Creative Banana and Be On The Wall working with Margate Carnival means not just the tree but a packed light switch-on event too.

The big event takes place on November 26 and will also include a Christmas market, Santa’s grotto, live entertainment and independent traders.

The fun will run from noon to 8pm with the tree lights switched on at 6pm.

Westgate

The big light switch on takes place on December 4th with family fun from 11am to 5pm. There will be music, stalls, fin fair, food and Santa.

FNKHAUS will be the headlining band this year. They will be on stage 2 between 4pm and 5pm and will be counting in the light switch on at 4.30pm

Broadstairs

Pierremont Park and the High Street

A traditional family fayre with Christmas stalls & music, Santa’s Grotto, food & drink, and the switching-on of the High Street Christmas Lights on November 26 from noon until 6pm.

Broadstairs and St Peter’s Chamber of Commerce present the Christmas Fair with traditional stalls  selling crafts, gifts, food and drink, Santa in Pierremont Park, Christmas music, choirs and carol singing

From 2pm Christmas music, choirs and carol singing

2pm Coastal Choir

2.30pm Inspiration Creatives

3pm St Mildred’s Primary Infant School

3.30pm Wellesley/Haddon Dene School

4pm Page Mason

4.30pm Thanet Male Voice Choir

5pm – Christmas Tree & High Street Lights Switch-On by the Town Mayor

Taking place in nearby Pierremont Hall – Christmas Children’s Party 

Ramsgate

Christmas fun in Ramsgate takes place through the town on November 27 from noon until 5pm with the light switch on at 4.30pm.

There will be stalls from the handmade market, the land train, naughty elves, live entertainment, children’s workshops and rides, a snow machine, Grotto and more.

Thanet Sunrise Rotary are also attending with Santa and will be there from midday to 4pm giving out presents in the Grotto.

Boats in Ramsgate harbour will also display lights again this year. Illuminations are put in place in December.

Oval Bandstand Cliftonville

Get in the festive spirit with mulled wine, great shopping, food, and free live music at The Oval Bandstand & Lawns on December 3 from noon until 5pm.

Bring your family and friends and join a fabulously festive afternoon of great shopping, delicious food, and  live music!

As well as the usual range of alcoholic drinks and cocktails, The Oval Bar will  be offering mulled wine to warm you up, and The Oval Kiosk will be serving up hot chocolate and festive treats.

Santa Claus will join the fun and tickets will be available to meet him in his grotto!

Event organisers GRASS will also be lighting up the bandstand with Christmas lights.

Free but tickets need reserving here 

Birchington

Christmas fun in Birchington takes place on Saturday, December 3, 9am to 3pm at Dog Acre, Station Road.

There will be activities including a Christmas trail, face painting, Santa’s Grotto, stalls and more.

Cliffsend Village Hall

The switch-on takes place on December 3 at 6pm. There will be mulled wine and hot chocolate with a free mince pie for every drink bought.

There will be performance from Star Dance Academy.

The organisers are raising funds for Rainbow Ward at QEQM Hospital with donations going to the ward’s Amazon wishlist.

Cliftonville Cultural Space Lights

Monday 19th – Wednesday 21st December, 5pm – 7pm

A three-day explosion of light projections will be displayed on the Cliftonville Cultural Space building façade in Albion Road.

The projections will be based on images and designs created by local primary schools and community groups.

The cultural space winter festival will culminate in a spectacular light show at 6pm on December 21st,

The building is in Albion Road, Cliftonville CT9 2HP (the former Margate Synagogue)

Westwood Cross

To mark the start of the Christmas season, the shopping centre will host its annual lights switch-on with event partner Academy FM on Friday, November 18 – and is promising some special guests.

The free event will include a festive procession, giveaways, plus a line up of tribute act performances and a special guest appearance from 90’s boyband East 17, performing some of their famous hits including Christmas classic, Stay Another Day.

The festivities will kick off at 3:30pm with a Christmas procession. Visitors can head down to the centre early to meet Father Christmas and get their hands on a variety of giveaways, including a special goody bag containing a surprise £50 voucher!

Westwood Cross will be celebrating the beginning of the festive season from 3:30pm-6.30pm on Friday, November 18, with Father Christmas set to switch on the lights at 6pm.

Broadstairs College

November 17, 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Broadstairs College will open the campus to the community for its Christmas Light Switch On!

Festive fun, food and entertainment including: Santa’s Grotto, Marching Band, Festive, light-up parade and more!

The Christmas Lights will be turned on at 6.30pm .

Missed a light switch on event? Let us know about it by emailing [email protected]

Keep an eye out for our Christmas markets and other festive fun round up, coming soon

5 Comments

  1. Barclays shutting the bank and then funding the Christmas lights is just an added slap in the face to their Margate customers (still, it’s good that people can still discuss their finances with them in a cafe!!).

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