35 things to do and see in Thanet, May 27-29

Broadstairs May Fair

May 27-29, Victoria Gardens and Prom, Open daily from 10am – 6pm

Traditional May Fair celebrations with craft and gift stalls on the promenade, live music on the Bandstand and a funfair

Birchington Food and Craft Fair

May 27, Dog Acre, open 9am-3pm

Organised by Birchington Traders Together

All money raised is paying for the ongoing running costs and maintenance of the Birchington Christmas Lights

Modellers Exhibition

May 27-28, Crampton Tower Museum, The Broadway, Broadstairs. Open daily 10am-4pm

All kinds of models on display – railways, aircraft, buses, boats, dinky toys, die cast vehicles and radio controlled vehicles.

Children’s ‘Ride on Railway’ (subject to weather and extra charge)

Admission with museum ticket – Adults £3, Children £1.50 and Family (2+2) £7.50

Percy’s World Trip – Japan!

May 27-29 Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex Park, Birchington. Open 11am-4pm

Three days of live Japanese music and creative family-friendly activities including fan decorating and a trail

Price: Member: Free, Adult: £3.50, Concession: £3, Child: £2.50, Infant (age 0-3 years): Free. Small charge for craft activity.

Join the Powell-Cotton Museum to discover their Japanese collection and beautiful gardens, showing the prettiest signs of Spring, plus live Japanese music and creative family-friendly activities including fan decorating and a trail.

All music performances will take place throughout the day, from 11.30 – 3.30 with time between musical pieces for questions and interactions.

Experience Japanese music from amazing musicians

Follow the Sakura blossom trail and solve the puzzle

Fan decorating

Unveil your Netsuke alias

Discover Spring in Quex Gardens

Book now

Ramsgate Spring Festival

May 27-29. Government Acre, open Friday 11am – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 9pm and Sunday 10am – 6pm

Street Foods, bars of distinction, alfresco dining, live music, children’s entertainment, select grocery food & craft all served up with big helpings of humour, colour and character.

Stalls include

Famousfacesbyjon (pencil drawings)

Crepeexpectations

Real Greek Food

Lemon Shakers

The Great British Cheese Company

Snow White Catering (Ice Cream)

Kent Wildlife Trust

Mod Fest

Bands taking over Olby’s Soul Café in Margate honouring sounds and styles from the 60s music era ranging from mods, soul and rock n roll!

MAY 26 – The Rifles hit the stage and kick off the weekend of 60s style music.

MAY 27- Big Boss Man are next up to show you how a great modern soul band rolls.

MAY 28 – A double-bill with headliner Daddy Long Legs and support from Small World

From £20 (day ticket) to £54 (weekend ticket) plus £3 booking fee

Book now

Maritime Margate Walk

May 27, 2pm.

Robin Colyer will be leading a local history walk on behalf of Margate Civic Society

A promenade around the seafront from the harbour to Nayland Rock, we will look at story of sea bathing and seaside amusements including Dreamland, recently featured in “Empire of Light”.

The walk starts at the Droit House (Thanet Visitor Information Centre), The Stone Pier, Margate Harbour Arm.

There is a donation charge of at least £3 for the walk, which lasts approximately an hour and a half.

For further details please phone 07878 537448

Meet the author

Hosted by the Thanet Libraries team at Westgate Library, Saturday 27th May, 10.30am to 12.30pm

There is another opportunity to meet and chat with Carol M Creasey, author of the new best-selling Murder at Westgate Bay detective novel. The book features scenes that will be familiar to Thanet residents and has a gripping murder investigation storyline that has been getting five star reviews.

Carol will be signing copies purchased on the day, also any others from her large collection that readers might like to bring along..

MixMatched

A neurodiverse inclusive performance from a range of acts

Saturday 27th May – Sundowners in Margate, 6pm-8.30pm.

Tickets £3 on the door.

Anyone interested in performing a five minute slot can email mixmatched.sw@gmail.com

Manston re-enactment event

The RAF Manston History Museum will be holding a three-day re-enactment event this bank holiday weekend.

Visitors will be able to see vehicles, troops and how their daily living would have been during years of conflict.

The event takes place on May 27-29, open 10am to 4pm.

Entry to the museum and event is adults £5.50, concession £4.50, children aged 5 and above £2.50.

RAF Manston History Museum and neighbouring Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum are on Manston Road, Ramsgate.

Charlotte Court market

Saturday 27th May, Charlotte Court, Ramsgate,10am-4pm

Pick up crafted and curated goods all from small independent businesses

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET (PG)

Palace Cinema, Broadstairs

This adaptation of July Blume’s classic coming of age story is full of insightful humour and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions for 11-year-old Margaret who finds herself going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved and likes to remind them every chance she gets. Comedy gold wrapped around a keen tender heart for all the family.

Friday 26 May to Thursday 1 June

More details here

Dane Valley Litter Pick

May 27, 10am-noon

Meet at Windmill Community Allotments. Organised by Dane Valley Residents Association.

Beatriz Milhazes: Maresias exhibition

Turner Contemporary’s exhibition by Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes opens on Saturday (May 27)

Her return to the UK in a new solo institutional exhibition, Maresias will feature 20 key paintings and 5 works on paper from 1989 to more recent years.

The exhibition will highlight nature as an enduring and increasingly important theme in her work and reflects the new strand of the gallery’s programme dedicated to contemporary ecological issues.

A major installation will also be presented in the Sunley Gallery Window.

The exhibition runs from 27 May – 10 September. Opening hours: Monday: Closed, Tuesday – Sunday, plus Bank Holidays: 10am – 5pm

Trip to the Moon

Do you want to take a trip to the Moon? If that sounds like an out of this world experience,  join space scientists, Dan le Corre and his team, at Discovery Planet HQ on Ramsgate High Street this Saturday (May 27).

Find out how he uses Artificial Intelligence technology to detect the Moon’s surface features and give it a try yourself. You will learn how to use a moon rover to explore the moon’s surface and identify hazards or resources for future missions.

The hour-long workshops are all free and there is no need to book. Just drop in on the hour, every hour between 10am and 3pm (which is when the last session starts). The 10am slot is a special quiet session for those that need a calmer environment.

You will find Discovery Planet HQ at 47 High Street, Ramsgate.

St Augustine’s Week

This week (May 22-27) is St Augustine’s Week and there has been a festival of activities celebrating Augustine of Canterbury who landed near Ramsgate in 597 and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

St Augustine & Pugin: Shrine and Visitor Centre is open to visitors 12.30pm – 3.30pm every day other than Tuesday and Sunday.

Saturday 27th May- noon, Mass for the Feast of St Augustine and 2pm Blessing of the Sea at the Obelisk in the harbour

All welcome. Free admission with donations welcome.

St Augustine’s, St Augustine’s Road. Ramsgate

RECESS taking over Dreamland

1pm-11pm

Park Takeover – Scenic Stage (Outdoor Event Space), Hall By The Sea & Roller Room (Indoor Event Spaces)

DJs, rides, and a roller disco plus food and drink options available too.

This is a strictly 18+ event (ID Required).

Tickets from £35 plus booking fee Book now

Tactile Machines

May 27, Tom Thumb Theatre, Cliftonville, 7pm-10pm

Tactile Machines’ is a retrospective collection of audio-visual works created by Tomas Jefanovas between 2015–2022 and released as a digital album.

The event will feature:

Live electronics A/V performance by TOMAS JEFANOVAS
Modified Speakers, wire and live electronics performance by TOM WHITE (Apologies in Advance)
DJs GONE TROPPO (Netil Radio)

Doors 7pm, performances 8pm

£8 advance tickets, £10 On The Door Book now

We Will Rock You – Young

May 27, Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs

1st showing: 4:30pm

Performed by the local students from Silver Slipper Performing Arts School.

Featuring chart-topping Queen songs including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “We Are the Champions,” and many more. This adaptation of the West End show follows two young rebels as they restore rock ‘n’ roll to “the iPlanet” in a post-apocalyptic world.

Advance tickets: £11 / On the door: £13 Book now

Write Up!

May 27, Droit House, Stone Pier, Margate, 11am – 4pm

Join Margate Bookie for another word filled weekend at Write Up with Kayleigh Cassidy, Caitlin Davies, Chloe Timms and Anna Patton.

A day of workshops to fuel your creativity, stimulate your mind, and put pen to paper, all whilst having fun with other writers. Top authors, editors and creatives will cover creative collaging, writing your life, your first novel and words with impact.

Each workshop will be 45-60 minutes, with tea, coffee and biscuits provided and a lunch break 1pm-2pm. It all takes place at the lovely Droit House on Margate’s iconic seafront.

£5 a workshop or the full day for £15.

Click here to see the agenda

Book now

A Night For Weird Folk

May 27, 7pm-1am, Margate Arts Club, Northdown Road, Cliftonville

Bower Street Morris presents an inclusive night for everyone to reimagine a new folk identity for Margate and themselves.

There will be a ceilidh dance for everyone to join in and a weird folk disco.

The back rooms will have live music and singing sessions – bring a song or an instrument if you want to join in!

Featuring amazing displays from some of the best Morris dancing teams in the country: Boss Morris, Harlequin Morris, Silver Flame, Newcastle Kingsmen, and J.D. & folk.  Dress in your weirdest folk finery.

18+ event

General release Tickets £5

Final release Tickets £7

Limited pay what you can tickets £?

Book now

Spring Exhibition Matthew Alexander

May 27-June 10. Barn Studio, Canterbury Road, Ramsgate. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm

Private view… 27th & 28th May, 11am – 5pm both days. Guests welcome – refreshments served

Deeply rooted in the great tradition of European landscape painting, the work of Matthew Alexander is clearly a continuation of the British Impressionist movement. With his mastery of traditional technique, and a present understanding, appreciation and acknowledgment of those who have explored the subject before him.

https://www.matthewalexanderfineart.co.uk/

Choir-oke Anthems: A Margate Pride Fund Raiser

May 27, WHERE ELSE? The Centre, Margate, from 7pm.

A night full of anthemic singing to raise money for Margate Pride.

Singing, DJs, a raffle and a prize for the best outfit.

This is an 18+ event (under 18s to be accompanied)

Tickets £11 Book now

York Street Gallery, Ramsgate

May 27, 2pm-4pm

Peter Garrard private view & Meet The Artist

The Little Mermaid PG

Carlton Cinema, Westgate

Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy

The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. With mermaids forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. Please be aware that THE LITTLE MERMAID contains several sequences with flashing lights that may affect those who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or have other photosensitivities.

May 27-June 1

More details here

Broadstairs Bandstand live music

All sessions 2.30pm to 4pm

May 27 Latin Summer Fiesta

May 28 Beverley Big Band

May 29 Red

Weekly Saturday Market

Margate Old Town, open from 11am – 4pm (weather permitting)

Local vintage traders, artists, designers and makers will be available

Fundraisers

“Why Manston Doesn’t Fly” with live music from Starfish Men and Nintendo 64 Mario Kart Racing
4pm-6.30pm on Saturday 27 May at Elsewhere, 21-22 The Centre, Margate
Ticket price £5.00 at the door

Jazz concert; Lynn Wallis and Frances Knight
7.00pm on Saturday 27 May at the Small Boat Owners Association, 20 Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate
Ticket price £15.00. For further information contact: Anne-Marie Nixey (contact can be found on Ramsgate or Thanet council websites)

These events are raising funds for the legal challenge aiming to quash the Manston airport DCO.

Cliftonville Farmers Market

Sunday, May 28, 10am-1pm, Walpole Bay Lawns, Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville

More than 40 stalls selling everything from vegan to wild game

Nearby (on the hardstanding) there will also be some 60 Morris Dancers from Bower Street Morris, JD & Folk, Newcastle Kingsmen, Silverflame Rapper and Boss Morris.

The Broadstairs Town Team Garden Group invite people to come to Louisa Bay Gardens on Saturday 27 May between 10am and noon to meet the volunteers who have transformed this unloved area into a wonderful garden for the whole community to enjoy. To learn more about the project, plants, plans for the future and volunteering with the team, pop down and say Hi.

There will be some nasturtiums for children to plant or pot and take away.

Light aircraft charity fly-in

A fly-in of some 101 light aircraft will take place at Manston on Sunday, May 28.

The Kent Strut event is in aid of the Martha Trust charity which provides residential care and respite in east Kent for profoundly disabled people and their families.

The Kent Strut branch of the Light Aircraft Association says the site is ideal as it has a 3km long hard runway, large grass parking and monster taxiways.

Polar Helicopters which man the radio (air ground) will handle radio ops on the day.

Manston airport general manager Gary Blake said: “We are expecting the first aircraft at 9am and the busiest period looks to be between 10am and 1pm. With 101 aircraft it has already exceeded our expectations and should be an interesting day.”

City Core Creatives Market

May 28, 10.30am-6pm, Dreamland

Ballroom (Indoor Event Space)

Browse stalls bursting with a myriad of products from the City Core Creatives and shop some amazing independent businesses from across the UK, in an inclusive fun environment!

This event is free to enter.

Personal Trainer at Ramsgate Music Hall

May 29, doors open: 7:30pm

Amsterdam-based collective Personal Trainer perform.

£10 + £1.50 Booking Fee Book now

Life on Earth Exhibition

Now-June 26, Eclectic Art Gallery, Broad Street, Margate

Open 10am-5pm (Monday, Thursday – Sunday)

A collection of Drew Graves’ photography, capturing the moments and decay of life and lost life, making the mundane beautiful, gilded and important.

Margate Meltdown

The Margate Meltdown is back this Bank Holiday Monday (May 29) for its 13th annual visit to the town and celebrating the 85th anniversary of Ace Café which organises the ride out.

Margate seafront and harbour is given over for the day to motorcycles and scooters, and diverse club and trade stands.

Live entertainment will be rocking the seafront from midday onwards with MC Bill Guntrip and the DJ’s Bill & George Guntrip, together with the three piece band “The Draglinks”, playing Rockin’ Blues , Rock’n’Roll and Rockabilly.

The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBL RB) is the chosen charity for the event. Riders will leave Ace Cafe at 10.30am and travel on the A406 – A13 – M25 – A2 – M2 – A299 to Margate seafront

The Margate Meltdown is a free to attend event held annually on Spring Bank Holiday Monday.