Things to see and do in Thanet, July 25-27

Windmill Summer Fair

25th July, noon to 3pm, Windmill Community Gardens

There will be craft activities for the whole family to enjoy, including mosaic workshops with ARK and a Mindful children’s arts and craft workshop with the Sunshine Club.

Children’s activities, with Turner Contemporary joining with their under 12 months Tiny Turnip sensory workshops, and so much more

Wildlife walks and talks with an interactive pond life activity, The Bumblebee conservation will be joining for a Bee walk and talk.

Market Stall selling fresh seasonal and chemical produce, learn more about their weekly veg bag scheme and discover plants at their plant stall

Plus more…

Tickets are £6 per family (up to 2 adults) and £4 per individual adult. Book now

Alyson and Alexis Hunter – The Unidentical Brain

Now until July 30, 11am to 4pm, The Margate School

Alyson’s exhibition includes works by her late twin Alexis, who sadly passed away in London in 2014. Alyson moved to Margate in 2017 and enjoys photography and painting. Works by both twins are on show daily 11am to 4pm at The Margate School. Meet and Greet Alyson on Friday 25th July at Arnold Schwartzman TMS Gallery 5pm to 9pm . Free entry.

Replica Nao Santa Maria in Ramsgate

23rd July – 27th July, open 10am to 7pm

Replica ship of Columbus’ fleet, which landed in America in 1492, visits Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour…

A 2018 replica of the 15th Century Noa Santa Maria, is coming to Ramsgate Harbour as part of a world-wide tour…

The Noa Santa Maria was one of three sailing vessels commanded by Christopher Columbus, when he landed in America in 1492.

The current replica Santa María was launched on March 16th 2018. It is a 200 tonne ship, with 28.30m maximum length, 7.96 m beam and 3.49 m height. Like the original, the replica has three masts, the main mast, mainsail mizzen and a bowsprit, with the height of the main mast being almost 25 metres from the waterline to the highest point.

The lower part of the vessel is an exhibition area for visitors to discover its history. People will be able to get on board and see how the adventurers of yesteryear sailed and lived.

It is advised to buy tickets in advance…

Any problems with bookings/tickets, please email: [email protected] or call 678953440 during working hours Monday-Friday from 8am to 3pm.

Dates and times are subject to change due to weather & sea conditions. See www.tallshipexperience.com

Adult: £10, Child (5- 10): £5

Family: £25 Family (2 adults + up to 3 children 5- 10).

Free for children under 5, who must be accompanied by an adult Book now

How To Train Your Dragon – PG

Palace Cinema Broadstairs

A live-action remake of the beloved animation that explores the bond between a Viking boy and his dragon, a friendship that flies in the face of centuries of tradition. Together, they confront an ancient threat that endangers both species.

Friday 25 July to Tuesday 29 July. Details here

Disco Psicodélico: Benefit Show

25th July, Where Else? Margate

Doors open 9pm, music 9pm until late, adult piñata at 11pm

Reggy Brown from ‘The Spin’ on Margate Radio, is BACK bringing traditional Latin music to the Margate shores… Cumbia, dancing, margaritas, y buena vibras.

This instalment of Disco Psicodélico is a benefit show to combat the ICE raids affecting immigrants families and victims.

Ticket sale proceeds will be donated to the ICWC (Immigration Centre for Women and Children) and will help with legal fees and guidance.

Disco Psicodélico and Where Else? mission is to provide a safe space for all cultures, everyone is welcome.

Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets £7 plus booking fee Book now

Grassmell

26th July, 8pm, Tom Thumb Theatre Cliftonville

DIY debut pre-album launch at Margate’s Tom Thumb Theatre

Kent based musician Grassmell is an independent alternative artist whose sound blends alternative pop rock and chamber pop.

The Tom Thumb Theatre are excited to host this event before the release of his new debut album ‘DIY’ in summer 2025.

The venue is accessible for wheelchair users.

Tickets £10 plus £1 booking fee Book now

InMachines

26th July, 7.30pm, Ramsgate Music Hall

A modern psych-rock trio from Kent (with links to 90’s psychedelic outfit Crow) that blend hypnotic grooves, keyboard soundscapes, guitar textures and multi-layered vocals & samples.

They will be supported by the talented DJ outfit Dub Organiser

All ages

Tickets £10 Book now

Thanet Games – The Big Bike Revival (free bike fix)

26th July, 10am to noon, Dane Park in Margate funded by Cycling UK

The Bike Shed Mechanics will be at the Thanet Games to fix any bikes that you’d like to get checked over before riding this summer.

They can do repairs on tyres, breaks and chains for FREE and give advice if it is a bigger repair.

This is also a great way to meet cyclists and to find out about our Big Bike Revival Rides this summer.

All funded by Cycling UK

Organised by Thanet District Council

The Lost Worlds of the Palaeolithic: The Evidence from East Kent

26th July, noon, Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens

Join the Powell Cotton Museum for a talk by Pete Knowles PH.D researcher, Durham University, Department of Archaeology and Geography.

Many thousands of stone tools have been found in the ancient deposits of the East Kent River Stour, but what can they tell us about the many different human species that have lived in the region on and off over the last million years?

Pete is evaluating historic museum collections of these enigmatic artefacts to establish if the varying stone tool types represent expressions of culture by ancient humans. The site near Reculver was the first site in Britain where these tools were recognised, as long ago as 1860, but until now, it has never been excavated!

Included in the standard museum admission price.

Member: Free, Adult: £7.50, Concession: £7, Child: £6.50, Infant (age 0-3 years): Free.

Book now

The Fantastic Four: First Steps – 12A

Carlton Cinema Westgate

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.

Now until July 31. Details here

Broadstairs Bandstand

Steve Wyse exhibition

Now until July 30, York Street Gallery Ramsgate

Railway art exhibition. Gallery open 10.30am to  4pm (closed Monday)

Meet the artist Saturday (July 26) from 2pm to 4pm

Northdown Road Block Party

26th July, 9am til late

A street party that celebrates the area… featuring live music, street performers, street food and much more!

Follow @northdownroadshops on Instagram

Weed, Weirdos and Wetherspoons

Art show at Ramsgate’s Bellevue Front Room.

The show contains old and new work by the couple, plus some rarely seen work by special guest artists Chloe and  Scarlett Page. This range of artists, styles and techniques means there’s something for everyone. Cards start at £3, prints £20 and originals from £55.

Friday 25th – Sunday 27th July
11.00 am – 5.00 pm

The Front Room, 10 Bellevue Road, Ramsgate

Noa Rooftop Bar

This weekend the latest renovation to be completed at Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre will open for a preview.

Noa Rooftop Bar is offering a cocktail menu, alongside a selection of premium drinks, with stunning sea views over Ramsgate’s horizon.

People can preview the bar on Saturday 26th (noon–10pm) & Sunday 27th (noon–6pm).

Beer Festival at Gadds

Saturday 26th July – noon – 6pm

Ramsgate Brewery Ltd, Pysons Road Industrial Estate, 4 Hornet Cl, Broadstairs

After a year off, the GADDS’ summer beer festival, Chairman of the Board, is back with Friends from the North: Thornbridge Brewery.

Amongst the ale line-up there’ll be a special dry-hopped edition of our ever-popular No. 3 and an extra special cask of 1838, which has been brewed by Thornbridge on the historic Union kit. This system dates back to the 1800s and is a very important part of brewing history – and the beer tastes fantastic!

Alongside the top notch cask ale pouring, COCO will be keeping everyone entertained whilst Naughty Boy’s Smash Burgers keeps everyone well fed.

This event is free.

Child-friendly & dog-friendly venue with accessible toilets and plenty of parking.

Ramsgate Twinning Association quiz and bingo

July 26, 7pm, Red Arrow Club, Newington Road, Ramsgate

Good prizes for quiz winners; bingo is for cash prizes, and there will be a raffle.  Entries are more than welcome from everyone at £5 a head,  maximum six to a team table. Individuals are also welcome, probably to be teamed-up on the night.  It’s a “bring your own food and snacks evening”, but ALL drinks must be purchased from the club bar.

Booking from Terry Fearn on 07505 120059 or email: [email protected]

The Last Days of Sail

26th July, 7pm-9.30pm, Hold Creative Spaces, Albert Street, Ramsgate

A musical, sound art and sculptural installation event featuring Benjin, Stray Wool and David Nettleingham at HOLD Creative Spaces in Ramsgate

Performance times: 7.15pm – 7.45pm Stray Wool / 8pm – 9.15pm

benjin is a multi-instrumentalist, artist, curator, academic and storyteller who has toured and recorded with a number of experimental ensembles over the last 20 years. His solo work combines guitar, cello, harp, clarinet, vocals, nyckelharpa, field recordings and found sounds. Drawing upon benjin’s experiences of a lifetime working on the East Coast and the Thames Estuary, these compositions combine traditional folk song forms with dense free form jazz improvisations, minimalist classical music and sound collages.

Stray Wool creates and combines threads of noise, tape loops, and samples – weaving music and field recordings into layered soundscapes that illuminate the world around us. His work stems from a love of imperfections, repetition, and stillness; on the verge of breaking but not quite.

David Nettleingham is a visual artist and provides the backdrop: a series of sculptural works inspired by the working heritage of the Kent coast, and exploring the politics and practice of ‘heritage’: what we choose to preserve, when we choose to preserve it, and why we make that choice at all.

Tickets £10 Book now

No Prep 1/8th Mile Drag Racing – No Guts, No Glory

26th July – 27th July, Manston Raceway Park

No Prep Heads Up 1/8th Mile Drag Racing, featuring all the usual Classes, Big Tyre, Small Tyre, Tailgate, Stick Shift, FWD, True Street, Daily Driver and RWYB.

Also a special section for Big Money Callout and Grudge. If you have something you wanna get off your chest, someone who has been talking trash. Now is the time to see if they can talk the talk and walk the walk.

Spectators… Day tickets £20 (in advance) or £25 on the day / Weekend tickets £40 (in advance) or £50 on the day.

Children under 10 free / Children 10-16 years £10 Book now

Broadstairs Summer Fair

26th July – 30th July from 10am each day

Annual event to raise funds for Broadstairs Water Gala at Victoria Gardens

Thanet Virtual High Street & Thanet Stalls Directory have once again joined forces with Sylvia Scorey and her brilliant family funfair to deliver the Broadstairs Summer Fair, raising funds for Broadstairs Water Gala.

Expect another bustling promenade packed with fantastic local stalls, live entertainment both afternoons at the Broadstairs Bandstand, and family rides in Victoria Gardens.  The Funfair lasts from 26th-30th July, right through to the Water Gala.

Rumble Wrestling

26th July, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns

Doors open 5pm (be the first to grab your seat and soak in the buzz of pre-show excitement!), 6pm – The Show Begins! 8.15pm – Meet the Stars, event ends at 9pm

Rumble Wrestling is back at the Oval Bandstand, promising an action-packed evening that will leave fans on the edge of their seats.

After last year’s explosive event the anticipation is sky-high, and tickets are set to fly out faster than a championship belt is raised in victory!

Watch your favourite Rumble Wrestling stars battle it out in jaw-dropping matches filled with high-flying moves, powerhouse slams, and plenty of drama (includes a fifteen-minute interval to catch your breath before the next round of epic clashes!)

Don’t miss your chance to meet the legends in person! Snap a photo, grab some autographs, and take home exclusive merchandise to commemorate this unforgettable evening (meet and greet access requires a purchase.) After the night ends, but the memories will last forever!

Tickets £5 – £16 plus booking fee Book now

Ramsgate Carnival

26th July – 27th July

Join Ramsgate Carnival as it celebrates its 102nd anniversary

Saturday 26th

Dog Show with categories including Cheekiest Rascal, Best Friend, Golden Oldie (over 8 years), Most Lovable Munchkin (under 12 months), Crowd Favourite and more

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th 

Government Acre plays host to a weekend fair – stalls, bar, food court, arts and crafts, funfair,

Sunday 27th at 4pm with judging from 3pm

The annual colourful carnival parade starts from Government Acre (Royal Esplanade) to circle the town back to Government Acre.

Route: Start Government Acre, St Augustine’s Road, Royal Parade, Harbour Street, Queen Street, West Cliff Road and finish Government Acre

Monster Slam

27th July, Quex Park Birchington

Morning show 11am – 2pm, Afternoon show 4pm – 7pm

Watch in awe as Big Pete, The Grim Reaper, and Swamp Thing smash, crush, and leap through the arena with unstoppable force. These giant-wheeled beasts will deliver high-octane, metal-crunching action that will leave you breathless!

Plus, don’t miss the UK’s top motorcycle display team, Bolddog FMX Display Team, performing daring backflips and jumps 35ft in the air, and the incredible Stannage International Stunt Team with motorbike stunts, fire dives, and explosive thrills!

Looking for a thrill? Take a ride in a real monster truck with the Extreme Express Monster Ride Truck! Buckle up and feel the raw power as you’re taken for an adrenaline-pumping ride like no other—an experience you just don’t get every day! (Height restrictions apply, chargeable activity.)

Enjoy family fun with fairground rides, inflatables, and mini monster trucks the kids can drive. Face painting, food stalls, and a licensed bar will keep everyone entertained.

Children aged 2 and under get in FREE, and tickets for kids aged 3-5 are now £5.95!

Sponsored by Reclamet Ltd.

Under 2s go free. Children 3-5 £5.95. See website for all prices. Book now

Unmaking Mary: the Divine Myth of Motherhood

27th July, 10.30am, Union Church in Margate

Trailblazing author, journalist and theologian Chine McDonald discusses new her new book.

Free breakfast

Dogs welcome

Children’s play area

For two thousand years, the Virgin Mary has been depicted throughout art, literature and culture as symbolising the perfect mother: chaste, beautiful, meek, mild and white.

These supposed virtues and symbols have penetrated not just Christianity but wider popular culture; and contributed to harmful views about motherhood and what it is to be a woman.

In this part-memoir, part social and theological commentary, Chine McDonald deconstructs the myth of perfect motherhood and shines a light on the dark side of parenting. From birth trauma to post-natal depression, from infertility to the mental load, the motherhood penalty and pressures on women to be and have it all – especially in the church – this book attempts to liberate motherhood from the chains in which it has been placed, reconstructing a more authentic, grace-filled way forward for the most important job in the world.

Free entry

Cliftonville Farmers Market

27th July, 10am-1pm, Walpole Bay Lawns

Award-winning Farmers Market where producers will be selling bread, cheese, honey, fruit, vegetables, wild game, fruit juices, fresh meat and much more

Cliftonville Farmers’ Market was established in 2001 by the Cliftonville Residents Association and is run entirely by volunteers.

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever

27th July, noon to 5pm, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns

This lively event promises an afternoon filled with dancing, singing, and absolute fun for everyone. It’s a celebration of connection, community, and coming together with both friends and strangers to partake in a truly unique global movement recreating the iconic dance from the ‘Wuthering Heights’ music video—all for great local causes!

In addition to the charity fund-raising dance, there will be an afternoon filled with Kate Bush themed entertainment, including singers, DJ performances, dance tutorial with Debs from Midlife Mover , dance competitions, and more!

Organised by GRASS Cliftonville CIC, supporting Oasis, a local charity dedicated to alleviating the impact of domestic violence, and Mama to Mama, an organisation providing essential pre-loved items to vulnerable pregnant women, caregivers, and children under 5 living in poverty.

The aim is ambitious: to raise over £2000 and gather at least 200 enthusiastic dancers, embodying the spirit of Kate, to support these incredible causes. All proceeds from the event go directly to these charities, ensuring your participation makes an immediate difference.

Tickets £2 – £50 donation ticket for charities Book now

Margate Cultural Walking Tour

27th July, 1pm, meet at the Shakespeare pub in Canetrbury Road

One hour walking tour, along Margate’s seafront into the Old Town, covers the town’s history from 45 BC, through its history as a holiday getaway, then as a haven for artists, lovers (and the occasional rock star) in more recent times… to the spot it is today.

Bowie, Marx, Doherty, Hawkwind, Peter Sellers, JMW Turner, Tracy Emin, Del Boy and even James Bond…all feature!

A fun tour whether you are a local or a visitor – starts at The Shakespeare pub, near Margate rail station, then a gentle stroll through the spots along the seafront that feature in these historical tales… to end in Margate’s old town. And those who stay on afterwards will have the option to taste some of the local wines, ales (and cheese!) together in the wine bar ‘Little Swift’.

Tickets £10 Book now

Ramsgate Carnival – The Big Bike Revival

27th July, 10am to noon, Harbour Bikes, Military Rd, Ramsgate

Harbour Bikes will fix any bikes that you’d like to get checked over before riding this summer.

They can do repairs on tyres, breaks and chains for FREE and give advice if it is a bigger repair.

Relaxed Hours

27th July, 10am to noon, Turner

A chance to visit Anna Boghiguian’s ‘The Sunken Boat’ exhibition at the Turner in a calmer environment

These events are for people who prefer to visit the gallery when it is less crowded, including neurodivergent visitors, people with sensory differences, anxiety, and learning disabilities.

What to expect during these sessions:

– Toilet hand dryers are switched off
– Additional staff are on hand to support your visit
– A ‘calm space’ will be available in the ground floor Foyle Rooms
– Large print text, magnifying sheets, wheelchairs, portable stools, and ear defenders are available to use in the gallery.

You can access digital content on the Bloomberg App. Ask staff if you would like to borrow an iPad for this purpose.

TKE Studios Spring Show Closing Ceremony

27th July, 6pm, TKE Studios Margate

Join performance artist fellow Ziah Ziah for a gentle closing ceremony to mark the end of the TKE Spring Show in Margate.

Held in the light-filled main gallery, this 1 hour 45 minute session invites you to experience the exhibition through body and sound.

Drawing on her background in performance and music, Ziah will guide participants through somatic exercises and a sound immersion using gong, bowls, and voice.

Please wear something warm and comfortable, and bring something to lie on, a pillow, and drawing materials if you’d like. Open to all bodies — come with an open mind.

Spaces are limited for comfort.

Over 18’s only

Tickets £14.25 Book now

Cliftonville West Jewish History Walking Tours

27th July, 1.30pm, meet outside Margate Winter Gardens

Walking tour invites locals and visitors alike to discover the rich, surprising, and often overlooked Jewish history of Cliftonville West.

The Cliftonville West Jewish History Walking Tour offers a 2.5-hour guided stroll through the seaside streets of Margate, revealing stories of migration, resilience, faith, and food that helped shape the area over the past two centuries.

Led by a local researcher and storyteller Katie Blythe.

The walking route is approximately 2.5 miles and includes uneven terrain. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. While the content is suitable for most ages, some topics – including the Holocaust and refugee experiences – may not be appropriate for children under 12, at the discretion of their guardians.

From £18 Book now