Margate Soul Festival 2025
1st August – 3rd August
Bringing an electrifying mix of 20 venues and over 60 DJs to Margate. Expanding on its 20+ year legacy, the three day soul street party will transform Margate once again into a vibrant soul music party.
The festival brings back its beachside main stage at Newgate Prom which premiered last year, under the shadow of the Margate Lido sign, and accessible via the prom and the public steps which were restored for the festival last year.
From Old Town street parties and the intimate club spaces across Margate to dancing by the beach as the sun sets to soul legends, expect to hear the very best in soul, funk, disco, house, and rare grooves, with a line up of international DJs, legendary acts, brought to you by MSW and Street Sounds Radio.
2025 headliners include: The SOS Band / TMF Formerly of Maze / The Earth, Wind and Fire Experience / The Drizabone Family
Plus incredible sets from: Aitch B / Bobby & Steve / Dean Thatcher / Dj Destruction / Dj Swerve / Dr Bob Jones Eddie Piller / Fraggle / Handson Family / Jo Mills / Lisa Loud / Marcia Carr / Operator / Rocky / Ronnie Coldsweat / Saxon Sound System / Street Sounds / Vicki Vibe… AND not forgetting the 60 odd DJs who make up the Margate Soul Family who make the festival so incredible every year.
Weekend tickets: £122.51, Sat or Sun Day tickets: £65.46, Kids tickets (7-17): £65.46. Book now
Family Fun Fair
1st August – 10th August, Palm Bay green
M&L Benson’s Pleasure Fair
Open 1pm to 9pm (8pm on Sundays)
50p per token, 20 tokens for £10
Half price days August 4th and 6th
Three Men in a Boat
1st August, 7pm, Pierremont Hall
Adapted from the hilarious book by Jerome K.Jerome.
The ridiculous tale of men behaving badly while messing about in boats!
Join Jerome as he recounts the hilarious story of his boating holiday along the magnificent River Thames with his two companions and Montmorency the dog.
Come and join in the fun as Giles Shelton expertly takes the helm and pilots you through the ridiculous tale of men behaving badly while messing about on boats!
This performance takes place outside, with limited seating. Licensed bar on premises. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic. Performance will be brought inside if there is bad weather, with limited seating.
Organised and funded by Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council
QuexFest – Isle of Thanet Food & Drink Festival
1st August – 3rd August, Quex Park
Part of QuexFest 2025 – 10 days of activities and entertainment for the whole family.
* Free to enter * Street Food & groceries * Crafts * Live Music * Cooking Demos * Food Competitions *
Extra ticketed events to include Ale & Cider Festival, Stand-up Comedy nights, and children’s Adventure Playground area, with fairground rides, games, face-painting, story-telling and magic shows.
Free admission, some ticketed events/rides
Runt’ James Taylor
1st August – 17th August, Kavel Rafferty Gallery, Cecil Square, Margate.
Open: Thurs – Sunday 12 – 4pm (or by appointment)
‘Runt’ by queer working-class assemblage artist and painter James Tailor. Part Of Margate Pride Art Map.
Latin Dance Friday
1st August, 6pm-9pm, Turner
Join Leon from East Coast Entertains and Leon & Anna from Tango Margate on the terrace of the Turner (or indoors if the weather is uncooperative!)
Experience a wonderful array of Latin and African dance styles and music, including Salsa, Tango, Kizomba, Bachata, and more.
Free guided lessons for the absolute beginner.
First Friday at Marine Studios
1st August, 6pm-9pm, Marine Studios, Albert Terrace, Margate
First Friday (est. 2009) is a monthly evening of inquiry, where artists, writers, musicians, film-makers, and technologists showcase new work and present their research to an inquisitive audience.
Inspiration this month will be taken from Rosa Rankin-Gee’s book Dreamland… by exploring local sites, the impact of climate change and LGBTQIA+ love stories.
Margate’s most iconic locations will be explored through an exhibition of artworks by local artists, including Charlie Evaristo Boyce. Dan Thompson will be showing Arlington House artifacts, including some key pieces from the original building. Plus enjoy an exclusive Dreamland mini-zine and interview with Rosa Rankin-Gee.
Explore our rising sea levels map to find out how Margate and its beloved beaches fair in the climate crisis, and join in making a climate pledge with takethejump.org.
This event is suitable for all ages, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Bring your own drinks and snacks… and curiosity!
Accessibility: Please note this event can only be accessed via stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
Elkio- PG
Palace Cinema Broadstairs
For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers – in Pixar’s Elio, the universe calls back! Elio is a young underdog with an over-active imagination who finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, and completely unprepared for that kind of pressure, Elio must make friends with eccentric alien lifeforms, survive a series of formidable trials and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.
August 1,2,3,5. Details here
Broadstairs Bandstand
| 01/08/2025 | Friday | 1-4pm | Nick Kelly |
| 02/08/2025 | Saturday | 2-4pm | Tara James |
| 02/08/2025 | Saturday | 4.30-6.30pm | Blake Sonnet |
| 03/08/2025 | Sunday | 2-4pm | Adam Reggio |
Wellbeing Taster Day
1st August, 11am to 4pm, Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens
This summer and autumn, Powell Cotton Museum invite you to pause, unwind and explore something new with their Wellbeing Taster Days, in Quex Gardens.
These special days take place monthly on a Friday, running through to October, and offer a refreshing mix of activities designed to nurture both body and mind.
During the day you’ll have the opportunity to take part in four different taster activities from gentle yoga on the lawn, a seasonal sensory garden tour, creative crafts and African drumming.
Each activity runs once per day, with two activities available in the morning (11:30am–12:30pm) and two in the afternoon (1:30–2:30pm), and are scheduled to allow time for you to take a stroll around the museum, go on a house tour, or just relax in the gardens.
Adult: £7.50, Concession: £7, Child: £6.50, Member: Free, Infant (age 0-3 years): Free. Pre-booking advised Book now
Rachel Mae
Now until, York Street Gallery Ramsgate
Collage work by Rachel Mae.
Open Tues-Sat 10.40am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
Grace Sands & Northdown
1st August, Faith In Strangers Cliftonville
Bar/Restaurant open for food & drinks from 6pm – doors for event 9pm
9pm – 2am (last entry 1.30am)
DiY Soundsystem- A group set up in Nottingham in the late 80’s before peaking during the free party heyday of the 90’s at the infamous Castlemorton free festival.
Joining Grace to kick off the evening is Northdown (fka DJ Ant C). Beardy DJ, promoter, collaborator, producer… Founder of Love Is For Everybody, co-founder and resident DJ at the TUSK and Orgazm parties, and collaborator with the Queer Neon collective.
This is an 18+ event
Tickets £10 Book now
Meg Bird & Poppy Prescott
1st August, 7.30pm, Joseph Wales Studios, Dane Hill, Margate
Join songwriters Poppy Prescott and Meg Bird for a special seaside to city co-headline tour
Expect a gentle evening of soaring melodies and soulful vocals from two of the most exciting, emerging songwriters in the South East.
All ages welcome
Presented by Margate Sounds
Tickets £16.69 Book now
Alex Franklin LIVE! + E. coli Exhibition Launch!
1st August, 7.30pm, Crab Museum, Broad Street, Margate
To celebrate Margate Pride, friends from FLOW.WALK.DRAG. and local hero Shelly Grotto are taking over the Claw Learning Studio for a pop up exhibition exploring E. Coli. The exhibition is at the museum from 1st – 10th August.
The Crab Museum are celebrating the opening night on Friday 1st of August by unveiling the exhibition with an evening of entertainment, courtesy of comedy superstar Alex Franklin.
Fresh from judging their recent World’s Funniest Fart Competition, Alex will be bringing new material, songs and science to the Crab Museum.
Combined with the critical curatorship of FLOW.WALK.DRAG.
Tickets £12 Book now
Roll Deep – LIVE
1st August, from 7pm, POWER, The Centre, Margate
Roll Deep are bringing their iconic anthems, heavy energy, and legendary grime vibes to Power Margate for one night only.
18+ / Valid ID required
Tickets £16.50 plus booking fee Book now
Cycle del Mar
1st August, 8pm
Meet outside the Turner Art Gallery (Margate)
If you are looking to make getting active fun then come and join Col’s Kent Bike Tours to ride and see the Margate Sunset. They have a live DJ on a Rickshaw leading the ride, with 3 ride leaders if you need confidence to get cycling again. There is also space on the rickshaw for 2 non-riders to enjoy the experience.
This is a flat ride suitable for beginners along the viking trail and will be a great way to meet new people to cycle with.
Children are welcome to join with an adult.
Please contact: [email protected] with any questions.
Bikes are available to hire for this event from The Bike Shed Margate please email: [email protected]
Weather dependant – Check Facebook for updates
Free Book now
Molly Pickle’s 10 year party
1st August, 6pm-9pm, Gather, Military Rd, Ramsgate
It’s 10 years since Molly Pickle’s first exhibition… to celebrate she’s throwing a party at Gather& in Ramsgate
There will be live music, birthday cake, complimentary drinks, goodie bags and a golden ticket!
And of course an exhibition of original artworks and prints to purchase.
Book a ticket to the party to guarantee you get your goodie bag!
Ground floor, wheelchair accessible Book now
Kids Summer Holidays author/illustrator events: A Day at the Seaside Mini Zine 11am (5-11yrs)
2nd August, The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop
10am to 11am and 11am – 12 noon
Celebrate summer by creating your very own mini zine with local children’s author/illustrator Rachel Tilda Wolf
A joyful, hands-on workshop where children (aged 5-11) will design, write and illustrate their own miniature booklet using drawing, collage, and storytelling prompts.
Perfect for creative kids who love to imagine, draw and share their ideas — no experience necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and seaside spirit!
All materials provided. Spaces are limited.
There are a couple of seats for adults who wish to attend with their children, otherwise adults will be expected to stand and watch from the main shop area, or enjoy a lovely coffee and pastry downstairs in STAPLE.
Booking essential – online or in store (spaces are limited)
Tickets £5 per child – Book now
National Sprint Association
August 2-3, Manston airfield, 10am to 6pm
Sprint, drag racing and Elgar Shield
Sign on from 8am each day
A hight octane event happening at Manston Airfield. Large variety of bikes from vintage to modern, spectate or take part, all bikes welcome .
https://nationalsprintassociation.org/
An Evening of Clairvoyance
2nd August, 7.30pm, Sarah Thorne Theatre Broadstairs
Join Angel Healer
This event raises money for The Life Matters children’s self harm and suicide prevention charity 1193469… For further details see www.thelifematters.co.uk
Angel Healer is also a published author. For further details see www.angelhealer.co.uk
Tickets £14 in advance, £16 on the door. Plus £1 booking fee. Book now
BSL Tour
2nd August, noon to 1pm, Turner
Join Jason Tennant for a free British Sign Language tour through Anna Boghiguian’s ‘The Sunken Boat’ exhibition at the Turner
Explore key artworks and deepen your understanding of the work and themes in a tour for d/Deaf and BSL speakers and learners.
Starting in the Sunley Gallery, this free tour is delivered in British Sign Language by Jason Tennant without an interpreter or a voiceover.
You can access audio guides and content for the exhibition via the Bloomberg Connects app.
Free (booking advised) Book now
Smurfs – U
Carlton Cinema Westgate
When evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel take Papa Smurf, the Smurfs embark on a mission to the real world to save him. With help from some new friends, they must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.
Now until August 7. Details here
Terraza
2nd August, from 5.30pm, Turner
Margate Soul Festival – Soulark Ensemble LIVE… Golden hour vibes, smooth beats, and ice-cold aperitivo on the terrace of the Turner
Louie On Sea, in partnership with hifi specialists Audio Gold and Intune drinks, presents Terraza–sunset sessions on the terrace.
Join them for music, cocktails and good vibes until the sun goes down.
TUSW
2nd August – 10th August, Joseph Wales Studios, Dane Hill, Margate
Open daily 10am – 4pm
Private View: 2nd August 6pm – 9pm
Margate-based artist Stuart Rayner presents a solo exhibition of new paintings, drawings and ceramics that explore the emotional resonance of nature, memory, and domestic life.
Tinker at Two
2nd August, doors open 1.30pm, Tom Thumb Theatre Cliftonville
An Afternoon of Soul Music & Entertainment
Entertainment begins: 2pm sharp
Perfect for people of pensionable age looking to meet new friends and share the love of music in a friendly, welcoming environment
What to Expect:
Warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for meeting new friends
Professional live pianist accompaniment
Complimentary refreshments during the interval
No pressure to sing – enjoy listening just as much!
Format: 30 minutes of entertainment, followed by a 20-minute interval with complimentary tea, coffee and cake, then another 30 minutes of soul music fun
This Week’s Theme: SOUL MUSIC
In celebration of the local festival, they’re featuring the greatest soul hits – from Motown classics to timeless ballads. Whether you want to sing “My Girl,” “Respect,” or just tap your feet to the rhythm, there’s something for everyone!
Supported by Social Enterprise Kent
Free
Margate Carnival
3rd August, 2:30pm start from Palm Bay
Presented by Margate Carnival CIC.
Expect dancers, bands, youth and community groups and much more.
The parade will follow its traditional route from Palm Bay, Eastern Esplanade, Fort Crescent, Fort Hill , along the seafront, Canterbury Road and into Westbrook Bay, where it will stand down.
Great British Carnival have been the Artistic Directors for Margate Carnival most years since 2013 – bringing in professional carnival art elements to support the event and make it extra special.
Superhero Run
August 3, 10am, Margate Football Club
Sporting Events UK has teamed up with Margate FC Community Trust to bring you this great event.
You have the chance to be your very own Superhero! There will be a 5k and 10k run and also a Family Fun Run for all ages. Every finisher in the 10k & 5k will get a special medal. The one mile fun run also has a medal for all those finishing.
Choose your favourite superhero, dig out your costume (or make one) and join in the fun! If you’re not a fan of dressing up, then come as you are – you can still get involved, have a great time and fundraise. Margate FC Community Trust use the power of sport to help the homeless and those in need in the local community.
And if running isn’t your thing, why not come down for the event village, where there will be lots of stalls, games and refreshments for you and your family to enjoy.
Get tickets at: https://www.sportingeventsuk.com/e/superhero-run-6796
Ramsgate Handmade & Vintage Fair
3rd August, 11am to 4pm, Harbour Parade, Ramsgate
Ramsgate’s regular maker’s market with locally-produced and made goodies galore
Margate Carnival – The Big Bike Revival (free bike fix)
3rd August, 2pm-4pm, Turner
The Bike Shed Mechanics will be at the Margate Carnival to fix any bikes that you’d like to get checked over before riding this summer.
They can do repairs on tyres, brakes 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
Margate Cultural Walking Tour
3rd August . Starts at 1pm from The Shakespeare pub, Canterbury Road
This 1 hour walking tour, along Margate’s seafront into the Old Town, covers the town’s history from 45 BC, through it’s 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
NOasis – Britpop Sunday
3rd August
POWER, The Centre, Margate, Bar open from 4pm / Last entry 11pm
Expect wall-to-wall Britpop bangers, Oasis classics, indie favourites, and the kind of Sunday session Liam himself would be proud of.
What You’ll Hear: Oasis / Blur / Pulp / The Verve / Suede / Cast / Supergrass / Stone Roses
Indie club classics & deep cuts ’til close
Cheap pints, loud speakers, and zero pretence
Britpop dress-up encouraged… sunglasses optional
18+
Free Entry All Night
Heroes- Oval Summer Sundays
August 3, 1pm-5pm, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns
Heroes bring the ultimate tribute to New Wave, Mod, and Ska to The Oval Bandstand!
Doors, toilets and concessions open: 1pm – 5pm .
-Concert: 2pm – 4pm.
-A minimum £2 donation per adult on door (under 16’s no donation required).
-All persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
-A fully licensed bar and food is available (alcohol and food is not to be brought into venue, bag searches are in operation).
– -Well behaved dogs are welcome, but they MUST be kept on a lead at all times whilst in the bandstand auditorium.
Celebrating Amber Topaz
August 3, 3pm, The Orchid Room, 236 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville
Art by Amber on show
