Ramsgate Winter Festival returns on 30 November, joining together all of the town’s festive events.
The festival, which runs until 25 January 2026, follows the Ramsgate Lumiere celebrations in 2024, where the lights on the boats and arches in Ramsgate harbour joined with the town’s Christmas lights display, St George’s Church events, the New Year’s Eve Lantern Parade, a Weekend of Wonder, Light Up Ramsgate trail of fixed and moving light installations throughout the town and Ramsgate’s Living Advent Calendar.
This year the town is coming together again with the different activities that bring sparkle to season, un der the umbrella of Ramsgate Winter Festival and a theme of magic, joy and wonder
A two month programme of events, spectacles, processions, parades, light installations and performances are being prepared, to inspire and spread joy in the darkest months.
Lights switch on
It starts with the town centre Christmas Lights Switch On, on 30 November. The Christmas Market runs from 11am and there will be live music and entertainment including The Granville’s panto crew, free Santa’s Grotto (0-11yrs) for children who complete a fun Elf Trail, Santa Science Sleuthing in Albert Court, Naughty Elves, children’s rides and lots more!
The lights switch on is at 4:30pm with Samba Ya Wantsum band leading the crowd from there to the uplifting Let There Be Light event at St George’s Church.
Help prepare for the event by taking part in free lantern making workshops at St George’s Church during November, details on the website (link below).
Advent Doors
Advent Doors runs throughout December. Visit a different door and be part of a community celebration at each one, every day up to Christmas Eve.
Lights, shopping, club night
The Weekend of Wonders takes place on 11-14 December. The Ramsgate Illuminations on the boats in the harbour, supporting the RNLI, will be at their peak at that point, having started to light up at the beginning of December.
There will be late night shopping, the roaming iDeer, Samba Ya Wantsum band and the launch of the Light Up Ramsgate trail of light installations around the town centre and into the harbour. There will also be an Advent Doors special event at the Ramsgate Tunnels and the start of the Christmas Tree Festival at St George’s Church, which runs from 13 December until 23 December.
A spectacular ticketed club night will be held at a venue to be announced where light artists with hand held beamers and projectors will play along with the DJ – BYOB stands for Bring Your Own Beamer.
St George’s Church
Evening concerts at St George’s Church take place on 18 and 19 December. Christmas Baroque is on the Thursday and A Soulful Winter’s Night, celebration of soul, gospel, and blues music with Sabina Desir and Jessica Lauren, is on the Friday.
Lantern Parade
A spectacular New Year’s Eve Winter Lantern Parade, with the theme of Love, Peace and Joy to the World, will be another highlight, starting outside St George’s Church, parading down the High Street and Harbour Street to finish up at the Ramsgate Tunnels for refreshments and more fun. Residents are encouraged to get involved in a series of artist-led free workshops beforehand, where they can make things to wear and carry in the parade,
More workshops will be offered and participation is very much encouraged, with multiple opportunities for performance, making and play!
The organisers are keen to pack in as much to the schedule as possible and are actively looking for additional elements to build in, so if you have an idea for something that might add some shine, or if you’d like to volunteer some time or contribute in any way, they would love to hear from you.
Festival support and organisers
The Festival is being made possible thanks to core funding support from Ramsgate Town Council and Canterbury Diocese, via ‘Project 200’ the five year regeneration project at St George’s Church.
It is being delivered by three co-producers, who are all passionate local artists who love Ramsgate, working with multiple key partners and other artists.
The co-producers are Great British Carnival, led by carnival artist, Teresa Askew, JH Events, led by light artist, Jess Hudsley and St George’s Church, led by the Regeneration Officer, artist Jemima Brown.
Key partners include the Royal Yacht Club, a number of Ramsgate artists and community groups, and community organisers, like Karen Hawkes, who is leading on organising Advent Doors again this year.
Get involved
To get involved, contact the organisers to discuss ideas or let them know what you’d like to see included. Support can also be pledged via the crowdfunder or by emailing the festival.
I’m surprised the Ramsgate 6th Sea Scouts grotto and Xmas market isn’t mentioned. Nov 22nd until Dec 21st there’s a beautiful Santa’s grotto, only £5 a head with all proceeds going to the restoration of the Ice House in the harbour. 20th Dec they’re holding an Xmas market with lots of festive stalls and attractions 4-8pm Book to see Santa here: https://eu.jotform.com/252356017790357