Christmas has arrived in Thanet with fabulous light switch on and market events taking place across the isle at the weekend.
On Saturday in Margate there were entertainers on the community stage near Mill Lane, festive fun at businesses in the High Street and a host local independent stalls.
There was also a free Christmas Grotto, entertainment in the Centre at the Festive Teenage Market and Mayor of Margate, Cllr Katie Pope, and the Charter Trustees of Margate switched on the lights for this year’s Christmas Tree in The Piazza.
Festivities included Christmas carols led by the Social Singing Choir.
Also on Saturday in Birchington there was Christmas fun from Your World Financial Services and the Square, to Dog Acre and The Centre Birchington.
A Christmas Fayre was held on Dog Acre and in The Centre, and families could visit Santa, enjoy aq slide ride, hobby horse ride, Christmas crafts and the Chocolate Train on Dog Acre.
There was also a Food and Craft Fair with the finale of the Light Switch On. The event was organised by community group Birchington Christmas with lights organised by Birchington Traders Together and Birchington Parish Council.
Broadstairs Christmas Market was also held on Saturday at Pierremont Hall and included a Meet & Greet with Mr & Mrs Claus and music performed by winner of the Under 18’s Battle of the Bands this year ‘Black House Hill’ plus bands and soloists from Sunshine Ocean Records. A school choir performed Christmas hits and there was dancing from Masque Theatre School and Wantsum Women.
Christmas carolling was led by Inspiration Creative.
The event was organised and funded by Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council.
On Sunday light up fun came to Ramsgate as the town launched its two month winter festival. There was a Santa’s Grotto, the Elf Trail for ages 0-11, live entertainment, children’s rides and workshops, Christmas market and lots more!
Discovery Planet held some Santa Science Sleuthing, ‘Samba Ya Wantsum’ paraded from the High Street to St George’s Church, where there were vibrant illuminations, live music, hot chocolate and mince pies. There was also a market, panto characters and the big switch on in the town centre.
The same day Christmas fun was also held in Westgate with Station Road hosting a fantastic day for all the family with shopping, live music, and delicious food.
There were two stages with live performances all day from Ozzie & the Uglies and the MOS panto cast of Robin Hood turning on the lights.
There was also a street market, fun fair, Santa’s parade, and a Santa’s Grotto at Westgate Train Station office.
Over at Quex Adventure Farm Park there was the venue’s first Christmas Lights Switch-On event with a mix of live entertainment, Christmas magic and community spirit.
The event included alive figure skating display by Glistening Glides followed by carol singing and the official lighting of Quex Adventure Farm Park’s first-grand Christmas tree.
Visitors also had the chance to meet the Elves.
these christmas lights will be a complete waste of time and money in ramsgate , there is nothing to attract christmas shoppers or any shoppers in fact , the place is derelict with empty shops , the only places that are open are secondhand junk shops .
“real world”- are you just desperate for attention?
M M Rees
Pot, kettle, black……
Explain, Ton, why you think my comments are like “real world”. His are miserable, mine are not. I receive plenty of attention from friends and relatives. But does he? Or she, of course.