Things to see and do in Thanet, December 19-21

The Skep Wax Christmas Party

19th December, 7.30pm, Ramsgate Music Hall

“We Shall Overcome” presents…The Skep Wax Christmas Party, fundraising for community projects and food banks in Thanet.

Tickets £17 Book now

Wicked: For Good -PG

Palace Cinema Broadstairs, 19 December to 30 December

The final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba (Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Oscar nominee Ariana Grande) estranged and living with the consequences of their choices. Details here

MUFASA (PG)

December 19, 2pm, Ramsgate Community Cinema

Stunning prequel to The Lion King, this adventure/musical tells the story of how the orphan became a King by use of photo-realism filming. A lost lion cub meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a Kingdom. A chance meeting that sets an epic journey in motion.

Pay-what-you-can on the door / doors open 1.30pm

Avatar Fire and Ash- 12A

Carlton Cinema Westgate, now until January 8

Jake and Neytiri’s family grapples with grief after Neteyam’s death, encountering a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang, as the conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges. Details here

Marc Eden

19th December, 7,30pm, Tom Thumb Theatre

Marc Eden isn’t just another singer-songwriter. He’s a rock ‘n’ roll survivor with stories that’ll blow your mind and music that’ll shake your soul.

Raw, authentic blues folk rock sound
Songs that span genres – from glam punk to classic rock, Eden delivers it all
Intimate acoustic moments mixed with full-throttle rock anthems
From £12  Book now

Sea Shanty Session

19th December, 7.30pm, Rosslyn Court Cliftonville

December Shanty Night  with singalongs, singarounds and songs of the sea with Snottledogs.

Dance Dance Dance

19th December, 7pm, Margate Arts Club Cliftonville

Expect disco heat, house grooves and zero judgement…

18+

Tickets £5 plus booking fee Book now

DJ Dani’s House Party

19th December, 7.30pm, CAMP Margate

Dani St James invites you to dance and kick back at her house party at CAMP

Dani on the decks from 9.30pm

All bangers – no techno!

18+

Free Book now

Funny Cuts Christmas Special

19th December, 7pm, Margate Beach Club

Hosted by Sham Shakil

Bar open from 6pm… Comedy club 7pm – 10pm, then DJ playing pop and house classics until late

Tickets £5 Book now

Retromas Party

19th December, Riding Wine Co, Northdown Rd, Cliftonville. Doors open 6pm, food served from 7pm

Step back in time with a festive celebration filled with nostalgia, neon and the very best of 1970s canapé culture

Groovy 70s beats all night long.

Tickets are £25 per head, which includes a glass of wine and a full spread of retro-inspired canapés Book now

Celloman Presents: Cello Moods & Broods

20th December, 7.30pm, Tom Thumb Theatre

Solo cello show is split into two halves.

The first half discusses, through played examples, the changing role of the cello in history from a bass instrument to a melodic instrument.

The cello is then introduced as a harmonic instrument, much like the guitar, through a new style of cello playing called Arpezzato, a combination of the words ‘Arpeggio’ and ‘Pizzicato’.

Playing examples taken from his solo cello album: Arpezzato Cello, Ivan uses finger techniques imported from the world of Pop/Rock, Blues, and Jazz, including: ‘hammer-on’, ‘hammer-off’, ‘slide’, ‘pop’, ‘slap’, ‘strum’, and ‘Walking bass’.

The second half builds on those same compositions through the addition of bowed melody and harmony as Ivan performs pieces from Cello Moods & Broods together with virtual versions of himself.

From £13.50 Book now

Jingle Bell Rocks!

20th December – 23rd December, ARK – Cliftonville Cultural Space

Time slots available: 11am – 12 noon / 2pm – 3pm / 5pm – 6pm

Crank up the Christmas spirit this December with Jingle Bell Rocks!

A fun-filled, punk-spirited hour of live music, laughter and togetherness for families of all ages.

Expect raucous renditions of beloved Christmas classics, rebellious original bangers, and plenty of glitter-dusted chaos along the way. Celebrate the season the loud, loving, rock n’ roll way – with guitars, giggles and good cheer!

Created and performed by Margate’s Brigitte Aphrodite, QuietBoy and Liv Morris.

Suitable for all ages

Children 3 and under are free when sitting on lap.

Tickets £12.50 plus £1.25 booking fee (children and concessions £7.50 plus £1 booking fee Book now

Fez 10th birthday

Celebrating 10 years of Fez micropub in Margate High street.

Two DJ’s plus Rockabilly band The Safecrackers, starts 4pm til late.

Free entry.

ELZ & Dame Jame Do: PANTO for Kids

20th December, 1pm, CAMP Margate

Join ELZ and DAME for a special, one of a kind, kid friendly panto at CAMP Margate!

Prepare to BOO, HISS, CHEER and SING as you are taken through a magical mash up of all your favourite pantos

Featuring the greatest karaoke backing tracks, audience created plot twists and surprise guest appearances (you).

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

From £7 – £22 Book now

ELZ & Dame Jame Do: PANTO

20th December, doors 7pm, CAMP Margate

Join Join ELZ and DAME for the sixth edition of their sell-out musical comedy night where comedy icon ELZ and drag royalty DAME JAME take on a different hit musical.

Expect a mash up of all the greats, from Cinderella to a bit of Dick….. Whittington obvs!

Featuring the greatest karaoke backing tracks, audience created plot twists and surprise guest appearances (you).

This is an 18+ event.

Pay what you can, up to £12 Book now

A Very Bublé Christmas

20th December, 1pm, Silvers Showbar Ramsgate

Talented Mike Appleton with his Michael Bublé tribute.

Sing along to the Christmas classics, enjoy delicious food, and get into the festive spirit with Silvers!

£10pp Deposit (for Bottomless Brunch) FREE entry – but tickets are required

Book now

St John’s, Margate

Christmas Pop-up Charity Shop

Saturday 20th December 10am to 12 noon

Join the monthly shop and help to raise money for the Community Centre.

Find last minute Christmas gifts for bargain prices – pre-loved children’s books and toys, games and puzzles, vintage, bric a brac, craft materials, jewellery, handcrafted items, clothing and accessories.

Enjoy sweet and savoury Christmas treats from the popular cake stall in the cafe space.

Raffle drawn at 11.50am.

Meet up with friends and family – make new friends.

Sunday 21st December 5pm to 6pm

St John’s, Margate, “The Longest Night” – a quiet space for all who struggle at Christmas.

Come and light a candle, say a prayer, spend some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle.

Sunday 21st December 6.30pm

St John’s, Margate, Carols by Candlelight

All welcome to join the traditional Carol Service.

Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop: Kid’s Event: Christmas Bauble Crafting

20th December, The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop Broadstairs

Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop is excited to host an event with the author & illustrator of the charming ‘Wolf in the City’ Rachel Tilda Wolf at Staple in St Peters

11am – 11.45am and 1pm-1.45pm

A wonderfully festive Illustrator Event with Rachel Tilda Wolf, author–illustrator of the brilliant Wolf in the City (Scallywag Press).

This hands-on workshop invites children and families to get cosy, creative, and full of Christmas spirit as they design and decorate their very own character bauble to take home.

During this joyful 45-minute session, children can create:

A magical character from their imagination, or
A festive favourite such as a reindeer, Santa, robin, elf, penguin, or anything else that makes them smile

Rachel will guide children with encouragement and inspiration, helping them bring their ideas to life in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

During the session, the responsible adult(s) are very welcome to enjoy their favourite coffee and pastry downstairs at STAPLE or come and hang out upstairs in the bookshop!!

Children will sit for the reading, then move to a play/craft table for activities. All materials are provided and age-appropriate.

For all ages.

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

Tickets £5 per child includes 25% off any book in-store on the day of the event (one discount per child ticket) Book now

Christmas Party Record Hop

20th December, 7.30pm, Red Arrows Music Club Ramsgate

The legendary Rockin’ Roadoilers are set to power up the sound system for their annual evening of pure vintage fun

The dance floor will be bouncing non-stop, fuelled by a line-up of Rockin’ DeeJays: Andy Roadoiler, Tiger Terry, and Jivin’ Jim Dandy.

Entry £5 on the door

Pat Riarchy’s Seasonal Sack

20th December, 7pm, The Alley Bar Ramsgate

What’s Xmas without an invitation from Pat Riarchy to delve into his Christmas sack and let him know if you’ve been naughty or nice at The Alley Bar in Ramsgate

Featuring DJ Haddaway.

The Alley Bar is Screaming Alley’s new performance home — a members-led space dedicated to supporting independent artists, cabaret troublemakers and anyone who loves live performance.

Tickets £10 plus booking fee Book now

The Margate Christmas Party

20th December, Where Else? Margate

12 noon – 5pm Family friendly day time activities, food, raffle, DJs, Live Music (all ages welcome)

7pm – 2am The return of the famous Moshi Moshi Quiz hosted by Celtic Floor Muscles, late night disco – line up tba (18+ only)

A cosy, community-spirited Christmas celebration in true Margate style.

Expect a full day of live music, DJs, and plenty to keep the little ones smiling with kids activities in the afternoon.

Delicious festive food on offer plus a raffle packed with great prizes from local makers and friends of the venue. Book now

See Me Play Winter FUNdraiser

20th December, 1pm-3pm,  Garden Gate Project Margate

An afternoon of play, community, cake and warmth – raising essential funds to help keep See Me Play running through the colder months at the Garden Gate Project

This event is open to all children, young people and families – and is a chance to gather together and celebrate the joyful and vital work we do with neurodivergent and disabled children, young people and their families in the community.

What to expect:
• A wide variety of play opportunities for all ages — messy play, sensory play, art-making, music and loose parts
• A cake sale with treats generously donated by Curver Roasters and others
• A raffle with prizes from brilliant local organisations
• See Me Play merch
• Piñatas, mulled wine, and a hot meal cooked on the fire
• Freedom to explore the beautiful community gardens, connect, and play at your own pace

Every advance ticket includes a free pair of Loop Earplugs worth £30.

Parents/carers come free.

Parking is available close to the entrance.

Tickets £6.50 – £10 per child / £15 per family plus booking fee

Tickets are sliding scale, with some free spaces available for low-income families

Book now

Santa’s Grotto

20th December, from 4pm, 6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts HQ at The Ice House, Ramsgate

Visit the 6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts festive grotto, complete with a festive market and toasted marshmallows at The Ice House

The grotto includes a winter wonderland and illuminated 6th Ramsgate express train.

At 6.30pm, Santa will head out on his illuminated kayak.

Lovingly created, this one-of-a-kind grotto isn’t just festive fun – it’s part of something bigger. Every visit helps raise funds for the 6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts building refurbishment, supporting a brighter future for our young people!

The grotto will be open to families throughout the festive season and funds raised will go towards supporting Sea Scouts’ activities and equipment and the continued Ice House refurbishment.

Cost is £5 per child and every child receives a gift Book now

Museum Christmas Party

20th December, 6pm, This Museum is (NOT) Obsolete (Museum of Everything Else) in Church Hill Ramsgate

Mince pies and mulled wine available for a suggested donation

Get ready for Christmas carols (on the organ, of course) and an appearance from Father Christmas.

Joan’s Organ will be serenading everyone with Christmas carols and Father Christmas may even make an appearance.

La! Christmas Party

20th December, from 8pm, La! Margate

8pm – 2am (show starts at 10pm)

Featuring Wilma Fingadoo and DJ Emma

Christmas Airfix Bauble Making

21st December – 22nd December, The WonderWorks by Hornby Hobbies, 11am – 2pm

Join the team for a special bauble-making workshop where you can paint your own Airfix soldier to place inside a Christmas bauble.

Tickets £5

Christmas Gift, Craft & Food Fair

21st December, 11am to 3pm, St Peters Memorial Hall

Join for a jolly time with Santa and his helpers. Bring your little ones to meet Santa and receive a special gift. Christmas fair

Santa’s grotto, Stalls to get those last minute gifts, Games, Tombola and lots of fun!

Bringing the community together and raising some money for local school.

(pre-booking required for Santa’s grotto)

Free entry / Santa’s Grotto £3 + booking fee Book now

Cliftonville Farmers Market

21st December, 10am to 1pm, Walpole Green

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.

There are now over 50 stalls, with the most fantastic selection of food providers that include a fruit farmer and a vegetable farmer. All meat is free range, as are the eggs, honey is raw, and the mushrooms are grown by the producer.

There are also 5 vegan stalls and another (gluten-free) bakery stall.

They even have ice cream for dogs!

There is plenty of free parking all along Palm Bay Avenue.

Meet Santa

Thanet mums Lillie and Hayley have organised a free, first come first served Santa event at the Deal Cutter in Ramsgate on December 21, 10am to noon.

Lots of gifts donated by the community after a manic seven-days to organise the event.

Santa will be going around to all the families in venue, to have a chat, give them a gift and receive a photo opportunity.

Donated funds have paid for hot chocolate goodies,  reindeer food, mince pies and candy canes all is free of charge to each family that attends until it runs out,

Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop: Kid’s Event: Christmas Comic Jam

21st December, 11am to noon The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop

Get ready for a burst of festive creativity with a lively Christmas Comic Jam with illustrator Inky Willis (AKA Kate Willis-Crowley), the brilliant author–illustrator behind the bestselling Scribble Witch series (Hachette).

This fun-filled workshop is perfect for children who love drawing, doodling, inventing characters, or making up silly stories. No experience necessary — just enthusiasm!

During this energetic and joyful session, children will:

Learn how to create their very own comic, step by step
Explore character design, expression, and action
Give their creations a festive twist — from snowmen superheroes to gingerbread detectives, anything goes!
Work alongside a professional illustrator who knows exactly how to spark kids’ confidence and imagination

Expect lots of giggles, creative chaos, and Christmassy comic magic.

During the session, the responsible adult(s) are very welcome to enjoy their favourite coffee and pastry downstairs at STAPLE or come and hang out upstairs in the bookshop!!

Children will sit for the reading, then move to a play/craft table for activities. All materials are provided and age-appropriate.

For ages 5 – 11

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

Tickets £5 per child includes 25% off any book in-store on the day of the event (one discount per child ticket) Book now

She Sells By The Sea

21st December, 11am to 4pm, Cinque Ports Margate

The pre-loved fashion people bring their very merry sustainable market to Cinque Ports in Margate

Taking over the whole of the downstairs bar to bring you an array of sellers.

From artwork, homewares & gifts, jewellery, food to some of our favourite @she_sells_by_the_sea clothing sellers!

@rickusra will be keeping the kiddies entertained with crafts & art activities.

Also Mulled wine and the incredible @stakehaus_margate will be serving up their Sunday roasts in the pub upstairs

Christmas Jumper Party

21st December, 8pm, The Queen’s Head Ramsgate

Dress code: the cheesiest Christmas jumper you can find!

Live music from Lofty Harris  Book now

Carols In The Park

21st December, from 5pm, Ellington Park Ramsgate

A traditional carol service with a brass band, choir, mince pies, hot chocolate and a snow machine! Drinks from 5pm with 6pm start

Community Church Ramsgate invite you to their ‘Carols in the Park’ at Ellington Park Bandstand

A traditional family carol service with school choirs, brass band, mince pies, hot drinks and a snow machine

All free, all welcome

10 pantos for families (and adult only versions) in Thanet

Santa’s Grottos in Thanet this Christmas