Things to see and do in Thanet, April 17-19

doascarecrow — Birchington Scarecrows Spring Scarecrow Competition this weekend

Wonderworks at Hornby

17 April – Make ‘n’ Paint Session

Visitors can build and paint an Airfix 1:72 scale Spitfire model kit (RRP £11.99) for £8 per person, running from 11am–2pm.
Recommended for ages 8+, with staff on hand to help younger modellers.

19 April – Kids Go for £1

Children can visit The WonderWorks Experience for just £1, making it an affordable day out during the Easter holidays.

St George’s Day parade and final workshops

St George’s Church is again working with Great British Carnival to bring another spectacular community parade and celebration to Ramsgate for St George’s Day.

The parade will take place on April 19 and there are a couple of workshops left for those wanting to make costumes and parade props.

These take place at St George’s Church Ramsgate from 1.30pm to 3,30pm 17 April, and from noon to 3pm on April 18.

On parade day people are invited to meet at the church at noon to collect parade piece and watch the St George and the Dragon Mummers play before moving off at 12.30pm.

The route is down the pedestrianised High St to the Gates at the bottom of Harbour St, where the Parade about turns and heads back to the Church.

The event will be followed by a free community lunch in St George’s Church, leading straight into the celebration of Ramsgate securing ‘Pride in Place’ funding, which is £20m over a 10-year period. The church will be transformed to showcase the results of the ‘Bring It to Life’ creative grants, bringing the town’s new vision to life through the eyes of different local Ramsgate people and organisations.

There will be local community art, audio displays, film, music and performances. Residents are invited to meet the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board to hear about the new community vision and plan built following the engagement sessions hosted last year.

Palace Cinema Broadstairs

Midwinter Break 12A

17 April to 21 April

Based on Bernard McClaverty’s acclaimed novel, Midwinter Break stars Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds as a longtime couple taking a life-changing trip to Amsterdam where they are tested by faith, commitment, and the enduring power of love. Details here

Easter Treasure Trail

17th April, Birchington

Free children’s activity in Birchington!

Easter Treasure Trail and colouring competition.

Easter eggs for completing the trail can be collected from Birchington Pet Shop Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm (please be aware they sometimes closed between 1pm-1.30pm for lunch)

Colouring sheets can also be left with them.

Easter eggs available while stocks last.

Monkton Nature Reserve

Butterfly Kites and Fluttering Sights: Friday 17th 1pm

Colour in a butterfly template, copying spring butterflies (or design your own). Add a stick and string. Try running with your kite to make it fly. Which butterflies can be seen in April? Spot them on the reserve. 9th 11am

Big Bug Hunt: Friday 17th 11am

Bug pot in hand and ID chart at the ready. It’s time to search for some of the reserve’s smallest residents. All that wiggles, creeps, scuttles, crawis and flutters can be closely observed and identified.

Ramsgate Micro Museum

APRIL 18,19, 25, 26

Dedicated to vintage home computers, games consoles and related technology.

Find items from the 1970s onwards.

Open 1pm-4pm, Admission £7, Under 3s Free

Revolution Skatepark

Open 7 days a week from Friday 17 April – Sunday 19th April

Last weekend of Easter Skate & Scoot Camp (Mon 13th – Fri 17th), Private Skateboard & Scooter Lessons, Group lessons, Climbing Trials, Tasters and sessions.

More at: https://www.revolutionskatepark.co.uk/

Turner & Dreamlands’ Drawing Retreat Weekend with Molly Martin

17th April – 19th April, Kindred House

Join Molly Martin for a two-day drawing & painting workshop weekend inspired by William Turner at Kindred House in Margate

The workshop runs from 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and attendance on both days is required

No previous drawing experience is necessary and all materials will be provided.

Day 1 – Taking inspiration from Turner’s vivid and abstracted sketchbooks, you will begin the weekend drawing within the elements! You will collect imagery from the sea, sky and foreshore along the Margate coastline (just a stones throw away from Kindred House’s doorstep). Here, Molly will guide attendees with useful tips and helpful advice on how to record their surroundings with a fluid and honest eye, with a focus on pencil line and simple mark making.

Day 2 – For Day two, you will delve deeper into imagination drawings, collage and painting – looking at further inspiration from Turners notes, watercolours and Greek mythology paintings.

From £210.00 Book now

Lego Day

17th April, 10am to 3pm, The Old Curiosity Shop in Broadstairs

Let your little builders’ imaginations run wild with endless bricks to build, create, and make new friends.

While they’re busy constructing their masterpieces, you can kick back and recharge with a drink and a treat.

Little Chocolatiers Workshops

16th April – 18th April, noon-1pm, Clarey’s Chocolates, High St, Broadstairs

These chocolate workshops are designed to be fun, creative, and hands-on, giving children the chance to work with real chocolate and take home several finished treats they’ve made themselves.

Ages: 7–13

Tickets £30 Book now

Margo in Margate- Sisters with Secrets

16th April – 20th April, 11am-5pm, Pie Factory Margate

At the heart of this exhibition is the idea that secrets are not signs of weakness, but evidence of survival – stories held back, swallowed, protected, or carried in silence. Through painting, print, and installation, Margo invites visitors into an environment where confession becomes a form of release and solidarity.

Margo’s practice also extends beyond the gallery walls. Through the linked project ‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’, supporting domestic violence services, the exhibition connects private experience with public action.

J.G.H.D. + Smile You S.O.B + That’s Not Ur Cat

17th April, 7pm, Where Else? The Centre, Margate

J.G.H.D. collective of neurodivergent musicians hit the ground running in 2025 with their latest single, ‘Gallivanting Griffin’, a playful tribute to Canterbury’s beloved local feline celebrity. With plans for a new EP or album on the horizon and a packed gigging schedule ahead,

All ages (u16s must be accompanied by an adult)

Tickets £8 plus booking fee Book now

Æfenmete: Medieval Supper Club

17th April – 18th April, 7pm, Turner Contemporary

Celebratory 10th-century banquet reimagined in the brutalist Foyle Rooms at Turner Contemporary in Margate.

Arrival is from 6:45pm.

Æfenmete (eh-ven-meh-teh), the Old English word for “evening meal”

Eight-course medieval feast exploring the historical “hungry gap” — the lean weeks before the spring harvest when winter stores ran low and communities relied on foraging, hunting, fishing and preserving food from the surrounding landscape.

Drawing on early medieval recipes, historical chronicles and archaeological evidence, Æfenmete brings the flavours of Anglo-Saxon England to life. Expect riddles, monastic herbs, medieval spice blends, wild vegetables, local shellfish, meads and ales, all inspired by the woodlands, marshes and shoreline of the Kent coast.

Tickets £65 Book now

Carlton Cinema Westgate

The Magic Faraway Tree- U

Now until April 19

Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe, and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants. Details here

Broadstairs Bandstand

April 17th, 1pm-4pm, Nick Kelly

April 18th, 2pm-4pm, Two’s Company

April 19, 2pm-4pm, Delicia & The Worry People

Margate Tap Takeover

17th April – 19th April, Margate venues

In its third year, Margate comes alive with craft beer enthusiasts. Work your way through a spectacular line up of guest breweries outside of Kent pouring in the town’s finest venues. A detailed map will be available to follow showing which breweries and beers can be found where, plus details of the chance to be entered into prize draw to win a beautiful beer prize.

Click here for updates

Manifestation Spell Workshop

17th April, 7.30pm, White Room Meditation in Broadstairs.

A guided workshop run by Tracey from The Grey Witches Inn on how to set up and practice a spell for manifesting prosperity, luck and abundance into your life.

Tickets £28 Book now

Disco Bingo

17th April, 7pm, Violets, St Lawrence High St

Bingo with a musical twist

Cash prizes!

Tickets £10 per person

The Coast of Bohemia

17th April – 19th April, 11am to 5pm, Joseph Wales Studios Margate

Group exhibition reflecting on origin & belonging, via an imagined coast

Bringing together 27 artists, predominantly painters, The Coast of Bohemia reflects collectively on memory, displacement, and emotional geography. The exhibition is curated by Caroline Streatfield, with assistance from Kristin Rawcliffe.

Craig Charles

18th April, 9pm, The Drill Shed at Cliftonville’s Lido

A true tastemaker and one of the UK’s most respected selectors, Craig Charles brings his high-energy DJ set to Margate, blending soul, funk, disco, house and rare groove into a full-throttle dancefloor experience.

This show forms part of a wider anniversary programme marking 25 years of Margate Soul Weekender at the heart of UK soul culture.

This is an 18+ event

Tickets £17.50 plus booking fee

Vote for Nature Day of Action in Thanet

All events are on April 18th

Thanet groups will be among hundreds that are taking part in a Vote for Nature national day of action to save green space from development this month.

Save Minster Marshes

SMM will hold an event by The Viking Ship in Cliffsend.

There will be a showing of The Planet We Call Home film every hour in the marquee, and talented young filmmaker Connor Carruthers will be there to answer questions about his film.

Thanet’s wildlife filmmaker Keith Ross will be leading guided walks around the hoverport at 11am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

There will also be children’s activities and lots of information about the Save Minster Marshes campaign.

Birchington Thanet Scarecrows

The first ever Birchington Scarecrows Spring Scarecrow Competition (Thanet Scarecrows) will be held at Dog Acre from 10:30am – 2:30pm

Make your scarecrow at home and bring it along on the day. Entries are open to everyone.

11am – 1pm: Register your scarecrow

1pm – 2pm: Judging

2pm: Prize giving

Guidelines:

Minimum height: 1 metre

No pre-made/commercial masks

Keep it family-friendly

Westgate & Garlinge Action Group Against Housing on Farmland

Meeting point for event- The Gatehouse at Dent de Lion Court, Garlinge (CT9 5LL).

Starting at 10am with a Walk-‘n’-Talk.

The talk begins with the background history of the Gatehouse, followed by a walk along the footpath stopping beside a wooded area to hear about wildlife on our farmland. The walk continues to the concrete area and plan to deliver another talk about the archaeology that lies beneath the farmland at Westgate and Garlinge.

Finally, there will be a Thanet farmer meeting participants at the end of the footpath at Minster Road, with a tractor, for a talk about the importance of farmland for food. This Walk-‘n’-Talk activity includes a family friendly quiz, and prizes will be given to winners at approximately 12 noon at the Westgate Town Council Offices.

Between 10am-12noon an information hub will be set up at the Westgate Town Council (WTC) offices, with four nature focused groups presenting displays and information about their work linked to protecting nature and the environment – Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) & Save Minster Marshes Campaign Group, & the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Prizes will be announced and presented for winners from the Walk-‘n’-Talk quiz at the WTC offices, at approximately 12 noon. Prizes include a hamper of locally grown vegetables gifted by local Westgate Greengrocers Prentis, alongside a selection of books and other donated items from Group members.

Garlinge Residents Association

The association will be holding a gathering for interested people on Margate promenade opposite Dreamland Cinema from noon to 2pm.

The group says Thanet has the largest portion of new housing developments in Kent. Infrastructure is crumbling, roads, water, sewerage, schools and NHS are all under stress.

Wildernesstowonderland

Meeting point for event at Margate railway station approach from 11:30am.

Meadow and summer planting workshop celebrating all the local support for W2W community gardens and a ‘we all care’ picture taken by Frank Leppard – professional photographer- to promote the campaign.

Kid’s Author-Illustrator Event: Fiona Lumbers ‘Mo’s Stick’ (For ages 2+)

Saturday, April 18, Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop, Upstairs at Staple, Broadstairs

Session 1: 11 am to 11:45 am

Session 2: 1 pm to 1.45 pm

Join author-illustrator Fiona Lumbers at Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop for a heartwarming and creative celebration of her beautiful picture book Mo’s Stick!

Suitable for children aged 2+

Event duration: approx. 45minutes (includes signing)

Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a hardback copy of the book RRP £12.99)

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

Happy Reading event bookings go to: https://www.happyreading.uk/events

Squangey Bobbins. Official Charts Celebration

18th April, 7.30pm, CliftonvilleTom Thumb Theatre

Thanet band Squangey Bobbins play celebrate the chart success of their album Margate Crows.

From £10 Book now

GBH + The Warriors

18th April, 7.30pm, Ramsgate Music Hall

Punk Rock legends GBH will be performing live at Ramsgate Music Hall!

Tickets £20.50 Book now

Song In a Day

18th April, 10am-1pm, ARK – Cliftonville Cultural Space

A friendly one-day singing workshop learning Blackbird in three-part harmony

No pressure, no experience needed.

Led by Hughie Gavin and Steph Dickinson, this uplifting workshop is open to everyone – whether you’ve sung in choirs before or only ever in the shower. Together, you’ll break the song down into simple, accessible parts, building confidence, connection, and joy as we go.

Tickets £27.80 Book now

The Mayor of Margate’s End of Term Ball

18th April, 6.30pm-11pm, Thanet Indoor Bowls Club Cliftonville

Dive in and join the Mayor and Charter Trustees of Margate for a special underwater-themed evening

Enjoy great food, fantastic music, affordable drinks, and a sea of surprises – plus a raffle not to be missed!

Proceeds raised go to the Mayor’s Fund supporting local organisations and causes.

Dress code: Evening wear (aquatic theme encouraged but entirely optional).

Tickets (check availability) £55 per person plus booking fee Book now

Gotta Get Thru This: Showbiz Fair of Care

18th April, 11am to 5pm, Union Church, Margate

Family-friendly village fair

Fab stalls, great music, brill talks, and tasty treats, to celebrate looking after ourselves and each other.

Perfect for all ages.
Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet.

Manston Drag Racing: Manston 1/2 Mile Showdown

18th + 19th April, Manston Raceway Park

Gate opens at 8am, the track goes live at 10am. Race until done, usually 5/6pm

Drag racing event

Spectators… Day tickets £20 / Weekend tickets £40

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

Book now

Overground Underground Tour

18th April, 11.30am, Ramsgate Tunnels

A guided walk above and below ground, following the route of Ramsgate’s famous wartime tunnels at the Ramsgate Tunnels

Hidden entrances and features of interest above ground will be pointed out along the way, and below ground, you will follow in the footsteps of those who rushed for cover during the Second World War, descending into the Tunnels via an original public entrance.

The Tour starts outside The Sailors Church, Military Road, Royal Harbour, Ramsgate CT11 9LG and finishes at the entrance to Ramsgate Tunnels, Marina Esplanade, CT11 8FH, and lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

You will be required to climb multiple sets of stairs and descend a 2.5 metre secure steel ladder during the tour. Physical fitness and mobility is essential.

The tour is only suitable for those aged 12 and above. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Due to the lack of public toilets en-route, please utilise the seafront facilities prior to the start of the tour.

Make sure to dress for the prevailing weather conditions, the tour will continue if it is raining, and make sure to bring warm clothing for inside the Tunnels – it is a constant temperature of 11 c.

Tickets £15 Book now

The Rock Anthems Show

18th April, 7.30pm, The Granville Theatre Ramsgate

With classics like Don’t Stop Believin’, Livin’ on a Prayer, Bohemian Rhapsody, Sweet Child o’ Mine, and Summer of ’69.

Tickets £34.65 plus transaction fee Book now

Greg Wilson

18th April, 6pm – 2am (arrive by 7pm) Margate Arts Club

A very special extended set celebrating 50 years behind the decks

Widely recognised as one of the UK’s most influential DJs, Greg played a pivotal role in shaping the early British electro, funk and dance scene. From his groundbreaking residencies in Manchester during the early ’80s to introducing UK club audiences to the cutting-edge sounds coming out of New York, he helped define the language of modern DJ culture.

Special guest selector Jonathan Henfrey.

18+

Tickets £10 – £20 plus booking fee Book now

Karaoke Night

18th April, 7pm-10pm, The Old Kent Market Margate

Whether you’re a closet rockstar or just love a good singalong, the mic is open for everyone!

Family-friendly & all ages welcome!

Lava slime

18th April, Little Ravens, High St, Ramsgate

11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm

Join Little Ravens as they explore volcanoes and what happens to lava as it cools.

Make your own molten slime adding ingredients which feel and look great, sensory overload!

Ages 5-11+ years

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Due to space restrictions they can only house one adult per family.

Tickets £16 plus booking fee Book now

Charlie Partridge – Treasure Hunts for Billionaires

18th April, 8pm, The Alley Bar Ramsgate

A work in progress show with true stories from the world of crazy parties

Age restriction: 18+

Tickets £12.50 (members £10) plus booking fee Book now

Piano by the Sea Charity Concert

18th April, 3pm, Salvation Army, High St, Ramsgate

In aid of the Salvation Army in Ramsgate

Join The Salvation Army for a wonderful concert of piano, readings, clarinet and jazz guitar.

Tea and cake afterwards!

The concert will last one hour 15 minutes without an interval… You are welcome to stay for tea and cake afterwards.

Tickets £10 plus booking fee Book now

Top Trumps

18th April – 21st April, Open 10.30am – 3.30pm, The Wooden Box Gallery, High St, Ramsgate

Curator Harry Pye invited artists he admired to produce a pug portrait of their own… find them on display at the Wooden Box Gallery in Ramsgate

William Hogarth owned a pug that he named Trump.

Hogarth included Trump the pug in several of his paintings including his famous 1745 self portrait which is often on display at Tate Britain.

25 years ago a statue of Hogarth and Trump (made by Jim Mathieson) was unveiled outside Hogarth’s House in Chiswick.

Sir Peter Blake wanted to help raise funds for the Hogarth Trust so he made prints of a drawing that he had made of Trump.

Curated by Harry Pye, this exhibition will include 20 pug portraits by artists including Peter Blake, Adam Dant, Jerry Dammers, Martin Rowson, and John Hegley… It’s up to the viewer to decide which dog is best in show!

Record Store Day

18th April, 10am to 4.30pm, Vinyl Head, West Cliff Rd, Ramsgate

All genres, all colours, all ages, old and new vinyl – Vinyl Head have something for everyone here to enjoy and celebrate the day with.

And a reminder that all £5 records and CD’s will be £1 on the day!

Charity Quiz Night

18th April, 7pm, Ramsgate’s East Kent Arms

Charity quiz in aid of the wonderful work of the QEQM League of Friends.

Raffle

You are welcome to bring your own nibbles!

Tickets £5 per person Book now

Jack Hirons: The Journey

19th April – 7th June, TKE Studios, Victoria Rd, Margate

Weekends only, noon- 5pm, Preview 18 April 6-8pm

Tracey Emin Foundation presents new paintings by Jack Hirons, marking the culmination of his year as the Dame Tracey Emin Fellow, at TKE Studios in Margate.

Over the course of the fellowship, Hirons refined his focused approach to monochrome painting, working with careful control of pigment, tone and surface.

Monthly Pop-up Charity Shop

18th April, 10am-1pm, St John’s, Margate

Monthly fundraiser in support of the Community Centre.

Lots of bargains!

There will be a whole room full of pre-loved clothing for men, women and children, as well as a wide range of accessories.

Stalls include jewellery, handcrafted items, craft materials, toys and children’s books, bric a brac, household items, vintage and books.

Meet friends and make friends in the cafe space over a cup of tea and a sweet or savoury treat from the popular cake stall.

Raffle drawn at 11.50am

Free entry

Micky Slim

18th April, 9pm, Olby’s Soul Café Margate

‘How clean is your house’ 20th birthday celebrations at Olby’s Soul Cafe in Margate

Nearly 20 years ago HowCleanIsYourHouse started… a dirty house & electro night.

Micky Slim makes a rare special appearance as headliner

Also playing… Paul French / Dom Young / Matt Townsend / Dave Doughty & Tom Keys

18+ Event

Pre-event Soul Cafe Menu available on the night (tables not reserved in event space.) If you would like to dine, you will need to book a table separately. Click here to book a table

Tickets £15 plus booking fee Book now

Where Joy Forever Dwells

18 April – 16 May, Main Space, Liminal Gallery, 34 Fort Hill, Margate, CT9 1HD

Liminal Gallery is presents Where Joy Forever Dwells, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Andrew Torr in the gallery’s Main Space. Following Heartland, this exhibition focuses on Torr’s ‘Estate’ paintings, a body of work central to his practice.

All are welcome to join us for the Private View on Saturday 18 April, 5pm–8pm.

Birchington Farmers Market

19th April, 10am-2pm, Dog Acre in Birchington

From rich savouries to sweet delights, plus discover vegan and gluten-free options bursting with taste.

A few stalls are still available for traders with flavour-filled foods, so get in touch if you would like to join us (email: [email protected]).

Yoga and Sound Healing Workshop

19th April, 10am, Monkton Nature Reserve

Experience the powerful fusion of Kriya breathwork, meditation, yoga and sound healing surrounded by nature at Monkton Nature Reserve

This workshop is designed to support deep centering, grounding, and energetic alignment, guiding you into a calm yet awakened inner state.

Tickets £35 Book now

K-Pop All Stars Tribute

19th April, 7.30pm, The Granville Theatre

With explosive performances of today’s biggest K-pop hits from BlackPink, NewJeans, Katseye, and BTS and spectacular numbers inspired by the smash-hit film K-pop Demon Hunters.

Tickets £32.45 plus transaction fee £2.50 Book now