Things to see and do in Thanet, August 7-9

Santus Circus (Photo Andrew Payne) Pride and Folk Week (Photos Frank Leppard)

Santus Circus

6th August – 31st August, Lord of the Manor roundabout

Santus Circus returns for its 2026 UK tour, an all new show with exhilarating acts from around the world!

Daily until 31st August (except Mondays 10th,17th & 23rd)

A French family run circus that has toured the UK for over 30 years and been in the circus industry for over 6 generations with their famous Juggling and Unicycling acts.

Santus Circus selects highly trained professional acts from around the world to bring fun and entertainment for all the family to enjoy, with new and exciting productions to look forward to every year that will be sure to keep you on the EDGE of your seat!!

From £10 – Check booking page for prices Book now

Pasta Party

7th August, 10am, Windmill Community Gardens Margate

During this session, you’ll make cavatelli… a wonderfully simple and forgiving pasta shape that’s perfect for little hands.

Once the pasta is ready, you’ll cook it and enjoy it with a flavourful sauce made from fresh tomatoes and basil grown in the community garden.

The best part? At the end you’ll get to sit at the table and enjoy your homemade pasta!

Suitable for children aged 3-12 years but younger siblings are welcome to join.

Tickets £20 (1 ticket admits 1 adult and up to 2 children) Book now

Minions & Monsters – U

Now until 11 August, Palace Cinema Broadstairs

Minions & Monsters introduces us to an entirely new tribe of Minions, who find themselves in Hollywood at the dawn of cinema looking for a new evil mastermind to serve in this rambunctious family treat. Details here

Broadstairs Folk Week

7th August – 14th August

Broadstairs’ hugely popular annual folk festival by the sea, every August

There are over 400 events spread over one week, across 20+ venues – of which over 160 are FREE!

These include workshops for all abilities in music and song, and parade, plus a full programme of dances and ceilidhs, the Poets’ Breakfast and a daily Craft and Music Fair. The ever-popular official free pub-gig programme takes place every day in pubs around the town.

This annual festival is also family-friendly, with lots of shows, activities, and workshops for younger music-lovers, including family shows at the Bandstand, featuring Kent’s traditional Hooden Horses. Be aware that streets and venues become very crowded and noisy, so may not be suitable for some people or children.

The Big Parade for Broadstairs Folk Week takes place on Saturday, August 8, running from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. It starts at the top of the High Street near Pierremont Avenue/War Memorial, processes down the High Street to the seafront promenade, and finishes with a celebration at the Bandstand.

Workshops for children include music making workshop at Bleak House, Thursday 13th August at 2pm:

This fun and inclusive music making workshop is aimed at 7-11 year olds (although all ages will be included). All abilities are welcome as we unleash our creativity to explore music making using household materials. From junk band grooves, to kitchen cacophony, this is set to be a vibrant and varied music making session!

For tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/broadstairsfolkweek/2237328

A puppet making and animating workshop at Bleak House, Friday 14th August at 11am:

Join Claire Campbell as she shares the joy of a puppet making and animation in this workshop aimed at children aged 7-11 (all ages are welcome but younger children may need adult support in some of the making steps). Once she has demonstrated her own fun and unique puppets, she will guide you through creating your own simple puppet and accompanying junk instrument. If you like the sound of creating creatures to bop along to catchy tunes simply using a toilet roll, spring, and elastic band, then this is the workshop for you!

For tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/broadstairsfolkweek/2237337

Kid’s Author Event – Kristina Rahim ‘Max and Ella, Stuck Together’ (For ages 9-12)

7th August, 11am,  The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop

Join author Kristina Rahim at Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop for an inspiring creative writing workshop celebrating her new novel!

Perfect for readers and aspiring writers aged 9–12, this interactive workshop will explore how authors create memorable characters, believable dialogue and stories that come from the heart. This warm, heart-filled novel explores family in all its forms, alongside themes of identity, belonging and growing up.

Whether your child already loves writing or is simply full of ideas, this welcoming session will encourage creativity, confidence and imagination.

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a free signed paperback copy of the book, usual RRP £7.99) Book now

Folklore and Fleecy Trees

7th August, 11am, Monkton Nature Reserve

Join this ‘Tree Walk’, with a simple tree craft for children in the shade of the woods at Monkton Nature Reserve

Trees have stories to tell.

Their fruits, leaves and seeds take on different meanings across time and cultures.

Discover the secrets of the trees on this fun walk.

Tickets £5 (price is per child only and includes entrance to the reserve.) Book now

Grow a Garden

7th August, 1pm, Monkton Nature Reserve

Grow a garden in a box at Monkton Nature Reserve

Using a mixture of seeds, and compost made on the reserve, colour your label and sow your garden, then add plant markers!

Tickets £5 (price is per child only and includes entrance to the reserve.) Book now

Cider Festival

Last weekend of the Wetherspoon’s cider festival at the Mechanical Elephant Margate and Royal Victoria Pavilion Ramsgate.

A range of 10 craft ciders from across the UK will be available until Sunday 9 August.

The craft ciders, which will include traditional apple ciders, perries and flavoured ciders, will cost £2.99 a pint.

The Big Quiz

7th August, doors open 6pm, 7pm start,The Oval Bandstand and Lawns

Get ready for a brilliant night of trivia, games, and laughter under the bandstand!

Whether you’re in it to win it or just for the fun, here’s everything you need to know… 40 questions total – covering all sorts of fun topics, Max team size: 6 people, £2 per person to enter, 50% of the entry pot goes to the winning team’s Jackpot Prize!

No Cheating Please – No phones or outside help during the quiz – keep it fair and fun!

On the Night… Arrive early to grab a great spot, this is an outdoor event – dress warmly and bring blankets!

Licensed bar will be open all evening.

Tickets £2 Book now

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie

Now until August 13, Carlton Cinema Westgate

Expanding the colourful world of Adventure Bay, the story introduces new dinosaur-themed characters and spectacular rescue missions set in a prehistoric landscape filled with towering volcanoes, ancient jungles and enormous creatures. Details here

Writer’s Space

7th August, 9.30am-1pm, Marine Studios Margate

A focused three hours of peaceful writing alongside like-minded writers in the sea-view meeting room.

Give those projects, poems and plays the time they deserve, with sea views and a group of like-minded writers.

Limited spaces each month!

Free Book now

First Friday: Picnic

7th August, 6pm, Marine Studios 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.

As always, First Fridays offer a welcoming, engaging and encouraging atmosphere.

This activity is funded by Social Enterprise Kent and the UK Government through the Social Enterprise Boost Fund.

Bring your own drinks and snacks… and curiosity!

Fruits of the Night

7th August, 9pm, Margate Arts Club

A party of music, warmth and dancing… with classy tunes for classy folk.

Expect the usual Margate Arts Club low-key-high-vibe

Tickets £3 – £5 plus booking fee (£8 on the door) Book now

Mokadem cooks Alice B. Toklas

7th August, 6.30pm, The Perfect Place to Grow – A Modern British Cafe

Celebrate the cookbooks and memoirs of Alice B. Toklas (1877-1967).

Toklas was a prominent member of the Parisian avante-garde and hosted, alongside her lifelong partner Gertrude Stein, a Saturday evening salon at 27 rue de Fleurus guested by artists and writers that include in their number Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ernest Hemingway, Francis Picabia and Scott F. Fitzgerald.

So The Perfect Place To Grow is having a little salon of its own!

Serving herby, buttery baked Whitstable Oysters atop pearly (washed) Margate sand, local poached Seabass adorned with green mayonnaise and pink potatoes, peppery flowers, and hand-made walnutty sourdough, chicken in tarragon cream with mashed potatoes, sweet peas and a delicate salad of cos lettuce, (if they’re ready) fresh green walnuts from the community garden walnut tree, and an elderflower vinaigrette from blossoms picked in Dane park in May. Ending with a delicate hazelnut tart accompanied by an ice cream of Kentish apricots and fig leaves.

Parisian Jazz will be played and a suitable wine pairing will be available to purchase on the evening.

100% of proceeds from a Pride ‘moktail’ will be donated to Margate Pride.

The event will be banquet dining, and no menu substitutions can be made.

Tickets £50 plus booking fee Book now

Spangled

7th August, 7pm, Where Else? Margate

Born out of Manchester’s DIY scene, Spangled are tearing their way through the UK post-punk circuit with a sound that hits as hard as their live shows.

Fuelled by restless energy and honest graft, the four-piece have pulled in well over a million streams worldwide – all without the safety net of a major label.

All ages (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Tickets £10 plus booking fee Book now

Dolly Parton Tribute

7th August, 9pm, San Clu Bar & Brasserie

A night of toe night of toe-tapping country music

Under the Sea Creative Workshop with Meg O’Reilly

7th August, 4pm, Kinder Collective Broadstairs

Inspirational sea-themed children’s craft workshop for the summer holidays

Ages 5-9 years

Join local artist Meg O’Reilly for a special summer art workshop inspired by the wonders of the sea.

Perfect for curious, creative children, this relaxed one-hour session invites little makers to explore colour, texture and collage as they create their own vibrant underwater world.

Tickets £28 Book now

Margate Pride

8th August, 10am – 11pm

A full day of grassroots Pride: completely free, community-led, and corporate-free. Join Margate Pride for a joyful and powerful celebration of LGBTQIA+ life, love, protest, and pride across Margate.

This year, all of the free events will be hosted on outsavvy, making it easy for you to register and take part in as much or as little as you like – whether you’re coming for the march, the music, the drag, or just to soak up the vibes.

Kicking things off with the early morning family event at Walpole Bay Lawns (10am – 1pm), followed by the march through town and along the seafront (1pm – 2pm.) Then head to Dreamland for the daytime party and rally on the Scenic Stage (2pm – 5pm), featuring DJs, live music, speeches, and the iconic Mx Margate.

Walpole Bay Lawns, 10am – 1pm

Start the day by the sea with a laid-back, family-friendly morning at Walpole Bay Lawns. Expect: Family storytime / Family choir / Baby Rave / Silly Olympics
Bring-your-own picnic / Speeches and rally / Info stall, music, and more
This is also where the Pride March sets off at 1pm sharp – so come down early and make a day of it.

The March, 1pm – 2pm (gather from 12 noon)

Setting off from Walpole Bay Lawns at 1pm, heading along the seafront and arriving at Dreamland in time for the main event at 2pm… No floats. No political parties. No sponsorships. No brands. Just community.

Dreamland Scenic Stage – Main Pride Celebration, 2pm – 5pm

Entry to Dreamland’s Scenic Stage is totally free for Pride Day celebrations! We’re taking over the outdoor Scenic Stage with a full afternoon of: Live music & DJs / Drag and cabaret / Mx Margate – our alternative beauty pageant / Community stalls / Wellbeing Space / Youth Pride
All ages welcome

Youth Pride @ Dreamland, 3pm – 5pm

A space aimed at those aged 13 to 24. Expect crafting, performances, and a space to meet friends.

Kid’s Author-Illustrator Event – Onyinye Iwu ‘African Queens’ (For ages 6 – 9)

8th August, 11am, The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop

Join Onyinye Iwu at Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop for a very special pre-publication celebration of her stunning new book African Queens

Be among the very first readers to discover this inspiring new book before it is published, and journey through more than 2,000 years of African history to meet extraordinary queens, fearless warriors and remarkable women whose stories deserve to be known.

To make the day even more special, Onyinye will also be creating an exclusive African Queens themed illustration on the bookshop window as part of her visit.

Travel across centuries and continents to discover the incredible true stories of twelve legendary African women leaders whose courage, wisdom and determination shaped history.

From Queen Hatshepsut of Ancient Egypt to Queen Amanirenas, Yaa Asantewaa and the extraordinary Agojie warriors of Dahomey, this beautifully illustrated book shines a light on inspiring women whose achievements continue to resonate today.

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a free signed paperback copy of the book, usual RRP £12.99) Book now

Jim Davidson: Last Man Standing…Just!

8th August, 7.30pm, The Granville Theatre

Jim Davidson OBE returns in 2026 with Last Man Standing … Just!, a new tour packed with no-nonsense laughs, razor-sharp wit, and classic British satire.

From £33 plus £2.50 booking fee Book now

Flower Arranging Workshop

8th August, 11am, Garden Gate Project Margate

Spend a creative day in the walled garden, learn something new and take home something you’ve made with your own hands at the Garden Gate Project

Discover the art of flower arranging in a relaxed setting, led by an experienced florist.

You’ll be guided through making a hand-tied bouquet using fresh, seasonal flowers from the garden.

Tickets £30 Book now

Cliftonville Holiday Walk

8th August. Walk starts at 2pm, outside the Walpole Bay Hotel

Robin Colyer will be leading a local history walk on behalf of Margate Civic Society – discovering the history of a Victorian seaside suburb which was developed for more genteel holiday makers.

The cost is donation of at least £6 for the walk (towards the Margate Civic Society), which lasts approximately an hour and a half.

For further details, please phone 07878 537448

Arriving at the Beginning

8th August – 9th August, 11am to 6pm, Hold Creative Spaces Albert Street Ramsgate

Drinks reception Saturday 8th August – from 6pm

Solo exhibition by Berlin-based illustrator Sabine Pieper, who works with a focus on fashion, portrait and beauty illustration.

Wellness Morning at Club 13

8th August, 10am, Club 13 Fitness & Boxing Hartsdown Park Margate

Beginning with a boxing introduction, moving into coach led drills to get your body activated. Then flow into a pilates session designed to reset. To finish the morning off, it’s off to Margate Main Sands to enjoy a sauna and plunge pool.

Tickets £70 Book now

St Laurence Churchyard Tour

8th August, 10am, St. Laurence-in-Thanet Church

For a more detailed explanation of the history, including Social History in St. Laurence-In-Thanet Churchyard join this guided tour.

Free

Scorcha Skate Saturdays at the Broadstairs Skatepark

8th August, skate park just below Broadstairs Rail Station

Slots between 11am and 2pm

Come along to Broadstairs’ friendly, accessible Skatepark for these Saturday group classes – have fun, make friends, and learn some amazing new tricks…

Under 18s only

Tickets £9 Book now

Sunday Book Club – ‘Cat School: Odd Cat Out!’ (For ages 7-9)

9th August, 8.30am, The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop

Join Nicci at Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop in St Peters for a Graphic Novel Book Club as we discover the first in a new series by Rose Robins!

Perfect for readers aged 7–9, enjoy reading together before exploring this warm and wonderfully funny graphic novel through discussion and creative activities inspired by the story and its expressive artwork.

Bursting with humour, heart and lovable feline characters, Cat School is a joyful celebration of friendship, kindness and learning to appreciate what makes each of us unique.

Tickets £5 per child (includes a paperback copy of the book, usually £8.99) Book now

Coastal Card Show

9th August, 10am, The WonderWorks by Hornby Hobbies

Whether you’re a collector or just curious, come check out some cool cards, meet fellow fans, and enjoy the vibe.

20+ Vendors

Buy | Trade | Sell Pokemon, Magic The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, One Piece

Combined tickets available for Coastal Card show and The WonderWorks Experience

Tickets £7pp + booking fees / Under 5s go free Book now

Cliftonville Classic Car Show

9th August, 10am to 3pm, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns

Classic cars, vintage motorcycles and motoring heritage with Ramsgate Old Motor and Motorcycle Club, in partnership with The Oval Bandstand & Lawns,

This popular community event celebrates classic cars, vintage motorcycles and motoring heritage, set across the lawns of The Oval in a stunning seafront location.

If you’re interested in exhibiting a vehicle, please download an entry form from rommcc.org or contact the club directly at [email protected]

Car show is free to attend. If you would also like to attend the live music performances taking place inside the Bandstand from 1pm, admission is £2 per adult. This is the same entry fee as their regular Summer Sunday concert programme.

Tickets for the live music can be purchased on the gate on the day.

Taking Care of Vegas: Oval Summer Sundays

9th August, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns

pm – 5pm (show 2pm – 4pm)

With their signature big-band Vegas vibe, Taking Care of Vegas take you on a journey through Elvis Presley’s vast and varied catalogue – from the early rock ‘n’ roll hits to the powerful ballads and high-octane showstoppers of his iconic Vegas years.

Minimum £2 donation Book now

Unmasking Fear II : The Psychology Of Vampires

9th August, 6pm, Santa Carla, The Centre, Margate

Join Katie Evans as she explores the complex relationship with our favourite fanged monsters. The history of vampires doesn’t just begin with films or literature but with folklore—and with a very real fear.

This talk will trace their evolution, through Dracula and Nosferatu to Lost Boys and the beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Together you will sink your teeth into why we both fear and love vampires, and how their stories resonate with us on a personal level.

Tickets £11.55 Book now

Cliftonville West Jewish History Walking Tours

9th August, 1.30pm, meeting point emailed when booked

A walking tour that invites locals and visitors alike to discover the rich, surprising… and often overlooked Jewish history of Cliftonville West

Led by a local researcher and storyteller, the tour explores everything from the Jewish pedlars who arrived with the Royal Navy, to the doctors who helped build Margate’s reputation as a health retreat. Participants will hear of the fierce boarding-house balabustas who escaped difficult lives to rebuild on the coast, the battle for kosher provisions, the establishment of synagogues and schools, the arrival of Kindertransport children, and how kosher margarine helped lay the foundations of Palm Bay.

While the content is suitable for most ages, some topics – including the Holocaust and refugee experiences – may not be appropriate for children under 12, at the discretion of their guardians.

From £23 Book now

Charlie’s Tunes: Album Launch & Picnic

9th August, 11am, Windmill Community Gardens

Performances at 12 noon and 1pm

Join the Windmill Community Gardens for a celebration picnic and performance…

Charlie makes songs that are fun, educational and totally poptastic!

In his YouTube channel, ‘Charlie’s Tunes’, he has been teaching these songs for the past couple of years. Now he is releasing a full length album of original material, including the favourites on the YT channel.

Sound artist and gardener Rosie Carr will also be hosting a ‘Nature Loops’ experimental children’s musical workshop using natural and reclaimed materials.

All ages welcome

Tickets £5 – £15 Book now

Broadstairs Farmers Market

9th August, 10am to 1pm, Bleak House Broadstairs

Local produce, artisan bakes, rolled ice cream, sunshine, family friendly, dogs welcome!

Family Fun Day

August 9, 11am to 5.30pm, Hartsdown Academy Margate

Being held alongside the Mental Health United football tournament.

Mocktails, tombola, sand art, baton twirling, stalls, games, activities and prizes and customised games.