Visit Kent’s annual opportunity to win free tickets to a host of attractions and activities across the county for the Big Weekend is back with more than 100 Kent businesses offering some 3000 complimentary visitor experiences.
Kent residents can join in the weekend extravaganza by entering the ticket ballot from Friday 7th March and applying for as many experiences as they’d like, with the winners being able to redeem their tickets on either Saturday 5th or Sunday 6th April.
Visit Kent’s Big Weekend has thousands of tickets and experiences on offer.
You can apply for tickets for this year’s offers – all right on your doorstep – via the online ballot on Visit Kent’s website www.kentbigweekend.co.uk from 7th March, with the ballot closing at midnight on 17th March.
Following this, prizes will be allocated at random, and winners will be notified via email on 18th March.
The event is in partnership with lifestyle publication insideKENT, Kent County Council, and transport provider Southeastern Railway.
Thanet attractions participating:
Margate
- Dreamland – the seaside entertainment sensation with vintage rides, roller disco, music concerts, food traders and more
- Margate Caves – adventure underground and discover a subterranean curiosity
- Sea Scrub Sauna – Enjoy the warmth of the Nordic wood fired barrel sauna, with views of the beach before stepping outside for the cold plunge
- The WonderWorks by Hornby Hobbies – an immersive experience inspired by some of Britain’s best loved toys Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix, Corgi and Pocher
- Walpole Bay Hotel and Museum – see period displays and exhibits throughout the hotel, plus the Napery – art on linen napkins!
Broadstairs
- Dickens House Museum – explore Charles Dickens’ relationship with Broadstairs through his letters and personal items
- Open Top Bus – jump aboard route 69 between Broadstairs and Ramsgate, for a birdseye view of the coast
Ramsgate
- Open Top Bus – jump aboard route 69 between Broadstairs and Ramsgate, for a birdseye view of the coast
- Ramsgate Nordic Walking – try an enhanced walking technique that uses poles to work your upper body as well as legs
- Ramsgate Tunnels – guided tours of a unique civilian wartime tunnel complex including a Victorian railway tunnel. Browse the museum displays
Villages
- Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens – explore a museum of African and Asian natural history, cultural objects, a stunning house and beautiful gardens plus see new exhibitions for 2025
- RAF Manston History Museum – see aircraft and exhibits illustrating the history of the airfield from 1916 to the present day before heading to the NAFFI cafe
For a full list of attractions taking part across Kent visit www.kentbigweekend.co.uk
Attractions that are FREE to visit all year round
- Drapers Windmill – 19th century smock windmill built in 1845 by Canterbury millwright John Holman
- Minster Abbey – Founded in 670AD by Princess Ermenburga. One of England’s oldest occupied buildings, currently occupied by Benedictine nuns
- St Augustine & Pugin Shrine and Visitor Centre – Personal church, burial place and National Visitor Centre of the architect Augustus Pugin. Shrine of St Augustine of England
- Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve – Internationally important site for wetland bird and other wildlife https://www.kentbigweekend.co.uk/free-attractions/sandwich-and-pegwell-bay-national-nature-reserve/
- Turner Contemporary – International-renowned gallery showing contemporary and historic art
- Wilderness to Wonderland Community Garden – community gardens created around Margate
