Ramsgate: The Heart of the Dunkirk Little Ships
Operation Dynamo 85th Anniversary: Honoring the Spirit of Ramsgate and the Little Ships
The 2025 anniversary highlights the Little Ships, the heart of Operation Dynamo. Visit Ramsgate to see more than 70 of these cherished vessels, meet their proud custodians, and hear the tales of their daring voyages across the English Channel. Take the opportunity to board the Medway Queen, a paddle steamer and heroine of Dunkirk.
Watch as the Dunkirk Little Ships depart Ramsgate on 21 May for their 10 hour crossing to Dunkirk, accompanied by Royal Navy warships. Welcome them back when they return on 26 May. Both subject to weather and sea conditions.
Additional event details will be updated as they are confirmed
From Mid-April
- Dunkirk Little Ship The Medway Queen - exhibition at Ramsgate Tunnels
From Thursday 15 May
- Dunkirk Little Ships, including The Medway Queen, will start to arrive in Ramsgate
- Operation Dynamo Exhibition at Ramsgate Tunnels, including a mosh pit beach display of Dunkirk, visualisation of the 40,000 evacuees that came through Ramsgate and personal stories
- RNLI Ramsgate Exhibition at Ramsgate Tunnels
- Festival feel around the harbour with live music, a handmade market, a funfair, children's workshops and other entertainment
Little Ships at Ramsgate Royal Harbour. Credit Brian Whitehead
- 10:30am: Parade from the West Pier, near the Medway Queen, to St. George's Church followed by a public service at 11am. The service will be supported by the Thanet Big Sing Community Choir
- 4pm: Live music at Royal Temple Yacht Club
- 5:30pm: Little Ships Opera, Royal Harbour an auditory spectacle featuring the horns of the 70 Dunkirk Little ships, Ramsgate Tunnels' air raid siren and a brace of trumpets, creating an unforgettable moment. Military vehicles displayed along the harbour crosswall
Tuesday 20 May
- Details tbc: Parade featuring the Marching Band and Corp of Drums of the Royal Marines
Wednesday 21 May
- 6am to 8am: 70 Dunkirk Little Ships will depart Ramsgate for Dunkirk, shepherded by a Royal Navy 'guard of honour' of approx six vessels (subject to the weather)
Sunday 25 May
- 10am: Service of Remembrance outside Margate Lifeboat House. Veterans and cadets will then parade to Margate Station.
Monday 26 May (Bank Holiday)
- 4pm-5pm approx: The Dunkirk Little Ships will be welcomed back to Royal Harbour, Ramsgate (subject to weather)
Little Ships departing Ramsgate Royal Harbour
Visitor Information Centre The Droit House Stone Pier Margate Kent CT9 1JD Te: 01843 577577 Email: visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk www.visitthanetbusiness.co.uk