Find out about what’s new, upcoming and anniversaries being celebrated in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
There’s always something to look forward to in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate on the Isle of Thanet, with new attractions and accommodation opening, anniversaries being celebrated or new events being launched. Find out about what’s new and the anniversaries to help plan your visit
Quex House. Credit Hedley Basford
New Exhibitions Open at Powell-Cotton Museum
The Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington features permanent exhibitions. It has natural history collections set in dioramas as well as objects from Africa and Asia.
February 2025 marks a significant moment for the museum as it unveils three new exhibitions. These will showcase the museum’s rich and diverse cultural collections, the result of years of dedicated research and community collaboration.
The museum’s renowned dioramas have been revitalized with fresh displays. Visitors can delve deeper into the stories of the animals, their habitats, and the collectors, researchers, and creators behind these exhibits. Highlights include insights into the life of an elephant, the art of taxidermy, and the experts who supported Percy Powell-Cotton’s expeditions.
Gallery 2 features an exciting reinterpretation of the Eastern African collections, spotlighting the cultures of South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. Through themes of daily life, ceremony, and trade, the exhibit celebrates enduring traditions and skills. The Ethiopian collections have been redisplayed, offering a glimpse into the country’s art, religion, and diverse cultures. This phase of the exhibition highlights stunning religious artefacts and explores the Orthodox faith’s rich history, while inviting visitors to engage with ongoing research.
Adding a new interactive dimension, ‘Meet the Team Fridays’ launches on the second Friday of each month. Visitors can meet museum staff, gain behind-the-scenes insights into curatorial and conservation work, and even try their hand at roles including gardening or tour guiding.
Little Ships leaving Ramsgate Royal Harbour
Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo
In May 1940, a rescue operation was implemented by the Royal Navy to evacuate British, French and Belgian troops from the beaches at Dunkirk, codenamed 'Operation Dynamo'. It was anticipated that 20-30,000 troops would be rescued, though the actual figure was more than 338,000. Many hundreds of civilian vessels sailed to Dunkirk to help ferry troops from the beaches out to larger ships, or even back across the channel. These included fishing smacks, cockle boats, lifeboats and sailing barges, and are now known as the ‘Little Ships’. Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour witnessed 850 of these civilian vessels set sail.
Ramsgate will be commemorating this momentous event (Friday 16 - Monday 26 May), in partnership with the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS). More than 60 Little Ships plan to cross the channel to Dunkirk from Ramsgate. The flotilla will take Royal Navy ratings and be accompanied by Royal Navy vessels. Many of the Little Ships will return to Ramsgate (Crossings weather dependant).
Other events and activities take place throughout Ramsgate and around the Harbour. These include a parade with the Marching Band and Corp of Drums of the Royal Marines; the opportunity to board the Medway Queen, a paddle steamer and heroine of Dunkirk; discover evacuee stories and see model displays
Broadstairs Folk Week. Credit @skyfairy_drones
Broadstairs Folk Week - 60th Anniversary
With hundreds of events all over Broadstairs, this annual festival includes everything from family shows at the Bandstand, featuring Kent’s traditional Hooden Horses, to some of the biggest names in folk music at the concert venue. There are plenty of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to join in with singing, playing and dancing.
There's something for everyone. Browse the stalls at the Craft and Music Fair or grab a drink with friends. Learn something new at an interactive workshop or enjoy performances as you go from pub to pub.
To mark the Folk Week’s 60th anniversary (Friday 8 - Friday 15 August) the concert programme has been expanded to include even more of the UK’s best-loved folk performers, and there will be a new series of ‘Coffee Concerts’ which will take place at Queen’s Road Baptist Church during the festival week.
Chapel House Estate Glass Courtyard
New Glass Courtyard at Chapel House Estate
Chapel House Estate is an exquisite, family-owned wedding and events venue nestled in the picturesque countryside in Minster, near Ramsgate.
The Glass Courtyard at Chapel House Estate is a stunning new wedding and event space, opening in April 2025.
This architecturally striking venue blends modern design with the natural beauty of their 35-acre estate, offering a light-filled setting for unforgettable celebrations. The Glass Courtyard is perfect for celebrations, ceremonies, corporate events, parties, dining and private events.
As part of their commitment to excellence, the space has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the elegance and charm that Chapel House Estate is known for.
Turner Contemporary. Credit Hufton + Crow
Turner Contemporary Exhibitions
Built on the site of the guest house that JMW Turner stayed at during his time in Margate, see contemporary and historical art.
- 28th September 2024 – 12th January 2025: Anya Gallaccio: preserve - Galleries filled with three decades of her radical practice rethinking the relationship between art and the environment, but with a new focus on Kent’s natural resources.
- 7th February - April 2025: Mona Hatoum Hot Spot - Turner Contemporary's Sunley Gallery will be transformed. This human-scaled steel globe tilts like the Earth itself, its continents traced in red neon
- 22nd February - 1st June 2025: Resistance - An exhibition curated by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen. Known for amplifying overlooked voices, McQueen brings a unique perspective to this powerful exploration of social resistance in the UK and photography’s role in driving change
- From April 2025 - Turner’s Waves Breaking on A Lee Shore at Margate - 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of artist JMW Turner. The gallery presents JMW Turner’s masterwork ‘Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate (Study for 'Rockets and Blue Lights')’, on loan from Tate. This atmospheric painting, created during one of Turner’s regular visits to Margate in the 1830s and 40s, captures the elemental force of a storm as seen from the safety of the shore.
- Until November 2030: Antony Gormley- 'Another Time' (Behind gallery in sea) - See one of a series of one hundred, solid cast-iron figures by Antony Gormley that explore the experience of being human.
Power of Women Parade
POW Thanet! (Power of Women) - 10th Anniversary
POW Thanet! (Power of Women) celebrates 10 years of International Women's Day Festivals (Saturday 8 March 2025) with a bold and proactive anniversary programme of arts and culture. Inspired by the past, present and future of gender equality, the 2025 festival will be celebrating the contributions of older women ot the arts and gender equality movement and raising awareness of the issues affecting them today.
The event will kick-off a year of exhibitions, workshops, performances and special events.
Children's Festival Event
Margate Bookie - 10th Anniversary
The Margate Bookie festival celebrates its 10 year anniversary, with a nine day celebration (Saturday 4 - Sunday 12 October) of books, reading and writing. Discover the Margate writing scene, feed your curiosity and be inspired!
The Big Weekend at Turner Contemporary (Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October) will feature star authors. You can also enjoy events at Dreamland, the Margate School, Marine Studios, Margate Library, Wilde’s and a secret pop-up venue.
The nine-day extravaganza also includes creative writing workshops, showcases local writers, a Poetry Slam, Children's Festival, popup bookshops and so much more! All of this literary goodness takes place beneath Margate’s beautiful Turner skies.
Visitor Information Centre The Droit House Stone Pier Margate Kent CT9 1JD Te: 01843 577577 Email: visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk www.visitthanetbusiness.co.uk