Thanet Christmas guide: Markets, switch-ons and festive fun
From wreath making and crafts to nights out and family fun, get into the spirit of the season with any one of these Christmassy events
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and so is our events calendar, with more and more festive happenings announced daily. A huge amount of stuff will brighten up Thanet in the run up to this year’s big day, so we’ve created this bumper guide to what’s going on in the area, as well as in East Kent and London too.
Want to shop local? Make your own decorations? Keep the kids occupied? See lights switched on? Have a dance? Watch Christmas movies on the big screen? You're sorted; we've got so many festive things to do, you’re going to be exhausted by the time Santa jumps down your chimney.
We’ll keep updating this list as the festive season progresses, so keep checking back. And sign up to our newsletter to make sure you’re always up to date all the best events in and around Thanet all year round.
Crafts and workshops
Sète wreath-making workshop
Jazz up your front door with a chic wreath you made with your own bare hands, potentially at Sète’s wreath-making workshop with Florence Jones. Tickets, £45, include a glass of mulled wine and materials. If you want to stick around after, the bistro has two plates for £18 with a glass of tap red or white for £3.5 from 12pm-2pm. This is perfectly timed, as the workshop runs 10am-12pm on Saturday, November 30. Book.
Old Curiosity Shop’s Christmas craft sessions
Make a festive wreath, a Santa plate or some Christmas baubles at one of Broadstairs’ Old Curiosity Shop various craft workshops in December. Prices vary but all tickets include a hot drink and mince pies. DM the cafe or pop by to reserve your spot, and BYO booze if you fancy.
Wreath-making workshop at The Rose
Bougie Deal pub The Rose is hosting a festive wreath-making craft sesh on Wednesday December 11, 6pm-8pm, in partnership with Wall Cottage Flowers. Make your own whimsical, free-range door hanging out of fresh and dry foliage. The workshop is £65 and includes materials, drinks and snacks, and if you fancy, stay for a set menu dinner, which for two courses is £24, or for three it's £29. Full details.
Bits and bobs
Xmas trees
Pick up a fresh Christmas tree from Margate Flowers outside Dukes in Margate's Old Town, seven days a week, and at The Potting Shop on Northdown Road, Thursday to Sunday. Potted, cut and on-block trees will be available, alongside wreaths, cut flowers and other festive bits and pieces. Prices from £30. Pre-ordering available - call 07930 310456.
Good Tidings
Margate Old Town homeware shop and artist Mercedes Lucy have teamed up to launch Good Tidings, putting on a range of festive workshops and events, as well as selling trees, decorations and candles. It really does have it all. Wreath and candle-making workshops run throughout November and December. All the details are here.
Festive afternoon tea
Running November 20 to December 23, beach-side Buoy & Oyster in Margate are putting on a festive afternoon tea, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. There are three sittings each day, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Spots must be booked in advance and are £30pp. Champers and cocktails available for an additional fee.
Events
St George’s Church’s Christmas Tree Festival
From December 13-22, a glut of lovingly decorated christmas trees will brighten up St George’s church in Ramsgate. The festival, now in its 16th year, is still accepting trees, but be quick, you have to express your interest by November 26. Find out more.
Action Community Thanet Christmas Quiz
Pie Factory Music’s social action volunteer group ACT! are putting on a quiz to raise funds for the Ramsgate young person’s music charity, on Saturday 14th December from 7pm. Tickets are £5/£2.50 with a maximum team size of 6. To book call (01843) 596777 or (01843) 596998, or email info@piefactorymusic.com BYO booze, soft drinks and table snacks provided.
Love, Actually
If you are one of the many people who think Love, Actually is one of the greatest feel-good movies of all time and not a pile of nauseating crap, get yourself down to Westgate’s Carlton Cinema on either Saturday December 14 (7.15pm) or Thursday December 19 (10.45), or both dates if you’re a tragic die-hard fan. I won’t see you there, but no doubt you’ll see others. Ergh. Tickets.
Curzon Christmas quiz
Canterbury's Curzon Westgate cinema celebrates quizmas on Wednesday, December 18. Hosted by Miss Shauntavia, it’s doors from 7pm, £2 a pop and tables of up to six people. DM to book or pop by the bar.
Pilgrims Hospice Santas On The Run
Join in or cheer on Santas as they bolt for charity at the Herne Bay festive charity run, held on December 15. Also, Pilgrims Hospice are looking for volunteers on the day to serve as marshals, medal giver outerer and other various tasks. Email eila.ilkhan@pilgrimshospices.org for more info.
Music and nights out
Huey Morgan’s Xmas Block Party
BBC Radio 6 Music’s own Huey Morgan will be pulling up at Faith In Strangers in Margate on Saturday, December 14, from 9pm, for his Xmas Block Party. He’ll be DJing a mix of funk, hip hop, disco, jazz and soul. Support comes from Mr Shiver. Tickets are £22.66.
The Christmas Assembly
Heading to the Rose in June for the festive edition of the acoustic music night, held December 15, will have carols, performed by Institute Collective, including tunes from their Christmas album First Flurry. After, there will be a Christmas classic sing-a-long, done old school, with a live piano, and a decent dose of festive cheer. Join the waiting list here.
Crabs present Crabsmas
Back at the Tom Thumb Theatre on Saturday December 21, Thanet’s cracky Wiggles will once again prove that punk and crustaceans are a great combo. Crabs will chuck a festive spin on their observational tunes, and may even belt out a few new ones. The self-styled “angry sound of middle-aged Margate” has proven popular, as the gig is sold out. Join the waiting list.
A Night For Weird Folk Christmas special
A festive edition of the weird folk night held at Margate Arts Club on December 20. Hosted by the Bower Street Morris, this bash puts a spin on Christmassy, with tarot, carols, a ceilidh, hankie waving and high leaping on the bill of fun stuff. Tickets are £8.
Cliftonville Carols
On Sunday, December 22, Ark Cultural Space is will be filled with the glorious sounds of The Social Singing Choir, the Institute Collective (in case you missed out on The Christmas Assembly), and Margate Children’s Choir. All in aid of Arts Education Exchange. Tickets £14.
Kids and family
Birchington Christmas Elf Trail
Birchington's annual Christmas event will take over the village once again on Saturday, November 23. Various timeslots are available for children to come and meet Santa, and you can stick around to enjoy the other activities and stalls at your leisure. Tickets cost £3 per child.
Christmas Fun at Brogdale
Brogdale Farm near Faversham is a magical place to visit at any time of year, but its upcoming two day Christmas extravaganza will be really special. Kids can hang out with Santa in his gingerbread grotto, take a ride around the orchards on his tractor, make festive crafts, and more. There will also be food, drink, Christmas trees, and gifts for sale. Entry is free, Santa's grotto costs £3. Full details.
Christmas at the Caves
Margate Caves' always popular Christmas event is back again, with a visit to Santa's underground grotto the highlight. You can also follow a festive trail around the caves, take a photo with Beauty and the Beast, throw a coin into Snow White's wishing well, and head to the Christmas workshop for a craft session. Runs every weekend from November 30, with extra dates just before Christmas.
The Elf Express
Quex Park's Elf Express returns for its tenth year, the centrepiece being a ride on Santa's tractor (our second mention of Santa's tractor, who knew he owned so much farm machinery?). There are lots and lots of other activities too, including ice skating, reindeer feeding, festive pet photography, light shows and more. Runs weekends from November 30, with a relaxed session on Thursday, December 12 and extra dates during Christmas week. Find out more.
Dreamland’s Christmas World
Dreamland’s Christmas World kicks off on Saturday, December 14. You’ll find rides for kids, indoor snowball fights, Santa’s grotto and more. Entry is free but if you want to meet Santa, you’ll need to book in advance. Full details.
Elf & Home Alone 2
Don’t want to be home alone on Christmas eve? The Carlton cinema in Westgate is screening both the stupid but enjoyable Elf (11am; 5pm) and Home Alone 2 (10.15am, 1.45 pm) which is surprisingly violent for a kids flick.
Pantomimes and theatre
Beauty and the Beast
The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury’s panto is the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, brought to life by an award-winning team and CBeebies and Horrible Histories stars Phil Gallagher and Richard David-Caine. Also starring Maisie Smith, of EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly Ballroom: the Musical fame. The show runs from November 22 to January 12. Tickets from £17.
The Snowsmith
The Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury will be staging multiple performances of this festive show for children aged 4+ from December 7-14. Join inventor Eira as she heads out on quest to bring snow back to the town of Thawmor. Tickets are £10.
Aladdin
Panto at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs this year is Aladdin. The cast includes Ian Crosher and Jon Carr, with John Goodrum returning as the Dame. Runs from 7-31 Dec. Tickets start at £18.
Peter Pan
Over in Ramsgate, the Granville Theatre is putting on Peter Pan as its pantomime this year. There will be swashbuckling, there will be laughs, definitely a crocodile, and without doubt the need to inform someone that something is behind them (that crocodile, I reckon). Opens on December 14 to Christmas Eve. Tickets from £25.30.
Jazz for Juniors Christmas Family Show
Jazz singer Trudy Kerr presents a special Christmas edition of her family show on Sunday, December 22. She and her musician friends will take you on a jazzy adventure that promises lots of audience participation (one person is going to get to play drums, just sayin'). Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for children.
Christmas light switch ons
Leeds Castle light trail
Leeds Castle near Maidstone will once again go all out with the Christmas lights this year, covering its grounds and the castle itself with a collection of illuminated art installations. It runs from November 22 to January 1. There’ll also be a chance to meet Santa and warm yourself at various street food stalls. Details and tickets.
Folkestone switch on
Folkestone’s Creative Quarter and Harbour Arm have already switched on their Christmas lights, but Folkestone Town Council will be lighting up the rest of the town centre on Saturday, November 23. It runs from 1-8pm, with live music, food and gift stalls, a parade and more.
Deal illumination
Deal’s town centre will officially become illuminated on Saturday, November 23. The switch will be flicked at about 7.30pm, but there will be music and an appearance from Santa himself from 4.30pm.
Ramsgate switch on
Ramsgate’s Christmas light switch on doubles up as the opening event of new illuminations festival Ramsgate Lumiere on Sunday, November 24. From 5pm, there’ll be a lantern parade, live music, and a video projection show on walls of The George’s Church.
Margate’s unofficial switch on
Margate will be buzzing with two events on Saturday, November 30. While there’s no official High Street light switch on, businesses there and in The Centre will be putting up market stalls for their own festive celebration. Meanwhile, the Old Town’s lights will be turned on the same evening, following that day’s Christmas market. There will also be a performance from the Social Singing Choir.
Westgate switch on
Westgate is holding out until December to get its lights on. The button will be pressed on Sunday, December 1. There’ll be stuff going on from 11am, including a street market, live performances, Santa’s grotto, fairground rides and more.
Markets and shopping
Pierremont Hall Christmas Market
Full of festive music, crafts and cheer, the Broadstairs market is Saturday November 30, from 11am to 5pm. There will be carols at 4.30pm and those who have been nice, can say hello to Mr and Mrs Claus, who have taken time out of their busy schedule for a meet and greet all day
Festive teenage market
If you are young talent or are responsible for young talent, The Teenage Market pops up at The Centre Margate on Saturday, November 30, from 11am to 5.30pm. If you, or someone you know is aged 8-24 and is either a performer or could be a stall holder. Drop Thanet Council a line if interested in taking part. Details.
TKE Studios Xmas Bazaar
TKE Studios hosts its Xmas Bazaar on November 30. Running 2pm to 6pm, there will be mulled wine, games and artworks by the studio’s cohort of artists which you can look at and buy. The Perfect Place to Grow will provide the nosh. All the info.
Margate Old Town Christmas Market
Two festive markets, on Saturday, November 23 and then again November 30, head down to for handmade pressies, festive food and a Christmassy buzz. From 11am-4pm.
George & Heart Christmas Market
The Margate pub has their Xmas market on November 30, from 11am-4pm, with music, food, mulled drinks and craft. If you want to set up a stall, get in touch with the pub.
Sugar Rush Christmas Market
Ramsgate is going to buzz and glow on Sunday, November 24. It’s a day of switch ons, Santa’s Grotto, lantern parades and festive activity, including Sugar Rush’s Christmas Market. There will be more than 30 stall holders and appropriately merry refreshments. Free entry.
Margate WI Christmas Fayre
The Margate Women's Institute will bring their Christmas Fayre back to Dreamland on Saturday, December 7 from 11am to 4pm. Setting up in the Roller Disco, there will be stalls selling gifts made by various local makers, as well as a tombola to raise money for the Garden Gate Project, and opportunities to find out more about the WI. Free entry.
London
Southbank Centre’s Winter Light
The Southbank Centre’s new outdoor exhibition Winter Light runs until February 2 and is free. A collection of illuminated artworks are dotted around the site, created by artists including Sophia Al Maria, Jacob Kvist, and David Bachelor. Find out more.
Skate at Somerset House
One of the loveliest ice-skating rinks around, Skate at Somerset House has returned for some festive frivolity in the iconic central london courtyard. Running to January 12, it’s also probably the most cultural rink, with guest djs, skating lates and a whole programme of stuff suitable for friends and families. Tickets from £11.
