Christmas nights out: Parties, comedy, theatre, live music

The Christmas party season is here, always an excuse to go big and silly. Thanet is as ever laying on a wide variety of events to get you in the festive mood.

Whether you're on the look out for sophisticated wine tasting or a raucous adult panto, we've got you covered. There's also live music, theatre, comedy and loads more.

We'll be updating this with more events as they're announced, so be sure to check back to fill any gaps in your calendar.

Ramsgate Winter Festival
Running from November 30 through to the end of January, Ramsgate Winter Festival features illuminations, a light art trail, workshops, music, family events and much more. There’s a huge schedule of events to brighten up the darker months of winter.
Sunday, November 30 to Monday, January 26. Various venues in Ramsgate. See the full programme. 

Ramsgate Winter Festival lights up the darker months

Ramsgate Winter Festival returns later this month with a two month programme of events to bring joy and a sense of community to the darker months

Strange TouristAndy Malt

Adam Riches as Sean Bean in The 12 Beans Of Christmas
What is more Christmassy than a man in full medieval dress pretending to be Sean Bean? Find out when comedian Adam Riches welcomes you to Where Else for a night of jokes and festive games.
Thursday, December 4. Where Else, 21-22 The Centre, Margate, CT9 1RL. Tickets £16.54.

Letters You’ll Never Send
Confessional theatre show Letters You’ll Never Send is seeking anonymous letters for a special Christmas edition of the show in December. Got a bone to pick with Santa? A festival confession you could never tell? You can submit letters to be performed on stage now.
Thursday, December 11. Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2LB. Tickets £12. 

A jukebox of confessions: Letters You’ll Never Send brings anonymous confessions to the stage

Have you got something you’ve always wanted to say to someone but don’t dare? Katie McGarry’s show Letters You’ll Never Send takes your deepest secrets and puts them on stage

Strange TouristAndy Malt

Chumpsmas
Chump’s Comedy have announced their annual Chumpsmas show. This year they’re ramping things up a level. Taking place at Dreamland, the line up is Stewart Lee, Michelle de Swarte, Harriet Kemsley and Lou Sanders. Christopher Hall will MC the night.
Thursday, December 11. Dreamland, Hall by the Sea Road, Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ. Tickets £32.80.

Crabsmas
Punk band Crabs have announced their annual festival Crabsmas show at the Tom Thumb Theatre in Cliftonville. Also on the bill are Los Coyote Men and Harmony Bo. This always sells out early, so don’t hang about.
Friday, December 12. Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2LB. Tickets £12. 

ELZ’s Christmas Office Party
It's been a long time since I went to an office Christmas party. Like an increasing number of us, I don’t have an office to party in. To address this issue, ELZ is organising an office party for the office-less at Olby’s in Margate. There will be DJs, karaoke, a photobooth and (don’t ask me what this means) a “photocopy machine contest”. Turn up early and you can also have Christmas dinner.
Friday, December 12. 3-5 King Street, Margate, CT9 1DD. Tickets from £6.

Christmas Assembly
Acoustic music night Assembly is putting on a special Christmas edition at The Wellington in Margate Old Town. Different from the usual event, there will be carols performed by a choir and a singalong of festive classics led by Charlie Hannah and Meg Bird. You can win big in the charity raffle and stuff your face with mince pies too.
Sunday, December 14. The Wellington, 1 Duke Street, Margate CT9 1EP. Tickets £16.69.

The Twelve Wines of Christmas
Unsure about what wine to put on the table this Christmas? Bottleneck in Broadstairs is hosting a Twelve Wines of Christmas tasting. Covering white, red, sparkling and dessert wine, you’ll taste seven wines and be introduced to another five. There’ll be cheese and charcuterie too.
Tuesday, December 16. Bottleneck, 7-9 Charlotte St, Broadstairs, CT10 1LR. Places £55. 

ELZ & Dame Jame Do… Panto
Continuing their run of two person musicals, ELZ and Dame Jame turn their attention to pantomime with two performances at CAMP. Mashing up bits of all the classics, from Cinderella to Dick Whittington, with the audience deciding plot twists and making special guest appearances as the story unfolds. There will be a family-friendly matinee too.
Saturday, December 20. CAMP, 125 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2QY. Tickets £8-12.

It’s a Wonderful Life
What would the festive season be without this perennial classic? Continuing the Palace cinema's traditional December screenings of the film, this year they'll be showing a beautifully restored copy.
Saturday, December 20; Sunday, December 21; and Tuesday, December 23. Palace Cinema, Harbour Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1ET. Tickets £9.