Incoming: A Dead Good Festival, Fireworks, Light Up Ramsgate
Upcoming events and things to do in Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and wider East Kent.
Line up announcement for a magic and mysticism festival, Quex Park's annual fireworks display, Ramsgate's illuminations festival and lots more. Dates for your diary over the next few months.
The programme for A Dead Good Festival has been announced. The four day celebration of magic and mysticism has a wide array of events, including live music, film screenings, talks, workshops, rituals and more. We’re looking forward to AUTOHAUs and Black Market Karma’s live music and visuals on October 30, the Samhain procession on October 31, and the actual Charlotte Church performing sound rituals down in the Shell Grotto on November 1. See the full schedule and book tickets.
Quex Park’s annual firework display takes place this year on Saturday, November 1. As ever, there will be two displays, with the main one set to music. There will also be a massive bonfire, bars, food, rides, fire performers and more. Book tickets.
Discovery Planet will be making a welcome return with a spooky science event on Saturday, November 1 from midday to 5pm. Taking place at Ramsgate Space, the free drop-in session will have six stalls showcasing Halloween-themed science experiments. Looping the Loop will also be putting on some outdoor theatre and there will be lighting installations from Light Up Ramsgate. Another pop-up science event is planned for November 30, Ramsgate Christmas tree lights switch-on.
Speaking of Light Up Ramsgate (formerly Ramsgate Lumiere), the illumination trail has announced its return for 2025 as part of the wider Ramsgate Winter Festival. Local and international artists will spread light installations around the town centre from December 11 to January 25. Full details still TBC.
Ramsgate Arts Club’s next comedy night will be headlined by Norwegian comic Thor Stenhaug. Also on the bill are Kate Lucas, Max Fulham, and Tadi M. Tickets £18.
Ceramicist Trix Newham (Lux Pottery) and artist Sian C Morgan (Something Familiar) will be putting on a joint show at Pie Factory in Margate on October 16-20. Trix will be showing her amazing lamps and tiles, while Sian will be showing her ink and watercolour drawings of local landmarks. Find out more.
Margate’s Crab Museum is turning four! To mark the occasion, they’re having a party at Where Else on Saturday, October 25. There will be DJ sets from Breezy C (jungle, donk, garage), Switch Back Smith (hard, fast and stupid party music) and Isaan Cowbell Brothers (sped up molam bangers with suggestive dancing, live cowbell and jokes that White people are forbidden to participate in). This is all, say the Crab Museum team, “music we think crabs would like.” Tickets £9.69.
Chump’s Comedy is back at the Quarterhouse in Folkestone on Thursday, October 30 with an incredible line up. Taking to the stage will be Rhys James, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Huge Davies and Lil Wenker. MCing the night will be John Tothill. Tickets £16.50.
Candlelit classical performance night Lumos will be coming to Holy Trinity church in Broadstairs on Friday, November 14. Surrounded by hundreds of candles, a trio of string players will perform instrumental arrangements of Coldplay songs. Tickets from £20.
Love karaoke and hot dogs but never dreamed you could enjoy both at the same time? Well how about this? Not only can you, but you can do it every single month of the year. Only once though, let’s not be silly. Big Shot in Margate has just launched a monthly karaoke and hot dogs night. It takes place on the first Friday of every month. Yes, you just missed the first one. Best put November 7 in your diary now.
Having launched in August, the Resonant Coast live music night is back for a second edition. This one will take place at Ramsgate Arts Club on Thursday, October 23. It’ll also serve as the release party for Tessera, a new album from producers JQ and Richard Pike. They will perform music from the record live, following a support set from Danish guitarist Anders Holst. Tickets £7.50.
Performance artist Ted Rogers will be running a four hour dance workshop at TKE Studios in Margate on Friday, October 24. It’s for “anyone curious about dance as a way of connecting to themselves, to others and to what’s moving underneath it all.” Tickets £22.38.
We’ve been enjoying popping into Cliftonville bottle shop Drops and wandering out with an armful of beer and snacks since it opened this summer. But now the nights are drawing in, wandering is overrated. Luckily, on Friday, October 24, you’ll be able to stay and sample your purchases at the shop’s Oktoberfest Drink-in event. Will there be food? Well, Bombo Doughnuts will be providing “something special” still to be announced.
Film critic Anna Bogutskaya will be discussing her new book Feeding the Monster: Why Horror Has a Hold On Us at the Folkestone Bookshop on Friday, October 24. Hear her chat about all things horror and then ask any burning questions you still have. Tickets £5.
Photographer Tim Topple unveils his new exhibition Bad Dad - an exploration of “the quiet guilt and loud joy of raising children while holding onto a sense of self” - at Cliftonville’s Joseph Wales gallery from November 5-10. There will be a private view on November 7, 6-9pm.
Want more? Subscribe to our newsletter for a hit of arts, culture and fun things to do around Thanet and beyond in your inbox every Saturday morning.
