Incoming: Lovebox, Marlowe Theatre, Penelope

The return of Lovebox (at its new home in Margate), Christmas movies, live music, the Marlowe Theatre's spring programme, and art book panel discussion and more. Lots of events around Thanet and beyond to get down in your diary.

After seven years away, the Lovebox festival is back and it’s coming to Margate. Leaving its former home in East London’s Victoria Park, on May 29-30 next year it will take over Dreamland. Rudimental and Scissor Sisters will play headline sets, with Armand Van Helden, Goldie, Friendly Fires, and Soul II Soul also on the bill. Tickets from £64.10.

High Tide Social play cafe in Cliftonville is putting up a big screen and showing festive movies every Friday in the lead up to Christmas. The programme is Home Alone (Nov 28), The Grinch (Dec 5), Elf (Dec 12) and Polar Express (Dec 19. They'll also be serving up popcorn, nachos, hotdogs and smash burgers and there will be a happy hour on drinks. £4 per family. 

Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre has announced a load of new shows for next spring. Among them are science show for kids Brainiac Live (April 13), Professor Brian Cox’s new show Warming Up (February 1), Matthew Bourne's award-winning dance production The Car Man (November 10-14), historian and faithful David Olusoga (April 26), and comedians Harry Enfield (March 14), Stevie Martin (April 11), Lorna Rose Treen (April 28).

Eclectic producer Quantic will play a rare DJ set at Faith in Strangers in Cliftonville on Saturday, March 28. Tickets £20.40. 

Japanese psychedelic rock band Acid Mothers Temple return to Ramsgate Music Hall on Sunday, April 19. Tickets £17.50. 

Tracey Emin, Katy Hessel, Russell Tovey and Roberty Diament will discuss the making of contemporary art books in a panel discussion at TKE Studios in Cliftonville on Saturday, December 13 at 4pm. A book signing and exhibition will follow at 5pm. Free tickets. 

Girl Dinner will be at Sète in Cliftonville on Wednesday, December 10. Get the girls together for a festive feast, with three courses for £5 a head. It’ll be snowballs all round (drinking snowballs is not mandatory).

The Sobar Social will be back at The Shakespeare in Margate on Thursday, December 18 for those who like going out but aren’t looking to get smashed over the festive party season. Or maybe you just need a break from all that. Head down for all kinds or alcohol-free refreshment from 6.30-8.30pm.

Acoustic music night Softly Softly returns to Salt in Broadstairs on Sunday, December 14. Performers include Morag Butler, Rick Jakubowski, Megan Wardroper and Jack Hayter. It’s a nice early one too, with the music starting at 3pm. Note that no under 18s will be allowed in though. Entry is pay-what-you-can on the door. 

The eccentric and thoroughly watchable Jinkx Monsoon (Twice RuPaul winner) plays Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow. Written by Peter Quilter the cabaret show is on at Soho Theatre Walthamstow May 15 to June 21. Sign up for pre-sale (on sale Wednesday December 3).

Windmill Community Gardens hosts a workshop that will get you through winter’s dark days. The Winter Herbalism Workshop will take participants through the herbs used for immunity, warmth, circulation and resilience in winter. Participants will create two herby remedies to take home - Fire Cider and a winter balm. On Saturday, December 6, 1pm-3pm. Tickets £15.

Ramsgate wine bar Penelope has a busy December, with an office party for freelancers and home workers on December 12, 8pm-11pm. It’s also part of the town’s Advent Door event on December 17, when Neptunes Choir carols under the Harbour Street lights 6.30pm-8pm. It’s also open on Christmas eve from 2pm-6.30pm, and will be playing Christmas songs, by candlelight.

Our Curated Abode in Ramsgate teams up with Margate illustrator Megan Metcalf for a cracker-making workshop. On Wednesday, December 10 from 7pm to 9pm, participants will craft six crackers to take home. Tickets are £45 and include all materials and cracker gifts, as well as some fizz.