New Year's Eve in Thanet: Parties, parades, family fun and more

The end of the year is coming up fast. How will you celebrate? If you’re looking to head out partying or wanting something to do with the kids, there are plenty of things happening across Thanet. 

Sure, you're probably still frantically trying to get everything ready for Christmas. But don't let the opportunity to get out on December 31 slip by - especially when we've done the job of working out what's going on for you.

You can join a lantern parade to light up the Ramsgate seafront as the evening begins, and check out all kinds of parties with a wide variety of music on offer. Then the next day, why not go and join other locals and visitors by joining a New Year’s Day sea swim? 

New events are being announced regularly and we will keep this page up to date with the best parties and activities, so check back again - or sign up for our newsletter to keep in the know about everything that’s happening around Thanet and beyond.

Smiths Townhouse
The relatively new (and lovely) Smiths Townhouse wants to make sure you're fully warmed up for wherever you end up at the clock draws closer to midnight. Smiths will be shut by them, but only after an epic all day party. The venue will be open for coffee, winter warmers and cocktails all day, with a DJ spinning classic house tracks.
7am to 9.30pm. Smiths Townhouse, 43 Belvedere Road, Broadstairs, CT10 1PF.

Rakookoo
Ramsgate-based heat at home South Asian takeaway Rakookoo has put together a NYE feast for those who want to eat before heading out (or just fancy a night in). The food, cooked by chef Rachel O'Sullivan, is always incredible. This menu includes snacks such as mussel, galangal and lime-leaf escabeche, and mains like Burmese confit duck and sprout-top curry.
Collect from Ramsgate between 4pm and 7pm. DM on Instagram to order.

Twenty Seven Harbour Street & The Txoko Bar
Book a table at Twenty Seven Harbour Street to sample the delicious festive small plates menu as you see out 2025. Once you've had your fill, you can move over to the Txoko Bar to raise a glass to 2026.
1pm to midnight (last food bookings at 8pm). Twenty Seven Harbour Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1EU. Book a table.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve daytime party
Ahead of its adults-only evening event, Margate Arts Club will be putting on a New Year's Eve night for all the family. As it will finish a way off midnight UK time, this one will celebrate several other new years as they happen around the world. There will be games, music and lots of fun.
4pm to 7pm. Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2PT. Adults £5 / Children free.

New Year’s Eve Lantern Parade
As part of this year’s Ramsgate Winter Festival, there will be a free, family-friendly lantern parade on New Year’s Eve. The theme is ‘Love, Peace and Joy to the World’. Starting at St George’s Church, it will make its way down to Ramsgate Tunnels where you’ll find refreshments and more fun. Don’t have a lantern or the means to make one at home? Join one of the free lantern-making workshops running throughout November and December. 
Meet at 4.15pm at St George’s Church, Broad Street, Ramsgate, CT11 8RG. More information. 

Penelope
For a cosy but very lively NYE party, head over to Ramsgate wine bar Penelope. This one gets started early and will have DJ sets from Jim Breese, Dave Doubles, Jonny Fryer.
5pm to 1am. Penelope, 30 Harbour Street, Ramsgate, CT11 8HA. Free entry.

Ramsgate Arts Club
This beautiful basement venue is putting on a 70s night for New Year's Eve, covering as much musical ground as possible. Expect glam rock, disco, soul, punk and more. As well as having on of the earliest starts on our list, it also has the latest finish to get the most party for your buck.
5pm to 3am. Ramsgate Arts Club, The Old Wine, Charlotte Court, Ramsgate, CT11 8HE. Tickets £25.

Sète
French restaurant Sète will be opening up on New Year's Eve for three sittings serving up a decadent menu along with fizz and cocktails. The wine bar will also be open for walk-ins, also serving food as well as drinks.
5.30pm, 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Sète, 238 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2QD. Book a table.

Willy's
Margate's newest restaurant Willy's is putting on two seatings for dinner as well as a party afterwards with Dani St James on the decks to keep things going past midnight. The meal looks delicious, with a roast rack of lamb at the centre (options for other dietary requirements also available). It's up to you to decide if you want to dance or sleep after you've hoovered it all up.
5.30pm and 8pm until 2am. Willy's, 6 Dalby Square, Margate, CT9 2ER. £55 (5.50pm - dinner only), £65 (8.30pm - dinner and dancing), £12 (disco only).

CAMP
Cliftonville LGBTQ+ bar CAMP is preparing for big changes in 2025, but as the new year rolls in its pure party all the way. Ease in with a few drinks before DJ AKA Fox arrives on the decks at 10pm to spin three hours of party classics and all the best songs released in 2025.
6pm to 1am. CAMP, 125 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2QY. Free entry.

Bar Nothing
Always reliable for a great and eclectic night out, Cliftonville's Bar Nothing will be opening early and carrying on until late. DJ duo Body Language will keep everything moving from 9pm.
6pm until late. Bar Nothing, 17 Cliff Terrace, Margate, CT9 1RU. Tickets £10.

Bottega Caruso
Bottega Caruso is bringing back its now traditional five course Italian New Year's Eve feast. Expect insalata Di rinforzo, lenticchie e cotechino, lasagna and more. There'll also be plenty of delicious wine.
7pm until late. Bottega Caruso, 2-4 Broad Street, Margate, CT9 1EW. Email reservations@bottegacaruso.com to book.

Little Havana
Margate's new Cuban bar Little Havana is putting on a New Year's fiesta. Relax in the cosy, nicely done out space with a Cuban buffet, cocktails and a glass of prosecco at midnight.
7pm to 1am. Little Havana, Northdown Parade, Prices Avenue, Margate, CT9 3NR. Tickets £35. Call 07498949738 to book.

Seabird
Seabird in Ramsgate is going Mexican for NYE with a four course feast. Expect slow-cooked beef cheek mole, local diver-caught scallop ceviche and more. As well as the food, tickets also include a welcome margarita and dancing until the early ours with DJ Scott Martin (We Love, Ibiza). The restaurant will also be serving all day brunch on New Year's Day.
7pm to 2am. Seabird, 2-3 The Broadway, Addington Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9JN. Tickets £60 (or £10 if you just want to dance).

Margate Arts Club
Margate Arts Club’s NYE party this year will have a disco theme, celebrating four-to-the-floor sounds from all over the world - Italo, electro, synth and global rhythms, they’ll all be in there and more. 
7pm to 2am. Margate Arts Club, 276 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2PT. Tickets £10. 

Faith in Strangers
Faith in Strangers will have Jonathan Henfrey and Duff Disco playing cosmic, deep house, disco, left-of-centre party records and late-night cuts until the small hours. But before that, the in-house restaurant's head chef Jackson Berg is cooking up a feast. Seafood, steak, fried artichokes and apple sorbet are among the items on the menu. If you don't fancy dancing on a full stomach, there are tickets for just the club night too.
7pm to 2.30am. Faith In Strangers, 17 Ethelbert Crescent, Margate, CT9 2DY. Dinner and dancing £90 (£70 vegan) / Dancing only £24.99.

Olby’s
Olby’s in Margate’s Old Town will be playing soul, funk and classic anthems all night. All tickets get a glass of fizz and midnight and canapes. You can also book group packages that include more food and drinks. 
8pm to 1am. Olby's, 3-5 King Street, Margate, CT9 1DD. Tickets £20. 

Louie on Sea
Louie on Sea at the Turner Contemporary in Margate will be giving Latin vibes this NYE. With DJ Leon on the decks, you’ll know what to expect if you attended any of the cafe’s Terrace Sessions this summer (except it’ll be cold outside and the party will be indoors). 
8pm to 2am. Louis on Sea, Rendezvous, Margate, CT9 1HG. Tickets £15 individual / £90 table of four. 

And on New Year’s Day…

Ramsgate New Year's Day Dip
Shake off that hangover by joining the annual Ramsgate New Year’s Day sea swim at midday. There’s a medal for every dipper and prizes for fancy dress. 
Meet at the Queen’s Head pub from 11am. Suggested donation £10.

Extra (G)ravy
If you're not partied out, Neptunes Hall in Broadstairs will be cranking up the sound system from 4pm on New Year's Day for Extra (G)ravy all dayer. Playing the tunes will be local producer Kyri, pub owner Jonathan Henfrey, and the internationally renowned Sophie Lloyd. Before the music kicks off at 4pm, you can get a rejuvenating roast lunch from midday.
12pm to 4pm (lunch), 4pm to midnight (dancing). Neptunes Hall, 1-5 Harbour Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1ET. Free entry.

Floating Frequencies sound bath
Floating Frequencies pops up at Gather& in Ramsgate for a sound bath to bring on internal balance and rejuvenation, which is probably something we could all do with after December. Led by Eleanor Yankah, who is up on all things Ayurvedic, reiki, and wholistic wellbeing.
5pm to 6pm. Gather&, 17 Military Road, Ramsgate, CT11 9LG. Tickets £25.