A Soulful Winter’s Night, Santa’s Grotto & Carols in the Park

Plus, MORE festive events!

This week saw the launch of Ramsgate’s Light Up Trail, featuring 12 illuminated installations throughout the town, all created by artists from diverse fields. It’s a popular event that attracted significant media attention last year, and we’re so fortunate to have it as a free option for everyone. Please do check it out, the installations are beautiful!

On that note, I took on writing this newsletter to encourage businesses to host events and for people to attend them. This week, I’ve seen several venues cancel events due to low turnout. I know that as Christmas kicks in, there’s a lot going on. It’s cold and easy to stay home, but if you can make the effort to attend just one event this week, please help make someone else’s festive season with your support. The term use it or lose it applies to our fabulous events calendar, too!

The iDeer were in town for the Light Up Ramsgate Trail

Don’t miss out, until next week - EJP x

🌟 A Soulful Winter’s Night
Fri 19 Dec, 7 - 10pm / St George’s Church
Step into Christmas with Sabina Desir’s rich, deeply soulful vocals, alongside Jessica Lauren, an acclaimed arranger and keyboardist. This one-off concert is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
🎟 £12 / Book here

🎄 Light Up Ramsgate
Until 25 Jan, 4 - 10pm / Various Locations
Visit 12 installations from artists including Rich Maynard, Carline Liszt and Felicity Jones as part of Ramsgate Winter Festival. Full map of each project here.
🎟 Free

🎥 Film: Barbarella
Wed 17 Dec, 7pm / Ramsgate Community Cinema
In celebration of Jane Fonda’s 88th birthday, Ramsgate Community Cinema is screening this brilliant film about Barbarella, an astronaut from the future, sent on a mission to find and stop an evil scientist set on destroying the galaxy.
🎟 Pay what you can at the door

🎫 Film: Mafusa
Fri 19 Dec, 2pm / Ramsgate Community Cinema
For someone not a fan of live-action remakes of Disney classics, I really loved Mafusa, which tells the story of Simba’s father. This is the last screening before the Christmas break, so don’t miss it!
🎟 Pay what you can at the door

🛍️ New Opening: Ramsgate Thrift Store
Mon - Sat, 10-4.30, Sun, 11- 4 / 1-3 High Street
Ramsgate Thrift Store has moved! You can now find even more vintage clobber in the heart of the town centre.

❓ The Seabird Chrimbo Quiz
Wed 17 Dec, 7pm / Seabird
Seabird’s monthly quiz, but with a festive twist! Book your table for a chance to win silly prizes and a cash pot.
🎟 £2.50pp / DM to book a table

🎲 Board Games Night
Fri 19 Dec, 7 - 10pm / The Fermentorium
Board At Home is expanding its gaming territory with a new games night at other local venues! Enjoy a range of games from The Fermentorium library, as well as games donated from the Board Room each week.
🎟 Free

🎅 Santa’s Grotto
Sat 20 Dec, 4 - 8pm / Ice House, Military Road, Ramsgate Harbour
Didn’t catch Santa last Friday? Visit the 6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts festive grotto, complete with a festive market and toasted marshmallows. At 6.30pm, Santa will head out on his illuminated kayak.
🎟 £5 per child for grotto entry

🗣 Carols in the Park
Sun 21 Dec, from 5pm / Ellington Park
A traditional family carol service with school choir, brass band, mince pies, hot drinks and a snow machine.
🎟 Free

🍷 Neptunes Choir Advent Door
Wed 17 Dec, 6.30 - 8.30pm / Penelope
If you missed Neptunes Choir this weekend, you can catch them again as part of Penelope’s Advent Door. Swing by for mulled wine and mince pies on the go, with all donations to Thanet Winter Shelter.
🎟 Free

🎶 Christmas Baroque
Thu 18 Dec, 7 - 9pm / St George’s Church
Enjoy a concert of Baroque music, featuring the Baroque Collective, in tandem with St George’s annual Christmas Tree festival.
🎟 £13 / Book here

🖥️ Museum Christmas Party
Sat 20 Dec, 6pm - late / This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete
Get ready for Christmas carols (on the organ, of course) and an appearance from Father Christmas. Mince pies and mulled wine available for a suggested donation!
🎟 Free

🕺 Pat Riarchy’s Seasonal Sack
Sat 20 Dec, 7pm - 1am / Alley Bar at Salt House
What’s Xmas without an invitation from Pat Riarchy to delve into his Christmas sack and let him know if you’ve been naughty or nice?
🎟 £10 / Book here

🔔 Deck The Halls
Sat 20 Dec, 7pm - 1am / Ramsgate Music Hall
Jingle jungle all the way with this Christmas party for drum and bass lovers. Expect vibes from DJ Millz, Vital Elements and 2 Bad Mice to name a few.
🎟 £10.50 / Book here

🍷 Christmas Jumper Party
Sun 21 Dec, from 8pm / Queen’s Head
The Queen’s Head celebrates its 14th annual Christmas Jumper Party. Grab your cheesiest jumper and head down for a beer and a boogie.
🎟 Free

🎨 Christmas Sip & Paint
Tue 16 Dec, 7.30 - 9.30pm / Queen’s Head
Spend the evening getting creative with local artist Paige Barry. All art materials provided, bevvies payable on top.
🎟 £10 / DM to book

🧶 Knit & Natter
Tue 16 Dec, 11am - 1pm / Ellington Park Cafe
Bring your latest knitting project and connect with other crafters in this casual social workshop.
🎟 Free

🏮 New Year’s Eve Lantern Parade Workshops
Wed 17 Dec, 5 - 7pm / St George’s Church
Make a lantern to join the New Year’s Eve Lantern Parade. You can also take it home and display it in your window! All materials provided.
🎟 Free

🥣 Gentle Yoga and Sound Bath
Sun 21 Dec, 9.30 - 10.45pm / Arts in Ramsgate
Sari Riches offers a rejuvenating 75-minute session combining gentle yoga with a sound bath.
🎟 £15 / Book here

3 THINGS TO KNOW

1. Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board has agreed a capital grant of £535,000 from the Pride in Place Programme for Pie Factory to secure freehold ownership of its beloved Ramsgate Youth Centre. Hurrah! More here.

2. Violet’s has launched ‘12 Days of Christmas’ with offers every day. This week, there’s free coffee and wine (with a cake or platter!).

3. The Home Front Tearoom is opening its doors on Mon 22 and Tue 23 Dec for folks to enjoy a festive afternoon tea at £24.95 pp. Get in touch to book.