I know that I often gush on here, but ’ve just got home from another incredible weekend in Ramsgate (big up the Addington Street Vintage Trail) and once again I’m filled with gratitude for the people that make this please tick. From live drawing in windows to impromptu gigs, there spontaneous going ons that don’t make it to this newsletter are often the best. If you’re split between going out this week, I highly recommend a night off the sofa. You never know where it’s going to take you!
Don’t miss out, until next week - EJP x
🍺 Oktoberfest @ The Ravensgate
Thu 1 Oct - Sun 4 Oct; Thu 4 - 10pm, Fri & Sat 1 - 11pm, Sun 11am - 7pm / The Ravensgate
More is more when it comes to celebrating Oktoberfest and The Ravensgate has got the memo with not one, but TWO official Oktoberfest beers, specially brewed for the festival by Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. There’s also a 0.0% lager on tap for those not drinking. On Sat 3 Oct, you’ll be able to grab foot-long Bratwurst in a bun and giant baked pretzels (yum!) as well as vegan and gluten-free options. DJ Katmandude will be on the decks from 4pm. Bring your lederhosen and good vibes!
🎟 Free entry
🎨 Maker: Unknown
Until 11 Oct / Madsen Sylvester Studio
After a weekend of live drawing in the Madsen Sylvester windows, Hogarth prize-shortlisted artist Mirren Kessling leaves behind her work reconstructing an 18th-century dress fragment from the V&A Archives in white ink, honouring the uncredited woman makers behind historic textiles.
🎟 Free
✍️ Writing in Progress
Wed 30 Sep, 7pm / Penelope
Grab a glass, pull up a chair and join Penelope for an evening of writing, stories, poetry, comedy and live performance. Whether you’re reading or listening, everyone is welcome.
🎟 Free / DM to book a reading slot
🎥 Film: The Duke
Wed 30 Sep, 7pm / Ramsgate Community Cinema
In 1961, a 60-year-old taxi driver steals Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. He sends ransom notes saying that he will return the painting if the government invests more in care for the elderly. A comedy!
🎟 £3.50 suggested donation
🎨 Ben Cotterill: Edge of Darkness
Fri 2 Oct, 6.30 - 8.30pm; Sat 3 - Sun 4 Oct, 11am - 5pm / Hold Gallery
A collection of landscape and other paintings by Ben Cotterill whose Instagram post on the exhibition simply states, “Don’t be afraid of the dark. Something emerges, something disappears.”
🎟 Free
🕳️ Ramsgate Tunnels Tour
Sun 4 Oct, 11am - 1pm / Ramsgate Tunnels
Join the Ramsgate Tunnels Team for a guided walk along the entire length of the 1863 mainline railway tunnel. With the far end of the near-mile long tunnel being just inside the Broadstairs boundary, this is a different kind of Ramsgate to Broadstairs walk.
🎟 £15 / Book here
♻️ The Refillable Van
Mon 28 Sep, 11am - 1pm / Pie Factory Music
Grab your reusable bags and get to this zero-waste mobile refill station which stocks everything from soap to spices.
🎟️ Free entry
🍷 Wine Tasting
Thu 1 Oct, 7 -10pm / Ramsgate Arts Club
Indulge in an evening sampling a selection of wines from Ramsgate Art’s Club Autumn menu. You’ll get to sample twelve wines in total including their reds, whites, roses, orange & sparkling. Small plates, cheese and charcuterie will also be available to purchase.
🎟 £25 / Book here
🎸 Oktoberfest @ The Pub
Fri 2 Oct - Sun 11 Oct / The Pub
Ramsgate’s best named venue ‘The Pub’ is equally on the Oktoberfest train with original Oktoberfest beers on tap, cold Bavarian food platters (including proper pretzels). More events coming next week, which I’ll of course keep you updated on.
🎟️ Free entry
🍺 Kill the Keg
Sat 3 Oct, from 2pm / The Fermentorium
Last year’s Kill the Keg at The Fermentorium took a grand total of 2.5 hours so you’ll want to be quick to get in on the action here. £6 a pint for a 6.9% fresh pour German lager straight from the barrel on the bar.
🎟 £6 a pint
🛍️ Ramsgate Handmade Fair
Sun 4 Oct, 10am - 4pm / Harbour Parade
Get started on your Christmas shopping and shop local makers at this monthly handmade fair.
🎟 Free
🎭 Tom Davis: Spudgun
Wed 30 Sep, 7.30pm - 9.30pm / The Granville Theatre
I’ve been to see Tom Davis at The Granville before and it was bloomin’ brilliant. Looks like it’s solo seats left only, so a date night with yourself might be on the cards.
🎟️ £29.15 (+fee) / Book here
🎸 Lavinia Blackwall + Green Diesel
Thu 1 Oct, 7.30 - 11pm / Ramsgate Music Hall
Former singer and arranger with the critically acclaimed Trembling Bells, Lavinia Blackwall’s latest show blends elite musicianship with raw energy and classic song writing. Support comes acid folk band, Green Diesel.
🎟️ £12.50 / Book here
🍷 Basement Boogie
Sat 3 Oct, 8pm -3am / Ramsgate Arts Club
Fancy a boogie? Get your jig on with funk, soul, disco, and rare groove at Ramsgate Arts Club with DJs Richio Suziki & Andy Medhurst.
🎟 Free
🎸 Scott Laverne
Sat 3 Oct, 7.30 - 11pm / Ramsgate Music Hall
British singer-songwriter and storyteller Scott Laverne blends kitchen-sink realism
with dark humour, poetic grit, and a distinctly English sense of place.
🎟️ £16.50 / Book here
💬 Chat Time
Tue 29 Sep, 10.30am – 1pm / Ramsgate Space
Sometimes all you need is a good chat and every Tuesday the doors at Ramsgate Space are open for exactly that. Pop in for a cuppa, discuss ideas and have a good ol’ natter.
🎟 Free
🎨 Express yourself! Mixed media with Chris Clark
Tue 29 Sep, 11am - 1pm / Little Ravens
Get experimental with this hands-on mixed media collage workshop where you'll use colour, texture, images, print and found materials to create something uniquely yours. Run by Margate-based artist Chris Clark, the session is suitable for seasoned makers or total beginners.
🎟 £25 / Book here
🎨 Festival of Optimism
Thu 1 - Sat 3 Oct / Various Locations
What is there to be optimistic about in Thanet? This three-day experiential event across Margate and Ramsgate will explore how communities can respond to some of today’s biggest challenges with imagination, courage and collective action. The programme includes talks, workshops, exhibitions, experiences and fringe events including art exhibitions, quests, music, dancing and more.
🎟 from £26.25 / Book here
🖌️ Sip & Paint: Citrus & Spritz
Sat 3 Oct, 6.30 - 9.30pm / Gather &
Local artist Lauren from The Creative Flow guides you step-by-step through a citrus or fruit inspired creation. Great for anyone who wants to learn new techniques!
🎟 from £35 / Book here
📌 The Noticeboard: Find out about regular events and services!
Looking for regular events? Want to know about services? The Noticeboard features regular community events and promotes everything from dog walkers to music lessons across Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Discover what’s happening in the area and support your local community.
Got something to promote yourself? Submit a listing for just £10 a month.
Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, please share with a friend so we can continue to grow in Ramsgate and beyond!
And if you missed it… last week’s newsletter still has lots of things happening you need to know about.
Mini Green Hops Fest, Addington Street Vintage Trail & Paint Your Partner
Some of my family are here this weekend, so I’m on my best Ramsgate tourism board behaviour showing them exactly what we have on offer. My sister has been particularly eager to get back for CUBO’s Patatosa pizza (potato on pizza IYDK) and we spent the majority of our afternoon winning rubber ducks in the arcades. Hey, there’s a reason why Ramsgate has b…