Wonderful Winter in Ramsgate
We are fast approaching one of my favourite times of the year in Ramsgate when so many people come together to create a truly magical build up to Christmas!
Christmas Lights Switch On
As is tradition here in Ramsgate, we start our Christmas celebrations on the last Sunday of this month with our annual town event, The Christmas Lights Switch On hosted by Ramsgate Town Council, which takes place on 27th November in the town centre. From midday, there will be a host of activities for families including a Land Train, Christmas Carousel, Handmade Market Stalls, Santa’s Grotto at Discovery Planet, live entertainment, lantern parade workshops at Arts in Ramsgate (FREE workshops have already started every Wednesday and Thursday and include sessions for lantern making and drumming workshops – more on this later), facepainting, naughty elves and lots more to keep everyone entertained for the afternoon with the Switch On of the lights and tree at 4.30pm. This year, we will be running an ‘Elfis’ Trail as your pass to visit Santa – check your children’s schoolbags for the trail or pick up a copy in various places around town including the Visitor Information Centre at Custom House, Harbour Parade.
Click on the images for larger versions
Christmas Event Maps are at the bottom of the page.
Lantern Parade
Arts in Ramsgate (AiR) and GB Carnival have joined forces to create a Winter Lantern Parade which is for all members of the community to be part of. The parade will be at 4pm on 22nd December, starting from the AiR centre next to the Post Office in the High St. The FREE lantern making workshops are for all ages and abilities at the Wednesday drop in sessions from 4 – 7pm and if you fancy taking part in the parade to make some noise, come along to the FREE drumming sessions every Thursday between 5.30 and 7.30pm and receive expert tuition!
Ramsgate Illuminations
For almost a decade, our amazing boatowners have lit up their boats, putting on a dazzling array of lights, showing off our harbour like no other in the world! Over 70 boats sparkle throughout December, creating the most beautiful display and reflections on our water which has made this spectacle a must see for so many families across Kent and beyond. There is no set date for lighting up the boats as they all do it voluntarily but if you head down throughout December, more and more light up in the lead up to Christmas, so every time you come down, the display and reflections on the sea have changed.
Advent Doors
From 1st December, residents and organisations open their doors for Advent, with a different location every night, raising funds for a local charity. Keep an eye out on their facebook page but some of the highlights include Ramsgate Society on 8th at the Maritime Museum, Addington Street on 9th (which will also be their late night shopping event) and Government Acre on 22nd.
Town Centre Late Night Shopping Event
Late night shopping in the town centre is on 8th December and will include a Christmas Market in Charlotte Court with over 20 stalls adding to the festive feel of this event. Many of the shops offer nibbles and bubbles along with a warm welcome and a chance to be entered into a free prize draw with every purchase between 5 and 7.15pm when you can win a voucher to spend in the participating shops of your choice. Shops this year include Board at Home, Wooden Box Cafe and Wooden Box Gallery, Sugar Rush, Arts in Ramsgate has drumming workshop, Kids Bright House, House of Dawg, Heaven & Hell, The Recovery Well, Alchemy, Limarni, Turner Rowe Gallery, Molly Pickle Studio, Saltworks, Market Stalls in Charlotte Court, York St Gallery, McGillan and Woodell and Elephant in the Room.
Special Xmas Events
Petticoat Lane Emporium is hosting a Christmas Fair on Saturday 10th December from 10am to 5pm with live music, Santa’s grotto, raffle and of course, lots of unique items for sale!
Ellington Park is having their Christmas Fair on Sunday, 11th December from 10am to 6pm which will include food and craft stalls, live entertainment and Santa of course!
Ellington Park will also be hosting a Carols by Candlelight on 18th December which will take place at the Bandstand with hot chocolate and mince pies served whilst you listen to some of your favourite Carols (6pm start with drinks served from 5pm).
St Georges Church Events
St George’s Church run a Christmas Tree event for 10 days from 9th to 18th December to showcase beautifully decorated Christmas Trees to raise funds for the church restoration. It truly is a wonderful spectacle and well worth a visit. The church opens its doors for you to visit every afternoon between 2 and 5pm during the 10-day festival.
St George’s Church will be hosting a Christmas Baroque Concert on 18th December at 7pm to 9pm. The perfect acoustic setting for some uplifting classic Christmas music from the 17th and 18th Centuries. For more info and to book tickets, head to https://stgeorgechurchramsgate.uk/2022/11/22/musica-antiqua-baroque-concert/
The lantern tower will be lit every evening throughout Advent (from 27th November to 24th December)
St Laurence Church Events
11th December 6.30 pm Carol Service
24th December 5.00 pm Christkindl
Midnight Mass
25th December 10.00 am Christmas Family Service
Address: High St, St Lawrence, Ramsgate CT11 0QT
CHILL ON THE HILL – 28th & 29th Dec
That’s Church Hill in Ramsgate (CT11 8RA) where you will find Thanet’s tech museums, both of which will be opening for two afternoons just after the Christmas holiday long weekend.
The Micro Museum at number 11, at the top of the hill, will be welcoming those who enjoy vintage computers and playing videogames on the selection of original consoles. Times 1-4pm on both afternoons.
and This Museum is (Not) Obsolete, at number 5-7, will be open for visitors to discover interactive displays of repurposed and experimental technology. Times 12-4pm on both afternoons.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
To see the old year out and the new year in, Ramsgate Town Council will host the firework display from midnight until around 0010hrs on 1st January 2023 – the fireworks will be set off from the Port of Ramsgate and as we can’t rely on the weather, the best place to see them will be along the Paragon and West Cliff. If the wind is blowing in the right direction, they may be visible in other locations including the harbour and east cliff but of course, there are no guarantees!
This Christmas list is not exhaustive and I will be adding more events in the lead up to Christmas but in the meantime, I hope you have lots of fun in Ramsgate this winter!
Rebekah Smith
Ramsgate Town Promoter, Ramsgate Town Council
CHRISTMAS EVENT MAPS
If you would like your event included on our Christmas Events Map, please email me at town.promoter@ramsgatetc.org.uk.
(Click on the GREEN square information icon for additional map information)
