Cultural Kent: Thanet

(Image courtesy of visitthanet.co.uk)

15th November 2021

By Juliette Moisan

This year, we are finally hoping that things will get back to some sort of normality, and so does all of Kent. In this series, you will find a roadmap to the biggest cultural events happening in the region this year. These events range from musical performances to exhibitions, and will hopefully constitute a way for you to (re)discover Kent as it is meant to be enjoyed.

For this fourth instalment, we focus on Thanet, which covers the towns of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Located on the coast, they all have beautiful beaches to enjoy but the centre of the towns are also picturesque and enjoyable, either to stroll around or to learn more about the history of Thanet. Although they are a bit further away, they are accessible by both train and bus and are perfect locations for day trips.

• The Margate Meltdown has been held for 11 years and will return in May. The Margate seafront is closed and given to motorcycles, and there are other events around the festival, such as live music and diverse club and trade stands.

• The Dickens Festival, in June, is the perfect opportunity to discover more about Dickens' influence in Broadstairs and enjoy a feel of Victorian Broadstairs.

• The famous Margate Soul Festival, that has become Kent's signature soul music festival, will return in August around the Old Town of Margate.

• Broadstairs' Folk Week will also return at the same period, with its week of concerts, live music around the town and a Craft and Music fair.

• While the 2021 edition of the Ramsgate Festival of Sound closed at the beginning of September, next year's edition will be even bigger, as this event is still young and growing. You can look forward to celebrating the history, landscapes, architecture and people of Ramsgate through the Sonic Trail.

Seeing as they are located on the coast, the towns of Thanet tend to schedule their main events during the summer to enjoy them in the best possible conditions, which means that most festivals won't begin before May. However, Margate is also famous for the Turner Contemporary and its independent galleries opened year-round, offering exhibitions and art talks. Be sure to look at their programmes! Throughout the year, Ramsgate also holds weekly art exhibitions.