Following the Ramsgate Lumiere celebrations in 2024, where the lights in the harbour joined with the town’s Christmas lights display, St George’s Church events, the New Year’s Eve Lantern Parade, a Weekend of Wonder, Light Up Ramsgate trail of fixed and moving light installations throughout the town (remember the magical iDeer?!) and Ramsgate’s Living Advent Calendar, Advent Doors - the town is coming together again this year with the various different activities that bring some sparkle to our winter now being presented all together as the Ramsgate Winter Festival.
The festival is being made possible thanks to core funding support from Ramsgate Town Council and Canterbury Diocese, via ‘Project 200’ the five-year regeneration project at St George’s Church. It is being delivered because of the drive, energy and expertise of three co-producers, all passionate local artists who love Ramsgate, working with multiple key partners and other artists. The consortium is keen to involve as many people and organisations in the town as possible to help add in different elements to the programme which runs from the lead up to Christmas, through into January.
The co-producers are the Great British Carnival, led by carnival artist, Teresa Askew, JH Events, led by light artist, Jess Hudsley and St George’s Church, led by the Regeneration Officer there, artist Jemima Brown. Key partners include the Royal Yacht Club and a number of Ramsgate artists. Look out for some beautiful co-created community artworks, and community organisers, like Karen Hawkes who is leading on organising Advent Doors again this year.
It all starts with the Christmas Lights Switch on and the uplifting Let There Be Light event at St George’s Church, on November 30. There will be lots to see and get involved with all the way through until the end of January. A full two-month programme of events, spectacles, processions, parades, light installations and performances are being prepared, to inspire and spread joy in the darkest months.
Advent Doors runs throughout December. Visit a different door and be part of a unique community celebration at each one, every day up to Christmas Eve.
This Weekend of Wonders (which featured on BBC news last year) takes place on December 11 - 14 and is set to once again feature the roaming iDeer, the Samba Ya Wantsum band and the launch of the Light Up Ramsgate trail of light installations around the town centre and into the harbour, where the Harbour Boats Illuminations, supporting the RNLI will be at their peak. That weekend includes the start of the Christmas Tree Festival at St George’s Church which runs from December 13 until 23.
A spectacular New Year’s Eve Winter Lantern Parade, with the theme of Joy, Love and Peace to the World, will be another highlight and residents are encouraged to get involved in a series of artist-led free workshops where they can make things to wear and carry in the parade, which will start outside St George’s Church and travel down the High Street and Harbour Street, to Ramsgate harbour.
More workshops will be offered, and participation is very much encouraged, with multiple opportunities for performance, making and play! See the Festival website and social media for details.
The organisers are keen to pack in as much to the schedule as possible and are actively looking for additional elements to build in, so if you have an idea for something that might add some shine, or if you’d like to volunteer some time or contribute in any way, you can message them via their website:
www.ramsgatewinterfestival.co.uk, where you’ll also find a crowdfunder link where you can donate. On social media, follow @ramsgatewinterfestival.