Skip to main content
Contact Us Brochure Request Visit Thanet Business
Visit Thanet Logo (3) Visit Thanet
  • Destinations
    • Margate
    • Insider's Guide to Margate Cliftonville
    • Broadstairs
    • Ramsgate
    • Villages
    • Seasonal Coast
    • Green & Sustainable Thanet
    • Our Coast
    • Beaches and Bays Active Coast Calm Coast Curious Coast Family Fun Coast Beach Information
    • Coastal Explorers
    • Coastal Education Resources
    • Beach Group Visits
    • History and Heritage
    • Margate History Broadstairs History Ramsgate History Village History Heritage and Architecture Frontline Thanet Ramsgate: The Heart of the Dunkirk Little Ships
    • Literary Heroes
    • Railway 200
  • Things to Do
    • See and Do
    • Latest Attraction Opening Hours
    • Find Attractions
    • Entertainment
    • Arts and Culture
    • Galleries and Studios Turner and Margate Kent’s Creative Isle of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
    • Shopping and Markets
    • Family Fun
    • Escape Rooms
    • Experiences
    • Active and Outdoors
    • Cycling at the Coast Walking the Isle of Thanet It’s all about the Golf Sightseeing Boat and Fishing Trips Sea Swimming and Saunas
    • Coastal Wellness
    • Yoga
    • Parks
    • Seasonal Coast
    • Make a Digital Discovery
    • Audio Thanet
    • Did You Know
    • Creative Isle Community Rail Partnership
    • Wedding Venues
  • Stay & Eat
    • Places to Stay
    • Find Accommodation
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Ice Cream Parlours Thanet's Micro Pubs Afternoon Tea Award Winning Places to Eat Cocktails Galore Vegetarian & Vegan Options Local Produce Roast by the Coast Bottomless Brunch
  • What's On
    • What's On in Thanet
    • Find Events
    • Entertainment
    • Cinemas and Theatres Nightlife Pub Entertainment
    • What's New and Anniversaries
    • Submit Events
    EDITED RF 48

    Find Events

    Little Ship credit Brian Whitehead B6397c61 47D0 4Cd0 8A9c D6ba3f219057 (1)

    Operation Dynamo Commemorations

  • Plan Your Visit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Visitor Information Services
    • Destination Magazine
    • Accessibility Information
    • Dog Friendly
    • Itinerary Ideas
    • Weather and Tide Times
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Brightside Publishing Magazines
    • Travel Information
    • Getting Here Getting Around
    • Visitor Maps
    • FREE CAR PARKING available every Saturday: Mill Lane - Margate, Harold Road - Cliftonville, St Peter's Park Road - Broadstairs and Cannon Road- Ramsgate
    • Learn English
    • Group Visits
    • Why visit with your group? Hidden Gems Group Coach Parking Beach Group Visits Itinerary Ideas
    • Meeting Experiences
  • Meeting Experiences
  • Inspiration

Search our site

Visit Thanet Logo (3) Visit Thanet
Destinations
  • Margate
  • Insider's Guide to Margate Cliftonville
  • Broadstairs
  • Ramsgate
  • Villages
  • Seasonal Coast
  • Green & Sustainable Thanet
  • Our Coast
  • Beaches and Bays Active Coast Calm Coast Curious Coast Family Fun Coast Beach Information
  • Coastal Explorers
  • Coastal Education Resources
  • Beach Group Visits
  • History and Heritage
  • Margate History Broadstairs History Ramsgate History Village History Heritage and Architecture Frontline Thanet Ramsgate: The Heart of the Dunkirk Little Ships
  • Literary Heroes
  • Railway 200
Things to Do
  • See and Do
  • Latest Attraction Opening Hours
  • Find Attractions
  • Entertainment
  • Arts and Culture
  • Galleries and Studios Turner and Margate Kent’s Creative Isle of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
  • Shopping and Markets
  • Family Fun
  • Escape Rooms
  • Experiences
  • Active and Outdoors
  • Cycling at the Coast Walking the Isle of Thanet It’s all about the Golf Sightseeing Boat and Fishing Trips Sea Swimming and Saunas
  • Coastal Wellness
  • Yoga
  • Parks
  • Seasonal Coast
  • Make a Digital Discovery
  • Audio Thanet
  • Did You Know
  • Creative Isle Community Rail Partnership
  • Wedding Venues
Stay & Eat
  • Places to Stay
  • Find Accommodation
  • Eating and Drinking
  • Ice Cream Parlours Thanet's Micro Pubs Afternoon Tea Award Winning Places to Eat Cocktails Galore Vegetarian & Vegan Options Local Produce Roast by the Coast Bottomless Brunch
What's On
  • What's On in Thanet
  • Find Events
  • Entertainment
  • Cinemas and Theatres Nightlife Pub Entertainment
  • What's New and Anniversaries
  • Submit Events
EDITED RF 48

Find Events

Little Ship credit Brian Whitehead B6397c61 47D0 4Cd0 8A9c D6ba3f219057 (1)

Operation Dynamo Commemorations

Plan Your Visit Meeting Experiences Inspiration
Contact Us Privacy Policy Site Accessibility
  1. Home
  2. What's On
  3. Find Events
  4. Operation Dynamo Commemorations
Little Ships credit Brian Whitehead 5B5ed794 5708 4A05 Ae35 98884Caaafab

Web Links Location Local station Ramsgate

Operation Dynamo Commemorations

16th May - 26th May 2025

Operation Dynamo 85th Anniversary: Honouring the Spirit of Ramsgate and the Little Ships

Ramsgate: The Heart of the Dunkirk Little Ships

This May more than 70 Little Ships will make a return trip to Dunkirk, from Ramsgate, to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. Commemorative events, exhibitions, services and parades will take place throughout the town and across the Isle 

From Thursday 15 May

  • Dunkirk Little Ships, including The Medway Queen, will start to arrive in Ramsgate

Friday 16 - Monday 26 May

  • 10am-4pm: Operation Dynamo Exhibitions at Ramsgate Tunnels - The Ramsgate Story: visualisation of the 40,000 evacuees that came through Ramsgate and personal stories and RNLI Ramsgate Exhibition
  • Standing with Giants The Story of the Return of the Dunkirk Little Ships - told through panels along Marina Esplanade and Military Road
  • The Medway Queen - explore the Medway Queen and discover the story of her participation 10am-4pm
  • The Tommy Trail - throughout the town look out for the silhouettes of Tommy and scan the QR codes to find out about the rescue and evacuation of soldiers and children
  • The Little Ships at St George's Church - see the Dunkirk Memorial stained glass window and an installation of over 3000 little paper boats by local volunteers

Friday 16 - Sunday 18 May

  • Fun Fair with rides and amusements on Harbour Parade
  • Live Music on Pier Yard (Harbour Parade)
  • Children's 'Little Ships' Town Trail and Harbour Trail
  • Royal Harbour Projections (Friday and Sunday) on The Clock House and Royal Harbour Illuminations (Saturday) Royal Harbour and Harbour Parade

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May

  • 11am-4pm: Handmade and vintage fair and children's workshops at Pier Yard (Harbour Parade)
  • The Children's Little Ships - installation of decorated paper boats by over 400 Ramsgate Primary School children. Saturday 10am-2pm at Albion Place Gardens and Sunday 12pm-4pm at Ellington Park

Saturday 17 - Monday 19 May

  • 10am-6pm: 1940s Vehicles Show - replica Spitfire and 1940s vehicles on display by Ramsgate Tunnels

Sunday 18 May

  • 10:30am: Parade from the West Pier, near the Medway Queen, to St. George's Church followed by a public service at 11am. The service will be supported by the Thanet Big Sing Community Choir
  • 5.30pm: Little Ships in Concert live performance with opera singers calling to the Dunkirk Little Ships in the Royal Harbour 
  • 6pm: Live music at Royal Temple Yacht Club

Monday 19 - Wednesday 21 May

  • 5.30pm for 7pm: The Little Ships Film Festival at The Granville Theatre - three film showings over three days

Tuesday 20 May

  • 11.30am Parade featuring the Band of the Royal Marines and Drum Corp from Ramsgate Tunnels to Sailors Church
  • Navy Wings Air Display (TBC) 
  • 12.30pm: Dunkirk Memorial Unveiling

Wednesday 21 May

  • 6am to 8am 70 Dunkirk Little Ships will depart Ramsgate for Dunkirk, shepherded by a Royal Navy 'guard of honour' of approx six vessels (subject to the weather)

Sunday 25 May

  • 10am - Service of Remembrance outside Margate Lifeboat House. Veterans and cadets will then parade to Margate Station.

Monday 26 May (Bank Holiday)

  • From 3pm approx - The Dunkirk Little Ships will be welcomed back to Royal Harbour, Ramsgate (subject to weather)
  • From 4pm: Live Music at Royal Temple Yacht Club

Download a copy of the programme here or pick up for the Visitor Information Centres in Margate or Ramsgate 

For all the latest updates see the Visit Ramsgate website and check @VisitRamsgate on Facebook and Instagram for information

Getting to Ramsgate: Travel Advice for Event Days
To help you enjoy the events in Ramsgate safely and stress-free, it is strongly recommend to leave the car at home, at your accommodation and using public transport wherever possible. Ramsgate is well served by train and bus routes, making travel easy and convenient.
The first Southeastern train from London arrives at 5:37am. The Loop Bus runs every 8 minutes around the Isle of Thanet from 6am onwards. 
Important Parking Restrictions
Please be aware of the following road closures and parking restrictions during key event times:

  • Friday 16th May (from 12pm) to Sunday 18th May (11pm): No parking available on Harbour Parade during the event.
  • Tuesday 20th May: No parking on Harbour Parade or East Pier Yard Car Park between 8am and 2pm due to the Band of the Royal Marines Corps of Drums parade (11:30am–12:30pm) and the Air Display (approx. 12:45pm–1:15pm).Top viewing spots for the Air Display include the West and East Pier arms, and the north end of Main Sands Beach (near the promenade).
  • Wednesday 21st May: The Little Ships depart between 6am and 8am with a large number of visitors expected
  • Monday 26th May (Bank Holiday): The Little Ships return around 3–4pm, with a large number of visitors expected
    Given how busy these days will be, we recommend public transport as your best option. Car parks are likely to fill quickly, and we want you to enjoy the events — not worry about where to park.

Plan Your Journey
Southeastern Trains: Plan your trip
Stagecoach Loop Bus (around Thanet every 8 minutes): Plan your bus journey

Location

Open Map

Address

Operation Dynamo Commemorations Ramsgate Royal Harbour and venues around the town
CT11 8LS

Contact

01843 577577

Links

  • Website
TDC 3 towns logo (High Res ).JPG
Contact Us
Visitor Information Centre
The Droit House
Stone Pier
Margate
Kent CT9 1JD
Te: 01843 577577
Email: visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk
www.visitthanetbusiness.co.uk
Useful Links

Brochure Request Weather and Tides Visitor Maps Group and Travel Trade Learn English We're in the News Visit Thanet Blog
Our Destinations

Margate Broadstairs Ramsgate Villages History and Heritage
Contact Us Privacy Policy Site Accessibility
Official website of Visit Thanet, Thanet District Council.