Summer Holiday Inspiration in Margate Broadstairs and Ramsgate

Get ready for a brilliant summer holiday! Those 6 weeks can be difficult to fill and budget, so we’ve put together a guide packed with free and low-cost activities across Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and the villages to keep everyone entertained. We know how quickly summer spending adds up, so our promise to you is simple: every ‘low cost’ activity listed here comes in at £20 or less for a family of four, or £5 or less per person.

Don’t forget the government’s ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme too, we’ve listed all those who are taking part in the VAT reduction scheme

This list is not exhaustive and there’s lots more attractions & events to enjoy!

25 July - Margate Pride x Art Rebels: Fuzzy Felt badge making. Make your own fuzzy felt badge—a pride flag, a slogan, your name, or anything else you fancy. All ages welcome, drop in anytime, stay as long as you like.

From 25 July - Art Rebels: Window into Nature: Every Saturday and Sunday. The gallery’s engagement assistants are on-hand to help you make your own ‘window to nature,’ inspired by the current exhibition.

25 & 26 July - Ramsgate Carnival: Join in for a weekend of music, colour, and community celebration. Featuring dynamic dancers, live bands, local youth groups, and plenty more!

25 - 29 July - Broadstairs Summer Fair: Expect a bustling promenade packed with fantastic local stalls, live entertainment both afternoons at the Broadstairs Bandstand, and family rides in Victoria Gardens.

28 July - 27 August - Summer Theatre at Pierremont: A season of stories in the sunshine and under the stars. These performances are completely free for everyone to enjoy!

29 July - Broadstairs Water Gala: A fun filled free day and evening for all the family with activities and entertainment, centred around Viking Bay.

29 July - 28 August - Kinder Collective: Storytime, craft corner (everyday) and family beach cleans organised by sustainable baby & kids store in Broadstairs.

29 July & 19 August - Broadstairs Fireworks: Family-friendly fireworks display over Viking Bay, plus events around town, including music on the bandstand.

29 July & 30 August - Punch & Judy on Viking Bay: A traditional Punch & Judy show on Viking Bay, daily at 11am / 12 noon / 1pm.

31 July - A Midsummer Night's Dream: A professional outdoor production of this magical Shakespeare play

2 August - Margate Carnival: A full free day of colour, music, and celebration. Expect dancers, bands, youth and community groups and much more

6 - 27 August - Beach Club: every Thursday in August. on Margate Main Sands, join staff members from Turner Contemporary and create your own art-work inspired by the beach.

7 - 14 August - Broadstairs Folk Week: Annual family-friendly festival, with lots of shows, activities, and workshops for younger music-lovers, including family shows at the Bandstand (craft fair free entry, children’s workshops and events, music starts at free, some paid for)

8 August - Margate Pride: A full day of inclusive LGBTQIA+ events by the seaside. Family-friendly.

22 August - Birdwise Family Fun Day: Expect family friendly guided walks along with activities for the whole family to enjoy including arts and crafts and nature -based activities

22 & 23 August - Crab Museum Puppet Show: A free puppet show about elephants, drawing on Thai folklore and exploring different forms of knowledge.
24 July - 19 August: Thanet Coast Project: Seashore Safaris are hands-on rockpooling adventures that invite you to explore the fascinating marine life hiding within the rock pools and reefs of Britain’s longest continuous stretch of coastal chalk.

24 July - 28 August: Monkton Nature Reserve: Cool down in the calming 15 acres of the reserve and take part in a range of nature-based activities including bug hunts, pond-dipping, worm compositing and much more.

26 July - 30 August: Happy Reading Children's Bookshop: A jam packed programme full of story times and creative activities.

24 July - 31 August: Old Curiosity Shop Summer Holiday fun with lots of events for all to enjoy, including lego days, beach cleans and more.

5 August: Turner Contemporary Margate Pride x Lennie Stories: A family celebration of inclusive books.

13 August: Turner Contemporary Turnips: A morning of creative fun, exploring a range of crafting activities to learn with your child. (5 & under) £1 suggested donation.
Turner Contemporary - Contemporary art gallery with rolling programme of events & exhibitions.

Crab Museum - Europe's Number 1 Crab Museum and a satisfyingly baffling tourist attraction located in Margate.

Spitfire & Hurricane Museum - Unique site displaying the two iconic war planes, and also holding a host of objects and artefacts telling the story of life in and around Ramsgate during WWII.

Other things to do…
-Beach days, bring a picnic!
-Cycle or walk the Viking Coastal Trail
-Rockpooling
-Arcades and beach amusements
-Parks and playgrounds

-For more free things to do check out these ideas
Joss Bay Kids Corner - inflatable air cushion, bouncy castle and two competition size trampolines, wristbands £8.50 per child, all day.

Coastal Explorers - Hire a bag full of activities and take to the beach: packs are filled with equipment to help you discover our rich heritage stories and natural coastal designations. Learn essential explorer skills such as how to make a sundial and use a compass, or delve into the bag for the marine identification gear and become a real rocky shore researcher! £5 per bag.

Monkton Nature Reserve - 16-acre abandoned chalk quarry on the Isle of Thanet in East Kent. There are over 350 species of flowering plant, including 10 species of orchid, and 25 species of butterfly have been recorded, along with innumerable other species of insect, mammal, and birdlife. £10 family ticket.

Margate Caves - A subterranean adventure awaits at the Margate Caves. The Caves have a varied past; from chalk mine to rich man's folly and Victorian tourist attraction. £12 family ticket.

Shell Grotto - 4.6 million shells adorn underground passageways. £13 family ticket.

RAF Manston History Museum - Explore the history of this famous airfield from 1916 to the present day. On show are aircraft and artefacts. £20 family ticket.

The WonderWorks - An immersive experience inspired by the UK's best known hobby brands. £10.94 family ticket.

This Museum is NOT Obsolete Museum - exploring experimental, obsolete, scientific and musical technology, owned and operated by 2026 UK Eurovision entry Sam Battle, AKA ‘Look Mum, No Computer.’ Adults £7,Under 13’s £5, Under 3’s FREE.

Crampton Tower Museum - A fascinating small museum partly housed in a flint tower adjacent to the Broadstairs Railway Station. £13 family ticket.

Plunder Smuggler Experience - A walk-though museum that shares some insight into Thanet's dark past. Family ticket £10.

Children’s Play Centres - We have four play centres to choose from across the Isle.