Thanet’s creative spirit has never burned brighter. From the galleries of Margate to the churches and streets of St Peter’s, the Isle seems to be in constant festival mode. It’s no wonder some international pop icons have been spotted wandering Margate’s cobbled lanes and
describing the town’s artistic energy as their idea of heaven. So what’s on the horizon for 2026 that’s inspiring this buzz? Let’s take a look.
Winter Wellness at Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary’s glass‑fronted gallery on Margate seafront isn’t just for summer tourists. From 30 January to 22 February 2026, the gallery hosts its Winter Wellness Festival, offering meditation sessions, family creative workshops and wellbeing talks. The festival is part of a wider celebration: Turner Contemporary marks 15 years since it opened its doors in 2011. Throughout 2026 the gallery will showcase major exhibitions, including works by Bridget Riley and David Hockney, and special events honouring the community that helped put Margate back on the cultural map.
Off Season and the growing DIY art scene
Outside of formal institutions, Margate’s grassroots arts scene is thriving. Each January local artists transform studios, cafés and even front rooms into pop‑up galleries during the Off Season art trail. The festival began as a way to enliven the quiet winter months, and it has exploded in popularity; locals tell stories of world‑famous musicians and actors wandering through the trail incognito to soak up the creativity. While Off Season’s DIY nature means there’s no single programme to cite, it’s part of a wider trend of community‑led festivals popping up across Thanet. The energy of these events is contagious – expect live poetry, experimental performances and friendly chats with the artists themselves.
History brought to life in Ramsgate
Culture in Thanet isn’t just contemporary. In May 2026 Ramsgate will commemorate the 86th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the Dunkirk evacuation, by welcoming the “Little Ships” back to its Royal Harbour. The event includes parades, film screenings, talks by veterans and harbour tours. It’s a poignant reminder of the town’s role in the Second World War and another reason history buffs, artists and pop icons alike have been gravitating to the isle.
Beyond the galleries
Even away from festivals, Thanet offers plenty to do. Nature lovers can explore the Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, a mosaic of mudflats, saltmarsh, dunes and chalk cliffs that provide habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl. You can cycle part of the Viking Coastal Trail, picnic among Highland cattle and Konik horses grazing the saltmarsh and enjoy sweeping views of the bay.
If you prefer a more structured history lesson, St Peter’s Village Tour runs weekly from May to September. Costumed guides lead visitors through the village, stopping at the church, former workhouse and Napoleonic towers, and stories are punctuated with tea or coffee at the halfway point. The tour operates on donations (suggested £5), making it one of the most affordable and charming history experiences in the county.
For those who want to see rare artefacts, Monkton Nature Reserve and the Powell‑Cotton Museum provide unique indoor escapes. Monkton’s trails wind through a former chalk quarry, and its Field Study Centre houses a small museum, bookshop and café. In nearby Birchington‑on‑Sea, the Powell‑Cotton Museum celebrates its centenary in 2026 with talks, living‑history weekends and new displays. The museum is famed for its galleries of zoological specimens and ethnographic collections gathered by Percy Powell‑Cotton and his daughters.
Why celebrities love Margate
Whether it’s the cutting‑edge exhibitions at Turner Contemporary, the grassroots Off Season art trail or the heartfelt tributes to history in Ramsgate, Thanet offers a rare blend of culture, community and seaside charm. It’s easy to see why visitors – famous and otherwise – keep coming back and why Margate’s creative scene continues to make headlines around the world.
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