Few towns pack as much into a year as Margate. Here’s a guide to the culture, music and moments making 2026 unforgettable on the Kent coast.
Sound by the sea
- Margate Soul Festival lit up the seafront this summer, with soul, funk and R&B legends beneath the iconic Lido sign.
- Dreamland continues to headline the calendar, having welcomed Kesha, The Flaming Lips, The Kooks and Fatboy Slim across the year.
Colour and community
- Margate Pride celebrates its 10th anniversary on the weekend of 8 August, with a seafront march to Dreamland and the Mx Margate pageant.
Art that draws the world
- Turner Contemporary marks its 15th anniversary with David Hockney’s Sunley Window, a major Sophie Calle exhibition, and celebrations of 250 years since JMW Turner’s birth. Free entry, world-class art, unbeatable sea views.
A town on the up
- Behind the events, a £51m regeneration programme is refreshing Margate’s parks, museums and high street.
Fire up your business in Margate.
Engine Works Park offers flexible commercial units in the heart of Margate. Register your interest or explore the spaces.