Drag Bingo, Beach Workouts + Children's Literary Festival
Plus a bumper load of half term plans.
Happy sunny Bank Holiday Monday!
What are you doing with yours? I’m actually in Switzerland at the moment, but I’m enjoying all of the sunny Broadstairs pictures I’m seeing from afar. (Tell the sun to stay out for me at home please).
If you’re struggling to know what to do with the kids this week for half term, we’ve got you covered. Scroll below for book clubs, author events, festivals, holiday clubs and child-friendly films and activities.
But it’s not all about the little ones. There’s wine tastings, a Caribbean BBQ, even Drag Bingo and Sip and Paint nights if you’re wanting some out, out action.
Otherwise check out our wellness section for sound baths, plus Andrea’s Hunky Dory Fitness Classes being back on Stone Bay for the summer, if you’re needing some calm amongst the chaos. Scroll below for details.
Don’t miss out - Kim xx
🖼 Final Week: A Garden Facing the Waves Exhibition
On until Sun 31 May / Royal Albion Hotel
Artist Lana Arkhi and her students from Kent Talents Art Studio have been displaying their Spring exhibition of floral-themed work on the Royal Albion walls over the last couple of months, but this week is your last chance to go and see them.
🎟️ Free
📖 Thanet Book Club
Tue 26 May, 7.30pm / Location TBC
Thanet Book Club will be hosting their latest get together in Broadstairs this Tuesday. (It usually takes place on the last Mon of the month, but they’re avoiding the Bank Holiday). This month’s book is What am I, a Deer? by Polly Barton. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for location updates.
🎟️ Free / More info
👠 Film: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (12A)
Fri 29 + Sat 30 May, 7.30pm + Sun 31 May, 4pm / Palace Cinema
Who else is excited to see this one? Twenty years after first making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of NYC and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine. And this week the film’s strutting its way to Broadstairs!
🎟️ From £4 / Book here
🐟 Seafood Platter Back For Summer
Kebbells
Kebbells’ much-loved platter has returned for the summer season. Enjoy a chilled selection of fresh crab, oysters, crevettes, prawns, anchovies, cockles, mussels, cod’s roe, rollmops, and smoked trout. Availability may depend on the day’s catch and fisherman supplies. But you can’t get fresher than that!
Book here
🍦 Giant Ice Cream Parlour (Plus Toasties)
Giant Coffee Broadstairs
The Giant Ice Cream Parlour has also landed for the summer. Each flavour can be a matcha or a coffee, take your pick at the parlour, live at all Giant sites in Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate. And if you’re after something more savoury, their Giant toasties have returned this week too. Win, win.
More info
🌽 New Veg Bag Collection Point
Flowers and Felicity’s
Windmill Community Gardens in Margate now have a new collection point for their veg bags in Broadstairs! Head to Flowers and Felicity’s to collect a weekly chemical free veg bag and enjoy a coffee or sweet treat in the cafe at the same time. You can sign up or change to this new collection point via their website.
🎟️ From £12.75 / Book here
🍷 Gusbourne English Wine Tasting
Wed 27 May, 6.30pm - 8.30pm / The Bottleneck
Back at it. Join The Bottleneck for an exclusive evening with Gusbourne, one of England’s most celebrated wine producers. You’ll experience Gusbourne’s exceptionally rare still wines – bottles that are almost never seen outside of their own vineyard bar – with sharing style charcuterie and cheese.
🎟️ £40 / Book here
🍖 Caribbean BBQ + DJ Smiley
Sat 30 May, from 3pm / Legends Live Lounge
DJ Smiley will be on the decks, playing his usual mix of R&B, reggae, soul, rap and hip-hop, with the added bonus of a Caribbean BBQ to go alongside the tunes in their outdoor courtyard.
🎟️ Free / More info
🎨 Sip + Paint Pottery
Tue 26 May, 7pm - 8.30pm / Riparo Lounge
The Pottery Room in Faversham is heading back to Riparo Lounge at Westwood Cross for a fun evening of creativity and pottery painting. Choose your pottery item on the night, all equipment provided! Pay for what you paint on the evening.
🎟️ £7 + BF / Book here
🪩 Drag Bingo Night
Fri 29 May, 7pm - 9pm / Riparo Lounge
Another fun event this week at Riparo… Get ready for a night of laughs, glam, and just the right amount of drama with Sophia Stardust hosting Drag Bingo. Expect big hair, bigger personalities, and bingo calls you’ve definitely never heard before.
🎟️ £15 / Book here
🤘 Jed
Sat 30 May, 9pm / Charles Dickens
A Saturday night with Jed playing at the Dickens, who could ask for more? Head down if you’re in the mood for some rocking live music classics and a good crowd.
🎟️ Free
🎸 Bands on the Sands: Luke Burges
Sun 31 May, 3pm / The Pavilion
Rounding off the month on the Pavilion outdoors stage is Luke Burges. Enjoy another sunny afternoon listening to music, and keep an eye out for who they announce for their June dates soon.
🎟️ Free
🐥 Kid’s Author-Illustrator Events and Book Clubs
All week / Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop
Nicci at Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop above Staple in Reading Street has SO many amazing author-illustrator events and book clubs happening all half term. There’s something on pretty much every day, so if you’re looking for interactive storytimes, author meets, fun and creative activity sessions, and more, then check out her schedule at the link below and see what suits you best.
🎟️ £5 / Book here
🖍 Craft Corner: Make Your Own Bookmark
All Week / Kinder Collective
Drop in to Kinder Collective any day throughout half term - kids can enjoy their craft corner and make their own bookmarks, or get crafty with their selection of decorations, while you browse the lovely shop. There’s also their usual free storytime at 1pm on Friday too, plus plenty of beach toys you can buy for the kids.
🎟️ Free / More info
🛹 Skate and Scoot Camp
Mon 25 May - Fri 29 May, various times / Revolution Skatepark
It’s half term and Revolution have got you covered. They’re holding their Skate & Scoot Camps from Mon to Fri this week, with 10am-4pm or 11am-3pm options available. A week filled with loads of activities and fun, from skating, scooting, climbing and games… we love to see it.
🎟️ From £30 / Book here
🚌 Open Top Bus
All Half Term. Daily, Sat 23 - Sun 31 May
The Open Top Bus is back all half term! So if you’re looking for something to do with the kids, this could be the one. Take in the coastal views with some fresh sea air while touring Thanet in the sunshine.
🎟️ £8 for adults, £5 for under 19s, Under 5s are free / Buy from the driver on the day
🌊 Tide and Seek Holiday Club
Tue 26 May, 10am - 2pm / Stone Bay
Tide and Seek are back on the beach for another wonderful holiday club! Join the lovely Sophie and Kali Wilson for a day of exploring, crafting, making and playing. Added bonus – it’s drop-off, so fill those 4 hours wisely. See them on the sand.
🎟️ £30 / DM Sophie to book
🎬 Film: The Magic Faraway Tree (U)
Tue 26 May, 4pm + Sat 30 May, 4.30pm / The Palace Cinema
You’ve still got time to catch this magical movie, which follows a family who relocates to the English countryside, only for their children discover a magical, enchanted tree inhabited by fantastical characters at the top. Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy star.
🎟️ From £4 / Book here
🐚 Great Eggcase + Scavenger Hunt
Wed 27 May, 2pm - 3.30pm / Botany Bay
Join the hunt looking for clues of marine life, and seek out shark and ray egg cases on this meet up which includes sand/beach art at the end. Suitable for families, particularly with children aged 4-11. Meet close to the chalk stacks on Botany.
🎟️ £2.50 suggested donation / Book here
📚 Children’s Literary Festival
Sat 30 May, 10am - 3pm / Bleak House
A fab addition to the Broadstairs calendar. Head to Bleak House for this children's book festival curated by The Pop-up Bookshop, featuring some of our amazing local authors. Expect readings and fun, along with opportunities to meet authors and grab some books. Check out the timetable of author readings here.
🎟️ Free entry / More info
🛹 Scorcha Saturdays
Sat 30 May, various slots between 11am - 2pm / Broadstairs Skatepark
My five year old absolutely loves Kane’s Scorcha Skate School lessons. They’ll be holding their usual classes for various ages outside at Broadstairs skatepark this Sat, if the weather continues to play ball. Check their Insta for updates.
🎟️ £9 / Book here
💪 Hunky Dory Fitness Beach Workouts Are Back
All Summer, various times / Stone Bay
Everyone’s favourite beach fitness classes are officially back on Stone Bay this week! If you want to join Andrea and the Hunky Dory Fitness crew on the beach this summer, make sure you sign up to her WhatsApp group and book on to the classes you want.
DM Andrea
✨ 10% Off Massages and 1:1 Sound Healing
Available until 7 Jun / Tide Therapies
Tide Therapies have introduced two new amazing practitioners to the team, and to celebrate they’re offering a launch discount. Enjoy 10% off a signature 60-minute massage with Eve, or 10% off 1:1 sound healing therapy with Eleanor while you can.
Book here
🥣 Bleak House Sound Bath
Mon 25 May, 12pm / Bleak House
A deeply restorative multi-instrumental sound bath held by Floating Frequencies in the Great Expectations room overlooking the sea and gardens of Bleak House. Bathe in gentle tones from a gong, crystal bowls, himalayan bowls, and reset yourself on your Bank Holiday Monday. Be quick, it’s happening TODAY!
🎟️ £25 +BF / Book here
🌎 Around the World in 12 Months Creative Writing Workshop
Tue 26 May, 1pm - 2.30pm / Bleak House
Join this monthly writing workshop, which is inspired by a different part of the world each time. Covering a range of reading, discussion and writing exercises, you’ll look at poetry, prose, song lyrics and non-fiction. They’ve already 'travelled' to Jamaica, Cuba and the USA, find out where they’re going to this week.
🎟️ £10-£12 / Book here
🧘♀️ Sound Bath + Guided Meditation with Nanda Wellbeing
Wed 27 May, 6.30pm - 7.30pm / Smiths Townhouse
Another one to help you reset. If your mind feels busy, your body feels tense, or you just need to switch off, this is for you. This sound bath and guided meditation is designed to release built-up stress and gently re-balance your energy. Ideal.
🎟️ £30 / DM to book
💆 New Reiki Sessions
From Sat 30 May / White Room Meditation
Ali from Mind and Body Kent is starting Reiki sessions at White Room Meditation from this Sat. Not only will you be physically aligned with a massage, but Ali will ensure your energy receives any necessary alignment or cleansing too. Three different options are available, with only 4 slots available on each date. Check them out below.
🎟️ From £35 / Book here
Finally, 3 Things To Know…
It’s half term, which means NāMAKA will be open every day this week!
We recommend heading over to neighbouring Margate this weekend for Turn the Tide at Turner Contemporary, a joyful, family-friendly pop-up market celebrating independent makers, creative kidswear, and sustainable design. All curated by Broadstairs’ Kinder Collective, so you know it’s going to be good.
Another Margate-based one, but our friends at Girl Hike (who are also Broadstairs-based) have got a Summer Sunset Hike + Social happening on 9 June with new Margate wellness venue The Laundrette. Booked on to it yet? I have.
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And if you missed it…last week’s newsletter still has lots of things happening that you’ll want to know about.