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
Additional event details will be updated as they are confirmed
From April
- Dunkirk Little Ship The Medway Queen - exhibition at Ramsgate Tunnels
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
- The Story of the Return of the Dunkirk Little Ships - told through panels at Pier Yard (Harbour Parade)
Friday 16 - Sunday 18 May
- Fun Fair with rides and amusements on Harbour Parade
- Live Music on Pier Yard (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
- 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)
