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Welcome to Light Up Ramsgate 2025
We’re back this winter with a trail of light, projection and illuminated artworks that will transform Ramsgate’s streets, shopfronts and hidden corners.
As part of the Ramsgate Winter Festival, Light Up Ramsgate brings together local and international artists to light up the town centre with creativity during the darkest months of the year.
This year we’re guided by the themes of Joy, Wonder & Magic – inviting works that surprise, delight and connect us through light. From glowing windows to playful projections, we’ll be building a free, street-level gallery for everyone to explore.
Let’s make Ramsgate shine together
CALL OUT FOR ARTISTS
Light Up Ramsgate 2025
We’re inviting proposals for light-based artworks to transform Ramsgate town centre this winter.
Trail dates: 11 Dec – 25 Jan
Theme: Joy, Wonder & Magic
Works in shopfronts, windows & venues across town
Fees: £50–£200 confirmed, up to £500 if ACE funding secured
Submission deadline: 21 Oct
Info session: Mon 13 Oct, 7pm @ Venue Arts In Ramsgate (RSVP)
Apply by email: lightup@ramsgatewinterfestival.co.uk
-Submission Details
Please include:
Name + contact details.
Title / description of your artwork (max 300 words).
Medium / scale / installation requirements.
Images (or sketches) if available.
Proof of PLI (or plan to obtain it).
Preferred or suitable type of site (or specific location if known) - a list of currently signed up spaces is available upon request but we welcome new ideas and any personal contacts to open additional spaces.
Support you would need from Light Up Ramsgate team.
Indicate whether you are happy with a small rolling contribution (£50/£200) or wish to be considered for higher commissions (if funding allows) or you are applying as part of the fringe.
Submit to: lightup@ramsgatewinterfestival.co.uk
Deadline: 21 October 2025
Fringe Submissions
We also welcome DIY / unfunded proposals for the Fringe Trail. These are self-organised works that will be included in our trail map and promoted through the festival, giving artists and businesses freedom to experiment and showcase their creativity. The fringe is:
DIY / self-initiated — you handle permissions, insurance, and all delivery.
Unfunded — no financial support is available from the Light Up Ramsgate team.
Promoted — all accepted fringe works will be promoted through our official festival communications.
The fringe gives full freedom to experiment while still being visible to audiences exploring the trail.
Impact Report 2024
NEW DATE!!
CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
Light Up Ramsgate 2025
Explorers' Workshop
detailed programme coming soon
Are you interested in participating in Light Up Ramsgate 2025?
Do you have an idea you would like to discuss with us?
Would you like to expand your artistic practice using light as a medium?
Would you like to meet artists with light and light tech experience who you can network with, get tips from and even collaborate with?
Join us on July 19th 11-5pm - just drop in or register your interest @holdcreativespaces
Light Up Ramsgate 2024 Artists Call Out:
Light Up Ramsgate
Submission of light-based artworks for town centre shop/ small business windows, running from 24th November at the Christmas Light Switch On event until the New Year.
Light up Ramsgate is planned as a light trail within the pedestrianised zone of the Town Centre consisting of a number of illuminated displays within shop fronts that turns our town into a street gallery. Works will consist of displays produced by local community groups as well as light works from local artists. We have a number of businesses eager to be included in the festival. This call out is for artists interested in creating installations. The aim is a project created by the community to help support and grow prosperity within our community and spread joy in our town centre in the darkest months.
Light Up Ramsgate is part of Ramsgate Lumiere, a new 6-week festival of illuminated attractions for Winter 2024
Examples of such installations could include: Lightboxes, illuminated sculptures, "lampshade " installations, "Stain glass" tissue paper window mounted work, UV reactive work.
Timeline:
Call out: 29th sept
Q&A for Submission 10th -17th Oct (opportunity to discuss you proposal / ask any questions prior to submission)
Submission 18th oct
Communication of selection: Oct 25th
Consultation Support: Oct 26-Nov 10th
Install Nov 21-23rd Nov (in negotiation with shop)
Take down: from 3rd January (in negotiation with shop)
Light Up Ramsgate is going to be run as a pilot in 2024 with view of attracting more funding in 2025. Selected artists will receive up to £250 towards costs, with a potential of more subject to funding outcomes (8th Nov). We understand and support expectations to pay artists fairly alongside building community events in a financially sustainable manner. The offer of materials / expenses, a platform in the town centre to show art, publicity and consultancy/ support as well as the chance to be part of a vibrant and growing Winter Festival is what we able to offer at the point of Call Out.
We will pair artists with available windows based on size and suitability, however if you do have a location in mind, and have contact/agreement with the owner, please do include this in your submission.
Light Up Ramsgate is run by JH Events, delivery partners include HOLD Creative Spaces CIC, Carson Parkin-Fairley, and a tech partner (tbd).
Ramsgate Lumiere is a creative consortium led by JH Events, Great British Carnival and St George’s Church, supported by Ramsgate’s Town Promoter.
Submission details:
Submit to: hello@holdcreativespaces.co.uk
Name of Artist:
Short description of Artist’s practice (or link to website / social media)
Name of artwork:
Short description of work:
Size:
Medium:
Installation process:
Any relevant images:
Do you have your own lighting?
Proof of PLI:
What, if any, support would you need from the Light Up Ramsgate team?
Please give an indication of your fee for the work. We currently have a budget of £250 per artist depending on the work submitted. The work can be for sale in the business window and can be sold or returned to the artists at the end of the festival.
Ramsgate Lumiere will encompass a marketing strategy promoting existing winter attraction across the town, such as the Christmas Light Switch on event, the Harbour Boats Illuminations, St George’s Christmas Tree Festival, Advent Doors and the amazing home lighting efforts of our town resident. It will also professionally produce new events for the town calendar engaging tourist visitors as well as drawing local residents back into the town centre. These 3 new events will be Light Up Ramsgate, Light Up St George’s event and a NYE Winter Lantern Parade spectacular event.