Margate Soul Festival

Margate Soul Festival (also known as the Margate Soul Weekender) is a joyful seaside celebration of classic soul, funk, jazz and R&B music set in the beachfront town of Margate, Kent. Under the iconic yellow Margate Lido sign on the beach, dozens of stages and venues come alive all day and night in summer. Imagine world-class bands on a central sandside stage playing Motown hits and disco grooves while DJs spin funky beats in local pubs and on street corners. It’s a festival where generations mix – kids skip along the promenade, parents groove to old-school soul tracks, and strangers become friends dancing together. For one weekend each summer, Margate pulses with music and sunshine as fans come from across the UK and beyond to sway to classic and contemporary soul sounds. Think of it as the ultimate summer block party by the sea, brimming with good vibes, sunshine and unforgettable tunes.

During the festival the whole Old Town feels like a dance floor. On the main beachside stage with sand underfoot, people relax in deck chairs or on the sand as soulful anthems and jazzy riffs fill the salty air. The atmosphere is blissfully friendly and inclusive – wherever you go, you’ll find people chatting, smiling and tapping toes to the music. In a quiet moment you might grab a bite of fish and chips between sets, or discover a vinyl record stall in a back alley. As evening falls, string lights twinkle and the Margate sign glows golden, and dancers spill out onto the promenade under the stars. Many festivalgoers describe dancing to a soul classic while the sun sets over the water as a magical highlight of the year.

Running annually since the early 2000s, Margate Soul Festival has grown into one of the UK’s largest soul music gatherings on the coast. Thousands of music lovers return each year for the grooves and the community spirit. Between sets you can wander through pop-up markets and artisan stalls, or just soak in the postcard views of the sea. The lineup always blends top-tier soul and funk acts with local heroes and DJs, so there’s always something new to discover. Most of all, the festival is about shared moments: people of all ages sing along together, swapping stories and dancing side by side. That shared joy is what makes Margate Soul Festival more than just a concert – it feels like a family reunion of music fans under the summer sky.

Whether you’re a die-hard soulhead or simply love fun summer nights by the ocean, Margate Soul Festival promises a warm, celebratory atmosphere. Take in the sea breeze, bring your dancing shoes (or just go barefoot in the sand), and get ready for a weekend of sunshine, soul and sunset memories. In Margate, the music doesn’t just play on the stage – it plays in your heart long after the weekend ends.