Margate Reimagined returns

This year’s Margate Reimagined event will take on a festive theme with markets, Christmas crafts, food, drinks, live music and much more. It’s all happening on December 5.

The shopping and dining precincts in Oxley Ave, Seal Lane, Beaconsfield St and Baynes St will offer activities to entertain visitors and locals of all ages from 10am to late.

Jumping Goats Bar co-owner and one of the organisers Peta Thames says it will be the second Margate Reimagined, after a successful debut in September 2019.

“Local businesses and groups held small events, all on the same day, so people could walk around and take their pick,” she explains.

“People can expect a pretty relaxed atmosphere with lots of live music, heaps of independent crafts and food and lots of fun. If it’s anything like last year … it was much bigger than we anticipated, which was fantastic.”

Who’s behind it?

It’s being organised by local businesses including Peta Thames and Nigel Scanes, Jumping Goats Bar; Viv Bryce, Soul Harvest Wholefoods Café; Oli Thomson, Suttons Beach Pavilion; Hannah and Campbell Ritchie, Malt n Bay Brewing Supplies; Aaron Lucas and Jesse Ellis, Trending Media Australia; and Carolyn Rothwell, Wild Cherry Events.

“We are the core group, but there are other businesses and groups involved and doing things on the day,” Peta explains.

“We want it to be a fun event to bring as many local and small businesses together so people can discover they’re here and we can all support each other, which is a nice finish to the chaos of this year.

“It’s a really good way to celebrate Margate and the local community.”

Program highlights

There’s rumours Santa might driving by to check out the fun! Also, Irish dancers Scoil Ard Rince will be dancing up storm around the place.

8am-1pm: Rock painting for kids at Save the Children, thanks to Sutton's Beach Pavilion. All materials provided, gold coin donation to Save the Children. For details, head to the Facebook event

8am-2pm: Head down Baynes St for brunch at Soul Harvest Wholefoods Café and enjoy laneway markets full of Christmas gift ideas, live music and pop-up vegan bakery.

9am-1pm: One for home brew, gin, and cheese makers! Spend $75 and get 10% off at Malt'n'Bay Brewing Supplies. For details, head to the Facebook event

10am-7.30pm: Christmas Craft workshops with Wild Cherry Events. Make your own Scrabble tile decorations, Australian baubles, button gift tags, or do three workshops and make all three. There are one-hour workshops, with all materials included, throughout the day. Cost for each is $15. There’ll also be a selection of deluxe hampers and share boxes, plus beautiful personalised wooden decorations from Making It Personal. For details, head to the Facebook event

noon-4pm: 295 Oxley Ave will be humming with live music, market stalls full of great Christmas gifts, and motorbikes with the Ulysses Motorcycle Club. Grab lunch like a quiche that’s almost more bacon than egg at Industry and Co, delicious pizza from Bella Sicilia, fresh Thai from Kob’s Thai, and wash it all down with a cold craft beer, a chilled wine, or the #2 Espresso Martini in Brisbane at Jumping Goats Bar. There will also be gifts and furniture for sale by Timber Dimensions, succulents, and Christmas wreaths from Floral Art Floristry.

2.30-4pm: Pop down to Seal Lane to see the beautiful vintage cars of Brisbane Northside Antique Autos.

3-3.30pm: Irish dance display at 295 Oxley Ave by Scoil Arn Rince.

4pm-late: At 295 Oxley Ave, there will be live music, great pizza and Thai, and the best local craft beer, wine, and cocktails into the evening to round out a fabulous day in Margate.

What you need to know

Entry to Margate Reimagined is free.

Most of the events will be weather-dependent, so keep an eye on the event’s Facebook page for updates, if the forecast looks dicey.

While the event is mostly outdoors, social distancing is still required and hand sanitiser will be available throughout the precinct. Numbers will be limited in indoor areas to adhere to State Government requirements.

Stalls will be spaced to reduce crowding.

“There should be a good sea breeze to keep the nasty bugs at bay,” Peta says.

Want to know more? Head to the Margate Reimagined Facebook page

Find more local events and things to do here