Ease into the festival vibes with a seaside drink whilst grabbing your badge.

Open to all young creatives (18+) with 3 or less professional experience who have a Careers fair or Festival ticket - Creative Director Graham Fink will be hosting his legendary TheArtSchool, the first in 15 years! More secret society than syllabus, TheArtSchool has one mission: to shake students out of the classroom and into the real world. Industry legends you’ve only seen in award books, now right in front of you - coaching you, working with you, telling you what no one else does. You’ll tackle a live brief, get your work seen, and hear the kind of truth most people wait years to learn. You could spend the afternoon on the beach or spend an afternoon that might just change your creative career.

Sparks is kicking off this year’s UK Creative Festival with The Margate Drop – a vibrant, youth-led beach takeover created in partnership with the local community. From 15:00 to 17:00 on Wednesday 9th July, Margate Beach becomes the backdrop for an afternoon of music, art, football and food – all shaped by and for the people of Margate. It’s a joyful celebration of the town’s creative spirit, and everyone’s invited. We’ll also be unveiling a brand new look for the Sea Shed – transformed through a community mural project led by local eco-organisation Rise Up Clean Up and renowned street artist Louis Masai. The mural is a lasting tribute to Margate’s culture, coastline and commitment to creativity. Expect live music from Pie Factory (a local youth charity), beach vibes, ice cream, and refreshing beach-inspired cocktails, all served up with a side of sunshine and local pride. This isn’t a stage, it’s a shared space. No pass required. Just come as you are. SHOW UP. HANG OUT. CELEBRATE MARGATE. Free to attend. No festival ticket needed.

It’s time to dig deep and build bold. Enter our first-ever Sandcastle Competition and show us how creative you can get with just a bucket and spade. Prizes for the most jaw-dropping build! We will be asking for each team to donate £20 entry fee to go to the Creative Foundation Charity. Rules; • Materials - only sand and water. Entrants are allowed to use natural beach objects for decoration. • Only Hand tools. No mechanical tools. Shovels, rakes, trowels, and buckets can be used. • Each entrant is allocated a designated space to build their sandcastle • Time Limit. The competition starts at 3pm and judging starts at 4.30pm Judging is for creativity and originality. Judges will take into account the detail and craftsmanship. We will be running 2 categories - team and individual and will be asking for a donation to the Creative Foundation for each team entry. First Prize: £300 + a trophy Second Prize: £100 Third Prize: £100

Wind down and enjoy the cold plunge and sauna facilities with stunning sea views.

How do great ideas become real? This Creative Town Hall will help equip creatives with the savviness to get their ideas over the line, featuring Uncommon’s Nils Leonard and legendary Creative Director, multimedia artist Graham Fink and entrepreneur, founder and artist, Laura JB. Hear from the creatives behind some of the most talked about campaigns of the year and join the discussion on how creatives need to value themselves and their ideas as a business commodity to elevate the creative presence at the top table. The CTH is an ongoing series of events from the Creative Circle, in partnership with Global Media, designed to provide the creative community with a space to discuss what inspires and impacts them. All with the aim to better our work, our people and our industry.

To kick off the opening night of the UKCF we are congregating in the hub of Margate’s creative nightlife, Faith in Strangers. Their illustrious head chef, Jackson Berg, will be presenting a special preview for UKCF of their pop-up Steak & Frites nights, including veg/vegan options. The musical backdrop will be curated by the Poseidon Sound Club, a collective of distinguished local electronic music producers. From 21:30 we will be letting loose and partying with a DJ till closing. It is free entry for drinks and the party, but if you would like to dine, this is booked and paid directly with the venue and requires a reservation, see link below for more details

Want to start your day feeling calm and connected? Join feminist strategist and hike guide Alaina Crystal for a morning beach hike to refresh you before the festival begins. We welcome all girlies and their pals for this gentle hike, which will incorporate guided meditation and mindful walking in community. By attending, you affirm: 1. that by taking part in outdoor activities with girlhike, there is a risk element that I accept. I affirm I have the medical fitness to take part in this activity. I assume the responsibility of keeping myself safe - such as, but not limited to: being careful when walking on slippery surfaces. 2. I will bring any medical supplies I may require along the hike. girlhike cannot provide nurofen, paracetamol, inhalers, or administer epi pens. I agree to communicate fully with Alaina Crystal, girlhike guide, about any health concerns that may arise. 3. I give my permission to Alaina Crystal to seek emergency medical diagnosis or treatment for me in the event that I am unconscious or unable to make my own decisions. Alaina's role will be limited to emergency first‐aid and either transportation to the nearest medical facility or contacting such a facility to arrange emergency transport.

Ease into the day with gentle yoga, an optional sea dip or plunge pool reset, and time to unwind in the sauna. Move, breathe, and recharge for the day ahead — your creative warm-up starts here.

Join Global and The Arena at one of our fast-paced, interactive sessions which are designed to boost confidence, spark inspiration, and energise young creatives before diving back into the festival. By encouraging easy, meaningful exchanges, the sessions fuels curiosity, build networking confidence, and with send participants back into the festival feeling ready to connect and create!

Join Global and The Arena at one of our fast-paced, interactive sessions which are designed to boost confidence, spark inspiration, and energise young creatives before diving back into the festival. By encouraging easy, meaningful exchanges, the sessions fuels curiosity, build networking confidence, and with send participants back into the festival feeling ready to connect and create!

Join Global and The Arena at one of our fast-paced, interactive sessions which are designed to boost confidence, spark inspiration, and energise young creatives before diving back into the festival. By encouraging easy, meaningful exchanges, the sessions fuels curiosity, build networking confidence, and with send participants back into the festival feeling ready to connect and create!