Lighting Ramsgate Royal Harbour with wireless control

Ramsgate Royal Harbour has been reimagined with a scalable wireless lighting system that celebrates heritage and energizes the community. Thanks to interference-free wireless DMX (CRMX) from LumenRadio, the historic harbor is now alive with colour and creativity – achieved without the cost and disruption of a cabled setup.

Designed and managed by Techniques Event & Hospitality Consultancy, installed by Visual Elements, and powered by LumenRadio’s technology, the project brings a fresh night-time identity to Ramsgate while laying the foundation for a town-wide lighting vision.

Starting with the Arches

The first installation illuminated the arches along Military Road, home to a lively mix of galleries, restaurants, bars, and co-working spaces. Festoon lighting, pixel-mapped in multiple colors, transformed the arches into a welcoming evening destination. Visitors are now greeted by vibrant waves of color rippling across the structure, reflected in the water below.

Each of the 18 arches is lit by 30 Glasson Electronics DFS2000 LEDs, creating an immersive backdrop that encourages people to linger, explore, and gather.

Extending to The Obelisk

The next step came with The Obelisk, a 52-foot monument commemorating King George IV. It was initally lit to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation. Multi-colored Anolis Lyrae M in-ground fixtures brought the stone structure to life, shifting from bold color splashes to subtle, dramatic uplighting.

Originally intended as temporary, the installation proved so impactful that it was quickly made permanent. It also extended the project beyond the arches, showing just how easily new sites could be integrated into the system.

“Rebekah [the Ramsgate Town Promoter] approached Techniques, as lighting was not her area of expertise.  From the very beginning, it was clear that wireless control would give us the flexibility to grow this project.” 

Tara Birks, Techniques

A System Built to Grow

To connect the arches and The Obelisk, Techniques designed a system that not only solves today’s needs but also prepares Ramsgate for the future. The complete setup includes:

• Glasson Electronics DFS2000 LED festoon and controllers
• Anolis Lighting Lyrae M in-ground fixtures
• Chamsys MagicQ control system
• LumenRadio Galileo as the wireless DMX backbone

The main controller, with a Galileo transmitter, sits midway along the arches. A LumenRadio Galileo receiver beside The Obelisk links the two installations. This wireless backbone allows each site to run independent shows or synchronize into a single coordinated display, all without digging up roads or running disruptive cables across the harbor.

“Having wireless DMX control means the lighting displays can be designed as required, with both sites capable of having different shows. The project can also be extended to other sites, using LumenRadio technology.” 

Paul Birks, Techniques

Lighting Heritage, Enriching Community

The system was unveiled in May 2025 as part of the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the Dunkirk evacuation. The harbor’s lighting provided a dramatic backdrop to the largest assembly of the historic “Little Ships,” reflecting vivid colors across the water during the ten-day commemoration.

Since then, the system has been themed for Pride Month and Armed Forces Day, and continues to energize the harbor at night. Local businesses report higher evening foot traffic, while residents praise the lighting for celebrating Ramsgate’s heritage in a modern and engaging way.

A Vision That Scales

The Town Council’s long-term ambition is to extend illumination to more landmarks across Ramsgate’s Georgian and Victorian waterfront. Future sites under consideration include:

• The upper harbor arches along Royal Parade
• The Madeira Walk Waterfall (1893)
• Wellington Crescent Bandstand (1939)
• Winterstoke Sun Shelter and Rock Gardens (1920)

Thanks to wireless DMX, each new location can be seamlessly integrated into the existing system. Sites can be controlled individually or combined into a unified, town wide display, giving Ramsgate maximum creative flexibility.

“With wireless, we’re not just lighting one monument or one street, we’re building a connected system that can grow with Ramsgate for years to come.” 

Tara Birks, Techniques

A Harbor Reimagined

What began as a single installation has become the foundation of a scalable, town-wide lighting strategy. With LumenRadio CRMX at its heart, Ramsgate shows how heritage, creativity, and technology can come together to transform public spaces – demonstrating that today’s lighting projects can inspire tomorrow’s possibilities.

For towns and cities worldwide, Ramsgate is proof that with wireless control, illumination can be more than just lighting. It can be a connected experience that honors the past while shaping the future.