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Festivals

The 1066 Country festival programme spans the whole year. Bexhill After Dark lights up the streets in January with illuminated displays and performances. From February, Hastings is centre stage with Hastings Fat Tuesday – the UK's biggest Mardi Gras celebration – and the International Piano Concerto Festival.

As spring arrives, Pashley Manor goes all out for its Tulip Festival, with more than 35,000 coming into bloom in late April.

The May bank holiday weekend sees Hastings deck itself in ribbons, leaves and green facepaint for the Jack in the Green festival, culminating on the Monday when the town's population chase a giant tree up the West Hill and slay him to release the spirit of summer. Simultaneously – and perhaps incongruously – thousands of motorbikes roar into Hastings at the end of the Mayday Run, and congregate on the seafront.

July hosts Pirate Weekend, where thousands of bloodthirsty pirates descend upon Hastings, which currently holds the Guinness World Record for 'largest gathering of pirates in one place'. The St Leonards Festival brings together homegrown talent and international artists with street arts, festival markets, live music and theatrical performances.

You can't miss Battle's Scarecrow Festival, as they stuffed creations sit out on the high street and beyond to welcome all to the town. This is part of the Battle Festival of arts and music, a cultural gem in the South East's calendar.

Then the Hastings Old Town Carnival Week follows in August, including open houses and gardens, the famous Pram Race, Seaboot Race and Bike Race, and ending with the carnival procession. Rye hosts its International Jazz Festival, with a packed programme of headline concerts, free outdoor music stage and fringe events spanning jazz, blues, RnB, soul, Latin, Cuban and funk.

The Rye Arts Festival spans two weeks in September, a feast of cultural activities from literary talks to concerts and immersive theatre. This is followed by Hastings Storytelling Festival in October.

Hastings Week commemmorates the anniversary of the famous battle on 14 October 1066, and includes a Classic Car Show, National Town Criers Championship, Battle of Hastings Re-enactment at Battle Abbey and the grand finale of the Hastings Bonfire Torchlight Procession. Sussex's famous bonfire season continues with events in Battle, Rye and Robertsbridge's celebration take place on weekends through November.

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The Winchelsea Christmas Fair 2024

Address

New Hall, Rectory Road, Winchelsea, East Sussex, TN36 4AA

Telephone
07960945235

newhall@winchelsea.com

Winchelsea

Winchelsea Christmas fair 2024

Dates

From:
16 Nov 2024Open 10:30 - 15:00

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Robertsbridge Bonfire Night 2024

Address

Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5DE

Telephone
+44 01580 880639

secretary@robertsbridgebonfiresociety.com

Robertsbridge

The Sussex bonfire season goes out with a bang with the Robertsbridge Bonfire and its torchlit procession.

Dates

From:
16 Nov 2024

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St Mary's Christmas Tree Festival

Address

St Mary's Church, Upper Lake, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AN

Telephone
01424 772693

admin@stmarysbattle.org.uk

Battle

Christmas Tree Festival with Artisan Craft Fair and Christmas Stalls

Dates

From:
23 Nov 2024Open 12:00 - 04:00
From:
23 Nov 2024Open 12:00 - 06:00
From:
24 Nov 2024Open 02:00 - 05:00
From:
24 Nov 2024Open 02:00 - 05:00

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Frost Fair

Address

The Bell inn, Ticehurst, Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN57AS

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Head to The Bell Inn in Ticehurst to shop the works of local artists and artisans.

Dates

From:
24 Nov 2024Open 11:00 - 15:00

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Salty

Address

White Rock Theatre, Hastings, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1JX

Telephone
01424462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Studio | Show time: 7:30PM
Get ready, because Salty is back at the White Rock Theatre Studio with an electrifying line-up of exceptional queer performers.
Expect iconic dance routines, experimental vocals and daring drag, all while DJ Sarah Buller…

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2024Open 19:30 - 22:30

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Christmas Fayre at Michelham Priory

Address

Michelham Priory House & Gardens, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QS

Telephone
01323 844224

enquiries@sussexpast.co.uk

Hailsham

Step into the festive season at the Christmas Fayre at Michelham Priory, as we invite you to explore over 800 years of history while enjoying the best of Sussex's festive offerings. Founded in 1229, this former Augustinian Priory, with its medieval…

Dates

From:
30 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

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Festive Fun-Fair Day

Address

Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, Hastings, East Sussex, TN341PJ

Telephone
01424718049

customerservices@priorymeadow.com

Hastings

Step right up to our Festive Fun-Fair Day on Sunday December 1st. Christmas shopping with a dose of magical family festive fun between 10am and 4pm.

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

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Christmas in Rye 2024

Address

Rye, Rye, East Sussex, TN317JA

Sophie.christmasinrye@gmail.com

Rye

A full day of Christmas celebrations around Rye.

Dates

From:
7 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 18:00

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An Evening of Burlesque

Address

White Rock Theatre, Hastings, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1JX

Telephone
01424462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

⭐ Early bird offer ⭐ £3 off the first 100 tickets sold!
Show time: 7:30pm
Roll up, roll up… a scintillating night out of sparkling entertainment – the UK's longest running burlesque show – is back touring the nation. And it's bigger than ever…

Dates

From:
16 Jan 2025Open 19:30 - 22:00

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Twelfth Night Tudor Wassail

Address

Michelham Priory House & Gardens, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QS

Telephone
01323 844224

enquiries@sussexpast.co.uk

Hailsham

Join us at Michelham Priory House & Gardens for a magical event of dancing, drumming, fire and feasting to bless the trees and wish them good health for the year ahead!
Bring along a musical instrument, decorate yourself in foliage and feathers and…

Dates

From:
25 Jan 2025Open 14:45 - 17:00
From:
25 Jan 2025Open 18:00 - 22:00

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The Enchanted Princess Ball

Address

WHITE ROCK THEATRE, HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX, TN34 1JX

Telephone
01424 462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

HASTINGS

Start time 1pm
Once upon a time, in the land of fairytales, Chester the Castle Jester has muddled up all invitations to The Royal Ball.
Join him as he goes on an adventure to meet Cinderella at The Royal Castle, The Little Mermaid Under The Sea,…

Dates

From:
1 June 2025Open 13:00 - 16:00

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The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment 2025

Address

1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield, High Street, Battle, Sussex, TN33 0AE

Telephone
0370 333 1181

battle.abbey@english-heritage.org.uk

Battle

The one and only Battle of Hastings re-enactment takes place on the very spot where King Harold and Duke William fought in 1066. Don't miss 500 reenactors recreate the drama and intensity of this legendary conflict.

Venue

1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Rother

Dates

From:

11 Oct 2025to12 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

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