Festivals

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1066 Country’s official website for tourism and travel information

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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Bexhill After Dark 2025

Address

Marina, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1DP

Telephone
01424 733132

office@18hours.org.uk

Bexhill-on-Sea

Bexhill After Dark '25 returns for the fourth year running, on Saturday 25th January 2025 from 5pm - 8pm with more captivating performances, activities and installations.

Dates

From:
25 Jan 2025Open 17:00 - 20:00

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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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Rye Bay Scallop Week

Address

-, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT

Rye

Rye Bay Scallop Week - the perfect opportunity to indulge in seafood delights!

Dates

From:

22 Feb 2025to2 Mar 2025

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Scallop School at Webbe's

Address

Webbe's Cookery School, The Fish Cafe, 17 Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT

Telephone
01797 222226

info@webbesrestaurants.co.uk

17 Tower Street, Rye

A full day of cookery school celebrating the Rye Bay scallop.

Dates

From:
24 Feb 2025
From:
25 Feb 2025
From:
17 Mar 2025

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Hastings Beatles Day

Address

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

Telephone
01424462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Over 300 musicians and entertainers will perform songs from across the entire Beatles collection, guaranteed to have you up and dancing to the greatest songbook in history whilst raising funds for local charity The Sara Lee Trust.
All stages will…

Dates

From:
6 May 2025Open 12:00 - 23:00

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MSL - Beach of Dreams

Address

MSL, Freedom Works, The Palace Workspace, 1-3 Robertson Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1HN

Telephone
07968 584823

margaret@mslprojects.co.uk

1-3 Robertson Street, Hastings

Beach of Dreams is a UK-wide arts festival promoting environmental responsibility and awareness through activities delivered by artists, scientists and activists. Come and celebrate our coastline between Dungeness and Bulverhythe.
Events will take…

Dates

From:

30 May 2025to1 June 2025

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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

More Details

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