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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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Hastings Beatles Day

Address

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

Telephone
01424 462280

Hastings

Hastings Beatles Day is back, celebrating its 26th year!

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
6 Apr 2025Open 12:00 - 22:30

More Details
Ticehurst Literary Festival

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Join us at The Bell for the annual Ticehurst Literary Festival.

Dates

From:

25 Apr 2025to27 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Details
The Big Ceilidh at Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green

Address

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

Telephone
01424462280

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Put on your dancing shoes and bring your friends to an evening of live entertainment at The Big Ceilidh.

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
3 May 2025Open 20:00 -

More Details
Jack in The Green Children's Flower Crown Workshop

Address

The Crown Hastings, 64-66 All Saints Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3BN

Telephone
01424465100

hello@thecrownhastings.co.uk

Hastings

Join Ukrainian florist Lida Floral at The Crown Hastings for a creative and joyful experience at my floral crown workshops on Saturday, 3 May

Dates

From:
3 May 2025Open 10:00 - 11:30

More Details
Jack in the Green Flower Crown Workshop

Address

The Crown Hastings, 64-66 All Saints Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3BN

Telephone
01424465100

hello@thecrownhastings.co.uk

Hastings

Jack and the Green Celebration Workshops! Join Ukrainian florist Lida Floral for a creative and joyful experience at my floral crown workshops @ £30.

Dates

From:
4 May 2025Open 10:00 - 11:30

More Details
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

More Details
Cuckoo Fair

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Our Cuckoo Fair is back. A great opportunity to shop locally, as all the stall holders are local artists and artisans.

Dates

From:
18 May 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00

More Details
PettFest Beer Festival 2025

Address

Royal Oak Pub, Pett, Pett Road, Pett, East Sussex, TN35 4HG

Telephone
07546320558

jo.stapley@yahoo.com

Pett

Following the fantastic success of the first PettFest in 2024, this popular weekend festival returns – celebrating the best of craft ales and ciders.

Dates

From:

23 May 2025to26 May 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00

More Details
Walk with us: Dungeness to Bulverhythe (MSL)

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

An exciting new programme of walks & talks at Dungeness, Rye Harbour, Hastings Country Park and Bulverhythe.

Dates

From:
30 May 2025
From:
31 May 2025
From:
1 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

More Details
Sussex Craft Week

Address

The Bell in Ticehurst, High St,, Ticehurst, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 7AS

office@sussexcraftweek.com

Ticehurst, Wadhurst

Organised by ROSA Magazine in partnership with national craft centre West Dean college, Sussex Craft Week celebrates the county's remarkable talent for creative and specialist craft.

Dates

From:

14 June 2025to22 June 2025

More Details
Senlac St Leonards Classic Car Show

Address

Rye Rugby Club, New Road, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7LS

Telephone
01424 754560

carshow@senlacstleonardsrotary.org

Rye

The ever popular Rotary Club of Senlac Classic Car Show and Craft Fayre, described as one of the best in the area, returns to Rye Rugby Club, New Road, Rye on Fathers' Day, 15th June 2025

Dates

From:
15 June 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Details
Summer Party

Address

Oastbrook Estate, Junction Road, Roberstbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5XA

Telephone
07496727014

info@oastbrook.com

Roberstbridge

This will be a perfect day to celebrate English Wine at home at Oastbrook.

Dates

From:
28 June 2025Open 12:00 - 05:00

More Details
Rosemary Lane Day ~ Summer Music Festival

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

The annual Summer Music Festival takes place in our beautiful garden. Look out for artists announcements soon. BBQ food until 8pm

Dates

From:
20 July 2025Open 11:00 - 21:00

More Details

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