To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.

You are here: Home > What's on > Festivals

Festivals

The 1066 Country festival programme spans the whole year. Bexhil 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.

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 the month-long Battle Festival of arts and music and the 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.

Number of results:

Number of results: 23

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Jack in the Green Festival, Hastings

Address

HASTINGS, East Sussex, TN34 3AR

Telephone
+44 (0)1424 451111

HASTINGS

The traditional Jack in the Green festival celebrates its 40th year.

Dates

From:
6 May 2024

More Details
Cuckoo Fair

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

A great opportunity to shop locally in Ticehurst.

Dates

From:
12 May 2024Open 11:00 - 15:00

More Details
PettFest Beer Festival 2024

Address

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

jo.stapley@yahoo.com

Pett, Hastings

The first beer festival in Pett village!

Dates

From:

24 May 2024to27 May 2024Open 18:00 - 18:00

More Details
The Three Legs Beer Festival / 10 years of the three legs

Address

The Three Legs Brewing co., Unit 11, Beeching Road Studios, 26 Beeching Road, Bexhill-on-sea, East Sussex, TN39 3LJ

info@thethreelegs.co.uk

26 Beeching Road, Bexhill-on-sea

The Three Legs Brewing Company welcome you to Beeching Road Studios in Bexhill to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Venue

Common Clay at Beeching Road Studios, Rother

Flatlands Projects, Rother

Dates

From:
25 May 2024Open 12:00 - 22:30

More Details
Battle Medieval Fayre

Address

Battle Abbey Green, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AE

Telephone
07599968210

Battle

History comes alive once again at Battle Medieval Fayre, back for 2024 from Sunday 26 - Monday 27th May.
Prepare to be entertained by Battle's Fighting Knights as they clash in combat, while our jesters keep you and your family laughing. Delve into…

Dates

From:
26 May 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
From:
27 May 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Details
BEXFEST 2024

Address

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, East Sussex, TN40 1DP

Bexhill

Bexfest returns for 2024.

Venue

De La Warr Pavilion, Rother

Dates

From:
1 June 2024Open 14:00 - 22:00

More Details
Afri-Co-lab Presents: The Hero's Journey

Address

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1ET

Telephone
01424451052

museum@hastings.gov.uk

Hastings

An immersive production at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery.

Dates

From:

14 June 2024to16 June 2024

More Details
SCIENCE FESTIVAL at The Observatory Science Centre

Address

The Observatory Science Centre, Wartling Road, Wartling, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 1RN

Telephone
01323 832731

socialmedia@the-observatory.org

Wartling, Herstmonceux

Celebrate the start of summer with a weekend full of spectacular science.

Dates

From:
22 June 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
From:
23 June 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Details
Sanctuary Festival 2024

Address

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1ET

Telephone
01424451052

museum@hastings.gov.uk

Hastings

This popular community festival returns to Hastings Museum for a day of live music, creative workshops, talks, children's activities, food, and friends. We are working with the Refugee Week 2024 theme of 'Our Home'. Organised by Hastings Community…

Dates

From:
23 June 2024

More Details
Wedding Fair

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Create the perfect wedding at The Bell in Ticehurst.

Dates

From:
23 June 2024Open 11:00 - 15:00

More Details
Summer Party

Address

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

Telephone
07496727014

nick@oastbrook.com

Bodiam

A perfect day to celebrate English Wine at Oastbrook.

Dates

From:
29 June 2024Open 12:30 - 17:00

More Details
Battle Scarecrow Festival

Address

Town centre & Surrounds, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0EA

info@battlefestival.co.uk

Battle

Now in its 15th year, the Battle Festival Scarecrow Competition will have a classic theme this year – "Top of the Crops" – to complement Beautiful Battle's Summer Flower Displays.

Dates

From:
13 July 2024

More Details
The Madness of George III

Address

Battle Memorial Hall, 81 High St, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AQ

info@battlefestival.co.uk

Battle

Alan Bennett's award-winning play come to Battle.

Dates

From:
13 July 2024Open 19:00 - 21:00

More Details
St Leonards Festival 2024

Address

Warrior Square Gardens, St Leonards, East Sussex, TN37 6DF

office@18hours.org.uk

St Leonards

St Leonards Festival is a vibrant community festival celebrating diversity and inclusivity for all through arts, music and entertainment.

Dates

From:
13 July 2024

More Details
Rosemary Lane Day ~ Summer Festival

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Music, BBQ and summer fun at The Bell in Ticehurst.

Dates

From:
14 July 2024Open 14:00 - 20:00

More Details
Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival

Address

St Mary's Church, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7HF

info@ryejazz.com

Rye

Exceptional artists hit the heart of Rye for the International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Dates

From:

22 Aug 2024to26 Aug 2024

More Details
Battlefields Festival

Address

Battle Abbey, Battle, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AE

Telephone
01424772385

info@battleabbeyschool.com

Battle

A one day music festival set against the stunning backdrop of Battle Abbey.

Dates

From:
25 Aug 2024Open 14:00 - 22:30

More Details
Rye Arts Festival 2024

Address

RYE, East Sussex, TN31 7YB

Telephone
+44 01797 224442

RYE

A packed fortnight of opera, classical and contemporary music, drama, walks, authors, performers and artists.

Dates

From:

13 Sept 2024to29 Sept 2024

More Details
The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment 2024

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:

12 Oct 2024to13 Oct 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Details
Instrumentalist of The World

Address

De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1DP

Telephone
01424 229111

ian.roberts@astarpr.com

Bexhill On Sea

A spectacular orchestral concert to launch this new international classical competition.

Venue

De La Warr Pavilion, Rother

Dates

From:
12 Oct 2024Open 17:00 - 21:30

More Details

How to get here
Despite the feeling of seclusion, it's easy to get here by rail, sea or road.
Maps and guides
View our interactive map of 1066 Country, and download the Visit 1066 guide.
Plan your visit
Use our itinerary planner to create the perfect visit.
Special offers
Looking to get more out of your trip? Take a look at our latest offers.
Newsletter Sign Up
Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.