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.

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 2026

Address

Multiple Locations, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 9SA

Telephone
01424 733132

office@18hours.org.uk

Bexhill-on-Sea

Bexhill After Dark 2026 brings the town to life with a spectacular mix of illuminated installations, interactive artworks and atmospheric performances inspired by The Four Elements.
Expect towering inflatable creations, glowing walkabout…

Venue

18 Hours, Rother

Dates

From:
31 Jan 2026Open 17:00 - 20:00

More Details
Hastings Games Fest

Address

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

Telephone
01424462299

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

GAMES FEST IS BACK AT THE WHITE ROCK!
Calling serious gamers, casual console players and anyone in search of something fun to do with family and friends!
Games Fest is back at the White Rock on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February…

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:

7 Feb 2026to8 Feb 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00

More Details
Le Grand Mardi Gras Ball

Address

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

hftuesday@gmail.com

Hastings

Hastings' favourite night of revelry returns in 2026 — bigger, bolder, and brassier than ever! So dust off your sequins, shine up your shoes, and get ready to dance.
Kicking off the night are The Brass Funkeys, a high-energy 9-piece collective…

Venue

Hastings Fat Tuesday, Hastings

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
13 Feb 2026

More Details
Hastings Fat Tuesday: Unconvention

Address

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

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Studio 27 General Admission: 10am-5pm
A one-day grassroots music conference for the makers, champions, and fans of independent music. Kicking off the five-day Hastings Fat Tuesday Festival.
For full schedule and timings visit Unconvention…

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Hastings Fat Tuesday, Hastings

Dates

From:
13 Feb 2026Open 10:00 -

More Details
Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival

Address

hftuesday@gmail.com

Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival is an annual five day festival taking place on the South Coast of England. The town wide celebration hosts free and ticketed gigs, parties, parades, and acoustic sessions in various venues across Hastings and St…

Venue

Hastings Fat Tuesday, Hastings

Dates

From:

13 Feb 2026to17 Feb 2026

More Details
Un-Convention

Address

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

hftuesday@gmail.com

Hastings

We're pleased to announce that Un-Convention will be returning to Hastings Fat Tuesday for 2026 and tickets for the one-day grassroots music conference are now available!
No matter what area you work in within the music and performance sector,…

Venue

Hastings Fat Tuesday, Hastings

Dates

From:
13 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Details

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Festivals

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