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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Springle Hailsham

Address

Hailsham High Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1AX

Telephone
01424 733132

office@18hours.org.uk

Hailsham

Giant illuminated puppets, live music and acrobatic performers will transform Hailsham High Street on Saturday 18 April as Springle Hailsham opens with a spectacular outdoor procession at 7.30pm.
Presented by French street theatre company Picto…

Venue

18 Hours, Rother

Dates

From:
18 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30

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Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green

Address

Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EA

hastingsjackinthegreen@gmail.com

Hastings

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Hastings’ much-loved Traditional Jack in the Green festival heralds the arrival of summer with four…

Dates

From:

1 May 2026to4 May 2026

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Jack in the Green – The Big Ceilidh with Banter

Address

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

Telephone
01424462280

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

THE BIG CEILIDH AT HASTINGS TRADITIONAL JACK IN THE GREEN!
Put on your dancing shoes for The Big Ceilidh!
The amazing band, Banter, provides high energy live music.
No experience necessary!
Caller Martin Clarke will guide you…

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
2 May 2026Open 20:00 - 20:00

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The Astronomy Festival

Address

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

Telephone
01323 832731

info@the-observatory.org

Herstmonceux

The Astronomy Festival returns to the Observatory Science Centre & Museum in 2026.
Get ready for stargazing, camping, guest speakers, Astronomy Societies, Exhibitors and more!

Venue

The Observatory Science Centre, Wealden

Dates

From:

28 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00

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The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment 2026

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 300 reenactors recreate the drama and intensity of this legendary conflict.

Venue

1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Rother

Dates

From:

10 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00

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Big Pop Party with Jon & Jo plus Bradley from S Club

Address

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

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

There ain't no party like an S Club party!
Wave your hands in the air at Hastings' ultimate party night featuring Jon & Jo plus Bradley from S Club with a live band, and Bradley McIntosh's 'S Club Party' DJ set. Plus, DJ act Dubtendo Allstars…

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
7 Nov 2026Open 19:00 -

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Festivals

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