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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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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

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Battle Medieval Fayre

Address

Abbey Green, Battle, EAST SUSSEX, TN330AE

Battle

Step back in time at the Battle Medieval Fayre—a magical day out for the whole family! Enjoy the colourful sights and sounds of medieval life with cheerful maypole dancing, traditional music, and interactive displays.

Dates

From:

25 May 2025to26 May 2025Open 09:00 - 05:00

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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

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Jempson's Festival

Address

Main Street, Peasmarsh, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6YD

mail@jempsons.com

Peasmarsh, Rye

Enjoy a festival packed with flavour, fun, and fantastic prizes celebrating 90 years at Jempson's.

Dates

From:

9 June 2025to21 June 2025Open 09:00 - 18:00

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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

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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

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Northiam Midsummer Festival

Address

The Playing Fields, Northiam, Northiam, East Susex, TN31 6LA

northiambonfiresociety@gmail.com

Northiam

We invite you to join us on Northiam Playing Fields for our Midsummer Festival - a lazy day browsing craft stalls, listening to music from The Chandeliers, sampling local beers & ciders at our Highwayman's Bar, as well as Pimms, BBQ and teas. With…

Dates

From:
21 June 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00

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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

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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

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ASTRONOMY 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

Join us for our Astronomy Festival at The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux.
Dates: August 29, 30 & 31
Whether just for a day, evening stargazing or for the whole weekend with optional camping, come and join us and soak up the…

Dates

From:
29 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:30
From:
29 Aug 2025Open 18:30 - 23:00
From:
30 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:30
From:
30 Aug 2025Open 18:30 - 23:00
From:
31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

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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 300 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 - 17:00

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