Festivals

1066 Country’s official website for tourism and travel information

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.

In June the Cycling Festival takes place in Bexhill and Hastings, with a series of fun cycling activities. There's also the Midsummer Fish Festival in Hastings, a weekend of delicious fish dishes, workshops and live music.

July hosts Pirate Day, 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, whilst Battle and Bexhill are full of life with the Streets of Rother festivals.

Carnival season begins in July in Bexhill, with a week of events including a party in the park and a shop fancy dress competition. Over in Battle, the Scarecrow Festival is in full swing. 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 in August, with a packed programme of headline concerts, free outdoor music stage and fringe events spanning jazz, blues, RnB, soul, Latin, Cuban and funk.

In September the Coastal Currents art festival sees a wide range of art exhibitions, performances and events throughout Hastings and St Leonards, and surrounding areas. You can also keep things contemporary with Journeys Dance Festival.

The Rye Arts Festival spans two weeks in September, a feast of cultural activities from literary talks to concerts and immersive theatre, whilst Hastings Literary Festival is now firmly established. These are 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 and the grand finale of the Hastings Bonfire Torchlight Procession.

In 1066 Country we like to start the bonfire season early, the Hastings events is mid- October, whilst Battle, Rye and Robertsbridge's celebration take place on weekends through November.

Number of results:

Number of results: 11

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Rye Arts Festival 2023

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:

15 Sept 2023to30 Sept 2023

More Details
Journeys Festival of Dance 2023 - Bexhill

Address

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

Telephone
07708479362

office@18hours.org.uk

Bexhill-on-Sea

Journeys Dance festival is a free outdoor dance festival which brings performances and workshops for all ages to Bexhill!

Dates

From:
24 Sept 2023Open 19:00 - 22:00

More Details
Macbeth at the Mermaid Inn

Address

The Mermaid Inn (Tudor Rooms), Mermaid Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7EY

Telephone
07801893115

productions@bowler-crab.com

Rye

Spells, prophecies, devious plots, bloody murders and a tragic love story...

Dates

From:
24 Sept 2023Open 15:00 - 18:00

More Details
Northiam Bonfire Procession & Fireworks

Address

The Bonfire Field, Hastings Road, Northiam, East Sussex, TN31 6HS

Telephone
01797253375

northiambonfiresociety@gmail.com

Northiam

Northiam's Bonfire processions and fireworks as part of Sussex's unrivalled celebrations,

Dates

From:
7 Oct 2023Open 19:30 - 22:00

More Details
The Pop Up Emporium — Pop Up Market

Address

The Stade Hall, 20 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3DW

thepopupemporium@hotmail.co.uk

Hastings

Popping up at the Stade Hall, an emporium of talented stallholders from around Hastings.

Dates

From:

7 Oct 2023to8 Oct 2023Open 11:00 - 16:00

More Details
1066 Wedding Fair

Address

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

kitty.1066weddingfairs@outlook.com

Hastings

Independent wedding fair at the White Rock Theatre in Hastings, Sunday 8th October 11am-3pm.

Dates

From:
8 Oct 2023Open 11:00 - 15:00

More Details
The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment 2023

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:

14 Oct 2023to15 Oct 2023Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Details
Hastings Bonfire Celebrations

Address

Hastings Beach, Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 5BT

Telephone
+44(0)1424 440604

info@hbbs.info

Price
Free

Hastings

Bonfire societies from all over Sussex come together to march through the streets of Hastings.

Dates

From:
14 Oct 2023

More Details
Hastings Storytelling Festival 2023

Address

The Stade, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3DN

maria@18hours.org.uk

Hastings

Celebrate the art of storytelling at this annual festival.

Dates

From:

14 Oct 2023to22 Oct 2023

More Details
Robertsbridge Bonfire Night

Address

Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5DE

Telephone
+44 01580 880639

secretary@robertsbridgebonfiresociety.com

Robertsbridge

The Sussex bonfire season goes out with a bang with the Robertsbridge Bonfire and its torchlit procession.

Dates

From:
18 Nov 2023

More Details
Friends of Conquest Christmas Craft Fair

Address

Brede Village Hall, Cackle Street, Brede, Nr Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6DX

Telephone
07976 218959

angie@conquestfriends.co.uk

Brede, Nr Rye

Find homemade crafts including needlework, woodwork, glass art, pottery, wreaths and jewellery.

Dates

From:
25 Nov 2023Open 10:00 - 14:00

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.

1066 Country of Origin Original by nature Experience booking powered by Beyonk

Festivals

Number of results:

Address

Telephone

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Address

Dates

Address

Dates

Address

Telephone

Venue

Dates

Address

Telephone

Price

Dates

Address

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Highlights

My Planner

Don't Miss

Accommodation

Things to See & Do

What's On

Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Shopping Search