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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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Number of results: 16

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Battle Scarecrow Festival

Address

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

info@battlefestival.co.uk

Battle

Battle's Scarecrow Competition won't fail to get you smiling.

Dates

From:

13 July 2024to28 July 2024

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Battle Festival

Address

Throughout Battle, Battle, Battle, England, TN33 0AG

Telephone
07377 386468

info@battlefestival.co.uk

Battle

BATTLE FESTIVAL is a firm fixture on South East England's cultural calendar, winning public and critical acclaim. The festival stages performances in iconic settings and attracts world-class performances and audiences to 1066 Country.

Dates

From:

15 July 2024to30 July 2024

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JACKOFEST

Address

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

Bexhill On Sea

A brilliant line-up for a day of music and celebrations on De La Warr's south lawns.

Venue

De La Warr Pavilion, Rother

Dates

From:
27 July 2024Open 14:00 - 22:30

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Queer on The Pier's Beach Ball After Party

Address

WHITE ROCK THEATRE, HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX, TN34 1JX

Telephone
01424 462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

HASTINGS

Queer on the Pier is back for their fifth year on the iconic Hastings Pier, with the biggest line-up so far of both local and international LGBTQ+ star performers.

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:

27 July 2024to28 July 2024Open 21:00 - 04:00

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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

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East Living History Festival

Address

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QS

Telephone
01323 844224

enquiries@sussexpast.co.uk

Hailsham

Step back in time at Michelham Priory House & Gardens on 24th to 26th August for the East Sussex Living History Festival.

Brought to you by the team that brings the Twelfth Night Tudor Wassail, the festival features a variety of living history…

Dates

From:

24 Aug 2024to26 Aug 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

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East Sussex Living History Festival

Address

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QS

Telephone
01323 844224

MichelhamFOH@Sussexpast.co.uk

Hailsham

From the team that brings you the Twelfth Night Tudor Wassail, at Michelham Priory: Sussex Past proudly presents The East Sussex Living History Festival.
Step back in time at Michelham Priory House & Gardens on 24th to 26th August for the East…

Dates

From:

24 Aug 2024to26 Aug 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

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Three Women: An Alternative Take on 1066 Country

Address

Starcroft Farm Cabins, Horns Corner, Catsfield, Battle, East Sussex, TN339DT

Telephone
07808841313

hello@starcroftfarm.co.uk

Catsfield, Battle

Join Hannah, founder of Starcroft Farm Cabins, to hear about the three women whose stories inspired her stargazing cabins and the role of legend and folklore in reimagining their experiences for guests.

Dates

From:
24 Aug 2024Open 10:00 - 11:30

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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

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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

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Rye Harvest Wine and Food Fair

Address

The Cricket Salts, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7LR

Telephone
01797 222857

rye@wineandfoodfair.events

Rye

A new two day wine and food fair in the beautiful medieval town of Rye.

Dates

From:
14 Sept 2024Open 10:00 - 18:00
From:
15 Sept 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

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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

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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:
12 Oct 2024

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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
Wedding Fair

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Calling all love birds! Head to The Bell in Ticehurst to sample what your wedding could look like.

Dates

From:
13 Oct 2024Open 11:00 - 15:00

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Frost Fair

Address

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

Telephone
+441580200300

events@thebellinticehurst.com

Ticehurst

Head to The Bell Inn in Ticehurst to shop the works of local artists and artisans.

Dates

From:
24 Nov 2024Open 11:00 - 15:00

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