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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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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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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

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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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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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Lauren Child at Hastings Storytelling Festival

Address

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

Telephone
01424 462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

HASTINGS

Hastings Storytelling Festival are proud to present, former Children's Laureate, and Hasting Storytelling Festival Patron, Lauren Child as she focuses on children's anxiety and the environment in her latest novel Clarice Bean SMILE published by…

Dates

From:
26 Oct 2024Open 14:00 - 16:00

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Triple Harmonies at Hastings Storytelling Festival

Address

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

Telephone
01424 462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

HASTINGS

Triple Harmonies: A Night of Vocal Brilliance
Start time: 7:30pm
Join us for Triple Harmonies: A Night of Vocal Brilliance featuring Black Voices, Barefoot Opera, and Brighton Gay Men's Chorus.
Be captivated by Black Voices, who bring the world's…

Dates

From:
1 Nov 2024Open 19:30 - 22:00

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Robertsbridge Bonfire Night 2024

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:
16 Nov 2024

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St Mary's Christmas Tree Festival

Address

St Mary's Church, Upper Lake, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AN

Telephone
01424 772693

admin@stmarysbattle.org.uk

Battle

Christmas Tree Festival with Artisan Craft Fair and Christmas Stalls

Dates

From:
23 Nov 2024Open 12:00 - 04:00
From:
23 Nov 2024Open 12:00 - 06:00
From:
24 Nov 2024Open 02:00 - 05:00
From:
24 Nov 2024Open 02:00 - 05:00

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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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Salty

Address

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

Telephone
01424462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Studio | Show time: 7:30PM
Get ready, because Salty is back at the White Rock Theatre Studio with an electrifying line-up of exceptional queer performers.
Expect iconic dance routines, experimental vocals and daring drag, all while DJ Sarah Buller…

Dates

From:
28 Nov 2024Open 19:30 - 22:30

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An Evening of Burlesque

Address

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

Telephone
01424462280

boxoffice@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

⭐ Early bird offer ⭐ £3 off the first 100 tickets sold!
Show time: 7:30pm
Roll up, roll up… a scintillating night out of sparkling entertainment – the UK's longest running burlesque show – is back touring the nation. And it's bigger than ever…

Dates

From:
16 Jan 2025Open 19:30 - 22:00

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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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