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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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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:

21 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025

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Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat Open Day

Address

PLIRB Boathouse, Pett Level Road, Pett Level, Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4EH

Telephone
01424 812457

info@plirb.com

Pett Level, Hastings

Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat is an independent lifeboat service operating from Pett Level and covering the coastline and inland waters between Hastings and Camber.

Dates

From:
24 Aug 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00

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Beckley Church Fete

Address

All Saints Church, Church Lane, Beckley, Rye, England, TN31 6RS

Telephone
07711370875

dstj007@gmail.com

Beckley, Rye

The nearly world famous Beckley Church Fete for all the family.

Dates

From:
25 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 16:00

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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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Bexhill's Spirit of the Wild West

Address

De La Warr Lawns, BEXHILL-ON-SEA, Bexhill, East Sussex, TN40 1DP

Telephone
07817521677

russnisbet79@gmail.com

Bexhill

Bringing an exciting full day of great live country music, line dancing, and much more as we go back to the old West.

Venue

De La Warr Pavilion, Rother

Dates

From:
6 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 18:00

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Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair 2025

Address

Rye Cricket Salts, Rye, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7LP

Telephone
01797 222857

elise@ontapgroup.com

Rye

Following the success of our inaugural Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair in 2024, we're excited to announce its return this year on September 13th & 14th 2025.

Join us for a very special two-day English wine and food fair in the beautiful medieval town…

Dates

From:
13 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 18:00
From:
14 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00

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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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Oktoberfest

Address

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

Telephone
+441424462280

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Join us for beer, pretzels, bratwurst and music inspired by everyone's favourite Bavarian festival. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere featuring a live oompah band, and toast to good times. Prost!

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
1 Nov 2025Open 12:00 -
From:
1 Nov 2025Open 18:00 -

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The Legends of Drag

Address

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

Telephone
+441424462280

box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Hastings

Join Cherry in the forgotten attic of drag as she celebrates the drag legends that came before her. Buckle up and get ready to travel back in time as early as 1604 when drag first started to emerge.

Venue

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Dates

From:
7 Nov 2025Open 20:00 -

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