a musical midwinter treat with 3 nights of world class artists in local venues
MUSIC FOR MIDWINTER
Sounds St Leonards is an ACE-funded local concert series based in Hastings and St Leonards. Bringing world-class music to local venues in the town, Sounds St Leonards is the best place to see and hear both international acts, nationally-renowned names and local artists. Working in collaboration with local venues, businesses and community groups, Sounds St Leonards creates safe, friendly and accessible performance spaces for artists and audience members alike.
Five days of live music and parades celebrating Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) the best way possible. Recognised as one of the best events of its kind in the world.
Hastings’ International Piano Concerto Competition
An international array of some of the best young pianists who are given the chance to reach the ‘pinnacle’ of many performers’ careers by demonstrating their mastery of the concerto
Hastings Musical Festival takes place at the White Rock Theatre in February or March each year. Dancers, singers, musicians and actors of all ages perform in classes which are marked by an adjudicator who is a specialist and an expert in the field. Feedback is given to everyone and the winners of each class are announced.
Kings Road in St Leonards will come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of China as stalls, performers and Hastings crowds mix together in a celebration of the Chinese New Year
The Easter Festival celebrates Easter within the community, in a music and arts festival held on Easter Saturday. There are bands and live music performers from different music genres, an art exhibition, plus local food vendors. Entry is free
Sonics was originally conceived by local artist Danny Pockets in 2015 (who sadly passed away in 2018) to bring together and showcase the underground and experimental art and music scenes in the South East.
It provides an opportunity for the wider Hastings and St. Leonards-on-Sea community to discover and experience the diverse range of music, art, film, installations and more, existing outside of the mainstream.
The festival’s community is passionate about the power and reach of art in everyday places. A whole town creates an environment in which everyone’s thoughts and wisdoms are shared and valued. The creative responses from the festival projects form the outdoor festival trail that is mounted in St Leonards-on-Sea’s streets, benches, the station and bus shelters through the school spring holiday in March/April. St Leonards-on-Sea’s vibrant independent businesses create window displays. Voices not commonly foregrounded in literary platforms are amplified in our community arts festival offering fresh perspectives.
Originally known as the Hastings 5-Day Film Challenge, this event has been a staple in Hastings for over 20 years. Twelve years ago, it was revitalized by Trash Cannes, a collective dedicated to promoting events in the Hastings area with a DIY ethos.
Today, it stands as one of the highlights of the Hastings calendar, attracting filmmakers ranging from complete novices to seasoned professionals. The challenge provides a unique opportunity to unleash your creativity and discover what you can accomplish in just five days.
Every year musicians from Hastings and elsewhere in the UK ‘come together’ to celebrate the work of the Fab Four and raise a tonne of cash for local charity the Sara Lee Trust.
Sri Lankan new year festival on 18th of April All welcome Free entry…At Hontye sports complex Successfully 3rd year running the event by Sri Lankan in Hastings
Experience a diverse array of artistic expressions, performances, workshops, talks, and exhibitions that showcase the unique talents of local and guest artists. From intriguing installations to captivating shows, A Curious Town offers something for everyone to explore and enjoy, showcasing the vibrant spirit of our community.
Join in and help create a hub of creativity and collaboration, fostering connections and sparking curiosity among attendees of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned curiosity enthusiast or a first-time visitor, this festival promises an unforgettable experience that inspires, delights, and leaves you craving more.
Home to one of the largest May Day Bike Runs in Europe, the Hastings Bike Run is a fun-filled day out for everyone. Hastings is a particularly unique town with a unique character, and it knows how to celebrate. The May Day weekend is a special occasion in the town and it doesn’t stop when the bikes leave. Stick around and get ready for the incredible Hastings Traditional Jack In The Green, a May Day celebration including live bands, dancing and many outrageously wonderful costumes.
Hastings Jack in the Green is a revival of a 19th century custom that used to be common across southern England. On May Day the sweeps would parade a massive garland around town. These days it attracts colourful characters, morris dancers, dancing giants and still even the odd sweep.
Hastings International Composers Festival (Cancelled for 2026)
The first and only festival of its kind in the world with the mission to promote and showcase high quality classical music that is tuneful, full of passion, accessible, universally appealing, and created by living composers – all of whom attend the events. It is held over three days, with four major concerts in Hastings and Bexhill offering an ideal opportunity to enjoy wonderful music, exchange ideas, make new friends and meet world-famous and up-and-coming composers.
Good Grief encourages attendees to open up about their grief at their own pace.
Good Grief Hastings (22-25 May)
18 Hours is working with St Michael’s Hospice to bring people a safe space where people can feel comfortable discussing personal experiences around death and bereavement.
Within an environment consisting of art, film, dance, conversation, and more, through workshops, performances, and film, Good Grief encourages attendees to open up about their grief at their own pace.
A fantastic line up of 5….yes!! 5 Bands. Put the date in the calendar: Sunday 24th of May 2026 at The Carlisle Rockpub in Hastings…Bands start around 4pm
Lets Get It Together 2026, is a three-day celebration of Dance Music Culture taking place from 22nd–24th May Bank Holiday, across Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. Featuring 25 DJs within multiple venues, the festival will showcase the best in Soul, Jazz, Funk, Boogie, Disco, Deep House, Afro Tech, Broken Beats, as well as live performances at selected venues. The festival is collaborating with The Courtyard (Source Park) Hastings, where Lets Get It Together 2026 wristband holders will be provided with 10% off food purchases from participating food outlets/restaurants within The Courtyard and the local area.
The best players from across Europe descend on Hastings to play for a big prize fund in this international test of skill in the spiritual home of crazy golf.
To close Refugee Week in Hastings, Sanctuary Festival brings people together for a day of music, creativity and community – celebrating all the cultures that help make Hastings such a vibrant place to live.
The two-day event will be packed full of activities and attractions for geeks and kids of all ages. Hastings will be welcoming some of the greatest writers and illustrators in the industry, alongside stars of the screen, and the wonderful world of cosplay.
one of the top events in the town’s musical calendar
Hastings Beer & Music Festival
Like it says on the tin, lots of beer and loads of live music. Running from Wednesday to Sunday, expect a night at the proms, Ibiza Classic House DJs, family entertainment and a huge live finale in the big tent. The event has grown a reputation as the best beer and music festival in the South East
St Leonards Festival is hosted annually in the heart of St Leonards and is for everyone to enjoy. The festival celebrates St Leonards’ community and arts. Since 2006, St Leonards Festival has presented free, high-quality, outdoor performing arts, music, carnivals and parades.
Pirates, lots and lots of pirates. The flagship event holds the record for the most pirates in one place at the same time, and has become an institution. Join the parade in your best pirate costume, enjoy free live music, food and drink on The Stade. Not to be missed.
A thrilling coastal rowing event held on the stunning Hastings Beach.
This regatta is part of the prestigious CARA (Coastal Amateur Rowing Association) season and showcases some of the best rowing talent along the coast. Whether you’re a rowing enthusiast or just looking for a fantastic community event, there’s something for everyone.
If you’ve already fallen under the Batspell of The Fratcave and been knocked out by the evenings of live villainous 60s-based punk rock and the spinning sounds of grime-busting snotty diskettes then you’ll know what to expect at BEATWAVE …just magnify it twelve fold.
With BEATWAVE you get a weekend of LIVE 60’s Surf, Beat, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Garage Frenzy by the Sea, plus dynamite discs of top notch Ska, Psyche, R&B and Soul!
Hastings Theatre Festival is a celebration of critically acclaimed professional theatre and features six very different shows which have achieved outstanding reviews and audience responses.
A week of open houses, walking tours, treasure trails, art shows and historical talks – plus pram racing, live music and street parties, culminating in a grand carnival procession. Old Town Carnival Week started in 1968, gradually increasing in popularity until the present day. Organised by volunteers and supporting numerous local charities, Hastings Old Town Carnival week has become a fun week for visitor and locals alike.
Boutique by design the festival programming is eclectic and provides variety inclusion, engagement, and assists in the mental wellbeing of attendees through the power of live music performance and participation.
The festival now attracts more than ten thousand visitors not only from across the Southeast but also from across the UK and Europe, in doing so this makes a very positive contribution to the local Rye economy, enhances tourism, and enriches the region from a creative and cultural perspective.
Hidden Beach is a cultural programme rooted in music, creativity and shared experience, based in Hastings and St Leonards.
Since its beginnings, Hidden Beach has brought people together through live music, film, food, movement and conversation — creating spaces where culture is not only presented, but practiced together.
A visual arts festival showcasing the creative hubs of Hastings and St Leonards, and featuring the talents of both the local arts community and profiled artists. Coastal Currents is organised by Sweet and Dandy Ltd. and funded by local businesses, the Arts Council England and Hastings Borough Council.
Dates for the 2026 festival are (subject to funding)
5 September – 30 September Open Studios: 5/6 and 12/13 September Submissions open 15 Feb – 15 April Brochure goes to print 15 May for distribution 1 June – 30 Sep
The Hastings Garden Festival is a vibrant, community-led celebration of nature, wellbeing, and horticulture held at the White Rock Gardens (specifically the former bowling greens near Falaise Hall).1Organized by the Hastings Botanic Garden Project, the festival serves as a showcase for local green charities and growing groups.2 The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, typically featuring:
Education: A focus on biodiversity and the legacy of local botanic artist Marianne North. Eco-focused Stalls: Displays from local wildlife and gardening organizations.Live Entertainment: Unplugged acoustic music and spoken word performances.Activities: Interactive workshops, children’s crafts, and art installations.
An international competition attracting thge best in the world
SWATCH BMX Battle of Hastings
The BMX Battle of Hastings (BOH) is a world-renowned, four-day BMX competition held annually in Hastings, UK, centered around the massive underground Source Park, featuring top international riders in a unique team format where captains choose riders to compete in park, street, and beach sessions for points, culminating in a final showdown. It combines high-level skill with unique events like the Swatch Beach Jam and Flatland Battles, attracting huge crowds and global livestreams, making it a massive highlight in the BMX calendar.
spanning multiple unique and wonderful venues in and around St Leonards-on-Sea. Deep diving into the craft of creative audio and sonic storytelling in its many forms: from powerful and provocative performances, to focused listening and immersive experiences.
Above all XMTR Festival is a gathering of the creative audio community to inspire, connect and collaborate.
Hastings Book Fest is a festival like no other – a celebration of writing and writers across all the genres. Workshops, talks, interactive sessions, book sales, readings, masterclasses, and performances – held in the beautiful and vibrant town of Hastings, East Sussex
The Seafood & Wine Festival has grown into one of Hastings’ biggest and most popular events in an already packed calendar. This much-loved foodie festival showcases all that Hastings and surrounding areas have to offer, with over 50 food and drink traders, non-stop live music in the music marquee, cooking demonstrations from Billingsgate Seafood Training School and top local chefs, and plenty of entertainment for children.
PhotoHastings (PH), was formed as a collective of photographers in the South East of England in 2009 by Grace Lau and Andrew Moran. It aims to inspire an appreciation of contemporary photographic art through a festival programme, regular talks, exhibitions, workshops and mentoring.
Hastings Tap Takeover is an annual event celebrating the very best independent breweries from the UK and beyond. It takes place in multiple venues across the historic towns of Hastings and neighbouring St Leonards, on the Sussex coast. Over a single weekend in October, each venue will showcase an independent brewery of their choice by turning over their taps to the brewery for the whole weekend. Think of it as a beer festival across a whole town.
A one-day celebration of world-class jazz right in the heart of Hastings, featuring a dynamic lineup of local heroes, rising stars, and internationally acclaimed artists. The festival brings the town centre to life with music across multiple venues. Henry Ward Hall, Barnaby’s Lounge, and Holy Trinity Church. From classic swing to boundary-pushing improvisation, this is a chance to experience the full spectrum of jazz — up close, all in one day, and all within walking distance.
At the heart of the Festival is the desire to bring together the highest calibre musicians for performances of some of the most deeply expressive music.
Hastings Rocks International Film Festival (HRIFF) – 30 Oct to 1 Nov
HASTINGS ROCKS celebrates cinema that challenges the conversation about horror and cinema – films that are unafraid to push the parameters of risk-taking & that confront, provoke and reflect on the ever-changing world in which we live. Alongside horror, we embrace drama and genre films steeped in dystopian, esoteric & noir visions. The festival also screens films made in and around Hastings, with a particular focus on young and emerging filmmakers.
Spanning October and November, Trans Pride Hastings came into being in February 2023 and delivers 15 events across 8 days focusing on community building, support and celebration.
Hastings Voodoo Fest is an annual Halloween celebration held in Hastings Old Town, East Sussex. It is widely known as the town’s “season closing” event, blending traditional Halloween spookiness with the carnival atmosphere of a New Orleans Mardi Gras. Unlike a standard Halloween party, Voodoo Fest is modeled after a New Orleans Jazz Funeral and Second Line parade. The atmosphere is a mix of the macabre and the celebratory—think “Day of the Dead” rather than slasher-horror.
The main aim is simple and close to everyone’s hearts — to put BIG SMILES on faces, spread Christmas joy, and raise money for charity to help make someone’s day a little brighter at this special time of year.
Literally hundreds of tractors lit up…well, like Christmas, run by Rural Past Times
