In Hastings, hardly a week goes by without a festival of some sort. This is a list of all of them…
JANUARY
Bexhill After Dark
Dates(s) – last weekend in January
What to expect – Bexhill lights up with a fun evening for all the family with light forming the basis for the art displays.
Venue(s)/Location – Bexhill seafront
Inside or outside – outside
Website – https://18hours.org.uk/bexhill-after-dark/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/events/701332328187857
FEBRUARY
Chinese New Year
Date(s) – early February
What to expect – Chinese performers celebrating the new year
Venue(s)/Location – Priory Meadow / White Rock Theatre
Inside or outside? – Both
Website – NA
Facebook – NA
Hastings Fat Tuesday
Date(s) – Thursday to Shrove Tuesday (February)
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – various venues across town
Inside or outside? Both
Website – https://www.hastingsfattuesday.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingsfattuesday/
Hastings’ International Piano Concerto Competition
Date(s) – Late February
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – White Rock Theatre
Inside or outside? Inside
Website – http://www.hastingsconcertocompetition.co.uk
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HastingsConcertoCompetition/
Hastings Musical Festival
Date(s) – Late February to mid-March
What to expect – A performing arts festival for local people of all ages; Dance, Drama, Singing and Instrumental classes. People can come and watch every day with tickets bought from The White Rock Theatre costing around £6 a session or by becoming a Friend of the HMF for £35.
Venue(s)/Location – White Rock Theatre
Website – www.hastingsmusicalfestival.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingsmusicalfestival/
MARCH
Entombed Festival
Date(s) – First weekend in March
What to expect – Live music – metal and hardcore
Venue(s)/Location – The Crypt
Website – HERE
Facebook – HERE
Hastings Easter Festival
Date(s) – Easter Sunday
What to expect – Live music
Venue(s)/Location – The Stade Open Space or Hastings Pier
Website – not available
Facebook – not available
Streets of Battle (March/April)
Date(s) – Dates vary
What to expect – Free street arts festival in Battle, showcasing the finest in street arts.
Annually, last Saturday in March, April, May.
Venue(s)/Location – Battle
Inside or outside? Outside
Website – http://18hours.org.uk/streets-of-battle-2/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/18HoursEvents/
APRIL
A Town Explores a Book
Date(s) – First two weeks in April
What to expect – A Town Explores A Book 2023 runs 1-18 April 2023 exploring ‘Wonderful Adventures of Mary Seacole in Many Lands’ by the 19th century adventurer, business woman, and medical practitioner Mary Seacole. The festival is delivered by ExploreTheArch theatre company.
Multiple reader-led creative responses to this heritage travelogue will be explored in the streets and green spaces of St Leonards on Sea.
Venue(s)/Location – St Leonards
Inside or outside? – Inside and outside
Website – Atownexploresabook.com
Facebook – Facebook.com/
Beatles Day
Date(s) – First Sunday in April
What to expect – Beatles Day, created and organised by local singer Pete Prescott, first saw the light of day at Pissarro’s, Hastings in December 2000. It has since gone on to raise almost £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Venue(s)/Location – White Rock Theatre
Inside or outside? – Inside
Website – http://www.hastingsbeatlesday.org.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingsbeatlesday/
Hastings Fringe Theatre Festival
Date(s) – Three weekends in April
What to expect – Hastings Fringe Festival is an opportunity for budding and established artists to showcase innovative work at The Stables Theatre. Please contact hastingsfringe@gmail.com for Call Out details and if you wish to be considered for the week long event in 2023.
Venue(s)/Location – Stables Theatre (Book now: https://stablestheatre.
Inside or outside? – Inside
Website – https://hastingsfringe.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastingsfringe
MAY
Mayday Bikers Run
Date(s) – First weekend in May
What to expect – Britain’s biggest free-to-attend motorcycle festival.
Venue(s)/Location – Hastings
Inside or outside? – Outside
Website – https://www.bike1066.com/
Facebook – n/a
Jack in the Green
Date(s) – May Day Bank Holiday weekend
What to expect – 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. 2022 will be the 40th Anniversary!
Venue(s)/Location – Hastings Old Town and West Hill
Inside or outside? – Outside
Website – http://www.hastingsjitg.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HastingsTraditonalJackintheGreen/
Hastings International Composers Festival
Date(s) – End of May
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – Opus Theatre (Hastings) / De La Warr Pavillion (Bexhill)
Indoors or outside? Indoors
Website – https://www.composersfestival.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pg/ComposersFestival
JUNE
Crazy Golf World Championships
Date(s) – Second weekend in June
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – Hastings Adventure Mini-Golf
Inside or outside? – Outside
Website – https://www.hastingsadventuregolf.com/worldcrazygolf.asp
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HastingsAdventureGolf/
Hastings Fringe Comedy Festival
Date(s) – Wednesday to Sunday, mid-June
What to expect – An explosion of laughter, not to be missed. One of the best small comedy fringe festivals in the UK.
Venue(s)/Location – various venues around Hastings
Inside or outside? – Both
Website – https://www.hastingsfringecomedyfestival.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingscomedy/
Hastings Beer & Music Festival
Date(s) – End of June
What to expect – 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
Venue(s)/Location – The Oval, Hastings
Inside or outside? Both
Website – https://www.hbmf.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingsbeer/
Midsummer Fish Festival
Date(s) – first weekend in July
What to expect – Enjoy a variety of delicious summer fish dishes from local restaurants along with a range of the best produce the area has to offer. Locally made wine will also be available, as well as a beer festival, and the fishermen will be showcasing their skills and their catch. There will be non-stop live music and entertainment, and cooking demos, craft and fish related activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Venue(s)/Location – The Stade Open Space
Inside or outside? – Both
Website – https://www.visit1066country.com/whats-on/hastings-midsummer-fish-fest-p1058561
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastingsboroughcouncil/
JULY
St Leonards Festival
Date(s) – Second weekend in July
What to expect – Annual free festival celebrating St Leonards community and arts.
Venue(s)/Location – Warrior Square and Kings Road
Inside or outside? – Outside
Website – http://stleonardsfestival.org/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/stleonardsfestival
Pirate Day
Date(s) – Mid-July
What to expect – Pirates, lots and lots of pirates. The event holds the record for the most pirates in one place at the same time, and has become an institution. Not to be missed.
Venue(s)/Location – Throughout Hastings
Inside or outside? Both
Website – http://hastingspirateday.org.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingspirateday2018/
Beatwave
Date(s) – Third weekend in july
What to expect – A weekend of Surf, Beat and Garage Frenzy by the Sea.
Venue(s)/Location – The Palace
Inside or outside? – Inside
Website – N/A
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thefratcave/
Hastings Film Fringe
Date(s) – Last weekend in July
What to expect – The Hastings Film Fringe has linked with The Hastings Fringe to create a platform for filmmakers and performers alike, to showcase their work; features and shorts respectively.
Venue(s)/Location – The Electric Palace
Inside or outside? – Inside
Website – https://filmfreeway.com/HastingsFilmFringe
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingsfilmfringe/
Hastings Theatre Festival
Date(s) – End of July
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – Stables Theatre
Inside or outside? – Inside
Website – https://hastingsfringe.co.uk/
Favebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastingsfringe
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week
Date(s) – Last week in July/First week in August
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – various locations and venues around the Old Town
Inside or Outside? Both
Website – https://www.oldtowncarnivalweek.co.uk
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastings-Old-Town-Carnival-2018-1246015742107042/
AUGUST
Hastings ‘Nearly on the Beach’ Concert
Date(s) – First Saturday in August
What to expect – One of the highlights of Carnival Week, a chance to see some of the best local bands playing on a big stage on The Stade (nearly on the beach…)
Venue(s)/Location – The Stade Open Space
Inside or outside? – Outside
Website – https://www.oldtowncarnivalweek.co.uk/events/
Facebook – n/a
Hastings Pride
Date(s) – August Bank Holiday Sunday
What to expect – A true celebration of all things LGBT+ with a parade and a huge party featuring live bands and DJs
Venue(s)/Location – The Oval, Bohemia Road, Hastings
Website – https://.HastingsPride.org.uk
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pg/hastingspride
SEPTEMBER
Coastal Currents
Date(s) – September
What to expect – 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 the Arts Council England and Hastings Borough Council.
Venue(s)/Location – Multiple venues around the area
Inside or outside? Both
Website – http://coastalcurrents.org.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CoastalCurrents/
Hastings Bookfest
Date(s) – mid-September
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – Multiple venues around the area
Inside or outside? Inside
Website – https://www.hastingsbookfest.org/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HastingsBookFest
Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival
Date(s) – Friday to Sunday, mid-September
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – The Stade Open Space
Inside or outside? – Both
Website – https://www.visit1066country.com/whats-on/fish-festivals
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastingsboroughcouncil/
PhotoHastings
Date(s) – September through to November
What to expect – 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.
Venue(s)/Location – Various venues
Inside or outside? Inside
Website – http://photohastings.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/photohastings/
OCTOBER
Battle Festival
Date(s) – Throughout October
What to expect – World-class events, with performances by internationally renowned musicians, visual arts, & fringe events.
Venue(s)/Location – Various venues around Battle
Inside or outside? – Inside
Website – https://www.battlefestival.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BattleFestival/
Oktoberfest
Date(s) – First Saturday in October
What to expect – Plenty of Beer. Bratwurst & Bands all flowing with the promise of all the fun of Munich right in the heart of Hastings.
Venue(s)/Location – Horntyne Park
Inside or outside? Inside
Website – https://www.hastingsoktoberfest.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastingsoktoberfest/
Hastings Week
Date(s) – second week in October
What to expect – A festival remembering the famous date of 1066 and demonstrating the interest, skill and activity in Hastings TODAY.
Venue(s)/Location – various locations around Hastings
Inside or outside – both
Website – https://www.1066.net/hastings-week/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hastwk1066
Hastings Bonfire
Date(s) – Second Saturday in October (14th October in 2022)
What to expect – a huge parade or fire and music culminating in a huge bonfire and firework display on the beach
Venue(s)/Location – Hastings Old Town and beach
Website – http://www.hbbs.info/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pg/hastingsbonfire
Hastings Storytelling Festival
Date(s) – third week in October
What to expect – Spoken word, dance, puppetry, carnival, theatre, conversation or digital media: diverse artists in exciting and accessible venues.
Venue(s)/Location – Various across the town
Inside or outside – inside
Website – https://www.hastingsstoryfest.org.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastingsstoryfest
NOVEMBER
Hastings Storytelling Festival
Date(s) – second week in November
What to expect – Spoken word, dance, puppetry, parades, theatre, talks and digital media
Venue(s)/Location – various
Inside or outside? Inside
Website – https://hastingsstoryfest.org.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hastingsstoryfest
Frost Fair
Date(s) – Last Saturday in November
What to expect – St Leonards annual Frost Fair features the Kings Road Christmas lights switch on, entertainment and a street procession.
Venue(s)/Location – Kings Road
Inside or outside? – Outside
Website – http://www.sussexconcepts.co.uk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/stleonardsmarket/