Hastings Festivals – a full list of annual events

In Hastings, hardly a week goes by without a festival of some sort. This is a list of all of them…

Date

Title

march 2024

No Events

april 2024

No Events

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

Websitehttps://18hours.org.uk/bexhill-after-dark/

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/701332328187857

FEBRUARY

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

Websitehttps://www.hastingsfattuesday.co.uk/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttp://www.hastingsconcertocompetition.co.uk

Facebookhttps://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

Websitewww.hastingsmusicalfestival.org.uk

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

WebsiteHERE

FacebookHERE

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

Websitehttp://18hours.org.uk/streets-of-battle-2/

Facebookhttps://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/atownexploresabook

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.co.uk/?s=theatre+festival)

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

Websitehttps://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/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttps://www.hastingsadventuregolf.com/worldcrazygolf.asp

Facebookhttps://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/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttps://www.hbmf.co.uk/

Facebookhttps://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

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttp://stleonardsfestival.org/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttp://hastingspirateday.org.uk/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttps://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

Websitehttps://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

Websitehttps://.HastingsPride.org.uk

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttp://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

Websitehttps://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

Websitehttp://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

Websitehttps://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

Websitehttps://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/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttp://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/

Facebookhttps://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

Websitehttp://www.sussexconcepts.co.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stleonardsmarket/