AboutExperience one of East Sussex’s most celebrated cultural events at the annual Battle Festival. It brings music, arts and community spirit to the historic town of Battle each summer. Festival Dates and Historic Battle Locations The festival runs for around two weeks in July. Events take place across the town, including the iconic
The Pig Hastings
37 White Rock, Hastings, East Sussex
AboutBeatwave is a music festival in Hastings celebrating live 1960s surf, beat, rock ’n’ roll and garage music. It also features DJs playing ska, psychedelic rock, R&B and soul. Held at The Pig Hastings on White Rock, the festival returns from 17–19 July 2026 for its tenth anniversary. Since launching in 2016, Beatwave has
AboutHastings Pirate Day is one of the most popular annual events in Hastings, attracting thousands of visitors to the historic Old Town and seafront each summer. For one weekend, pirates of all ages take over the town, creating a lively atmosphere with colourful costumes, live music, family entertainment and themed activities. Guinness World
AboutThe Winchelsea Secret Gardens is an annual National Garden Scheme event that opens 13 private gardens not usually open to the public. Set within the historic Cinque Port town of Winchelsea, visitors can explore cottage gardens, roses, wildlife-friendly planting and historic walled gardens. Held for one day each July, the event raises money for
AboutHastings Old Town Carnival Week takes place every summer in the Old Town of Hastings, East Sussex. August Celebrations in Hastings Old Town The carnival week usually happens during the first week of August. Winkle Island officially opens the celebrations. During the week, organisers host concerts, street parties, charity races and Morris dancing
AboutKick-starting the famous Hastings Old Town Carnival Week, the Nearly on the Beach Concert is a much-loved free live music event on the seafront at the Stade Open Space. Free Live Music on Hastings Seafront This lively two-day event brings together a mix of local bands and artists. It creates a relaxed, festival-style
Monkings Farm
Hastings Road, Horns Cross, East Sussex
AboutRural Past Times Show is one of East Sussex’s most popular countryside events. Held annually at Monkings Farm in Horns Cross, near Hastings and Rye, the show celebrates traditional farming, vintage machinery and rural heritage with a full weekend of family-friendly entertainment. Vintage Tractors, Steam Engines and Rural Heritage Visitors can explore impressive
AboutHidden Beach Festival is a one-day summer festival in Hastings. It brings together live music, DJs, street food, creative workshops and cultural programming in a coastal setting. Taking place at The Oval in Hastings, the event is part of the wider “Hastings Summer of Culture” programme. This showcases music, art, wellbeing, food and community
Western Lawns
King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex
AboutThe Eastbourne Airshow (Airbourne) is one of the UK’s biggest free seaside airshows and takes place every August on Eastbourne’s seafront. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and ranks among Europe’s largest free aviation events. World-Class Aircraft Displays Over Eastbourne Seafront Over four days, aircraft fill the skies above Eastbourne
AboutExperience one of East Sussex’s much-loved traditional countryside events at the annual Rye & District Country Show. Held at Elm Tree Farm in Icklesham, between Hastings and Rye, this popular family event celebrates rural life with animals, classic vehicles, countryside displays, entertainment and activities for all ages. A Traditional East Sussex Country Show
