September 4 – September 30
Coastal Currents Arts Festival is an independent, annual celebration of arts and culture across East Sussex. Based in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea, the festival also reaches Battle, Rye, Robertsbridge, Eastbourne, Fairlight, Bexhill and nearby towns. It brings together coastal communities, rural landscapes and historic market towns to showcase East Sussex’s heritage, diversity and contemporary creativity.
The festival draws inspiration from its striking coastal setting. It encourages residents to rediscover Hastings and St Leonards. Visitors can explore cultural destinations across East Sussex. From Hastings pebbled beach and fishing heritage to Rye’s medieval streets and the rolling Sussex countryside, location serves as both backdrop and inspiration. Local, regional and international artists transform gardens, beaches, heritage buildings and unusual venues into vibrant cultural spaces. These spaces offer unique ways to experience contemporary art beyond traditional galleries.
Coastal Currents Arts Festival features visual art exhibitions, live performances, film screenings, music events, digital art and interdisciplinary practice. Audiences can discover immersive installations in gardens, site-specific performances along the seafront, contemporary exhibitions in historic venues and experimental projects in community spaces. The festival’s creative use of place makes it one of Hastings and East Sussex’s most distinctive cultural events. The landscape and architecture often shape the artwork itself.
For those looking for things to do in Hastings, arts events in St Leonards, or cultural festivals in East Sussex, Coastal Currents offers an accessible and inspiring programme. It celebrates both emerging and established artists. By combining contemporary creativity with the unique character of the Sussex coast, the festival strengthens the region’s reputation as a vibrant hub for arts and culture on the South Coast of England.