February 13 – February 17
Hastings Fat Tuesday is an annual music and arts festival held in the historic town of Hastings. The lively event has become a highlight of the local cultural calendar and attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond. The festival usually runs for several days and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before the Christian season of Lent begins.
Hastings has been named the most musically sophisticated town or city in the UK. It has a vibrant local music scene that rivals many larger cities.
During the festival, the whole town joins the celebration. Venues, restaurants and bars decorate their spaces with colourful displays. They fill with eccentric, costumed party-goers throughout the five-day event. This energy has helped earn Hastings Fat Tuesday a reputation as one of the 12 best places to party in the world.
A key feature of Hastings Fat Tuesday is its support for emerging musical talent. The festival hosts a popular band competition called Unplugged Saturday. Local and regional bands perform in venues across the town. They compete for the chance to gain recognition and new audiences. The event provides an important platform for up-and-coming artists.