August 1 – August 10
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week takes place every summer in the Old Town of Hastings, East Sussex.
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. Participants join the Old Town Carnival procession, which features floats, dancers, majorettes and marching bands. The evening ends with a firework display.
The carnival began in 1968. Old Town residents felt that the original Hastings Carnival should have included the Old Town in its route, so they created their own event. Over time, the Old Town carnival grew bigger and more popular, while the Hastings carnival declined and eventually stopped. As a parting gesture, the organisers gave the Carnival Queen the title “Miss Hastings.” In 2018, they rebranded the Carnival Court as the Sea Court and added a King, who holds the title “Mr Hastings.”
The week concludes with a spectacular firework display over the waters of the English Channel. Bright colours fill the night sky and reflect on the sea. The display impresses both first-time visitors and long-time carnival fans.