Arts, culture, history and festivals
Hastings and the surrounding area has a wealth of culture and history to explore, and a number of festivals throughout the year.
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery and the Old Town museum contain displays from local to international themes. Visit the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery website to find out about permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
For more specific information, click on the headers below.
Arts and culture
Electric Palace Cinema brings independent cinema to Hastings with a wide choice of film and film events, while the Odeon shows more mainstream cinema.
There is a choice of three theatres, including the White Rock Theatre which presents a wide range of productions.
For music lovers there is a wide range of venues and events including live music venues and many pubs with live bands. A free beach concert featuring local bands every year and the Annual Hastings Beer and Music Festival in May attracts well-known groups.
History
The Hasting area has a rich history, having been inhabited for well over 2000 years. The first port here predates the arrivals of the Romans in Britain in 55BC, and Hastings' link with the sea continues as home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe.
The town's architecture reflects the last thousand years of its history, from the lofty Norman castle, to its medieval churches and timbered buildings in the old town's twisting narrow streets and twittens, attractive Victorian buildings, twentieth- and twenty-first-century styles.
Sites of specific historical interest
- The site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 is just outside Hastings at nearby Battle.
- Hastings Castle was the first to be built in England by William the Conqueror. You can visit the ruins on top of the west hill.
- East Sussex boasts a number of other interesting historical attractions, including more castles at Pevensey, first built in 1600 years ago in Roman times, Bodiam Castle, dating from the fourteenth century, and Herstmonceaux Castle, from the fifteenth century.
- The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists, a novel describing the plight of the working classes in the early twentieth century and now recognised as a classic piece of observation in social criticism, was written in Hastings. The university has celebrated its author, Robert Tressell (pen name of Robert Noonan), by naming of its halls of residence here after him.
- There are several thriving local history societies. Speak to one of our lecturers in history to find out more.
Festivals and events month-by-month
Further events and more information can be found at www.visit1066country.com/events.
May
Jack-in-the-green festival over the Early May Bank Holiday features Morris dancers, fabulous costumes, the Jack (a walking bush), the May Queen, Giants, and everyone dressed up in green and flowers/leaves to welcome in the spirit of summer. The event coincides with May Day bikers gathering along the seafront for a grand day out. Find out more about Jack-in-the-Green, including photo galleries. More photos of Jack-in-the-Green can be found here.
July
Hastings Beer and Music Festival at Alexandra Park
St Leonard's Town Carnival
August
Old Town Carnival: A week of activities including a Beach concert, Bike race, Pram race and Street party, with the Carnival procession, aerial display, and fireworks on the Saturday. Find out more about the Old Town Carnival.
Coastal Currents arts festival runs from end of August to end of September. Find out more about Coastal Current arts festival.
September
Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival on the Stade: visitors can sample seafood and wine, see cooking demos including fish preparation, and take part in wine tastings. The event is accompanied by live music.
October
Hastings Week, which commemorates the week in which the Battle of Hastings took place in nearby Battle, sees a week of activities in Hastings culminating in a huge procession and bonfire/fireworks on the final Saturday which generally attracts 20,000+ people on the seafront. Read more about Hastings week.
December
Hastings International Chess Congress at Horntye Park