Collected Fictions is turning shades of blue this summer with Indigo Reverie, a group exhibition exploring the art of cyanotype printing.

Curated by local tattoo artist Beth Park of Indigo Forever Tattoos, the exhibition brings together more than 25 artists from across Hastings and St Leonards, including painters, illustrators, ceramicists, embroiderers and fellow tattooists. All have worked with the same traditional printing process and have created one gorgeously cohesive indigo-blue collection.

The exhibition runs throughout August and September at Collected Fictions. Head down to browse the collection over a glass of natural wine.

Contemporary art turns up all over Hastings this month, as Coastal Currents takes over the town from 3rd - 30th September.

Participating galleries and independent spaces are hosting exhibitions, with work and performances appearing out on the streets too.

Open Studios Weekends

On 5th - 6th & 12th - 13th September, artists open their homes and studios for free, giving you a look at where the work is made. Much of it will be available to buy too.

Artist Residencies

Turner Prize-shortlisted collective Project Art Works is opening its studios this year, and The High Street Clinic in the Old Town hosts artist-in-residence Louise Whitham.

Film

There's film too, including the brilliantly named Trash Cannes, where filmmakers get five days to make a three-minute film before the results are screened at The Printworks.

Pop-Up & Gallery Showcases

Independent spaces, local businesses, and regional hubs (such as partner galleries in Battle) transform into temporary art spaces for painting, photography, and sculpture.

There is an enormous amount going on, so keep the official brochure handy (you can find that here) or check out the events guide here.

Coastal Currents might actually be our favourite part of the year because for a whole month, Hastings gets to show off how truly creative it is.

Surface Contemporary Interiors is showing work by three local artists throughout September, as part of the Coastal Currents Trail.

Narratives in Landscape and Loom features contemporary landscapes from Jane Waters, paintings by Daisy Clarke and textile and loom work from local weaver, Sarah Jane Holt.

The exhibition runs throughout September.

Hastings Book Festival is back for its 9th year and David Olusoga and Kate Mosse are among the authors coming to town.

Running from 10th - 20th September, the 10 day festival brings talks, workshops, poetry, open mics and independent publishers to venues across Hastings. The Observer Building is the main hub for the festival weekends, with fringe events popping up at other venues.

Here are some key dates:

Thu 10th: A Load of Poets, Twelve Hundred Postcards. Free spoken-word open mic, starting with a poetry book swap.

Fri 11th: David Olusoga in Conversation, Studio 27, White Rock Theatre. More info here.

Sat 12th: The Hastings Book Fair, Observer Building. Around 30 press stalls, including Constellations Press and Thin Man Press. Children's book prize activities alongside. Free entry.

Sun 13th: Poets in Performance, White Rock Theatre. Andy Riley and James Domestic.

Sun 20th: Kate Mosse closes the festival at the Observer Building, discussing her new book Autumn. Tickets £15.

More info on all the events can be found here

If you have ever wanted to snoop around the town's coolest historic buildings and secret ruins without paying a penny - now is your chance.

The Hastings Heritage Open Days Festival is officially up and running and for ten days straight, 23 local venues are throwing their doors wide open to celebrate the history and unique character of Hastings and St Leonards.Here's a little of what's happening:

Wednesday 16th September: It's free entry to Hastings Castle from 10 am- 5 pm.

Thursday 17th September: A Stade Fishing Quarter Guided Walk starts at 11 am outside the Fishermen’s Museum. It's free but you need to register.

Saturday 19th September: HTH Church opens its doors  from 11 am to 4 pm for interactive history displays and heritage activities. No booking is needed, you can just wander on in.

More information on what's happening over the Hastings Heritage Open Days Festival can be found here.  Enjoy exploring!

The Hastings Embroidery is on display at Hastings Town Hall, telling the story of England from 1066 through nine centuries of history in stitch.

Created for the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, the work continues the story beyond the Bayeux Tapestry, with richly detailed panels charting the people and events that shaped the centuries that followed.

When you are caring for little ones, a bit of time for yourself can be hard to come by. Enter YOYO Art Club.

Every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm, head down to the Art in the Park Hub in Alexandra Park for a relaxed and creative morning for parents and childcare givers.

Get stuck into something creative and take a breather from the daily juggle with people who get it. No experience is needed and you will be made very welcome.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you like properly dark comedy - get yourself to The Stables Theatre this week and catch Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane.

The story is about Maureen, who lives in a run-down cottage in Connemara with her manipulative mother, Mag. Then an admirer turns up and for the first time in a long while, Maureen sees a possible way out. But Mother Mag is having none of it.

It’s written by Martin McDonagh (the guy who did The Banshees of Inisherin and In Bruges), so you already know it’s going to be better than amazing.

There are 7:30 pm performances from 15th - 19th September, plus a 2:30 pm matinee on Saturday 19th September.

Tickets £13.50 adults and £8.50 for under-18s and members. Run time is around 1 hour 45 minutes including interval

Accessibility: Wheelchair spaces and carer seats need to be booked through the Box Office. An infra-red listening system is available.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

In this talk at Hastings White Rock, Dr Joan Passey follows folk's shadowy trail from the ghost stories of M. R. James, Thomas Hardy, and Arthur Conan Doyle through to films like The Witchfinder General and The Wicker Man - exploring how ancient customs and unsettling landscapes have fed some of our darkest fiction.

Using film clips along the way, she will uncover where genuine folklore ends and invented tradition begins, and why these stories still get under our skin. Passey is a gothic literature specialist and editor of the British Library’s 'Tales of the Weird' series, so she knows her way around the stranger corners of British culture.

The 90-minute talk begins at 7:30 pm, with doors open from 7 pm and a Q&A afterwards. General-release tickets cost £15.50 each or £28.50 for two. Final-release tickets rise to £17.50 each or £32 for two. Seating is unreserved.

Content note: references to violence, sexual violence, sacrifice and cannibalism, so this talk is only suitable for people aged 16+

Tuesday nights at The Albion belong to the organised chaos of the house band, the Albion Skiffle Company. Expect traditional skiffle played on a multiverse of instruments from 8:30 pm.

Book lovers, this one's for you. Christ Church Parish Centre in St Leonards runs a regular book sale with a wide variety of donated books for sale, all sorted into categories to make browsing super easy.

Everything is reasonably priced, and all the proceeds go towards the church's running and mission costs (so you can bag a bargain and do a bit of good at the same time). You will find it in the Book Room at the Parish Centre (far left-hand door, off the Church Courtyard on London Road), open Wednesdays 9:30 am - 10:30 am and everyone is welcome.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that's Trunks & Hunks. It's a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel - oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Local identical twins, Anna and Georgina Lewis bring their new comedy Unravelling Twins to Studio 27 at White Rock Theatre.

The pair hit 40 and suddenly found themselves spending far more time in hospital than planned. Their response was to turn those experiences into a play and put the whole thing on stage.

Unravelling Twins tells their story through letters and re-enacted hospital appointments, with a little help from the healing power of ’80s pop icons.

Written and performed by Anna and Georgina, it is produced in association with Hastings Theatre Project. The show runs 7 pm - 9 pm and tickets are £16.05. It's for over 18s only and the venue is fully accessible.

Every Wednesday from 8pm, The Piper throws open the mic for anyone who fancies giving it a go. There's a full PA, guitar, piano, cajón and amps all set up and waiting, so no need to lug your own kit across town.

Go and perform or settle in with a drink and enjoy the show. One thing worth knowing: the schedule can occasionally shift for touring acts, so it's worth a quick check of The Piper's Instagram before you head out.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

There's a lot more to the Stade than meets the eye, and this guided walk is the best way to see it. Led by friendly local volunteers who really know their stuff, it winds through the history of the town's fishing quarter  - smuggling tales, fishing tragedies and all.

You will out what makes the town's fishing unlike anywhere else, get up close to the boats on the beach (you might even see one come ashore), and clap eyes on those distinctive black net shops. No wonder they call the Stade a "living museum."

Meet at 11 am at the Fishermen's Museum. The walk lasts around 90 minutes on level but sometimes uneven ground (no steps), so sensible footwear is a good shout. Tickets are £4 per person and it's all in aid of the OHPS Fishermen's Museum.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is open to all and play from 7 pm outside Ark Alexandra Academy, Helenswood Campus.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there’s nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they’re with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It’s £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Meet like-minded at The Three Legs Brewery in Bexhill for this 90-minute collage workshop, hosted by artist Sophie Malpas.

You will start with a few guided collage exercises before making your own piece around the evening’s theme. All materials are provided and beginners are very welcome.

The brewery bar will be open throughout, with drinks and snacks available while you work.

It runs from 7 pm - 8:30 pm and tickets are £11.55.

Local seaside honky-tonk favourites The Longshore Drifters are at The Piper tonight, playing their new album from start to finish to mark its much-anticipated release.

Support comes from Ags Connolly, whose traditional country sound has earned praise from BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris.

Music starts at 7 pm and tickets are £11. Over 18s only.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Hastings Book Festival is putting your reading habit to work at French’ tonight, with a literary pub quiz hosted by Emmy-winning writer David Quantick.

Get a team together and prepare to have your book knowledge thoroughly tested. Prizes go to the winning team and best team name. There’s also one for the most ludicrous answer.

Tickets are £41 for a team of four or £15:38 individually. If you are riding solo, they will match you with a team on the night.

It starts at 7:30 pm at French’s on Robertson Street.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

A play about Hastings history and lore, followed by pizza and a Hidden Beach after party? Ooof – count us right in.

Spun Glass Theatre and Hastings Museum & Art Gallery have teamed up for Pizza & Plays, a new series bringing Hastings history to the stage at Stade Hall. Three writers have been given free rein to dig into the town’s folklore, then turn whatever grabs them into a brand-new short play. Each one gets just five days of rehearsal before it’s performed live.

First up is Chloë Lawrence-Taylor - a playwright whose work has already been seen at Hampstead Theatre. She has also worked with the Royal Court and is currently developing work with the National Theatre, alongside a new commission for Hampstead Theatre.

Doors open at 6 pm, with pizza  (kindly provided by Sustenance) available before the play starts at 7.30 pm. After the performance, Remi Vibesman of Hidden Beach takes over from 8.30 pm for the after party.

Tickets are pay what you can at £5, £10 or £15, and include the play plus entry to the party. Pizza is available to buy separately. There’s also a £20 ticket covering all three Pizza & Plays events across the 2026 season.

Hagstone Stunners returns to the Masonic Hall for its eighth outing, with three wrestling showdowns and a cast that could only have been assembled in Hastings.

The Hastings-grown wrestling cabaret brings some of the country's best wrestlers into the ring with characters inspired by Hastings (some real, some completely made up). This is not your conventional night ringside: Hagstone Stunners describes itself as a "violent panto", which should give you some idea of where this is heading.

Dastardly Loose Willis is back and accompanied by Cher, along with the now infamous sign-wielding seagull. There is a bar at the Masonic Hall too, which may prove useful while you're processing all of the above.

This is the final Hagstone Stunners show of the summer, and they are promising big changes. Head over at 7 pm. It's strictly 18+, with accessible seating available on request.

Tickets are £17 + booking fee. Payment plans are available.

Get yourself to The Piper and catch Scott Lavene playing a two set format. He’s pulling out tracks from all four of his solo records (Broke, Milk City Sweethearts, etc.) plus some brand-new stuff - just him and two vintage acoustic guitars.

His style sits somewhere between indie folk and post-punk, earning comparisons to Ian Dury and Jarvis Cocker. Check him out here.

He's on from 7 pm - 10:30 pm  and tickets are £13.

Molly Amour and Swing Amour are at Tabby the Cat Swing Dance Club for an evening of live swing and dancing at the White Rock Hotel.

Resident DJ Rick’s Community Swing will be behind the decks too, with the night running in the hotel’s basement bar.

Doors open at 7:30 pm, with dancing through to 11:30 pm. Tickets are £20.

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

Lowlife makes its legendary return to Hastings!

There aren't many DJs that have the wealth and depth of knowledge that this life long DJ partnership possess. Started by Frank Broughton and Bill Brewster in New York 30 years ago, these guys literally wrote the book on DJing (Last Night a DJ Saved My Life & How to DJ), and their Lowlife parties in London are the stuff of clubbing history.

It’s happening in the underground concrete bunker down by Brewing brothers Courtyard - the perfect spot for an old-school underground party, IMO. There are no filler DJs- it’s just Bill and Frank from 10 pm to 2 am.

Tickets are £16.10 - grab yours quick.

Head over to Humble Hub in St Leonards for this morning yoga session from Circle & Tide Yoga. Designed for women at any stage of life or yoga experience, the class combines Scaravelli-inspired yoga with somatic movement - so go release that deeply held tension and regulate your nervous system,

The class runs 9:30 am - 11 am and is £16.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

Tea, coffee and cake, and nobody minds how long you stay - must be the St Michael's Hospice free Saturday Social.

It's at the Arthur Easton Centre on Upper Maze Hill, from 10 am to 12 pm. Head over with friends, or ride solo and meet a few new people over a cuppa.

If your favourite way to spend a Saturday means a mooch around a market, get yourself to The Yard on Waterworks Road today for Hastings Makers Market.

Browse 50-ish stalls for everything from vintage homeware to handmade ceramics and homemade dog treats. The resident studios are open too, so you can meet the makers and see inside their workspaces.

The market runs from 11 am - 4 pm, with food and coffee on site and live music playing throughout the day.

It's free entry and step-free access available. There is no parking on site during market days, but Morrisons is only a short walk away and offers two hours free parking.

Try your hand at the potter’s wheel with a three-hour session aimed at complete beginners and anyone keen to get a feel for throwing.

You will be shown the basics before getting stuck into the clay yourself to make two or three pieces during the session. They will be glazed and fired for you, then ready to collect a few weeks later.

All materials and two firings are included. The session starts at 10 am and is £55.

Author and tree expert Owen Johnson is leading this two-hour walk through Hastings Country Park.

Owen, who wrote the Collins Tree Guide, will show you how to identify different species using clues such as bark and leaves, as you make your way through the nature reserve.

The walk is part of The Bale House High Weald Celebration Event and runs from 10 am - 12 pm at Hastings Country Park Visitor Centre. it's free but do reserve your spot.

If you want to use your Spanish for something other than ordering a cerveza, Canoa Local is hosting a relaxed conversation session at Guacamaya’s Nest, led by Colombian Spanish teacher Jenifer.

Canoa Local is a friendly, group Spanish conversation meetup for adults who already know some Spanish and want more opportunities to actually speak it.

The group is small and the conversation is guided. It runs from 11 am - 12 pm and costs £6.

If you're looking for a chance to spend some time outside, taking in the beautiful surroundings -  join this one hour walk through Hastings Country Park.

It's hosted by Groundwork South. Meet Ollie, the walk leader, at the information desk in the Bale House Visitor Centre at 11:50 am.

Adults only. Tickets are free but do reserve your spot.

Four artists met at AutomataFest in Hastings last year and decided to build a machine together and this is the day you get to see it.

Tom Haney, Fi Henshall, Joseph Wallace and Carlos Zapata have created a large-scale mechanical artwork using reclaimed local materials. Designed to travel along the seafront, the piece tells a story as it moves and is inspired by the town’s coastline and rich fishing heritage.

Each artist talks about their own work first, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at how the piece is made. Then it's time for the big reveal. Cabaret Mechanical Theatre across the alley is open before and after, with more of the collection on display if you fancy.

It's on from 2 pm- 6 pm, at The Printworks on Claremont and tickets are from £12.

Accessibility: Step-free entrance, accessible and gender-neutral toilets on site.

Get the gang together for Bingo Jamz at Blackbox. It's bingo but instead of numbers on your card, you have 90s and 00s RnB anthems.

Basically, the DJ drops a tune and if it’s on your sheet, you tick it off. They do dance-offs and mini-challenges between rounds to win prizes too.

Doors open at 6 pm, the show starts at 8 pm, and they wrap up the night at 9 pm. Tickets are £21.29

IGOTYOUBABE are giving summer one last dance at The St Leonard from 8 pm.

They'll be spinning Italo disco, synth-pop and electro until midnight. It’s free entry, so get the whole gang together for a right good dance.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that’s Trunks & Hunks. It’s a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel – oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Vintage hunters, this one's for you. The Hastings Big Flea takes place at Falaise Bowls Club and there are approx. 50 pitches of vintage finds & autiques to rummage through.

Take your time browsing the stalls and when you need a breather there is food and drink on-site from local vendors to keep you going.

It's on from 10 am - 4 pm and entry is completely free.

Clear some wall space because Bottle Alley Art Market is back for its fourth year, as more than 70 artists take over half a kilometre of seafront.

From 10 am, paintings, prints and more line the coloured bottle-glass wall. Live art and music will run throughout the day and local food is available along the route.

Entry is free. Start near Hastings Pier and follow the market towards St Leonards. Reaching Warrior Square empty-handed will take some serious discipline.

The Pumphouse is bringing reggae and dub to its terrace this Saturday, with Outta Sight Sound on the decks from 2 pm - 7 pm.

Head to Alexandra Park, where chef Matthew Kennard-Bowen (formerly of Sea Kale) will be in the kitchen serving Caribbean-inspired light plates to go with the music. We'd get there hungry if we were you.

Emmy-winning writer David Quantick is at Hastings Book Festival, talking about a career that’s taken him from the NME to some of Britain’s sharpest comedy.

His credits include The Day Today and Brass Eye, and he later co-wrote HBO’s Veep, winning an Emmy in 2015.

David will read from his work and talk about his books, including recent short story collection And Other Stories. Hastings Book Festival Local Hero Alex Preston joins him on stage for the interview, with questions from the audience afterwards.

It's at the Observer Building and runs from 3 pm - 3:45 pm. Tickets are £10.25 but you can see all seven Local Heroes events with a festival pass for £30.

Jake Arnott is at Hastings Book Festival with Netherwood, his new gothic folk-horror novel that's set right here in Hastings.

The story follows Justine and Adam, who leave London for a fisherman’s cottage overlooking the sea. Then they discover the house holds many secrets. From there, things get considerably darker, with the story leading back to Aleister Crowley and the years he spent in Hastings.

Arnott is also the author of The Long Firm, which became a BAFTA-winning BBC series, and He Kills Coppers, later adapted for ITV.

It's at the Observer Building and runs from 4 pm - 4:45 pm. Tickets are £10.25 but you can see all seven Local Heroes events with a festival pass for £30.

Children’s Laureate Patrice Lawrence rounds off Hastings Book Festival’s Local Heroes day.

Patrice will be talking about how she got started as a writer and the books she creates for children and young adults. She will also look ahead to what the next two years as Children’s Laureate might hold.

The event runs from 5 pm - 5:45 pm at the Observer Building, Hastings. Tickets are £10.25 but you can see all seven Local Heroes events with a £30 festival pass.

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

This ain't your average cheesy disco night, this this is Atmospheric Derek and Angela Colosi on vinyl, digging into disco.

It runs from 6 pm to around 9.30 pm and is the first in a new monthly series of vinyl DJ nights at the FILO.

Just a heads-up, the FILO gets absolutely packed on a Sunday night because the locals love it. If you're thinking of grabbing some food beforehand, you’ll definitely want to book a table on their website early.

Dig through your crates because every Sunday from 7 pm (give or take the odd exception), The Jenny Lind Inn hosts what is quite possibly the longest-running weekly BYO vinyl night in the South East (maybe anywhere).

The idea is simple: take some records down and share your vinyl love with a friendly crowd. It's a broad church musically, so all tastes are welcome - just be sensible and respect the ears around you. If a record could plausibly offend people, maybe leave that one at home. Basically: don't be *that* person.

Kate Mosse is at Hastings Book Festival to talk about Autumn, her new love letter to Sussex.

The book follows the season through the landscapes Kate knows best, from the Fishbourne marshes of her childhood to ancient yew forests. Nature and folklore run throughout, with Sussex history never far behind.

Kate is the bestselling author of Labyrinth and The Burning Chambers, as well as the Founder Director of the Women’s Prize for Fiction. For this event, she will be in conversation with Hastings Book Festival founder Sam Davey about Autumn from 7 pm- 8 pm. Tickets are £10.38.

Imagine doing your sun salutation sequence inside the ruins of a nearly thousand-year-old castle, with the sea spread out below you.

Well, Lior Wellness Studio (the St Leonards spot known for yoga, Pilates, massage and sauna) runs a weekly class inside the castle grounds, open to every level. It's on every Monday at 9 am until mid-September. Just bring your own mat, water, and something to move in that suits this glorious weather we're having.

Sessions are £12.60.

Book lovers, this one's for you. Christ Church Parish Centre in St Leonards runs a regular book sale with a wide variety of donated books for sale, all sorted into categories to make browsing super easy.

Everything is reasonably priced, and all the proceeds go towards the church's running and mission costs (so you can bag a bargain and do a bit of good at the same time). You will find it in the Book Room at the Parish Centre (far left-hand door, off the Church Courtyard on London Road), open Mondays 9:30 am - 11: 30 am and everyone is welcome.

Every Monday from 6:30 pm, the Hastings and St Leonard's Board Games Night takes over the White Rock Hotel on the seafront, with players setting up in the Conference Room or just to the left of reception.

There is a big library of modern games to choose from, covering everything from quick-fire fillers to proper heavy strategy. You are welcome to bring your own games too, and teaching them to the table is very much encouraged. It runs until 11 pm and is free to attend (though buying a drink at the hotel's café-bar is appreciated).

If you are new to the group or to board games in general, just turn up and someone will find you a table - it is a genuinely welcoming crowd.

One thing worth knowing is that on some weeks the club runs from the Board Game Museum & Café on Courthouse Street instead, so it is worth checking their Facebook group before heading out here.

Head to White Rock Theatre for this live tribute night from the exceptionally talented Lewes Music Group.

The six-piece band are doing all the Laurel Canyon classics (Neil Young, James Taylor, Carole King, etc.) in the first half. The second half is dedicated to Joni Mitchell’s Blue, with the band playing the entire masterpiece from start to finish.

It's in Studio 27, which is White Rock's smaller, intimate studio space -  hearing "River" and "A Case of You" done by a live band in an intimate room is going to be stunning.

It starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are £23.85 (£12.55 for students). The venue is fully accessible.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

When you are caring for little ones, a bit of time for yourself can be hard to come by. Enter YOYO Art Club.

Every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm, head down to the Art in the Park Hub in Alexandra Park for a relaxed and creative morning for parents and childcare givers.

Get stuck into something creative and take a breather from the daily juggle with people who get it. No experience is needed and you will be made very welcome.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Tuesday nights at The Albion belong to the organised chaos of the house band, the Albion Skiffle Company. Expect traditional skiffle played on a multiverse of instruments from 8:30 pm.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that's Trunks & Hunks. It's a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel - oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Screams from the Attic is a new horror play at The Stables Theatre, that invites the audience to work out what lies behind a locked attic door.

Written and directed by Tim Blackwell, the play was inspired by two mummified cats and the sinister stories buried around Hastings. The clues are threaded through local tales of witches and werewolves, alongside darker accounts of murder.

Behind the attic door is a mystery, with each tale revealing another clue as the show creeps towards whatever is waiting upstairs. It takes its cue from anthology horror favourites Tales from the Crypt and The House That Dripped Blood, so expect some scary surprises. You may want to leave the landing light on when you get home.

Performances run at 7.30pm from Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th September, with a 2:30 pm matinee on Saturday 26th September for anyone who prefers their horror before dark. The running time is approximately two hours and ten minutes, including an interval.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £10 for under-18s or Stables Theatre members.

Accessibility: Wheelchair spaces and seats for carers must be booked through the Box Office on 01424 423221. The theatre has an infra-red listening system that works with its own headphones or certain compatible hearing aids; contact the Box Office for details. Let the theatre know about any other access requirements when booking, then speak to the Front of House team when you arrive.

Every Wednesday from 8pm, The Piper throws open the mic for anyone who fancies giving it a go. There's a full PA, guitar, piano, cajón and amps all set up and waiting, so no need to lug your own kit across town.

Go and perform or settle in with a drink and enjoy the show. One thing worth knowing: the schedule can occasionally shift for touring acts, so it's worth a quick check of The Piper's Instagram before you head out.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

DSM IV are bringing their darkwave selves to the Brewing Brothers Courtyard tonight, with Black Mask in support.

Formed in Liverpool by Guy McKnight of The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, DSM IV are well known for giving a full-on show, with their synthy, post-punk sound. We checked them out and loved them and you can here.

Black Mask support with heavy synths and frantic drums. Nice.

Starts at 8 pm ends at 11:30 pm @ the Brewing Brothers Courtyard. Tickets £8.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is open to all and play from 7 pm outside Ark Alexandra Academy, Helenswood Campus.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there’s nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they’re with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It’s £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Play-Doh and cheese in a pub quiz? Intrigued? You should be.

The Pumphouse is hosting its first Abnormal Quiz with rounds that stray a little from your usual general knowledge.

It runs 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm and it's £3 per head. You can book a table by emailing them at INFO@PUMPHOUSE.UK

The venue is fully accessible and it's dog-friendly too. Over 18's only though.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

Each event screens two classic episodes back-to-back in the basement cinema - perfect for Buffy fans to revisit Sunnydale with fellow fans.

The watch party starts at 7 pm and returns monthly. Entry is free, with drinks available from the bar upstairs.

Over 18s only and Dogs are welcome.

Oscar’s on the Square is hosting PAM PAM Latino, a Latin music night raising money for earthquake relief in Venezuela.

From 7 pm - 1:30 am, there will be special DJ sets from Chabala, Easy Green, Menudo and Ama, all playing salsa brava, cumbia and reggaeton throughout the night.

Devil’s Kitchen 666 will be serving Mexican street food from 7 pm - 9:30 pm, and 100% of profits go to Healing Venezuela.

Tickets are £5 plus booking fee. Book this one quick,

New Zealand singer-songwriter Nadia Reid made her name with deeply personal folk songs, including the Silver Scroll-nominated Richard, which she later performed on Later… with Jools Holland. Now four albums into her career, she is bringing one of her least-seen live setups to Hastings.

Reid has only performed with strings a couple of times, giving Hastings a rare chance to hear her songs this way. Henry Ward Hall is the perfect venue too: its horseshoe gallery curves around a room built for unamplified music, so those strings should sound spectacular beneath its high ceiling.

Doors open at 7 pm and tickets cost £24, including booking fees. This is an 18+ show with unreserved seating, so arrive early if you want your pick.

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

Live Forever are at Pissarro’s, working through the Gallagher brother's back catalogue. Expect plenty of singing along from 8:30 pm - 11 pm.

808 State are at Blackbox tonight, bringing a right nice slice of Manchester’s acid-house history to Hastings.

Formed in 1988, 808 State helped define the early acid house scene, with their tune, Pacific State becoming a Haçienda favourite. Founding member Graham Massey is behind the decks for this one, bringing more than three decades of 808 State to George Street.

It's on from 9 pm 'til 2 am, with last entry at 11 pm.

Support joins on the night. Tickets are £22.

A major thematic exhibition exploring how our soils and seas are interconnected as part of a sophisticated web of life.

Edge is the first of two landmark exhibitions commissioned by Hastings Contemporary that respond directly to the gallery's location on a shingle beach, exploring themes including ocean futures and sustainability. The follow-up exhibition, Horizon, will take place in autumn 2027.

Curated by The Land Gardeners, Edge spans the gallery with work from the early 20th century to the present day, by artists including Anya Gallaccio, Wolfgang Tillmans, Merce Cunningham, Barbara Hepworth, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, Jem Southam, Martin Parr, Susie Hamilton and Massimo Bartolini.

Framed by the point at which land and sea meet, the exhibition considers everything from biodiversity and the natural environment to our relationships with the coast - taking in leisure, coastal poverty and migration along the way.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

Tea, coffee and cake, and nobody minds how long you stay - must be the St Michael's Hospice free Saturday Social.

It's at the Arthur Easton Centre on Upper Maze Hill, from 10 am to 12 pm. Head over with friends, or ride solo and meet a few new people over a cuppa.

Crafted at Powdermills has teamed up with the Crafts Council for a makers market set across its woodland and lakeside grounds.

Alongside stalls from a range of makers, you can watch craft demonstrations and get involved in workshops. There will be live music through the day, with seasonal food and drink available too.

At 11 am, the programme pauses for a panel talk looking at sustainability and creative practice.

The market runs 10 am - 5 pm and entry is free, although you will need to book a complimentary ticket.

Get your dabbers out because Hastings drag favourite, Nikki Bockerglory is calling the numbers this afternoon.

When she’s not shouting out the numbers, she’ll be belting out all the classics. You can expect daft games and prizes too.

Get yourself down to the Forbidden Fruit from 1 pm - 4 pm. Tickets are £20 per person, including 3 games and your dabber.

Catch Kid Kapichi at The Piper from 3 pm until 6 pm for this all-ages gig, with Max Williams supporting. Tickets are £16.

St Michael’s Hospice is bringing its Moonlight Walk back to Hastings seafront tonight. The 7km evening walk remembers loved ones while raising funds for hospice care across Hastings and Rother.

The route begins and ends at The Stade Open Space, reaching its halfway point at the gardens of St Michael’s Hospice. Each walker receives a paper lantern to decorate in memory of someone special, which will become part of a glowing installation at the finish. Photographs and messages can also be shared on the event’s memory screen.

Most of the route follows local streets and walkways, although the climb to the hospice gardens is fairly steep. Anyone who would rather avoid the hill can turn around near Azur and make their way back to The Stade.

An event village at The Stade will have food, face painting and entertainment before the walk, with more happening along the route. Registration includes a Moonlight Walk T-shirt, snacks at the halfway point and a reward when you cross the finish line.

Tickets cost £26.88 for adults and £16.33 for children aged 5 - 16. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £74.35. Under-fives can take part free of charge and will still receive a lantern, battery-operated tea light and certificate.

Children under 16 must remain with an adult throughout the event. Dogs are very welcome but must be kept on a lead.. The organisers are even hinting at a reward for canine finishers.

The walk starts at 6:45 pm, with participants encouraged to raise sponsorship towards the hospice’s £50,000 target. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.

If you fancy an immersive evening of ancient Welsh folklore, head to the Hastings Museum & Art Gallery from 7 pm.

Held as part of the regional Coastal Currents Arts Festival, this unique evening blends ancient folklore, live storytelling, and a deep Shamanic sound bath. The event's title is inspired by the tragic tale of Blodeuwedd, a figure from the depths of Welsh mythology who was conjured out of meadowsweet blossoms only to be transformed into an owl as a punishment.

The evening is designed to be a fully sensory experience, featuring evocative artwork by painter Nick Hill and traditional herbal infusions to help set the mood.

The organisers recommend bringing a yoga mat, a warm blanket, and a pillow so you can lie back and relax during the immersive sound journey. As well as a  bottle of water and a journal if you would like to make note of any insights which may come up.

Tickets are £27.80 for lying-down floor space or £22.38 for a seated ticket, including booking fees.

FYI: Therapeutic sound may not be suitable for people with epilepsy or severe tinnitus, or those with a pacemaker or cochlear implant. If you have metal implants, joint replacements or a severe diagnosed mental health condition, check suitability with the organiser before booking.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that’s Trunks & Hunks. It’s a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel – oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Revolver Record Fairs returns to Stade Hall with thousands of vinyl records and CDs for sale from dealers across the South East.

Browse new and second-hand records that cover a wide range of genres and eras and if you're after something in particular, the dealers know their stuff if you need some help tracking it down.

The fair runs from 9:30 am to 3 pm and entry is free all day. Get there early if you want first look through the crates.

Join Wildflower Honey for this hands-on  workshop taking you through the whole sourdough process.

You will learn how different flours behave and how to look after your starter at home - plus you will bake a loaf during the session. There’s also a light lunch featuring plenty of sourdough, including a tasting made with their own honey.

You will leave with your own starter, ready to use at home the next day. Just bring a mixing bowl, a clean jar and a tea towel.

It runs from 10 am - 1 pm at The Compound and tickets are £41.34.

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

Dig through your crates because every Sunday from 7 pm (give or take the odd exception), The Jenny Lind Inn hosts what is quite possibly the longest-running weekly BYO vinyl night in the South East (maybe anywhere).

The idea is simple: take some records down and share your vinyl love with a friendly crowd. It's a broad church musically, so all tastes are welcome - just be sensible and respect the ears around you. If a record could plausibly offend people, maybe leave that one at home. Basically: don't be *that* person.

The Seadog gets the dabbers out on the fourth Sunday of every month, with bingo from 7 pm. Expect music rounds and boozy giveaways, with a big cash prize at the end

Every Monday from 6:30 pm, the Hastings and St Leonard's Board Games Night takes over the White Rock Hotel on the seafront, with players setting up in the Conference Room or just to the left of reception.

There is a big library of modern games to choose from, covering everything from quick-fire fillers to proper heavy strategy. You are welcome to bring your own games too, and teaching them to the table is very much encouraged. It runs until 11 pm and is free to attend (though buying a drink at the hotel's café-bar is appreciated).

If you are new to the group or to board games in general, just turn up and someone will find you a table - it is a genuinely welcoming crowd.

One thing worth knowing is that on some weeks the club runs from the Board Game Museum & Café on Courthouse Street instead, so it is worth checking their Facebook group before heading out here.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Tuesday nights at The Albion belong to the organised chaos of the house band, the Albion Skiffle Company. Expect traditional skiffle played on a multiverse of instruments from 8:30 pm.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that's Trunks & Hunks. It's a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel - oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Every Wednesday from 8pm, The Piper throws open the mic for anyone who fancies giving it a go. There's a full PA, guitar, piano, cajón and amps all set up and waiting, so no need to lug your own kit across town.

Go and perform or settle in with a drink and enjoy the show. One thing worth knowing: the schedule can occasionally shift for touring acts, so it's worth a quick check of The Piper's Instagram before you head out.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is open to all and play from 7 pm outside Ark Alexandra Academy, Helenswood Campus.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there’s nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they’re with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It’s £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

If you’re a dad and want to get more confident doing your kid’s hair, Play Cafe is hosting Pints & Ponytails at 7 pm.

It’s a two-hour session where you will learn the basics and have a go yourself over a pint with other dads.

Tickers are £30 but book quick because this is likely to sell out fast.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

Caring can be lonely, especially when everything else takes a back seat. Whatever your age, take some time out with Drawing Life.

Drawing Life are free, artist-led drawing sessions for unpaid carers and the people they care for. The classes are designed to work for people living with conditions like dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, reduced mobility or mental health challenges, and the gallery setting keeps everything calm and unhurried.

Whether you come together or separately, these relaxed 1 hour 30 minute sessions offer a chance to slow down and get creative and you're free to have a wander round the exhibition - plus, there's free tea & biscuits!

Classes start at 2pm, to book this class, email: info@drawinglife.org

Visit their website

Give them a follow

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

This. Is. A. Big. One. Born back in 2004 at London's legendary gay pub The Eagle, Horse Meat Disco has grown into one of the most loved names in club culture and a proper cornerstone of queer nightlife. Now they are heading to St Leonards-on-Sea, thanks to The Piper and Laundry Day.

Co-founded by James Hillard and Jim Stanton, with residents Severino and Luke Howard, HMD is famous the world over for its iconic Sunday parties and legendary mixes. Expect disco, italo, house and rare obscurities dug out just for the occasion and, as ever, a gloriously queer party that everyone is invited to.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

Tea, coffee and cake, and nobody minds how long you stay - must be the St Michael's Hospice free Saturday Social.

It's at the Arthur Easton Centre on Upper Maze Hill, from 10 am to 12 pm. Head over with friends, or ride solo and meet a few new people over a cuppa.

Hastings Jazz Festival returns, with more than 100 musicians playing across four selected venues around Hastings' America Ground.

The day starts with Liane Carroll’s Jazz Brunch, before the festival spreads out across its venues.

Here’s where to find everyone:

BARNABY’S LOUNGE

Liane Carroll’s Jazz Brunch @ 10:15 am
The festival starts here, with Hastings favourite Liane Carroll providing the soundtrack to breakfast.

Will Barry Trio @ 1:45 pm

Simon Spillett Quartet @ 2:45 pm

Poppy Daniels Quartet @ 6:15 pm 

Jim Mullen Organ Trio @ 8:15 pm  
One of Britain’s best-known jazz guitarists closes out Barnaby’s programme with his organ trio.

HENRY WARD HALL

Rory Ingham’s Trombone Assembly @ 12:35 pm
A whole ensemble devoted to the trombone.

Samaki + Barnaby’s Big Band @ 4:50 pm
Samaki joins forces with Barnaby’s Big Band for one of the festival’s larger-scale performances.

Soweto Kinch Trio @ 7:30 pm
Award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch brings together jazz and hip-hop for the evening slot.

THE PRINTWORKS

Fliss Gorst Band + Grounded Movement @ 4 pm
Live jazz meets movement for an afternoon performance at The Printworks.

Soft Machine @ 6:15 pm 
The legendary British band brings more than five decades of jazz-rock history to Hastings.

Bukky Leo & Black Egypt @ 9:15 pm
Afrobeat takes over The Printworks for the festival’s late slot.

The festival runs 10:15 am - 9:15 pm. Individual tickets are available for selected shows, or you can pick up a flexi pass and move between stages. Passes are probably the easiest way to do Hastings Jazz Festival - The Flexi Pass is £45 if you want to move between venues, while the £99 Patron Pass is for anyone who wants to support the festival and get more from the day. You can buy passes here.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that’s Trunks & Hunks. It’s a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel – oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Beyond Division is a free workshop on handling conflict better, led by mediator and facilitator Katie Goldfinch.

Through a series of interactive exercises, you will look at how to listen more closely and understand what’s really driving a disagreement. You will also work on identifying interests and finding ways to keep dialogue moving when things get difficult.

The session uses neutral topics, so the focus stays on the skills rather than anyone’s personal conflict.

It's at Stade Hall from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

Dig through your crates because every Sunday from 7 pm (give or take the odd exception), The Jenny Lind Inn hosts what is quite possibly the longest-running weekly BYO vinyl night in the South East (maybe anywhere).

The idea is simple: take some records down and share your vinyl love with a friendly crowd. It's a broad church musically, so all tastes are welcome - just be sensible and respect the ears around you. If a record could plausibly offend people, maybe leave that one at home. Basically: don't be *that* person.

Every Monday from 6:30 pm, the Hastings and St Leonard's Board Games Night takes over the White Rock Hotel on the seafront, with players setting up in the Conference Room or just to the left of reception.

There is a big library of modern games to choose from, covering everything from quick-fire fillers to proper heavy strategy. You are welcome to bring your own games too, and teaching them to the table is very much encouraged. It runs until 11 pm and is free to attend (though buying a drink at the hotel's café-bar is appreciated).

If you are new to the group or to board games in general, just turn up and someone will find you a table - it is a genuinely welcoming crowd.

One thing worth knowing is that on some weeks the club runs from the Board Game Museum & Café on Courthouse Street instead, so it is worth checking their Facebook group before heading out here.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Tuesday nights at The Albion belong to the organised chaos of the house band, the Albion Skiffle Company. Expect traditional skiffle played on a multiverse of instruments from 8:30 pm.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that's Trunks & Hunks. It's a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel - oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Every Wednesday from 8pm, The Piper throws open the mic for anyone who fancies giving it a go. There's a full PA, guitar, piano, cajón and amps all set up and waiting, so no need to lug your own kit across town.

Go and perform or settle in with a drink and enjoy the show. One thing worth knowing: the schedule can occasionally shift for touring acts, so it's worth a quick check of The Piper's Instagram before you head out.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is open to all and play from 7 pm outside Ark Alexandra Academy, Helenswood Campus.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there’s nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they’re with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It’s £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

It. Happened. Here. On 10th and 11th October 2026, English Heritage marks the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings on the very ground where King Harold fell to Duke William's Normans in 1066.

Over 500 re-enactors set up Saxon and Norman encampments across the battlefield, so you can wander between the rival armies, handle weapons and armour, meet falconers and their birds, and browse a medieval market. Kids can have a go at archery or join a sword school all before the day becomes a full staged battle beneath the abbey ruins.

Ticket prices vary.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

A convention for the riff-curious lands at The Pig tonight.

Headlining are Hastings duo, The Mystic Shed, bringing their huge amps and freewheeling drum solos. Give them a listen here

halfneck, a Hastings quartet, bring guitar-duelling indie inspired by Sonic Youth, and Pavement. See for yourself here.

And ATKRTV mix post-hardcore with noise rock while touring their latest EP. Have a look, see - here.

7:30 pm through to 11 pm. Tickets are £4 now or it's £5 on the door.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that’s Trunks & Hunks. It’s a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel – oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

Dig through your crates because every Sunday from 7 pm (give or take the odd exception), The Jenny Lind Inn hosts what is quite possibly the longest-running weekly BYO vinyl night in the South East (maybe anywhere).

The idea is simple: take some records down and share your vinyl love with a friendly crowd. It's a broad church musically, so all tastes are welcome - just be sensible and respect the ears around you. If a record could plausibly offend people, maybe leave that one at home. Basically: don't be *that* person.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Cold water and a warm welcome: that's Trunks & Hunks. It's a free twice-weekly sea dip for men with a refreshingly simple pitch: get in the sea, have a chat and feel all the better for it.

No one will be checking your swimming credentials and loads of people rock up alone to this friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing; others just fancy the cold-water shock of it.

They meet at Rock-A-Nore beach every Sunday at 7 am and every Wednesday at 7 pm. Bring your swimmers and a towel - oh! And the dog too, if you like.

Every Wednesday from 8pm, The Piper throws open the mic for anyone who fancies giving it a go. There's a full PA, guitar, piano, cajón and amps all set up and waiting, so no need to lug your own kit across town.

Go and perform or settle in with a drink and enjoy the show. One thing worth knowing: the schedule can occasionally shift for touring acts, so it's worth a quick check of The Piper's Instagram before you head out.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is open to all and play from 7 pm outside Ark Alexandra Academy, Helenswood Campus.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there’s nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they’re with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It’s £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

James Brute launches his debut solo album Move To The Ghost at Brewing Brothers Courtyard, playing the record live with his band.

Support comes from The Brydes at 7:45 pm, followed by Laura Fell at 8:30pm. James Brute is on at 9:15pm.

Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets £10 · 18+ only.

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

Family Constellations comes to St Leonards for this one-day workshop, exploring the patterns that can show up through family and relationships.

The practice is experiential, helping bring dynamics into awareness that may be difficult to spot from the inside. You might recognise a pattern you keep repeating, or find yourself struggling with boundaries.

You don’t need any previous experience of Family Constellations and you don’t need to arrive with a clearly defined issue either.

It runs 10 am - 5 pm and numbers are limited to 12 participants, with the day taking place at Bank Art Studio on London Road.

The venue is fully accessible and tickets are £98.22

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

Dig through your crates because every Sunday from 7 pm (give or take the odd exception), The Jenny Lind Inn hosts what is quite possibly the longest-running weekly BYO vinyl night in the South East (maybe anywhere).

The idea is simple: take some records down and share your vinyl love with a friendly crowd. It's a broad church musically, so all tastes are welcome - just be sensible and respect the ears around you. If a record could plausibly offend people, maybe leave that one at home. Basically: don't be *that* person.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Every Wednesday from 8pm, The Piper throws open the mic for anyone who fancies giving it a go. There's a full PA, guitar, piano, cajón and amps all set up and waiting, so no need to lug your own kit across town.

Go and perform or settle in with a drink and enjoy the show. One thing worth knowing: the schedule can occasionally shift for touring acts, so it's worth a quick check of The Piper's Instagram before you head out.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is open to all and play from 7 pm outside Ark Alexandra Academy, Helenswood Campus.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there’s nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they’re with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It’s £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

Head to the Black Box at 2pm, for the UK's number one Harry Potter-themed Quiz Brunch... and trust us, it's wayyyy more than a quiz.

The venue transforms into a Wizarding-inspired world for the day, with a walkabout magician and Harry Potter characters roaming the room as you arrive and settle in. Expect 90 magical minutes of bottomless drinks, with food available to order at the bar.

Then the games begin: an epic Harry Potter quiz and team games led by a comedian host, with teams invited to take centre stage and act out their favourite Harry Potter scene. Dress to impress for the Magical Fashion Parade, where you can be crowned best-dressed witch or wizard.

The big finish is the awards ceremony, where first place takes home the Quiz Champions' House Cup and a £50 bar tab (there are prizes for second and third too). After that, The Black Box's resident DJs take over with 80s, 90s and 00s sing-along anthems to keep the party going until doors close at 5pm.

This is strictly a 18+ event. Tickets from £12 + booking fee.

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

Dig through your crates because every Sunday from 7 pm (give or take the odd exception), The Jenny Lind Inn hosts what is quite possibly the longest-running weekly BYO vinyl night in the South East (maybe anywhere).

The idea is simple: take some records down and share your vinyl love with a friendly crowd. It's a broad church musically, so all tastes are welcome - just be sensible and respect the ears around you. If a record could plausibly offend people, maybe leave that one at home. Basically: don't be *that* person.

Spend your Mondays moulding at The Mudworks with a 7 week evening pottery course led by Sara Lee.

It’s open to beginners and anyone with a bit of experience and just wants more practice. Students will be introduced to a variety of ceramic techniques including making pinch pots, slab-building, coiling, using press moulds, throwing on the wheel, turning and glazing.

Classes run 6 pm - 9 pm every Monday from 26th October 2026 - 7th December 2026. The course is £210 and includes firing up to 2kg of finished work.

The Mudworks is accessible for wheelchair users.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

A weekly line dancing class runs at the Stade Hall every Tuesday morning, built for absolute beginners and anyone getting back into bootscootin.'

It's taught by Kerris, who's been teaching line dancing over three decades. With the music running from country, through to Latin, pop, reggae and Motown.

Classes run from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. There's no need to book, just turn up and it's pay as you go at £5 per class.

Bring water in a plastic or metal bottle, and wear supportive shoes - so, no sandals or heels.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

It doesn't matter if you haven't played rounders since school, nobody here takes it too seriously.

Hastings Rounders is a women-only group who play from 7 pm on the field between Dordrecht Way and the bandstand in Alexandra Park.

Players of every age and fitness level turn up, and kit is provided so there's nothing to bring but water and yourself. Kids aged 13 and over can play too, as long as they're with a responsible adult.

If you might struggle to get there, message them and they will try to sort you a lift.

It's £2 per session but regular players can book a block of 12 sessions for the price of 10.

Join Arts on Prescription (a local, not-for-profit community interest company) every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Art in the Park hub in Alexandra Park.

This weekly community session is designed specifically for adults seeking to combat isolation, manage anxiety, or rediscover self-care, the day balances structured activities with open social time. Attendees can participate in therapeutic arts, mindful movement, and peer group discussions led by professional wellness practitioners.

The main creative activities running 10 am to 12:30 pm and include drawing, painting, clay work, gentle yoga, creative writing and group singing and you're free to move between them, depending on how you feel that day.

A wellbeing practitioner is on site if you'd rather just chat and it's pay-as-you-can, with a suggested donation of £4 to £5, which gets you materials plus tea, pastries and soup. Anyone 16 and over is welcome, and no experience in any of the activities is needed.

Turning up on the day is fine, though registering in advance means there's definitely a space ready for you.

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Maritime miscreants Completely Scuppered drop anchor at The Jenny Lind for a right nice sing-song.

Expect songs of the grog and grime that come from a life on the high seas, every Thursday from 8:30 pm. Go along and join in with the crew or just grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines.

A play about Hastings history and lore, followed by pizza and a Hidden Beach after party? Ooof - count us right in.

Spun Glass Theatre and Hastings Museum & Art Gallery have teamed up for Pizza & Plays, a new series bringing Hastings history to the stage at Stade Hall. Three writers have been given free rein to dig into the town’s folklore, then turn whatever grabs them into a brand-new short play. Each one gets just five days of rehearsal before it’s performed live.

This second time, local writer and storyteller Anna Atkinson takes the lead. Having lived in Hastings for 15 years, Anna is working with the museum to dig into the town’s folklore and explore how those old stories still echo through life in Hastings now.

Doors open at 6 pm, with the play starting at 7:30 pm. Pizza is served afterwards, kindly provided by Sustenance with Duke Harper Pizza, before Remi Vibesman of Hidden Beach hosts the post-show party from 8:30 pm.

Tickets are pay what you can at £5, £10 or £15, and include the play plus entry to the party. Pizza is available to buy separately.

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.

Every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, St Leonards Church opens its doors and fills up with arts and crafts, retro antiques, vintage finds and jewellery. You can even book in with the on-site hair stylist or see what a tarot reader has to say about you.

The food and drink court is decent too: freshly cooked sourdough pizza, South African plates, Maltese-Italian fusion, and award-winning coffee and cake. The bar is fully licensed, with Brewing Brothers beers on tap.

Entry is free and it's just the place for a Saturday mooch.

Get yourself down to The Seadog 6 pm every Sunday to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

Monday nights at The Seadog mean quiz night, with creative rounds and plenty of bar prizes up for grabs.

It starts at 8pm. Teams can have up to six people, and entry is £2 per person.

There are shots along the way too, which may or may not improve your chances.

Tuesday mornings at The Crown belong to the Crown Knitters - a free and friendly weekly session of knitting and crochet in Hastings Old Town.

Everything the group makes gets sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. They're big on a theme, too. Pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green - if the town is celebrating it, someone's knitting it.

There is no need to book, just turn up at 10 am in the Snug with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level.

If you get more done with people around you, head down to Writers' Café - a free co-working club and writing snug at Barnaby's Lounge, every Tuesday from 3 pm - 5 pm.

Set your intention, crack on with whatever you are working on, and when the time's up, head downstairs for a well-earned drink with the group. It's hosted by Katie Lee and Nika Talbot and is free to join, you just need to register in advance as space is limited.

Every Tuesday, the mic is yours at Cactus Hound Bar.

Hosted by Steve Didge and Dan Giles, they have the PA, amps, piano, cajón and guitars all ready and waiting for you.

It runs from 7 pm - 10 pm and there's a 2-for-£16 cocktail deal between 5 pm and 6 pm (if you need a bit of Dutch courage).

Caring can be lonely, especially when everything else takes a back seat. Whatever your age, take some time out with Drawing Life.

Drawing Life are free, artist-led drawing sessions for unpaid carers and the people they care for. The classes are designed to work for people living with conditions like dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, reduced mobility or mental health challenges, and the gallery setting keeps everything calm and unhurried.

Whether you come together or separately, these relaxed 1 hour 30 minute sessions offer a chance to slow down and get creative and you're free to have a wander round the exhibition - plus, there's free tea & biscuits!

Classes start at 2pm, to book this class, email: info@drawinglife.org

Visit their website

Give them a follow

Social Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6.30pm for a free 5K around Hastings, starting from the parkrun start point on the seafront.

There are no pace requirements and nobody is timing you; the idea is to just get outside and meet like-minded people. That's not to say it's a stroll, mind - the group put the work in, pushing each other and turning up week after week.

Go with a friend or bring yourself and you will be made welcome either way.

Wednesday night at The Forbidden Fruit means one thing: quiz night.

Entry is £2 cash per person, with teams of up to six. The entry money goes into the prize pot, with jackpot rounds sometimes climbing into the hundreds.

It’s a popular one and tables regularly fill up, so book ahead on 01424 864160 and get there in good time before the quiz starts at 8 pm.

Get yourself down to The Seadog for 8 pm to hear local artists and acoustic sets, with Irish trad turning up regularly too.

But every now and then, something unexpected lands on the bill.

If you fancy a weekly kickabout, the lovely Hastings Rec. F.C. gang meet every Thursday evening at Horntye Park.

Sessions run from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, starting with a warm-up and some skills practice before finishing with a mini-match.

Your first session is free, then it’s £3 each week after that. Support is available if the cost would otherwise stop you coming along, and the sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and are LGBTQ+ inclusive.

You don't need previous playing experience, just turn up ready to have a kickabout and meet some great people.

Check out their instagram page for more details.

Caring can be lonely, especially when everything else takes a back seat. Whatever your age, take some time out with Drawing Life.

Drawing Life are free, artist-led drawing sessions for unpaid carers and the people they care for. The classes are designed to work for people living with conditions like dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, reduced mobility or mental health challenges, and the gallery setting keeps everything calm and unhurried.

Whether you come together or separately, these relaxed 1 hour 30 minute sessions offer a chance to slow down and get creative and you're free to have a wander round the exhibition - plus, there's free tea & biscuits!

Classes start at 2pm, to book this class, email: info@drawinglife.org

Visit their website

Give them a follow

Friday karaoke at The Forbidden Fruit starts at 8 pm and runs until late.

It’s free entry, so all you need is your go-to song and the nerve to put your name down.