Miguel Rothschild brings a dramatic new seascape installation to Hastings Contemporary, exploring what lies beneath the ocean's surface.

The duality and elemental power of the sea have inspired Rothschild's work for more than two decades. This is Rothschild's first solo show in a major UK gallery and includes a dramatic new, site-specific seascape installation in the galleries, shown alongside recent photographic work.

Rothschild's work has won multiple prizes and shown widely around the world, with pieces held in major public collections including the State Museums of Berlin, the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano and Museo de Arte Moderno in Buenos Aires, and the Hermès Art Collection.

The swell of the English Channel and the immensity of the world's oceans come to the heart of Hastings Contemporary this summer, as the gallery presents the first major solo exhibition in a UK gallery by leading German-Brazilian artist, Janaina Tschäpe.

Filling the largest gallery space, the show features a dramatic new series of paintings and works on paper, created in response to Tschäpe's experience of visiting a wet and stormy Hastings in the winter of 2025, alongside a complementary film piece.

Tschäpe's work has been shown in solo exhibitions at major museums worldwide, including the Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art (Denmark), the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art (Japan), the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Ireland) and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (United States).

Supported by Galerie Max Hetzler.

Two towering figures of the 20th century in conversation, exploring the theme of family at Hastings Contemporary.

Running from 13th June 2026 - 13th September 2026, Moore / Freud is the first exhibition to explore the distinctive ways in which Henry Moore and Lucian Freud drew on familial bonds and intimate relationships as crucial sources of artistic inspiration. Bringing together a focused selection of 20 works, it presents the two artists side by side through a shared and deeply personal theme.

Moore / Freud offers a rare opportunity to see two modern masters in the same space, and to consider their radically different approaches to a theme that resonates with us all: family.

Supported by The Garcia Family Foundation.

Created by the Hastings Queer History Collective, this exhibition at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery brings together personal objects, fashion, film, sound and multimedia works, alongside a major new commission by artist Emma Frankland.

Inside are stories of joy, defiance, community and the survival of people who loved, made art, danced, organised, and refused to disappear - a celebration of LGBTQIA+ lives lived right here in Hastings, even when they weren't always recognised.

These are stories woven into the fabric of the town, researched and curated with local LGBTQIA+ communities and produced by Home Live Art in partnership with Hastings Museum & Art Gallery. Everyone's invited to discover them.

More info

A course to sharpen your writing, whatever stage you are at is running Tuesday mornings from 21st July to 8th September (10 am - 11.30 am). This highly praised eight-week workshop digs into the craft and technique of writing through close reading of short stories, novel extracts, essays and articles, with weekly exercises and plenty of lively discussion to spark ideas.

You will submit your own work and get supportive, constructive feedback from both the group and your tutor, including an extended editorial report twice in the term. It suits experienced writers and complete beginners alike, and any form is welcome.

You will want to set aside at least a couple of hours a week outside the sessions for reading and preparation and the term works whether you are joining for the first time or coming back for a second.

As for your tutor, James Young is a writer from Belfast whose short stories have appeared in the likes of The Stinging Fly and Wasafiri, and been shortlisted for the Sean O'Faolain and Fish prizes. He edits Short Fiction literary journal and is an award-winning translator. He is also the founder and director of The Hastings Writers Workshop.

Places are from £219.

Project Art Works has turned its gallery at 12 Claremont into a living recreation of the supported studio where artists Luke Bebb and Oliver Crowther work together every week.

Pop in and you might catch the two of them at work, mid-making. Come at a quieter moment and you will find the traces they've left behind - a real window into how they collaborate and paint together. It's a lovely, honest look at how a supportive studio actually works, and how shared creativity can carry into life beyond the gallery.

Luke's no newcomer, either - he's shown in major exhibitions including Ignition at Hastings Contemporary and Residential at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Oliver is an artist too, and an artist facilitator in the studio.

There's an opening celebration on Friday 31st July, 5 pm - 7 pm, and everyone is welcome. No appointment is needed to drop by, and you can buy work on site or through Untitled Gallery.

Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 11.00 am - 16.00 pm

If you have a novel on the go, this is the course to get it moving. Running Tuesday evenings from 21st July to 8th September (6.30 pm - 8 pm), it's eight hands-on weeks focused on pushing your draft forward, wherever you're up to.

You will revisit the building blocks of fiction, taking a hard look at story, plot and pace, digging into your characters and sharpening your style along the way. With real professional edits to study, curated reading, and feedback from both the group and your tutor, you will come away with a toolbox of practical steps for getting your manuscript into the shape you want.

And you're in good hands as Rose Tomaszewska is an editor and tutor with fourteen years in publishing - helping set up the riverrun imprint at Quercus and was editorial director at both Virago and Chatto & Windus before going freelance. Rose has worked with authors including Diana Evans and Christie Watson, on books that have won or been listed for the Desmond Elliott, Dylan Thomas and Women's Prizes, and has taught at the Faber Academy and Arvon since 2019.

Places are from £229 - over 18s only.

If you fancy writing a play, this in-depth eight-week course runs 11 am to 12.30 pm on Fridays from 24th July to 11th September and is a chance to get properly stuck into writing for the stage (and it's built to suit both first-timers and writers with a bit more experience under their belt).

You will begin with scene structure, then dig into character, dialogue, setting, storytelling - until you have what you need to start a play or push on with one you're already working on. There are creative exercises to get the ideas flowing, plus feedback on your own work from the group and from April herself, so you leave each week a bit further along.

April is an acclaimed British playwright whose work has been staged by the Royal Court, the National Theatre and the RSC. Her plays include Playhouse Creatures and My Brilliant Friend, her adaptation of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels, and Jumpy landed an Olivier nomination for Best New Play. April was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2020.

Places are from £229.

Dive into the underwater world at Hastings Aquarium this summer, and discover the fascinating kelp forests growing right along our coastline.

In partnership with the Hastings Kelp Project, the aquarium is bringing the story of these important marine habitats to life with a packed programme of activities for curious visitors of all ages.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the kelp lab (the only modular lab of its kind in England growing native species such as oarweed and sugar kelp) and find out why kelp is so vital. Plus, younger explorers can enjoy daily craft activities and interactive displays, alongside the aquarium’s popular feeding shows.

The Hastings Kelp Project is a volunteer-led Community Interest Company working to restore native kelp forests along the coast between Rock-a-Nore and Pett Level, creating healthier habitats for marine life including seahorses, starfish and spiny spider crabs.

It's running from 20th July to 2nd September, 10 am - 6 pm daily at Hastings Aquarium.

Tickets are £16.50 for ages 13+. £13 for ages 3 - 12, and free for under-3s. Book online to save 10%.

Get the kids to bring along their odd little trinkets and favourite finds to Hastings Castle, and Su will help turn them into a story.

Storybuilding with Su Austin is an interactive 45 minutes of building tales from found objects and the audience's own ideas, complete with silly voices and sound effects.

Su Austin is an actor and theatre-maker from Hastings, trained at Rose Bruford, with experience spanning children's touring theatre to satire at the Edinburgh Fringe. She has also performed locally with Spun Glass Theatre and The Bright Foundation.

Tickets included with normal castle entry.

Summer might already be underway, but have you actually danced to celebrate it yet? Well, here's your chance. Local favourite DJ Chabala takes over the bar downstairs at The Piper for a late-night summer session - expect a warm, danceable blend of afrobeats, baile funk, R&B and feel-good summer beats.

Head down on from 9 pm and get involved.

Bargain hunters, mark your calendars because the Parish Table Sale is a friendly community morning with a whole spread of stalls to rummage through - books, bric-a-brac, clothes, jigsaw puzzles, toiletries, glassware, jewellery and more.

When you need a break from browsing, the Crypt Café will be serving food and drinks. It's all in aid of the church, as well as being a lovely community get-together, so everyone's very welcome. It runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

 The Tug O' War Competition returns to the Lifeboat House on the Stade, for a morning of friendly rivalry.

Who will have the strength and determination to pull their way to victory? Head down from 10 am to 1:30 pm to find out.

About Old Town Carnival Week

It's one of the events kicking off Old Town Carnival Week, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. Started by volunteers all the way back in 1968, the carnival has grown into a beloved week of events for locals and visitors alike, with everything from pram racing and treasure trails to live music and street parties, all building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, and all supporting local charities along the way.

If you have a stash of broken necklaces or forgotten beads tucked in a drawer, here is your chance to give them a second life. Join celebrated jewellery designer, Vicki Sarge at Bus Stop Studios, to learn pearl knotting and threading.

You will learn the classic knotting and threading method using specialist cords and have a go at macramé techniques to make adjustable sliding bracelets, leaving with finished pieces to take home.  You will be in seriously good hands too, as Vicki's designs have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Kate Moss and Helen Mirren, appeared on the Savage X Fenty runway and in BAFTA-winning films, and are held in the permanent collection at the V&A.

It's a small-group session with plenty of individual support. Bring your own beads or necklaces to restring if you like (just check a thin needle passes through the holes), or use the practice beads provided. All other materials are included.

It's £75 and runs from 10.30 am- 4.30 pm, with an hour for lunch.

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.

If you like getting up close with the past, History House is hosting a free Archaeology Open Day, brought together by the SE Heritage Collective, and it's a lovely chance to see how the stories of history can be told through the objects people leave behind.

It starts at 11 am and is suitable for all ages, so bring the whole family if you like. And since it's part of Old Town Carnival Week, it makes a great addition to a day out in the Old Town.

Just one thing to note: access can be a little tight for wheelchairs, so do call ahead on 01424 424744 if you have any questions.

About Old Town Carnival Week

It’s one of the events for Old Town Carnival Week, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. Started by volunteers all the way back in 1968, the carnival has grown into a beloved week of events for locals and visitors alike, with everything from pram racing and treasure trails to live music and street parties, all building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, and all supporting local charities along the way.

Pop into St Clement's Church between 11 am - 3 pm for a craft fair and light lunches, all in aid of the Two Towers Trust - the charity that helps preserve the Old Town's two medieval church buildings.

Have a browse of the craft stalls and grab a bite to eat, knowing that every penny goes towards keeping a bit of Hastings history standing.

Accessible entry is via the Croft Road door.

About Old Town Carnival Week

It’s one of the events for Old Town Carnival Week, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. Started by volunteers all the way back in 1968, the carnival has grown into a beloved week of events for locals and visitors alike, with everything from pram racing and treasure trails to live music and street parties, all building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, and all supporting local charities along the way.

Get ready for a 9 day celebration across Hastings Old Town, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August, all raising money for local charities.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING:

Nearly on the Beach Concert (Sat 1st - Sun 2nd August)
A free, family-friendly music festival on the Stade Open Space, kicking things off from midday.

Tug O' War Competition (Sat 1st August)
Head to the Lifeboat House on the Stade from 10 am, for a morning of friendly rivalry.

Jimmy Read Memorial Bike Race (Tues 4th August)
An annual race up the steepest street in the Old Town. The rule is you can’t lift off the saddle

The Old Town Pram Race (Wed 5th August)
Fancy dress teams racing decorated prams between the Old Town pubs. From The Cutter at 7pm.

Grand Carnival Parade & Fireworks (Sat 8th August)
Floats and marching bands leaving Rock-a-Nore car park at 5pm, with fireworks from the castle at dusk, around 8.30pm.

And that's just the headline events - there's plenty more happening in hastings across the week, from historical walks to street parties. Search "carnival" on our site to see our picks or click here for the full listing.

ABOUT OLD TOWN CARNIVAL WEEK

It’s one of the events for Old Town Carnival Week, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. Started by volunteers all the way back in 1968, the carnival has grown into a beloved week of events for locals and visitors alike, with everything from pram racing and treasure trails to live music and street parties, all building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, and all supporting local charities along the way.

Hidden Beach launches its new live music series with a full-day event at greyskull Coffee in Hastings, running from midday until 9 pm with live acts across the day.

Set in the courtyard in St Andrews Mews, it promises to be a relaxed summer session bringing together live music, drinks, food and community atmosphere in one of Hastings' best creative spaces.

The lineup spans indie, folk, funk, alternative and acoustic artists from Hastings and beyond - expect an all-day soundtrack of original music and live performance.

Full lineup & set times

12:00 pm : Light Up The Room
12:40 pm: Serotonin
1:20 pm: Tellums
2:00 pm: Erin Colley
2:40 pm: Betsie Tingle
3:20 pm: Vigilante Man
4:00 pm: Claire Brem Wilson
4:40 pm: Monks of Funk
5:20 pm: Poppy Rockett
6:00 pm: Sam Senior
6:40 pm: Huggy and the Geezer

Music starts from 12 pm. Entry is free. And food, cocktails and coffee are available all day. Nice!

Settle in for a cracking weekend of free live music on the Stade, as the Nearly on the Beach Concert returns for two full afternoons of bands by the sea.

Saturday's gates open at 12 noon, with a line-up featuring The Paul Huggett Band, Sarah G & the Other 3, Zachery Dogwood, The Anya Hughes Band, CBGB's and the 6:5 Specials.

Sunday's music kicks off at 12.30 pm, bringing 62 Stone, The Pett Slip Buoys, 23 Fields, Stealer, Retrolicious, Blues Brothers and Ska-Per to the stage.

It's a free event across both days, with collections on-site and around town in aid of three great causes: Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat, Hastings Sea Cadets and Hastings RNLI - so do give generously if you're able, as all profits go straight to the charities.

Expect a fully licensed bar and delicious food from the Dripping Pig, plus loads of merch on sale. Seating is limited, so bring a camping chair or a rug and get comfy for the afternoon.

A couple of things to note from the organisers: no dogs and no glass or alcohol can be brought onto the Stade.

ABOUT OLD TOWN CARNIVAL WEEK

It’s one of the events for Old Town Carnival Week, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. Started by volunteers all the way back in 1968, the carnival has grown into a beloved week of events for locals and visitors alike, with everything from pram racing and treasure trails to live music and street parties, all building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, and all supporting local charities along the way.

Ten years of Brewing Brothers, and they're marking it the only sensible way: a full day of beer, music and mayhem at the brewery on Burgess Road, from 2 pm - 11 pm

Expect live music from King Size Slim, Los Twangueros and The Long Shore Drifters, with DJs filling the gaps in between. Two Snakes Tattoo are in for a flash day if you fancy leaving with a permanent souvenir, and there's food on all day, with enough games, giveaways and kids' entertainment to keep everyone going.

Tickets are a tenner, kids go free. Go raise a glass - ten years is well worth celebrating.

You probably know how this one ends but it has never been staged quite like this. Shakespeare's greatest tragedy comes to the bowls green at Alexandra Park.

Performed outdoors by Bowler Crab - having tackled Romeo & Juliet three times before (2014, 2018 and 2019), they have picked the best bits of each for this 2026 production, with an all-new cast.

The performance takes place outdoors at 3 pm, at Art in the Park. Bring a comfy chair if you can (there are some available if you can't). Bowler Crab will keep you going with hot drinks, soft drinks + homemade cake, and you're very welcome to bring a picnic (just no alcohol).

Ages 5-11 = £7
Concession + Ages 12-18 = £14.00
Adult =£25.00

Continental Circus Berlin is back in the UK with a brand-new show for 2026, and it's pitching up at Glyne Gap Field in Hastings. Forget CGI and special effects - this is people pulling off genuinely jaw-dropping stunts, a few feet in front of you, under a climate-controlled, theatre-style big top.

Expect a high-wire troupe flying in from Spain and Africa for a routine never seen in the UK before, and a team of stunt riders looping inside a mesh sphere.

Making her Circus Berlin debut is Mayrelis from Cuba, who floats high above the ring suspended only by her hair, while UK aerialist, Amber, makes a special guest appearance. Add in the Wheel of Death, hula hoop, juggling and a troupe of dancers, with legendary clown Papeluxo keeping things lively in between.

It's two-hour show from 3 pm and it won't be in town long, so don't hang about.  Tickets range from £12 - £37.53.

She Plays, We Listen is a curated Women in Music live performance session celebrating female-led sound, stories and creative leadership, as part of the Hidden Beach Summer of Culture.

The evening brings together a jazz pianist, a percussionist and a vocalist, each performing their own set - live piano, voice and rhythm presented as distinct expressions, each with its own musical language and emotional tone. The session then closes with a DJ set from Kim Cosmik, drawing the evening together through selection and shared rhythm.

This is a listening-led experience rather than a traditional gig. Short artist reflections are woven between the performances, offering insight into each musician's influences and creative journey. Set within the intimate surroundings of The Jenny Lind it is open to all, with no prior musical knowledge needed.

Starts at 4 pm and it's free - but register here.

Goldie. In a church. Here. In Hastings.

The legendary Metalheadz Blue Note Sessions are coming to St Leonards Church, with More Fountains  - as part of a summer tour resurrecting the spirit of their mid-90s Sunday sessions at London's Hoxton Blue Note. Fitting, given the venue.

The line-up is ridiculous: Goldie MBE, Doc Scott, Bailey and local man Stuart Elmslie (Elm Street) playing foundational, deep drum and bass, exactly as it should be.

It's a day party, running 4 pm to 10 pm. Tickets are £25, and it's 18+.

Gina Gershon is coming to The Waves with her gloriously titled memoir, AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs.

The star of Showgirls and Bound drops into the bookshop for an informal afternoon of storytelling, drawn from a memoir that is as bold as its title suggests. It follows her from a wayward childhood in the San Fernando Valley through a distinctly untraditional career, learning to spot the toxic types and outsmart the shady ones, all while holding onto her autonomy as a woman and an actress.

Signing runs from 4 pm to 6 pm, with the storytelling starting around 4:30 pm. It's free, but reserve a spot as this one's bound to be popular. You can pre-order a signed copy through The Waves, or pick one up on the day.

Continental Circus Berlin is back in the UK with a brand-new show for 2026, and it's pitching up at Glyne Gap Field in Hastings. Forget CGI and special effects - this is people pulling off genuinely jaw-dropping stunts, a few feet in front of you, under a climate-controlled, theatre-style big top.

Expect a high-wire troupe flying in from Spain and Africa for a routine never seen in the UK before, and a team of stunt riders looping inside a mesh sphere.

Making her Circus Berlin debut is Mayrelis from Cuba, who floats high above the ring suspended only by her hair, while UK aerialist, Amber, makes a special guest appearance. Add in the Wheel of Death, hula hoop, juggling and a troupe of dancers, with legendary clown Papeluxo keeping things lively in between.

It's two-hour show from 6 pm and it won't be in town long, so don't hang about.  Tickets range from £12 - £37.53.

RatPack land at Blackbox, and if you were anywhere near a warehouse rave in the late 80s, this needs no introduction.

DJ Lipmaster Mark and MC Evenson Allen joined forces back in 1985, right at the start of the scene, and have been going since. As Acid House took off, they threw their own legendary Trip City warehouse parties, and have since toured the world - Glastonbury to Ministry of Sound, Ibiza to Japan, racking up hits like Searching for My Rizla and The Clipper along the way.

Head down to Blackbox from 10 pm for dose of it.

Tickets are £15.00 + booking fee but are selling fast. Over-18s only, last entry 11:30 pm.

Cold water, warm welcome - that's Trunks & Hunks. It's a free 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 at the door, most rock up alone and quickly find a friendly group. Some come for the wellbeing and others just fancy the cold-water shock of it. Whether you're looking to improve your wellbeing, meet like-minded people, challenge yourself, or simply start your Sunday with something positive, you will be made to feel welcome.

 Bring your swimmers and a towel from 7 am - 9 am (and the dog too if you like).

Continental Circus Berlin is back in the UK with a brand-new show for 2026, and it's pitching up at Glyne Gap Field in Hastings. Forget CGI and special effects - this is people pulling off genuinely jaw-dropping stunts, a few feet in front of you, under a climate-controlled, theatre-style big top.

Expect a high-wire troupe flying in from Spain and Africa for a routine never seen in the UK before, and a team of stunt riders looping inside a mesh sphere.

Making her Circus Berlin debut is Mayrelis from Cuba, who floats high above the ring suspended only by her hair, while UK aerialist, Amber, makes a special guest appearance. Add in the Wheel of Death, hula hoop, juggling and a troupe of dancers, with legendary clown Papeluxo keeping things lively in between.

It's two-hour show from 12 pm and it won't be in town long, so don't hang about.  Tickets range from £12 - £37.53.

Continental Circus Berlin is back in the UK with a brand-new show for 2026, and it's pitching up at Glyne Gap Field in Hastings. Forget CGI and special effects - this is people pulling off genuinely jaw-dropping stunts, a few feet in front of you, under a climate-controlled, theatre-style big top.

Expect a high-wire troupe flying in from Spain and Africa for a routine never seen in the UK before, and a team of stunt riders looping inside a mesh sphere.

Making her Circus Berlin debut is Mayrelis from Cuba, who floats high above the ring suspended only by her hair, while UK aerialist, Amber, makes a special guest appearance. Add in the Wheel of Death, hula hoop, juggling and a troupe of dancers, with legendary clown Papeluxo keeping things lively in between.

It's two-hour show from 3 pm and it won't be in town long, so don't hang about.  Tickets range from £12 - £37.53.

Hastings is lucky to have Los Twangueros, and even luckier that they're playing The Jenny Lind on the regular. Catch them for Second Sunday Sounds landing, on this occasion, on the first Sunday.

They really are something special. Likened to Café del Mar in its early days, the musicianship alone is enough to pack the place out. Expect a rich blend of flamenco and rumbas, ambient jazz and African rhythms, with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure. So head down on from 4 pm and grab a drink - they always guarantee a packed house

Part of the Hidden Beach Summer of Culture, these art and nature sessions bring a hands-on way to connect with both art and the natural world in the green surroundings of Alexandra Park.

Held on Monday mornings, the sessions centre on planning and planting around the green space, with structured creative and educational activities woven in. You can get stuck into gardening and environmental projects, or try a range of art-based tasks inspired by nature. Most activities are free or low cost, so it's easy for anyone to take part.

It's a welcoming, drop-in environment where you can pick up new skills, enjoy time outdoors and help look after a shared green space. No experience needed - costs £6.13.

About Hidden Beach

If a glass of wine, a plate of French cheese and a sunny corner of Hastings Old Town sounds like a bit of you, head to Courthouse Street today.

From 12 pm - 4 pm you can enjoy a selection of French cheeses served with fresh bread from local bakery Judges, plus your choice of red, white or rosé wine (or water). If you’d rather, you can opt for Stilton with crackers and a glass of port, kindly provided by The Jenny Lind. Whichever you choose, local musicians French Accent will provide the soundtrack with live traditional French music throughout the afternoon.

It’s £7.50 for your first plate and drink, with top-ups available for £3 (please note this is a cash-only event). 

It's part of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th August), a week-long celebration that’s been bringing the community together since 1968. Expect pram racing, treasure trails, live music, street parties and plenty more, all leading up to the Grand Carnival Procession and raising money for local charities.

Join this 1hr 30 min guided ghost walk round the Old Town, where Hastings' past characters come back to life through stories and a few spooky encounters.

It's more fun than frightening, so don't worry if you're not big on scares as there's plenty here for history lovers too.

Meet at Butler's Gap on George Street at 6 pm. It's £5 for adults, £3 for under-16s - email hastingsghostwalk@gmail.com for bookings.

Accessibility: Please note the route includes hills and steps.

It's part of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th August), a week-long celebration that's been bringing the community together since 1968. Expect pram racing, treasure trails, live music and street parties, all leading up to the Grand Carnival Procession and raising money for local charities.

A new salsa community for Hastings and St Leonards has been set up by the same people who helped grow the scene in Brighton and wanted to bring the same thing here.

No partner is needed and no experience is required. Beginners lessons are at 6 pm, and improvers are at 7 pm, then it's social dancing from 8pm - go for whichever part suits you.

Olas de Salsa classes are running weekly through August and into September. It's outdoors for now with an indoor venue planned from October.

Message them to find out more and join their WhatsApp group

Head round the pubs of Hastings Old Town in fancy dress, hunting down answers to a list of cryptic clues. Once you have them all, you leg-it-back race to the Lord Nelson to see where you placed. Every team wins a bottled prize to share, with first back getting first pick.

Along the route, you’ll carry a charity collection pot and encourage donations from passers-by, with every penny going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Start at the Lord Nelson at 6:30 pm (it ends at 9 pm) and it's £2 per team member.

Part of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th August), running since 1968. Expect pram racing, treasure trails, live music and street parties, building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, all in aid of local charities.

In 1988, Hastings started an annual race up the steepest street in the Old Town. The rule is you can't lift off the saddle because that's exactly how Jimmy Read did it, on a butcher's bike, for a bet after a few pints in The Crown. Jimmy was a Hastings fisherman who passed in the great storm of 1987 and nearly forty years on, the locals are still turning up to have a go at what Jimmy started.

Bikes are provided, so all you need is the leg muscles and a cash donation. Bucket rattlers will be out all evening, with everything going to local causes.

Meet at the Crown Lane at 5:30 pm. Kids welcome with an adult but dogs are best left at home.

ABOUT OLD TOWN CARNIVAL WEEK

It’s one of the events for Old Town Carnival Week, running from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. Started by volunteers all the way back in 1968, the carnival has grown into a beloved week of events for locals and visitors alike, with everything from pram racing and treasure trails to live music and street parties, all building up to the Grand Carnival Procession, and all supporting local charities along the way.

Pull on your cowboy boots and head to The Albion where the seafront turns into an open-air Wild West party from 7 pm.

Try your luck on a rodeo bull or just enjoy the food and live music while you watch everyone else give it a go (£3 a go, adults and kids welcome). Local band The Longshore Drifters will also be playing a classic honky-tonk and old-school country set.

Fancy dress is highly encouraged, and every penny raised from the rodeo bull goes to the RNLI. So if you do end up in the dust, at least it’s for a good cause.

It’s part of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th August), a week-long celebration that’s been bringing the community together since 1968. Expect pram racing, treasure trails, live music, street parties and plenty more, all leading up to the Grand Carnival Procession and raising money for local charities.

It's time for the annual Hastings Old Town Pram Race and if you have never seen it - go! We promise, you won't ever forget the sight of grown adults in outrageous costumes, hurtling between pubs for charity.

Part pub crawl, part fancy dress competition, part race (sort of), the legendary Hastings Old Town Pram Race is one of Carnival Week's funniest traditions.

Get a team together, decorate a pram, and race round the Old Town collecting money for local charities as you go. It's £20 per team to enter, and because it's grown so much over the years, entries now have to go in early - all teams must register in person at The Cutter pub by 6 pm on 4th August. To be considered for judging, teams need to arrive by 7 pm on the night, with the race itself running between roughly 7:15 pm and 9 pm.

If you're not racing. You can still catch all the chaotic action. George Street draws the biggest crowds, especially outside Ye Olde Pumphouse and the Albion. FILO is a popular stop, while All Saints Street and The Bourne are worth checking near The Crown and the local pubs around there.

It's strictly over-18s for anyone taking part, and every entry helps raise money for the Hastings Old Town Carnival Association and local charities.

£1.50 for you tea, biscuits and a shot at one of three raffle prizes. It also gets you a morning of decent company, which is rather the point of this amazing group.

Just Friends is a community for people who live on their own, and this social meeting runs at His Place on Robertson Street, from 10: 30 am - 12:30 pm (and membership is free).

Come on your own - nearly everyone does. Or if you would rather have a friendly chat first, drop Laura an email at laura@just-friends.uk to find out more.

Join Hastings Contemporary for a summer of art and fun, every Thursday through summer from 11 am - 4 pm.

Explore, create and play your way around the gallery, with different activities and workshops each week. They have lined up an exciting programme of local artists running drop-in workshops in the studio, so get ready to get creative and maybe a little bit messy.

All activities are free with gallery admission / Under 18s free

More info

Head down to Hastings Museum at 11 AM today for a dance performance for babies under one, with live cello.

It's a soothing hour for both you and your baby, celebrating the relationship that forms in that first year - and Katie Dale-Everett Dance made it with new parents and their babies, so it touches gently on pre and postpartum experiences too.

There's an optional movement session beforehand too. It's a chance to arrive properly and connect with your baby, doing the sort of movements you'd usually be doing alone at home, except with other people in the same boat as you.

It's a free event and there are baby changing, accessible toilets, step-free access and somewhere to leave your  buggy.

If you're looking for a little clarity then these intuitive oracle readings offer a chance to step back and tune into your inner wisdom.

Inspired by African goddesses, and using symbolic and intuitive tools, each reading explores whatever’s been playing on your thoughts - maybe it's a challenge you're working through or a decision that is weighing heavy, or you're curious about where your path is heading. Whatever it is you are carrying, you will find a warm and welcoming space here.

From 2-6 pm. Tickets cost £44.04 (inc. booking fee)

About Hidden Beach

If you're quite partial to a legendary night, head to De La Warr Pavilion because Ladysmith Black Mambazo are celebrating their remarkable history with an evening of Zulu singing and the timeless songs of Graceland, with support from the Spring Into Soul Choir.

Since Joseph Shabalala formed the group in South Africa, they have become a worldwide phenomenon, going on to win five Grammy Awards and pick up nineteen nominations - more than any other world music group in history.

it starts at 7 pm and tickets are from £35. Suitable for all ages but under-14s should be accompanied by an adult aged 18+.

Accessibility: If you have specific access needs, whether for a daytime visit or a bookable event, email customerservice@dlwp.com or call 01424 229111.

Join this 1hr 30 min guided ghost walk round the Old Town, where Hastings' past characters come back to life through stories and a few spooky encounters.

It's more fun than frightening, so don't worry if you're not big on scares as there's plenty here for history lovers too.

Meet at Butler's Gap on George Street at 7.15 pm. It's £5 for adults, £3 for under-16s - email hastingsghostwalk@gmail.com for bookings.

Accessibility: Please note the route includes hills and steps.

It's part of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th August), a week-long celebration that's been bringing the community together since 1968. Expect pram racing, treasure trails, live music and street parties, all leading up to the Grand Carnival Procession and raising money for local charities.

Calling all bangers and mash fans - head to Courthouse Street this evening for home-made local pork sausages, creamy mash, baked beans and plenty of onion gravy.

It's part of Old Town Carnival Week and a good excuse to sit down with a decent plate of food and a complimentary bottle of French beer in one of the oldest streets in Hastings.

Food is served until 6:30 pm, with proceeds supporting High Street Traders. Tickets are £9.50 from History House and Deeday & Bev's Yard in Courthouse Street.  There are only 120 available, so it's worth buying yours in advance if you want a seat.

Step into The Crown House and into the dark underworld of fame with Unfaithfull, a tribute to 1960s legend Marianne Faithfull. Performer Josephine Pembroke channels the songs and stories from Faithfull's remarkable life, capturing all the glamour and grit of one of music's most fascinating figures.

Doors open at 7:00 pm and tickets are £14.50 + booking fee. There is a pay bar and you're welcome to stick around and socialise after the show - with pizzas ordered for anyone feeling peckish. Be quick - tickets are selling fast.

Before the town's new Museum of Television opens its doors, you can grab a sneak peek at a special pop-up exhibition celebrating Britain's love affair with the small screen.

Hosted at the British Tea Museum, as part of Hastings Old Town Carnival's 100 Years of Television celebrations, the exhibition features two recreated living rooms from different decades, that are sure to bring back some memories.

Drop in for a brew and uncover a piece of Hastings history that changed homes forever.

Hidden Beach is back for 2026 and it’s going bigger than ever. It’s the headline event of a whole month of Summer of Culture, taking over The Oval from midday - with live music and DJs all day long, incredible street food, hands-on workshops, and loads more. If you’re only making it to one event this summer, make it this one.

Expect:

Live music spanning salsa, Latin, Cuban, Afrobeat, reggae, soul, jazz and more
DJs from afternoon through to sunset
Global street food and a fully stocked bar
Creative workshops for all ages, including dance, drumming, arts, crafts and storytelling
Chill-out spaces, culture corners and plenty of room to soak up the atmosphere

Tickets £15 - under 12s go free

About Hidden Beach

This is the highlight of Old Town Carnival Week, when Hastings Old Town gets taken over completely. This year's theme is 100 Years of Television, so expect plenty of familiar faces from the small screen.

Decorated floats, dancers, marching bands and local display groups wind their way through the heart of the Old Town, setting off from Rock-a-Nore at 5 pm and finishing with fireworks from the castle at dusk.

It's free to watch - just find a spot along the route and settle in. Volunteers collect donations for local charities throughout the evening, so do bring a bit of cash if you can.

After a run of sold-out shows across the UK, the legendary Reggae Bingo is landing in Hastings for the very first time. And fair warning, this is not anything like your nan's bingo night.

Expect madness from 6 pm - 9 pm.  There are dance-offs, reggae-oke, comedy, crowd challenges and cash up for grabs. The Blackbox resident DJ and host keep the vibes coming all night, spinning dancehall, reggae, soca, old skool and party anthems.

Tickets are from £16 and include entry, seating and three game cards (standing tickets don't include seating).  Grab your tickets before they're gone.

The Cavaliers play at The Piper for their first public appearance since headlining last year's Hastings Music & Beer Festival.

They've built a reputation on dance-offs and mass singalongs, so expect a fast-paced setlist of rock, indie, soul and pop classics from a band that's been the top pick of function bands in the South East for well over a decade.

They're on from 8 pm and tickets are £10.50  - tickets have sold out before, so get in there quick.

Vintage hunters, this one's for you. The Hastings Big Flea returns to St Leonards Church for a day of rummaging through vintage finds, modernist pieces, antiques and second-hand treasures spread across indoor and outdoor pitches.

Take your time browsing the stalls and when you need a breather there is food and drink on-site to keep you going. It's on from 10 am - 4 pm and entry is completely free.

As part of his Around the World in a Year of Stories series, Ed Boxall brings magical Native American tales to Hastings Castle. Celebrating our connection to nature, these traditional stories come to life with lots of movement and music, and plenty of joining in (and all ages are very welcome).

Today's is The Creator Takes a Walk: The creator is stuck and he needs to cheer up human beings, who always seem to be worrying too much - go and find out what he creates to lift the spirits of us grumpy humans.

It's on from 11 am - 11.45 am and tickets are included with normal castle entry.

Cancel that flight to Ibiza because the best house music is right here in Hastings. Love Sensation lands at The Oval for a full day, as part of the Hidden Beach Summer of Culture.

From easy daytime grooves to peak-time anthems, the lineup runs deep with Natasha Kitty Katt, Nancy Noise, Lizzie Curious, Ravinder Teji, Cosmic Disco, Kangbala, Matt Adore, Angela Colosi and Ariele, with more still to come.

The Oval's great green bowl is made for events like this -  expect a street food village and two bars to keep you going.

It's on from 12 pm - 9 pm and early bird tickets have gone, but general admission is £15 (+ £1.75 booking fee).

Hastings is lucky to have Los Twangueros, and even luckier that they're playing The Jenny Lind on the regular. Catch them for Second Sunday Sounds.

They really are something special. Likened to Café del Mar in its early days, the musicianship alone is enough to pack the place out. Expect a rich blend of flamenco and rumbas, ambient jazz and African rhythms, with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure. So head down on from 4 pm and grab a drink - they always guarantee a packed house

A new salsa community for Hastings and St Leonards has been set up by the same people who helped grow the scene in Brighton and wanted to bring the same thing here.

No partner is needed and no experience is required. Beginners lessons are at 6 pm, and improvers are at 7 pm, then it's social dancing from 8pm - go for whichever part suits you.

Olas de Salsa classes are running weekly through August and into September. It's outdoors for now with an indoor venue planned from October.

Message them to find out more and join their WhatsApp group

Join Hastings Contemporary for a summer of art and fun, every Thursday through summer from 11 am- 4 pm.

Explore, create and play your way around the gallery, with different activities and workshops each week. They have lined up an exciting programme of local artists running drop-in workshops in the studio, so get ready to get creative and maybe a little bit messy.

All activities are free with gallery admission / Under 18s free

More info

Bringing Ibiza vibes to the Sussex coast, Voguesss is taking over the De La Warr Pavilion terrace for a free evening of house, hi-NRG and acid-house - it's a party for the LGBTQIA+ community and anyone else who's sound.

It's run by Hastings' own Coco Cole and Fancy Shews!, who between them have played everywhere from Ibiza's Pacha to Glitterbox, and they've pulled together a line-up that's ridiculously good for a free do. Expect NTS favourite Elena Colombi, Brighton's glitter-soaked Wildblood & Queenie, and St Leonards' Chabala spinning warm, bassy sets that pull from all over.

It's free, it's outside, it's from 5 pm, and it's definitely not one to miss.

Blackbox decided Hastings needed an afternoon of boot-scooting. So here it is - old-school country legends and current chart-toppers, back to back, all day.

You don't need to know your Garth Brooks from your Willie Nelson to have a good time here - just a love of country music and a party spirit . It's a solid shout for getting the gang together on a Saturday afternoon.

It's on 3 pm - 8 pm and last entry is 5 pm. Tickets are from £20 but are selling FAST.

Over 18s only.

The Electric Palace's monthly horror night sinks its teeth into a classic this month: Jaws in 4K, plus a surprise second Spielberg feature to follow.

Fright Night is hosted by Emily Booth and Kim Foster-Taylor, who kick off each screening with a short introduction packed with trivia and insight. The pair also make the podcast Kim and Em Vs Evil, where they get right under the skin of cinema's most famous villains.

Spielberg's 1975 original stars Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw, and runs 124 minutes.

It's on at 5pm at the Electric Palace. Tickets are £12 for adults, £10 concessions, and £6 for anyone 21 and under.

Laundry Day has been one of the best LGBTQIA+ nights in Hastings for a while now, and it's back at French's this August.

Max Load, Lemur Beats and OK James & Hal are on the decks, with live sets from Persephone and Prince Peach. Kikiara's hosting and Spirit Doll's on go-go, with more names still to come.

Dress code is whatever you want it to be, though your loudest Hawaiian shirt, tiniest shorts and sparkliest crop tops are encouraged because this is a crowd that commits.

It's on 9 pm till 2:30 am - early bird tickets are £10 and standard tickets are £12.

As part of his Around the World in a Year of Stories series, Ed Boxall brings magical Native American tales to Hastings Castle. Celebrating our connection to nature, these traditional stories come to life with lots of movement and music, and plenty of joining in (and all ages are very welcome).

Today's story is The Eagle and the Boy: A boy grows up feeling somehow different to everyone around him but one day he finds an eagle's egg, and when it hatches... well, you will find out on the day.

It's on from 11 am - 11.45 am and tickets are included with normal castle entry.

Join Hastings Contemporary for a summer of art and fun, every Thursday through summer from 11 am - 4 pm.

Explore, create and play your way around the gallery, with different activities and workshops each week. They have lined up an exciting programme of local artists running drop-in workshops in the studio, so get ready to get creative and maybe a little bit messy.

All activities are free with gallery admission / Under 18s free

More info

Active Hastings and Youth Ultimate UK have teamed up for a free Ultimate Frisbee session for teens at Alexandra Park Bandstand, led by former GB athlete Izzy Collins and her team.

It's an inclusive and friendly session suitable for a range of abilities, built around teamwork and a bit of confidence-building (plus keeping the teenagers in your life active). If they have never played - tell them it's a cross between netball and American football and easy to pick up and good fun once they get going.

It runs from 1 pm - 3 pm. Equipment is provided and so are snacks and drinks (just flag any dietary requirements when you book, and remind the team on the day).

The session is free, with thanks to the government and The National Lottery Community Fund.

A new salsa community for Hastings and St Leonards has been set up by the same people who helped grow the scene in Brighton and wanted to bring the same thing here.

No partner is needed and no experience is required. Beginners lessons are at 6 pm, and improvers are at 7 pm, then it's social dancing from 8pm - go for whichever part suits you.

Olas de Salsa classes are running weekly through August and into September. It's outdoors for now with an indoor venue planned from October.

Message them to find out more and join their WhatsApp group

Get the kids to bring along their odd little trinkets and favourite finds to Hastings Castle, and Su will help turn them into a story.

Storybuilding with Su Austin is an interactive 45 minutes of building tales from found objects and the audience's own ideas, complete with silly voices and sound effects.

Su Austin is an actor and theatre-maker from Hastings, trained at Rose Bruford, with experience spanning children's touring theatre to satire at the Edinburgh Fringe. She has also performed locally with Spun Glass Theatre and The Bright Foundation.

Tickets included with normal castle entry.

Join Hastings Contemporary for a summer of art and fun, every Thursday from 11am–4pm.

Explore, create and play your way around the gallery, with different activities and workshops each week. They have lined up an exciting programme of local artists running drop-in workshops in the studio, so get ready to get creative and maybe a little bit messy.

All activities are free with gallery admission / Under 18s free

More info

If you need to get the teens out of the house this summer, the Active Hastings team have you covered. They're setting up at the Multi-Use Games Area on Alexandra Park between 1 pm - 3 pm, for a free afternoon of sport and games, with dodgeball, football and tennis on the go, plus a bit of crafting for anyone after something calmer.

Best of all, there's a free picnic and soft drinks thrown in, so they will be fed and watered too (just flag any dietary requirements when you book and let the team know on the day). You can book online in advance or just turn up and register on arrival.

It's completely free, with thanks to the government and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Get the kids to bring along their odd little trinkets and favourite finds to Hastings Castle, and Su will help turn them into a story.

Storybuilding with Su Austin is an interactive 45 minutes of building tales from found objects and the audience's own ideas, complete with silly voices and sound effects.

Su Austin is an actor and theatre-maker from Hastings, trained at Rose Bruford, with experience spanning children's touring theatre to satire at the Edinburgh Fringe. She has also performed locally with Spun Glass Theatre and The Bright Foundation.

Tickets included with normal castle entry.

Hastings Pride is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, and everyone's invited.

The parade leaves The Stade at 11 am, making its way along the seafront past the pier before arriving at The Oval, where the festival gets underway at midday.

There's plenty going on throughout the afternoon with community stalls to browse and live music from Step Into Elton, the UK's top Elton John tribute, jazz and soul quartet The Fabulous Red Diesel and Motown singer, Miles Elliot also on the bill.

It's free entry but donations are welcome.

Fancy a full day of reggae, dub, heavyweight bass and sound system culture? Join three to four of the South Coast's finest sound systems for an all-day celebration of music, food, film and community.

The day starts with the history and heritage of reggae and dub: film screenings, stories from local selectors and sound system operators, and the chance to get up close with the handcrafted systems that power it all. There's great food on and the community behind the music to meet along the way.

As the afternoon unfolds, the selectors take over - roots, reggae, dub and lovers rock, before the evening erupts into a full heavyweight session, with powerful bass, MCs and selectors bringing each stack to life.

Whether you’re a lifelong reggae fan or discovering sound system culture for the first time, this is a chance to experience one of the UK’s richest musical traditions in an unforgettable setting.

Caribbean food will be served all afternoon. Tickets £10 + booking fee.

Hastings Alt//Pride 26 is taking over French's for one night and the line up is HUGE.

Queer supergroup Lez is More are on live music, Jessie Maryon Davies brings the musical comedy, and SBars and Reggie Boy are on spoken word. Sigi Moonlight from Pecs Drag Kings is doing Captain Birdseye. Then it's karaoke with Mini Wonkyoke, nostalgic floor-fillers from IGOTYOUBABE, and Coco Cole and Lemur Beats taking it 'til late.

There are speeches too, from Hastings Queers for Palestine, Hastings & Bexhill Stand Up to Racism and Trans Pride Hastings.

It's an alternative to the mainstream Pride celebrations, with no corporate sponsorship and every ticket helping to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians and Al Qaws.

Get yourself down to French's from 6 pm. Tickets are pay what you can up to £10. It's advance tickets only, so grab one before they go - and they will.

The official Pride Weekend after party isn't messing about with its headliner. Jon Pleased Wimmin - a huge name in house music, and decades deep into the game, takes over Blackbox, in association with Hastings Pride, with proceeds going towards the festival.

The support's just as stellar: DJ Skie marks 35 years of DJing with a special anniversary set, alongside Kate Sure and Matt Adore.

It's on 9 pm - 3 am (last entry is 11 pm). Tickets are from £12.00.

Over-18s only.

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!

To book this class, email: info@drawinglife.org

Visit their website

Give them a follow

Bingo to a Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Whitney Houston soundtrack? Must be Soul Bingo, from the people behind Soul Supper.

Get your dabbers out and head down to Blackbox from 7 pm (the bingo kicks off at 8) for soul, Motown and disco hits spinning between numbers.

There are prizes up for grabs and your ticket (£20.90) covers your entry, bingo sheets and a marker (no food included). Seats are allocated by your name on the booking - first and last name only, no nicknames or group names, so do book accordingly.

There is nowhere better than the Stade for this. The working fishing beach (home to Europe's largest beach-launched fleet and lined with old black net huts) gives itself over this weekend to a proper seaside feast.

Head down for fresh-off-the-boat seafood and several glasses of Sussex and Kent wine. There's live music and cookery demos from C.J. Jackson, the Billingsgate-trained 'Fish Boss.' Go for a wander around the wine marquee to see what the local vineyards have been up to.

This year, the festival is turning up the volume, with each day bringing its own musical flavour to the Stade.

Friday 11 September is Northern Soul Night

Saturday 12 September is Country, Western & Americana

Sunday 13th Semptmber is Jazz, Ska & Soul

You can buy day or weekend tickets - get yourself 10% off with the code SIZZLING10. (expires on 9 July)

Sounds Familiar rolls into Blackbox for a Power Ballad Special. This isn't your average pub quiz either, the same team has sold out the Camden Roundhouse and played Glastonbury more times than most headline acts.

Expect rounds built from chart classics, old-school anthems and indie bangers, alongside mash-ups, guilty pleasures and, of course... power ballads galore.

Doors open at 6:30pm, with the quiz kicking off sharp at 7:30 pm at Blackbox. Tickets are £10 (+£1 booking fee) and big groups are more than welcome, but it's worth booking early, as these nights tend to sell out.

Over 18s only.

As if! Blackbox is doing a 90s day party.  It's a pretty straightforward set-up: non-stop 90s tunes and a dancefloor full of people who remember the routines.

It's on 3 pm - 8pm, with last entry at 5 pm. Tickets are from £17:50 and are selling super quick.

Hastings is lucky to have Los Twangueros, and even luckier that they're playing The Jenny Lind on the regular. Catch them for Second Sunday Sounds.

They really are something special. Likened to Café del Mar in its early days, the musicianship alone is enough to pack the place out. Expect a rich blend of flamenco and rumbas, ambient jazz and African rhythms, with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure. So head down on from 4 pm and grab a drink - they always guarantee a packed house

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Hastings is lucky to have Los Twangueros, and even luckier that they're playing The Jenny Lind on the regular. Catch them for Second Sunday Sounds.

They really are something special. Likened to Café del Mar in its early days, the musicianship alone is enough to pack the place out. Expect a rich blend of flamenco and rumbas, ambient jazz and African rhythms, with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure. So head down on from 4 pm and grab a drink - they always guarantee a packed house

Hastings is lucky to have Los Twangueros, and even luckier that they're playing The Jenny Lind on the regular. Catch them for Second Sunday Sounds.

They really are something special. Likened to Café del Mar in its early days, the musicianship alone is enough to pack the place out. Expect a rich blend of flamenco and rumbas, ambient jazz and African rhythms, with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure. So head down on from 4 pm and grab a drink - they always guarantee a packed house

Hastings is lucky to have Los Twangueros, and even luckier that they're playing The Jenny Lind on the regular. Catch them for Second Sunday Sounds.

They really are something special. Likened to Café del Mar in its early days, the musicianship alone is enough to pack the place out. Expect a rich blend of flamenco and rumbas, ambient jazz and African rhythms, with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure. So head down on from 4 pm and grab a drink - they always guarantee a packed house