Bewl Marathon 2026
Hermes Running's twin Bewl Water race days bring 10km, half marathon, marathon and 50km ultra distances to scenic woodland paths and lakeside trails in the High Weald.
What's On in Rye and East Sussex
Rye, Hastings, Battle and the wider East Sussex coast keep a busy calendar of festivals, fairs and one-offs — many of them generations old.
Come for the one event you've been meaning to catch, or stitch a few into a long weekend. Stay at The River Haven Hotel and you're in the heart of historic Rye, with the town's events an easy walk from the door. Hastings, Battle and the rest are a short drive — and with a large car park on site, coming and going is straightforward.
June 2026
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Northiam Midsummer Festival 2026
Annual village fundraiser run by Northiam Bonfire Society, with craft stalls, a classic-vehicle display, dog show, live music and local ales on the Playing Field.
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Summer Solstice Celebrations
A riverside celebration of the longest day of the year — sundowners, summer cocktails and a Beer & Burger deal at The River Haven.
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Romney Marsh Wartime Weekend 2026
Two days of 1940s atmosphere at the Romney Marsh Wartime Collection — re-enactors, military vehicles and trade stands on the site of the WWII airfield RAF Brenzett.
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Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival 2026
Anthony Marwood and Richard Lester's intimate four-day chamber music festival, in a quiet Norman parish church just outside Rye.
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Ashford Food and Drink Festival 2026
A one-day food and drink festival across Ashford town centre — English Wine Week preview Friday evening, street food, cooking demos and live music from 10am to 7pm Saturday.
July 2026
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Hastings Beer & Music Festival 2026
Hastings' four-day beer, cider and live-music festival at The Oval cricket ground, raising money for local charities since 1982.
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Spirit of Tenterden Festival 2026
A free three-day community festival of live music, street food, artisan makers and family events on the Tenterden Recreation Ground each July.
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JAM on the Marsh 2026
Five-day classical and contemporary music festival staged across medieval Romney Marsh churches and Hythe community spaces every July.
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Rye Summer Running Series 2026
A flat and fast 5k and 10k race series on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, five Friday evenings from May to September, with a Junior Run for the kids.
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Battle Festival 2026
Battle's two-week arts and music festival fills the abbey town's churches and venues with classical, jazz, theatre and a curtain-raising Scarecrow Festival, now in its seventeenth year.
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Winchelsea's Secret Gardens 2026
Thirteen private gardens hidden behind Winchelsea's medieval and Georgian house fronts open on one National Garden Scheme ticket for a single Saturday each July.
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Hastings Pirate Day 2026
A free July weekender of pirate parades, sea shanties and family entertainment across Hastings Old Town and the Stade.
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Bexhill Carnival 2026
Bexhill's eight-day carnival closes with a town-wide procession on the final Saturday — themed 'Movies' for 2026, with Party in the Park at The Polegrove and floats touring the seafront.
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New Romney Country Fayre 2026
Romney Marsh's largest free summer event — a carnival parade, two entertainment arenas and 100+ stalls visit New Romney on the last Saturday in July.
August 2026
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Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2026
Nine days of pram races, open houses, walking tours and street parties through Hastings Old Town, ending in the Grand Procession. The 2026 theme: 100 Years of Television.
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Rye Summer Running Series 2026
A flat and fast 5k and 10k race series on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, five Friday evenings from May to September, with a Junior Run for the kids.
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Rye Pirates & Smugglers Day 2026
A pirate procession, sea shanties, the Smugglers' Market on The Strand and best-dressed competitions take over Rye for one Saturday each August.
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Rye Flower & Veg Show 2026
A traditional summer horticultural show with vegetables, fruit, flowers, baked goods, handicrafts and photography — all judged at the Rye Community Centre.
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Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival 2026
Five days of jazz, blues, soul, roots and Latin music across pubs, halls and street stages in Rye for the August bank holiday weekend.
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Dymchurch Day of Syn 2026
Romney Marsh's biennial homage to Doctor Syn, with smugglers vs redcoats, costumed parades and a beacon-lit weekend over August bank holiday.
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September 2026
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Rye Summer Running Series 2026
A flat and fast 5k and 10k race series on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, five Friday evenings from May to September, with a Junior Run for the kids.
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Pashley Manor Dahlia Days 2026
Nine-day late-summer celebration of 70+ dahlia varieties through Pashley Manor's eleven-acre garden rooms, with the herbaceous borders at their peak hot-red and burgundy display.
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Rye Arts Festival 2026
Eighteen days of classical music, author talks, drama and film across Rye's churches, theatres and historic venues each September.
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Hastings Seafood, Wine & Music Festival 2026
A weekend of fresh-off-the-boat seafood, Sussex and Kent wines and live music on the Stade — the working fishing beach in Hastings Old Town.
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Bewl Marathon 2026
Hermes Running's twin Bewl Water race days bring 10km, half marathon, marathon and 50km ultra distances to scenic woodland paths and lakeside trails in the High Weald.
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Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair 2026
Two days of regional wine, beer, spirits and food producers on the Salts in Rye each September.
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Rye Ancient Trails 2026
A true steeplechase race across the breathtaking scenery of the ancient trails surrounding the medieval town of Rye in East Sussex.
October 2026
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The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment 2026
Over 500 re-enactors recreate the 1066 clash on the original battlefield, with Norman and Saxon encampments, falconry, a medieval market and a full staged battle.
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Hastings Bonfire Night 2026
Hastings Borough Bonfire Society's mid-October torchlit procession through the Old Town, ending with a beach bonfire and fireworks.
November 2026
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Rye Bonfire Night 2026
Rye Bonfire Society's torchlit procession through the cobbled streets, with a beach bonfire and fireworks display over the Salts.
April 2027
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Hastings Jack in the Green 2027
Morris dancers, drummers and giant green figures fill Hastings Old Town for May Day weekend, ending with the slaying of the Jack on West Hill.
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