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Hastings

What's On in Hastings – Events This Week & Things To Do

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You know that moment walking past Marine Court, art deco glamour fading into sea mist. Hastings has always hummed with stories: smugglers’ tunnels under West Hill, fisherman’s huts at Rock-a-Nore, the Bayeux Tapestry whispering history from a museum case.

But between Instagram threads and event group chaos, it's easy to miss what really matters, like the True Crime Museum’s real death bed or Hastings Contemporary’s latest show.

We spend our weeks tracking down local magic: hidden pubs in America Ground, cannon drills at the Shipwreck Museum, new art openings near Holy Trinity Church.

Your weekly City Brief brings it all to your inbox, no scrolls required.

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Events in Hastings This Weekend

Vivid People 80s & 90s Brighton Weekender

· Nightlife & Music

A weekend party celebrating 80s and 90s music and culture at various Brighton venues.

Chantel Mcgregor - The Carlisle, Hastings - Friday 5th June 2026

· Nightlife & Music

Singer-songwriter Chantel McGregor performs a special blues rock set in Hastings with Revenant as support.

Friends Quiz Brunch - Hastings (Final 30 Tickets)

· Nightlife & Music

A Friends-themed quiz event with brunch at Hastings Pier, offering the final 30 tickets.

Shadow Culture Debut

· Nightlife & Music

Hastings musician Tom Fryer debuts original electronic music blending breakbeat, jungle, and alt-pop at The Pigs Palace.

Belfast Barber Bash - Barber Culture, Education & Socialising

· Shopping & Markets

The Belfast Barber Bash offers education, socialising, and celebrates barber culture at Hastings Pier.

Sisters Doll - The Carlisle, Hastings - Sunday 7th June 2026

· Nightlife & Music

Sisters Doll perform melodic rock at The Pig's Palace in Hastings with special guests Paradise Sins.

View all events this weekend →

Events in Hastings This Week

Diane Spencer: Coming Together

· Nightlife & Music

Diane Spencer performs at French's Bar, showcasing her musical talent to audiences.

Vivid People 80s & 90s Brighton Weekender

· Nightlife & Music

A weekend party celebrating 80s and 90s music and culture at various Brighton venues.

Chantel Mcgregor - The Carlisle, Hastings - Friday 5th June 2026

· Nightlife & Music

Singer-songwriter Chantel McGregor performs a special blues rock set in Hastings with Revenant as support.

View all events this week →

Explore Events by Category

Looking for something specific in Hastings?

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Upcoming Events by Category

Culture & Arts

Janaina Tschäpe

· Hastings Contemporary · Culture & Arts

Brazilian artist Janaina Tschäpe unveils a new ocean-inspired exhibition at Hastings Contemporary.

Moore / Freud

· Hastings Contemporary · Culture & Arts

An exhibition at Hastings Contemporary explores familial bonds in the art of Henry Moore and Lucian Freud.

Miguel Rothschild

· Hastings Contemporary · Culture & Arts

Miguel Rothschild unveils a new site-specific seascape installation at Hastings Contemporary, exploring ocean depths and environmental aware

View all Culture & Arts events →

Fitness & Outdoors

View all Fitness & Outdoors events →

Nightlife & Music

Sisters Doll - The Carlisle, Hastings - Sunday 7th June 2026

· Nightlife & Music

Sisters Doll perform melodic rock at The Pig's Palace in Hastings with special guests Paradise Sins.

World Cup 2026 - England vs Ghana

· Nightlife & Music

England faces Ghana in a World Cup 2026 group game at Kent's largest fan park with multiple screens and live party events.

View all Nightlife & Music events →

Shopping & Markets

Belfast Barber Bash - Barber Culture, Education & Socialising

· Shopping & Markets

The Belfast Barber Bash offers education, socialising, and celebrates barber culture at Hastings Pier.

View all Shopping & Markets events →

Things to do in Hastings

You can find live music at venues across St Leonards and the Old Town, family events near Alexandra Park, food festivals along The Stade, and theatre performances at White Rock Theatre. Activities in Hastings range from exploring historic sites like Hastings Castle and Smugglers’ Adventure to coastal walks through East Hill or West Hill. Events include seasonal markets, annual festivals such as Jack in the Green, and community gatherings tied to recurring traditions.

In St Leonards-on-Sea and along The Stade, look for seasonal markets, film festivals like Hastings Rocks, music events at Kings Road venues, and arts exhibitions linked to local heritage. Family activities are available across neighbourhoods including Rock-a-Nore Beach and Hollington with playground access near Source Park. Live performances often happen in coastal spaces or historic buildings such as Holy Trinity Church.

The site lists what’s happening this week or this weekend clearly by category, Food & Drink, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, Fitness & Outdoors, Shopping & Markets. You can browse by venue type like the Old Town Market Hall or White Rock Theatre, explore local guides covering areas such as East Hill Funicular access points, and check event calendars linked directly to neighbourhoods including St Leonards-on-Sea and West Hill.

Common Hastings Questions

What kinds of events happen in Hastings during the week?

Hastings offers a varied weekly programme across its established neighbourhoods. Food and drink gatherings include pop-up markets, while cultural exhibitions take place at venues such as White Rock Theatre or Hastings Contemporary. Family activities are available at Alexandra Park, including drop-in sessions for children aged three to twelve. Fitness walkers use routes along the East Hill Funicular Railway, with regular morning walks on Tuesdays and Fridays. Shopping experiences can be found in the Old Town’s narrow twittens, where independent retailers operate throughout the week. Live music events are common across pubs and theatres within the Nightlife & Music category.

Where do most events take place in Hastings?

Events occur primarily in St Leonards-on-Sea, West Hill, East Hill, Rock-a-Nore Beach, The Stade, America Ground, and the Old Town. Key venues include White Rock Theatre on the seafront, Smugglers’ Caves accessible via the West Hill Funicular Railway, and Hastings Country Park near East Hill Lift. Public spaces such as The Stade are used for music festivals in summer months or parades during seasonal events like the Old Town Carnival.

Are there family-friendly things to do in Hastings?

Yes. Families can visit Fishermen’s Museum at Rock-a-Nore, which features a preserved lugger and interactive displays on local fishing heritage. Children also enjoy the immersive tunnel exhibit at Hastings Aquarium, where marine creatures swim beneath glass walls. Nature trails are accessible from East Hill Funicular Railway or along Rock-a-Nore Beach paths near The Stade beachfront.

What nightlife and music events happen in Hastings?

Regular live performances take place across bars such as 180 Sports Bar, ADA, and Albion in the St Leonards-on-Sea district. Events include electronic dance (DNB) nights at Good Friday DNB Madness or themed open tech sessions hosted monthly at Observer Building. Karaoke is available weekly at Yates venue on Sundays and Tuesdays during weekends. Community-led gatherings occur every Tuesday and Thursday from 3–5pm in Barnaby’s Lounge.

How can I find events happening this week or this weekend in Hastings?

To discover what's on, consult The City Brief’s dedicated listings page for current updates across categories like Family & Kids at Alexandra Park; Nightlife & Music featuring live sets at White Rock Theatre and other venues such as Source Park BMX area. Culture & Arts exhibitions are held by Hastings Contemporary art gallery or along East Hill Funicular Railway routes connecting coastal areas with scenic views while offering access points for visitors.