Things To Do In Hastings

Curated by The City Brief · Edited by Dean Withey · Updated 4 October 2026

Hastings provides a diverse range of things to do, from seasonal festivals that attract visitors year-round to quieter cultural attractions and beachfront activities. Whether you're planning a weekend visit or looking for things to do in Hastings on any given week, you'll find a town shaped by a mix of traditional seaside appeal and a growing contemporary arts scene. The town is defined by its beaches, Old Town streets, and the unique cliff-top promenades that connect different areas. You'll discover places to visit in Hastings that range from outdoor spaces to indoor galleries and performance venues. The Stade beachfront area is a focal point during summer months and festival periods, with events like Hastings Pirate Day (held in July and recognised by Guinness World Records for the most pirates in one place) drawing families and spectators. Throughout the year, seasonal celebrations such as Jack in the Green add colour to the town's calendar, while Voodoo Fest transforms the Old Town each October with a blend of carnival energy and a spooky atmosphere. The town’s recurring events show a community invested in arts and culture. The Quentin Blake Exhibition showcases work by the renowned illustrator of Roald Dahl's books, appealing to art enthusiasts and families alike. St Leonards Festival celebrates local talent and community spirit, demonstrating that activity extends beyond the immediate seafront. As a visitor or resident, you have access to varied experiences depending on your interests, whether that's finding a specific type of event, catching live performances, or simply exploring the different neighbourhoods on foot. These listings aim to help you navigate what's currently happening and what’s coming up, so you can plan accordingly rather than relying on chance encounters. Use the filters and categories to narrow down by date, venue, or type of experience. The town's railway connections (via the Hastings Line and East Coastway Line) make it accessible, though planning your parking or arrival time ahead is wise during peak seasons when The Stade and surrounding areas draw significant crowds.

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Nightlife & Music

Start by thinking about what kind of experience suits you. Hastings' event scene generally splits between larger seasonal festivals (typically summer and autumn) and smaller, ongoing community activities and exhibitions spread throughout the year. If you're planning a specific weekend visit, check the calendar for major events like Pirate Day or Voodoo Fest; these attract substantial crowds and may affect parking and transport availability, particularly near The Stade. For exploring geographically, the Old Town and seafront areas are easily walked and interconnected, though the East Hill Lift offers an alternative if you prefer not to navigate steep terrain on foot. Consider whether you want to base yourself near the beach or in the town centre, each has its own rhythm and atmosphere. Weekday versus weekend makes a difference too. Weekday events tend to be smaller, gallery-based, or community-focused, offering a quieter alternative to summer weekend crowds. Check whether an event repeats (annual festivals versus one-off performances) to avoid disappointment. Use the search and filter functions here to narrow by date, category, or type of venue. The Hastings Line provides straightforward rail access, so if parking concerns you during festivals, arriving by train avoids the logistical headache altogether.

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Where Can I Find Live Music In Hastings?

Hastings hosts a variety of live music events, particularly during seasonal festivals. The town's calendar includes recurring celebrations like Jack in the Green, which occurs throughout the year and brings a festive atmosphere to different areas. Voodoo Fest in October blends music, performance, and carnival elements in the Old Town setting. Hastings Pirate Day in July, recognised by Guinness World Records for the most pirates in one place, also features entertainment and live performance alongside its signature costume event. Check our nightlife and entertainment categories for current listings of gigs and performances, as live music offerings vary by season and venue.

What Kinds Of Events Happen In Hastings During The Week?

Events happen throughout the week in Hastings, though the frequency and scale vary. Weekdays typically feature smaller, community-focused activities such as gallery exhibitions, local workshops, and arts-related programming. The Quentin Blake Exhibition, celebrating the illustrator's work, runs as an ongoing display at Hastings Contemporary and offers a cultural anchor during the week. St Leonards Festival brings community arts programming to the calendar annually. Seasonal events like Jack in the Green appear year-round, while larger festivals concentrate in summer and autumn. Check our listings filtered by weekday to see what’s scheduled during your visit.

Which Hastings Venues Host The Most Events?

Your best approach is to browse our venue directory and filter by event frequency and type. Major seasonal festivals, Pirate Day, Voodoo Fest, and Jack in the Green, draw the most programming and visitor attention. The Stade beachfront hosts significant clustering of activities during festival periods. Smaller venues and galleries host ongoing exhibitions and community events throughout the year. Rather than any single venue dominating the entire calendar, Hastings’ activity spreads across different areas and types of experience, so checking the current schedule by date and category gives you the clearest picture of what’s available when you plan to visit.

What Are The Most Popular Event Categories In Hastings?

Our event listings are updated regularly to reflect current and upcoming activity in Hastings. Seasonal festivals and recurring events (such as Pirate Day, Voodoo Fest, Jack in the Green, and St Leonards Festival) appear in the calendar as their dates are confirmed. Community exhibitions like the Quentin Blake display at Hastings Contemporary are maintained as they run. For the most up-to-date information on what's happening this week or in the coming months, use our search and filter tools to check by date range. If you're looking for specific event types or particular venues, filtering by category will help you stay on top of announcements and new additions to the schedule.

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Events In Hastings This Weekend

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Events In Hastings This Week

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