A new year is upon us and while the skies may be grey and the weather cold, it’s a great time to start planning. So here are some of the best things to do in Sussex in 2024. Happy planning.
Wassailing
January
Wassailing is the custom of blessing the fruit trees and scaring away evil spirits in the hope of a good harvest later in the year. It also involves drinking and singing to the health of the trees. Across Sussex, you will find wassailing ceremonies at Michelham Priory in East Sussex on 20th January, at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in West Sussex on the 14th January and at Tarring in West Sussex on the 5th January.
Stargazing at Beachy Head
27 January and 24 February
Held at the Beachy Head Story Centre and using Eastbourne Astronomical Society’s telescopes, you can explore the night skies, view the craters on the moon and see the constellations in the night sky.
Dark Skies Festival
10 – 18 February
A celebration to explore the dark skies of the South Downs and the nocturnal wildlife that lives there. Visit the South Downs National Park website for more details.
Brighton & Hove Luxury Wedding Fair
24 March
Held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, if you’re planning on getting hitched this is an absolute must with suppliers, designers, a fashion show and lots more.
Arundel Tulip Festival
Dates (April) to be confirmed
Head to the castle grounds for an astonishing and frenzied array of colours and tulips of every description at this stunning tulip festival!
Hastings Jack in the Green
3 – 6 May (TBC)
Held in the historic seaside town of Hastings, this four-day event attracts thousands of people and is a traditional May Day celebration not to be missed! It includes live bands, dancing, sun (not guaranteed) and a colourful procession through the streets of Hastings Old Town with unique characters, dancers, drummers, giants and more. The big finale on the West Hill is the slaying of the Jack to release the spirit of summer.
Colour Obstacle Rush
11 May
At Brighton Racecourse this is one of the biggest runs in the world that combines colour and obstacles!
Battle of Lewes
11 to 12 May
Crown Events Limited presents the 760th Anniversary spectacle of King Henry III and Prince Edward’s Royalist army in mortal combat on the streets of Lewes against the forces of Simon de Montfort and his rebel barons. It’s a full-contact battle reenactment through the streets of the town.
Beer & Cider by the Sea, Eastbourne
17 – 19 May
Petworth Festival
10 to 27 July
A three-week cultural festival with artists and performers from the very top drawer right across the performing genres. Having started as a celebration of classical music, this Petworth festival now presents some of the leading names seen on the biggest stages around the world, including music, comedy and performing arts.
Women In White, Hurstpierpoint
12 & 13 July at The Players Theatre
Dionysus Theatre are a Sussex based theatre troupe, who breathe fresh life into well loved and sometimes forgotten classical plays. So grab your tickets for this tempestuous tale of love, betrayal and greed, skilfully adapted from Wilkie Collins’ haunting Victorian thriller by Robert Tremayne (La Mouette, School for Scandal, Twelfth Night). There are limited dates for this chilling new adaptation of ‘The Woman In White’. To book visit: www.dionysus-theatre.co.uk
Goodwood Festival of Speed
11 to 14 July
Described as “The world’s greatest celebration of motorsport and car culture!” and held at Goodwood House, the Festival of Speed is a chance to see (and in some cases drive) cars and bikes of every description and see many of them put through their paces around the circuit and up the Hillclimb track.
Brighton and Hove Pride
3 to 5 August
The UK’s biggest LGBTQ Pride festival and described as “Historic, inspired and unparalleled. Brighton Pride is one of the best international pride festivals, we love it” (Attitude Magazine). It’s a glittering and truly inclusive community celebration that delivers an unforgettable day of Pride.
Women In White, Southwick
3 August at The Barn Theatre, Southwick. (‘Pay What You Can’ Matinees at 1500 on 13th July & 3rd August)
Loxwood Joust
3-4, 10-11 & 17-18 August
A celebration of Medieval life this legendary and immersive event involves battles and jousts, banquets, village life and more.
Chichester Film Festival
August
A 21-day festival that brings the best in cinema from the UK and around the world and sees appearances from directors, actors, writers, composers and critics.
Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow
The UK’s biggest free seafront airshow returns with 4 days of spectacular flying and it’s all free. The Visit Eastbourne website will have all the details.
Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival
22 to 26 August
A vibrant music festival that provides diversity, quality, and inclusion. This Rye festival now attracts more than ten thousand visitors to enjoy acclaimed and internationally recognised artists (with both established and emerging music talent).
Floral Fringe Fair
31 August to 1 September
An eclectic and quirky fair, with artists and makers, vintage stalls, plants and flowers. All themed Steampunk, vintage or just a great hat. It’s a tad eccentric and typically British and held at Loxwood Meadow, Loxwood, West Sussex.
Eastbourne Walking Festival
September
Eastbourne Walking Festival is a nine-day celebration of the great outdoors. Promoting health and wellbeing there are organised, guided and self-guided walks for ages and levels of mobility- all designed to inspire visitors and residents of Eastbourne and help people discover the incredible trails, paths, and stories of discovery throughout this Victorian town and the surrounding South Downs National Park.
Goodwood Revival
6 to 8 September
Another epic annual event, and the only historic motor race meeting to be staged entirely in a period theme, Goodwood Revival is an immersive celebration of iconic cars and fashion.
Steyning Food and Drink Festival
September
This month-long food and drink festival is all about showcasing local products, producers and businesses, and all things food and drink together with supporting the local economy.
Battles Through History
28 to 29 September
A new and multi-period living history show being held at the South of England Showground will include Living History, Military Vehicles, Wargamers, Modelmakers, a Vintage Village, traders in all things of all eras. Museum quality exhibitors, hands-on history for the children to get involved with and battles, live music and entertainment – and many, many battles!
Lewes Bonfire
November
The Lewes Bonfire celebrations are epic and take the form of a series of torch-lit processions through the town. It is such a massive event that the town has to shut its borders and rains, and trains and buses stop running, so if you want to attend you’ll need to book accommodation early and stay overnight. Always held on the 5th unless it’s a Sunday.
Mediaeval Baebes
December
Enjoy a unique Christmas concert in Horsham with the Mediaeval Baebes. Combining tradition, Christianity, folklore, poetry and storytelling, the stunning voices of this award-winning choral band fill St Mary’s church to bursting with music from ancient times past and using traditional instruments.
We’ll be updating this post about the best things to do in Sussex in 2024, so please check back in periodically. You may also find the following posts helpful:
