Page content section :

Other festivals through the year across Sussex

We have put together this webpage for those of you who now have the 'festival bug' having enjoyed the Adur Festival and Adur Art Trail. There are a wide range of arts, music, comedy, drama, theatrical and other types of festival that take place across East and West Sussex throughout the year.

Please use the list below to find weblinks to the external websites of other festivals in Sussex that may be of interest to you :
(Note : Festivals are listed alphabetically under the month(s) they occur in. Adur Festival is not responsible for the content or accuracy of these other external websites - before you travel to any event please check details with the relevant organiser(s) to ensure that they are still happening).

Let us know about your festival

Are we missing a festival? If you know of another festival somewhere in East or West Sussex then let us know and we can add it to this listing :


January

  • None found so far ...

Go to top of page

February

  • Brighton Science Festival
    A week long programme crammed with exciting events, including workshops, demonstrations, talks, debates, hands-on activities and much more. The Festival is designed to engage the whole family, young and old. It aims to inform, convince, challenge and entertain anyone curious about why things happen the way they do.
  • Soundwave
    Annual audio festival for young people. Takes place in the winter half-term.

Go to top of page

March

  • Eastbourne Festival
    A two week celebration of art and culture around the end of March/beginning of April.
    Events include artists open houses, art exhibitions and a film festival.
  • Sussex Beer Festival
    Organised by the Sussex CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)

Go to top of page

April

  • Eastbourne Festival
    A two week celebration of art and culture around the end of March/beginning of April.
    Events include artists open houses, art exhibitions and a film festival.
  • Eastbourne Artist's Open Houses
    Artists across Eastbourne showing their work over one weekend.
  • End of the Pier International Film Festival
    The festival is primarily a short film competition for independent, low-budget, and new young film makers. Held at venues throughout the South East of the United Kingdom.

Go to top of page

May

  • Adur Festival bean manAdur Festival - 2009 dates : Friday 5th to Sunday 21st June
    See the rest of this website for full details of what is on ...
    (sometimes events start in end of May)
  • Artists Open Houses Festival, Brighton and Hove
    The Artists Open Houses takes place every May during the Brighton Festival and offer a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see artwork displayed in a domestic setting and to buy affordable work direct from local artists and makers
  • Battle Festival
    Evolving festival, moving towards satire and literature including celebrity one-person shows. Runs for a week from late May to early June every year.
  • Beach Dreams, Shoreham-by-Sea
    The unique community put up a huge marquee and throw a massive community party which begins with the now legendary parades and art structures - the Notting Hill Carnival of Sussex!
  • Black Horse Festival
    Blues, folk, world music and young bands. Held in Telham every spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May.
  • Brighton Festival
    Music, theatre, exhibitions, workshops and open houses - England’s biggest arts festival is right on our doorstep. Takes place annually over the first three weeks in May.
  • Brighton Fringe Festival
    The Brighton Festival Fringe is an open-access arts festival which works in much the same way as the Edinburgh and the Adelaide Fringe.
    See also : www.upstairsatthreeandten.co.uk
  • Charleston Festival
    A variety of literary events featuring writers, authors, artists, musicians and actors who entertain the Festival audience, that coincide with the Brighton Festival.
  • Eastbourne International Folk Dance Festival
    A mix of both well-established and up-and-coming bands and dance callers, it offers a tremendous variety of dance practice workshops, the spectacle of visiting display sides and the evening social dances
  • End of the Pier International Film Festival
    The festival is primarily a short film competition for independent, low-budget, and new young film makers. Held at venues throughout the South East of the United Kingdom.
  • Glyndebourne Festival Opera
    World famous operatic performances.
  • Great Escape Festival
    Over 200 new local and international artists are showcased in 25 venues over 3 days in Brighton.
  • Jack-in-the-Green, Hastings
    Traditional music, morris dancing and ceilidhs. Held every May Day bank holiday.
  • Lewes Folk Rock Festival
    Two days of folk rock ...
  • Mayfield Festival
    Classical music, international soloists and major choral work. Bi-annual festival that runs for 10 days during early May.
  • Rx Wildlife and Culture Festival
    Get out and discover the special wildlife along the coast from Hastings to Hythe. Lots of environmental and cultural activities for all the family. Covers the half-term holiday in late May.
  • Steyning Country Fair
    Celebrates the heritage of Steyning, with traditional crafts and farmers' produce. Takes place on the bank holiday Monday at the end of May.
  • Steyning Festival
    Including music, visual arts, theatre, literature, dance, workshops, walks, and community events.

Go to top of page

June

  • Adur Festival bean manAdur Festival - first two weeks of June every year
    See the rest of this website for full details of what is on ...
    2009 dates : Friday 5th to Sunday 21st June
  • Artists Open Houses Festival, Brighton and Hove
    The Artists Open Houses takes place every May during the Brighton Festival and offer a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see artwork displayed in a domestic setting and to buy affordable work direct from local artists and makers
  • Battle Festival
    Evolving festival, moving towards satire and literature including celebrity one-person shows. Runs for a week from late May to early June every year.
  • Beach Dreams, Shoreham-by-Sea
    The unique community put up a huge marquee and throw a massive community party which begins with the now legendary parades and art structures - the Notting Hill Carnival of Sussex!
  • Bike Week
    Bike Week is an annual opportunity to promote cycling as a source of fitness and fun at hundreds of cycling events up and down the UK!
  • Chichester Festivites
    A mix of classical, music, talks, and outdoor events.
  • Crawley Festival
    Wide range of music, walks, talks, and community events.
  • Crawley Folk Festival
    Folk / Blues / Celtic - a three day family friendly celebration of the best traditional and contemporary music that the folk scene has to offer! (See also www.hawth.co.uk).
  • Durrington Festival
    Wide range of community events including: village fayre, carnival and evening concert.
  • Glyndebourne Festival Opera : mid May to late August.
    World famous operatic performances.
  • Lewes Live Literature
    A festival for young people themed around empowerment through language, freedom of speech, human rights and liberties.
  • South East Open Studios event
    Every year in June, artists and craftspeople across south east England open their doors to the public. It is a unique opportunity to meet, talk to and see them at work
  • Steyning Festival
    Including music, visual arts, theatre, literature, dance, workshops, walks, and community events.

Go to top of page

July

  • Barns Green Music Festival
    Live music festival at Barns Green, near Horsahm.
  • Brighton Carnival
    Over 800 people on parade and the Brighton Carnival Village has added a whole new carnival festival site with more music, more food, and more fun than ever before!
  • Brighton Kite Festival
    Brighton Kite Festival is one of, if not the, longest running kite festivals in the UK. It takes place in Stanmer Park, Brighton, and has happened for over 30 consecutive years.
  • Chichester Festivites
    A mix of classical, music, talks, and outdoor events.
  • Crawley Festival
    Wide range of music, walks, talks, and community events.
  • East Preston Festival (between Littlehampton and Worthing)
    Lots of events and competitions ...
  • Etchingham Arts Festival
    Classical music concerts in lovely Etchingham Parish Church. Includes new work and young musicians. Runs every year for ten days starting on the first Saturday in July.
  • Glyndebourne Festival Opera
    World famous operatic performances.
  • Goodwood Festival of Speed
    The three day Festival of Speed is motor racing's equivalent of Ascot or Wimbledon: an extravaganza of sound and colour that has been described as 'the garden party of the Gods'. The Festival can justifiably claim to be the world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport and car culture.
  • Lewes Guitar Festival
    Staging artists from around the globe as well as down the road.
  • Petworth Festival
    the Petworth Festival brings the finest performers from all corners of the globe to play in this beautiful West Sussex market town.
  • Thomas Paine, Revolution and Reason (Lewes)
    A major Festival in celebration of the six years that Thomas Paine spent in Lewes prior to his departure to America.
  • Uckfield Art Trail
    A wide range of art displays and exhibitions, demonsrations and courses.
  • Uckfield Festival
    Mixed arts events and parade.
  • Worthing Festival
    Range of events, organised by Worthing Lions Club.

Go to top of page

August

  • Artwave (Lewes)
    Annual visual arts festival.
  • Arundel Festival
    Ten days of the best music (rock, folk and classical), theatre, art and comedy.
  • Beachdown Festival, Devil's Dyke, Brighton
    The Beachdown Festival is a music festival held on a beautiful site nestled in the South Downs, at Devil’s Dyke.
  • Chichester Jazz Festival
    Live jazz cruises with three sailings a day along the tranquil Chichester Canal, plus city-based concerts at various local venues.
  • Coastal Currents
    Open studios, exhibitions and street art performances in Hastings and Rother. Runs for four weeks, late August to late September.
  • Eastbourne Lammas Festival
    A free extravaganza of folk music, morris dancing, traditional giants, carnival and entertainment for everyone.
  • England's Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle
    Over 1,000 Knights, Bowmen and Men-at-Arms will lay siege to the Castle - England's largest medieval battle with full cannon support. Activities and entertainment for the whole family.
  • Glyndebourne Festival Opera
    World famous operatic performances.
  • Lewes Guitar Festival
    Staging artists from around the globe as well as down the road.
  • Petworth Festival
    the Petworth Festival brings the finest performers from all corners of the globe to play in this beautiful West Sussex market town.
  • Selsey Festival
    Arts, music, dance, drama, exhibitions, family fun and community events.
  • Worthing Festival
    Range of events, organised by Worthing Lions Club.

Go to top of page

September

  • Adur Arts Live
    Autumn Arts and Music Festival.
  • Artwave (Lewes)
    Annual visual arts festival.
  • Chichester Festival Theatre
    Chichester Festival Theatre has an international reputation for producing a wide range of theatrical productions, from musicals and comedies, to classic drama and innovative new writing.
  • Chiddingly Festival
    Long established village mixed arts festival with performances in the village hall, pub and church. Always includes an international event. Last week in September and first week in October every year.
  • Coastal Currents
    Open Studios, exhibitions and street art performances in Hastings and Rother. Runs for four weeks, late August to late September.
  • Goodwood Revival
    The three day Revival is a magical step back in time and a chance for visitors to revel in the romance and theatre of motor racing as it used to be. Most visitors wear appropriate period clothing and no modern vehicles are allowed within the circuit perimeter throughout the weekend. Theatrical sets bring the past back to life and a celebration of the aviation heritage with some stunning aerial manoeuvres throughout the skies above this WWII former aerodrome.
  • Out of the Ordinary (OOTO) Festival
    Out of the Ordinary Festival is held at Knockhatch Farm, near Hailsham. 'Ootopia' is a combination of healing events and ceremonies, amazing workshops and talks, live music, healthy food and drink and an incredible vibe, all set in the beautiful fields and woodland of the Sussex Downs.
  • Rye Festival
    Emphasis on classical music and literature.
  • Seaford Live!
    Seaford’s music and arts festival.
  • Small Wonder Short Story Festival (Charelston)
    Short story festival featuring workshops, readings and the chance to meet well-known writers. Takes place mid September.
  • White Air Extreme Sports
    From 2009 White Air will be taking up Brighton Beach for what will be Europes' biggest extreme sports festival ever.

Go to top of page

October

Go to top of page

November

Go to top of page

December

Go to top of page

Various times of the year

  • Boxbird (Hove)
    Boxbird specialises in limited edition and original artwork by some of the most exciting contemporary illustrators and printmakers. As well as established artists Boxbird is keen to support graduate and student artists.
  • South East Dance
    The mission of South East Dance is to develop more and better dance, for communities, screen and performance through innovative, trailblazing and experimental programmes
  • University of Brighton Gallery and Sallis Benney Theatre
    Exhibitions and performances at various times during the year.
  • West Sussex Open Studios
    At certain times during the year, artists across West Sussex open their doors to the public. Join over 260 artists and makers in a world of creation and imagination. Talk to them in a friendly, informal atmosphere and learn more about the way in which they work.

Go to top of page


Other useful websites

Go to top of page


Food and drink festivals and events

Food festivals commonly take place over the late Summer and Autumn months.

August

September

October

December

 

Please note :

  • Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the events listed on this website. However, Adur District Council and Adur Festival cannot be held responsible for any changes to any of the events, including cancellations.
  • Adur Festival is not responsible for the content or accuracy of these other external websites - please check details with the relevant organiser(s) before you travel to any event.

Go to top of page

 

: Go to top of page


Diary of Festival Events :

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

18 May :

19 May :

20 May :

21 May :

22 May :

23 May :

24 May :

25 May :

26 May :

27 May :

28 May :

29 May :

30 May :

31 May :

1 June :

2 June :

3 June :

4 June :

5 June :

6 June :

7 June :

8 June :

9 June :

10 June :

11 June :

12 June :

13 June :

14 June :

15 June :

16 June :

17 June :

18 June :

19 June :

20 June :

21 June :

22 June :

23 June :

24 June :

25 June :

26 June :

27 June :

28 June :

29 June :

30 June :

1 July :

2 July :

3 July :

4 July :

5 July :

: Go to top of page


Tickets and bookings :

See individual events for details or see our tickets and bookings page

: Go to top of page


Contact us :

For more information about Adur Festival, or a copy of the Festival Guide, you can either :
phone (01273) 263311
(9am to 12 noon, Mon to Fri)
or send Adur Festival an e-mail

For information about arts initiatives in Adur please contact :
Pamela Driscoll on (01273) 263274
or Send Pamela an e-mail

: Go to top of page


Footer section :

© Adur Festival : Disclaimers and notices : Last updated : 1 July, 2009

Go to top of page : Click here to find out more about Adur Festival website accessibility


Website accreditation - click for more details:

: Go to top of page