Plan your festive fun in Hastings with our ultimate event guide. From hometown residents to holiday guests, our guide showcases the best of Hastings's festive season.
One highlight of the season is the Bewl Water Christmas, where visitors can enjoy a magical winter trail through breathtaking scenery. Another captivating event is the Hever Castle Christmas, featuring stunning decorations and enchanting displays that bring the historic venue to life. And don't forget the Hastings Bonfire, renowned for its vibrant procession and remarkable firework displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Hastings
- Bewl Water Christmas (Lamberhurst)
- Hever Castle Christmas (Hever)
- Brighton Christmas Market (Brighton)
- Chiddingstone Castle Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas (Chiddingstone)
- Hastings Bonfire
- Bluebell Railway Santa Specials (East Grinstead)
- Leonardslee Illuminated (Lower Beeding)
- Hastings Storytelling Festival
- Borde Hill Santa Grotto Experience (Haywards Heath)
- Borde Hill Garden Christmas Market (Haywards Heath)
See these and even more events listed below!
Hastings Holiday Light Displays
Hever Castle Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and character meet-and-greets.
Description:
Hever Castle Christmas features beautifully decorated rooms, festive lights, and reimagined classic tales. Meet beloved characters and enjoy shopping, dining, and fairground rides.
Where: Hever | More Info: Hever Castle Christmas
Leonardslee Illuminated
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound trail through historic gardens.
Description:
Walk through the beautifully landscaped Grade I listed gardens of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, illuminated with spellbinding lights, projections, and interactive installations. The trail features a spectacular winter display with seasonal food and drink options, funfair rides, and a Christmas Market.
Where: Lower Beeding | More Info: Leonardslee Illuminated
Hastings Holiday Markets and Shopping
Brighton Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans and independent businesses under one roof.
Description:
Brighton Christmas Market showcases local independent companies offering a variety of unique gifts, handmade crafts, and delicious seasonal treats.
Where: Brighton | More Info: Brighton Christmas Market
Borde Hill Garden Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas story trail and Santa's grotto.
Description:
Borde Hill Garden offers a festive Christmas celebration with a kids' trail and Santa's grotto, featuring an uplifting Christmas story trail and festive crafts.
Where: Haywards Heath | More Info: Borde Hill Garden Christmas Market
The Big Purple Christmas Extravaganza
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday market with diverse gift options.
Description:
The Big Purple Christmas Extravaganza is an indoor Christmas fair featuring crafts, gifts, new age goods, food gifts, toys, and Christmas decorations.
Where: Haywards Heath | More Info: The Big Purple Christmas Extravaganza
Hastings Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hastings Storytelling Festival
What to Expect:
Diverse and inclusive storytelling for all ages.
Description:
The Hastings Storytelling Festival is a diverse and inclusive celebration of storytelling, featuring workshops, performances, and interactive events for all ages. With patrons like Quentin Blake and Inua Ellams, the festival showcases a wide range of artistic expressions, from spoken word to puppetry and digital media.
Where: Hastings | More Info: Hastings Storytelling Festival
Christmas at White Rock Theatre
What to Expect:
Classic Lloyd Webber musical with Technicolor costumes and memorable songs.
Description:
White Rock Theatre presents an amateur production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring unforgettable songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. This timeless tale of dreams, love, and forgiveness is filled with song, dance, and humour, making it ideal entertainment for all family members.
Where: Hastings | More Info: Christmas at White Rock Theatre
Royal Hippodrome Theatre Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive pantomime with special effects and a magic carpet.
Description:
Join us for a GENIE-US pantomime adventure featuring stunning sets, musical hits, fabulous costumes, and special effects. Enjoy a laugh-a-minute extravaganza with Luke Roberts and Paul Leno in true hippodrome style. Will Aladdin save the day? Will he marry Princess Jasmine? The Genie's fate is in your hands.
Where: Eastbourne | More Info: Royal Hippodrome Theatre Christmas
The Brighton Centre Christmas
What to Expect:
Rick Astley's big band tour featuring festive classics.
Description:
Global star Rick Astley performs swing and festive classics at The Brighton Centre, capturing the essence of the golden age of big band music.
Where: Brighton | More Info: The Brighton Centre Christmas
Hawth Theatre Christmas
What to Expect:
Award-winning production with diverse cast and special effects.
Description:
The Hawth Theatre presents Jack and the Beanstalk, a fun-filled family pantomime starring TV legend Steve McFadden as Fleshcreep. The show features a talented cast including Michael J Batchelor, Joey Wilby, Erin Armstrong, Joe Gash, and Annell Odartey. With stunning sets, hilarious comedy, and breathtaking special effects, this pantomime promises to be an ultimate adventure for the whole family.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Hawth Theatre Christmas
Hastings Other Holiday Activities
Hastings Bonfire
What to Expect:
Longest single torchlit procession in Sussex.
Description:
The Hastings Bonfire is a vibrant celebration commemorating the thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. It features a torchlit procession, drumming, bonfire, and grand finale fireworks display along the beach.
Where: Hastings | More Info: Hastings Bonfire
Bewl Water Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive Christmas experience with interactive workshops and personalized Santa visits.
Description:
At Bewl Water, families embark on a festive adventure filled with activities, crafts, and live performances. Each child receives a Christmas passport to collect stamps at various workshops, including Santa's Post Office, The Elves' Craft Workshop, and Reindeer Food Making. The event features immersive wonderlands, play zones, and a personalized visit to Santa's Grotto.
Where: Lamberhurst | More Info: Bewl Water Christmas
Chiddingstone Castle Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas experience with Father Christmas and a festive trail.
Description:
Join Chiddingstone Castle for a special Christmas experience where Father Christmas greets each table individually, handing out goody bags to children. Enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea in the Great Hall while participating in a festive trail to help Father Christmas complete his Christmas list.
Where: Chiddingstone | More Info: Chiddingstone Castle Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas
Bluebell Railway Santa Specials
What to Expect:
Traditional festive experience with Santa meet-and-greets and holiday treats.
Description:
Embark on a festive journey with the Bluebell Railway Santa Specials. Enjoy a cozy compartment, Christmas music, and chocolate coins. Meet Santa at his parlour, explore traditional amusement attractions, and indulge in mulled wine and festive treats.
Where: East Grinstead | More Info: Bluebell Railway Santa Specials
Borde Hill Santa Grotto Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas story trail and Santa's Grotto experience.
Description:
At Borde Hill, children can write letters to Santa and explore the Garden on a Christmas story trail. The event includes festive crafts in Santa's Workshop and a visit to see Santa in his Grotto, where each child receives a Christmas gift. The Garden is open from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, offering stunning views and activities for the whole family.
Where: Haywards Heath | More Info: Borde Hill Santa Grotto Experience
Tates of Sussex Garden Centres Santa’s Grotto
What to Expect:
Meet Santa in a charming toy shop setting with special gifts.
Description:
Visit Tates of Sussex Garden Centres to meet Santa Claus in a charming toy shop setting, where you can discover hidden doors and receive a special gift. This event is run on behalf of the Budding Foundation Charity, with all profits from ticket sales used to fund local charitable projects.
Where: Various | More Info: Tates of Sussex Garden Centres Santa’s Grotto
Drusillas Park Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Meet Santa in his cozy cottage, join in with the singing reindeer trio, and marvel at the 24-foot Christmas tree amidst twinkling decorations.
Where: Berwick | More Info: Drusillas Park Christmas
Bodiam Castle Merry Medieval Christmas
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas celebration with historical insights and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Explore Bodiam Castle this winter and immerse yourself in a medieval Christmas celebration. The castle is adorned with natural foliage and greenery, offering insights into extravagant feasts and celebrations of the past. Engage in festive minstrel dance practices, learn about medieval Christmas feasts, and enjoy various games and activities perfect for families.
Where: Robertsbridge | More Info: Bodiam Castle Merry Medieval Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Bexhill-on-Sea (5 miles)
- Eastbourne (14 miles)
- Seaford (22 miles)
- Crowborough (23 miles)
- Royal Tunbridge Wells (24 miles)
- Tonbridge (27 miles)
- Rottingdean (28 miles)
- Maidstone (29 miles)
- Folkestone (30 miles)
- Haywards Heath (31 miles)
- Brighton (31 miles)
- East Grinstead (32 miles)
- Burgess Hill (32 miles)
- Hove (33 miles)
- Sevenoaks (33 miles)
- Sittingbourne (34 miles)
- Chatham (36 miles)
- Canterbury (36 miles)
- Gillingham (37 miles)
- Rochester (37 miles)
- Dover (37 miles)
- Strood (37 miles)
- Crawley (38 miles)
- Horley (39 miles)
- Whitstable (40 miles)
- Caterham (41 miles)
- Swanley (41 miles)
- Gravesend (42 miles)
- Worthing (42 miles)
- Horsham (42 miles)
- Redhill (42 miles)
- Herne Bay (43 miles)
- Reigate (43 miles)
- Dartford (44 miles)
- Deal (44 miles)
- Grays (44 miles)
- Bexley (45 miles)
- Purley (45 miles)
- Coulsdon (45 miles)