Visitors Guides:
Culture
East Sussex has always attracted artists of all kinds, and the arts and culture are at the heart of life here. You can see cutting edge shows, important collections and world famous performers all year round.
There are arts festivals galore, from Brighton Festival, England's largest, with an international mix of opera, jazz, dance and theatre and Glyndebourne Festival Opera at the famous Opera House, to small and vibrant village festivals. There are festivals devoted to literature, dance, visual arts, jazz, classical music, street theatre - you name it, we've got it.
Less well known are the treasures in the museums and galleries. See the work of Edward Burra and Paul Nash at Rye Art Gallery, five galleries of 20th century paintings at Eastbourne's Towner Art Gallery and Art Nouveau and Art Deco at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. For contemporary work, try the elegantly restored St Mary in the Castle in Hastings, the Crypt Gallery in Seaford and the 1930's De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, worth a visit for its modernist style alone.
On stage you can see everything from jazz divas and rock legends to international orchestras, leading dance companies and acclaimed theatre groups as well as fringe theatre, alternative comedy and up and coming bands at smaller, more intimate venues.
East Sussex Festivals
april
Lewes Festival
may
Brighton Festival
Charleston Festival
Hastings Jack in the Green Festival of Morris Dancing
august
Hastings Old Town Carnival
Herstmonceux
Medieval Festival
september & october
Coastal Currents, 1066 Country
Chiddingly Festival
october
Eastbourne Beer Festival
Glyndebourne Touring Opera
