An Adrenalin-Filled, Family-Fun Season of Events in Eastbourne!

Eastbourne always promises to provide a season of fantastic events, from the fast-paced and high-intensity events to the more tranquil and relaxing ones, there will most certainly be something to suit the varying tastes of all, from the oldest visitors to the youngest visitors to Eastbourne this year! 

Take a look at all the major events happening in Eastbourne in 2016!

21 April - The Queen’s Birthday Beacon Lighting and Party

Come and join Eastbourne in celebrating the Queen’s 90^th Birthday with a Beacon Lighting and Party, completely free to attend. Opening with a party complete with DJ set from “DJ Oli”, the evening commences with a torch-lit procession, followed by the lighting of the Queen’s Birthday Beacon and firework display. Find more information at www.VisitEastbourne.com.

30 April - 1 May – Magnificent Motors

Celebrating the world of classic motoring, Magnificent Motors is a fabulously vintage free bank holiday festival, with over 600 classic cars, campers, bicycles, motorbikes, military vehicles and more exhibiting on Eastbourne’s seafront facing Western Lawns. With a cavalcade each day, the festival provides live music entertainment, food, drink and a funfair atmosphere, plus this year’s festival will be made complete with a four day Vintage market on Eastbourne’s promenade. Find out more at www.VisitEastbourne.com/magnificent-motors.

13-15 May - Museums at Night

Eastbourne’s 200 year old Napoleonic Redoubt Fortress will be joining in with national ‘Museums at Night’ events across the country, by putting on three film screenings across the three days; Alien (1979), The Mummy (1959) and a family friendly screening of One of my Dinosaur’s is Missing (1975) with fossil making and face-painting. Discover more at www.EastbourneMuseums.co.uk.

27-29 May - Beer and Cider by the Sea Festival

Eastbourne’s annual Spring bank holiday festival, Beer and Cider by the Sea takes place from 27-29 May on Eastbourne’s Western Lawns. Come and sample over 60 real ales; many brewed locally in Sussex, more than of 48 Ciders and Perries from the National Cider and Perry collection, plus wine, cocktails, Pimms and more! Wash it all down with a weekend line-up of live music on the festival stage. For ticket sales information and more go to www.VisitEastbourne.com/events.

11 June – Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival – (Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II 90^th Birthday)

The biggest seafront carnival in the South East returns to Eastbourne’s seafront, this year the carnival also celebrates the Queen’s 90^th Birthday. Expect extravagantly decorated floats, exquisite costumes and plenty of cheer fit for a royal celebration. For more information go to www.eastbournecarnival.co.uk.

12 June – Eastbourne Triathlon – New for 2016

Brand new for 2016, the Eastbourne Triathlon builds on Eastbourne’s reputation for hosting great coastal challenges in stunning surroundings. Participants will join elite triathletes, Ben Allen and Jackie Slack in swimming 600 metres in Eastbourne’s warm sea waters, cycling 25km in the stunning South Downs National Park and then running 5km run along Eastbourne’s glorious promenade. Go to www.eastbournetriathlon.com to enter.

18 -25 June - Aegon Eastbourne International (WTA Women's International Tennis)

The Aegon Eastbourne International is back for another adrenalin-filled week of tennis. It always attracts many of top ten international players from the world of women’s tennis, as they come to Eastbourne – the hometown of current British number 1, Johanna Konta - to battle it out for the ultimate, pre-Wimbledon trophy, and with the announcements that Petra Kvitova and defending champion Belinda Bencic will be returning to Devonshire Park this June, this year's tournament is already set to be a scorcher! Visit www.VisitEastbourne.com/tennis for information on booking and further tournament details.

18 -19 June - Eastbourne Feastival

In its second year, Eastbourne Feastival brings a fusion of international cuisine, culture, music and dance in a weekend long festival set in Eastbourne’s stunning Princes Park, a stone’s throw away from the beach, completely free to enter. Visit www.eastbournefeastival.com to discover more.

16 July - MCS Big Sea Swim

The Marine Conservation Society has chosen to hold its Big Sea Swim in Eastbourne for the fourth year running, due to Eastbourne’s high standards of clean sea water. Take the plunge and swim 1km or 3km on a hot summer’s day whilst raising money to support the conservation of the UK’s seas and oceans for everyone. Enter at www.mcsuk.org/swim.

16-17 July – Beach Life Festival including Eastbourne Extreme

Eastbourne’s Beach Life Festival kick starts the summer holidays with an adventure filled weekend on Eastbourne seafront, at the South Coast’s coolest free extreme sports festival. Featuring a line-up of land and water based outdoor pursuits, from 11am daily, the festival vibes continue with live entertainment on the music stage. Go to www.visiteastbourne.com/extreme for festival updates.

30-31 July - Lammas Festival – Folk Music and Dance

Lammas Festival brings folk music, dance and entertainment to Eastbourne’s seafront facing Western Lawns, in a free two day festival dedicated to marking the cutting of the first corn crop, a traditional folk celebration at the beginning of harvesting season. Discover more at www.lammasfest.org.

11-14 August - Airbourne - Eastbourne International Airshow

Eastbourne’s award-winning international airshow, Airbourne now in its 24^th year, flies into Eastbourne in August for another free four day event featuring many of the best display teams on the international circuit, with the RAF Red Arrows, King Air, Eurofighter Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight all confirmed to fly! Keep up to speed with flying line-up announcements at www.eastbourneairshow.com.

10-11 September – Steampunk Festival

Escape into a quirky unknown universe of the science-fiction sub-genre, Steampunk which sees Victoriana meeting the cyber-world. With unique Steampunk activities commencing throughout the two days and a Masquerade Ball on the evening of 10 September. Go to www.steampunkfestival.co.uk for further information.

24 September – 2 October – Coast and Country Walking Festival

Organised by Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council, the nine day festival offers a diverse range of tour-guided walks through some of East Sussex’s most beautiful terrain. From Nordic walking to brewery walks, the festival offers something for people from all walks of life. Visit www.sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk for more information.

1 October - Eastbourne Bonfire Society Procession, Fireworks & Bonfire

A torch-lit Bonfire Procession on Eastbourne’s seafront sees drummers, pipers, dancers and bonfire societies from all over the county joining the Eastbourne Bonfire Society to celebrate bonfire season in Sussex, a tradition dating back centuries, complete with a beach bonfire and grand firework display. More information at www.visiteastbourne.com.

6-8 October – Eastbourne Beer Festival

Get to Eastbourne’s much-loved Autumn Beer Festival to sample from range of over 160 real cask ales on tap, many quirky named brews and plenty of award winning ales, and many more delicious beverages from the Wine Bar, Cider Bar and the International Bottled Beers Bar. The festival dedicated to the nation’s favourite past-time would not be complete without pub games, live entertainment and some tasty treats to complement the fine drink on offer. For updates and ticket release information go to www.visiteastbourne.com/beer-festival.

29 October – Beachy Head Marathon and 10K Race

Eastbourne’s Beachy Head Marathon is renowned for being one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK, popular for its scenic and challenging route through the South Downs National Park countryside. The race now incorporates a 10k run, for a slightly smaller challenge, but with the same reward of breathtaking views. Enter now at www.BeachyHeadMarathon.org.uk.

3-18 December – Eastbourne Christmas Market

After the first successful Christmas Market, Eastbourne’s Chamber of Commerce brings the traditional wooden stall Christmas market back to the Bandstand for a longer sting in 2016. Explore the market, feast on festive favourite foods, buy some unique Christmas gifts and marvel at the Bandstand’s beautiful transformation into a Winter Wonderland. Find out more at www.VisitEastbourne.com

Keep up to date with a complete guide to all Eastbourne events at www.VisitEastbourne.com/events.

Magnificent Motors and More to Make the Most Perfect Vintage Visit to Eastbourne

Eastbourne has one of the most stunning Victorian promenades, Pier and many Victorian buildings which adds beauty and history to our Seaside Town. However, Eastbourne offers up so much more in the way of vintage for a stylish break by the sea.

For a truly vintage festival, a visit to Eastbourne this Bank Holiday weekend is a must, when 'Magnificent Motors' takes over Eastbourne's Western Lawns. The free festival will showcase hundreds of vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses and steam powered vehicles.

Step back in time and admire the beautiful motors on display, imaging the journey's they made in wartime Britain, the swinging sixties and post-war America, and learning about the stories behind the cars and their previous owners.

Modern day Ferrari's, Porsche and Lotus models are just a small handful of the beautiful motors which can be found at the seafront motoring festival, and every motoring fan will find something to get their gears going! 

Magnificent Motors runs between 2 and 3 May, and begins each day with a seafront cavalcade at 10am, from the Eastern Seafront (near to Sovereign Harbour) to the Western Lawns - showing off the vintage variety of vehicles for all to admire. The lawns will be filled with exhibits, live bands and childrens's rides to complete the vintage festival atmosphere. The four day continental market from 1-4 May, will have many delicious foods on offer, so why not take a picnic basket and blanket for a lunch beside the sea? Put the pedal to the metal and get yourself down to Eastbourne for stunning cars in the sunshine!

If you're looking for a way to explore the beautiful South Downs National Park, then jumping on board a 1920's Rolls Royce Tourer, on a brand new vintage chauffer-driven tour is the perfect way to see it. 

Work up an appetite taking in all the beauty of the Sussex countryside, and indulge in an Afternoon Tea at one of the many hotels and cafe's in Eastbourne offering up vintage teas. The Grand Hotel, often dubbed as 'Downton-by-Sea' is a classic and historical hotel of grand beauty, inside and out, and for an elegant Afternoon Tea this is where one should go. The clifftop Hydro Hotel offers up fabulous art deco interior and gorgeous gardens to devour a delicious Sussex cream tea in. The Redoubt Fortress's very own vintage styled cafe, The Outpost, serves a very purse friendly and appetizing 'General's Cream Tea', in surroundings reminiscent of a world-war two living room! 

On Friday 2 May, step back in time at the opening night of the Bandstand season - when the Legends Tribute extravaganza brings the Grade 2 listed Victorian Bandstand to life! The Legends Tribute Show will have you reliving your teenage memories as you dance away to hits from rock and pop legends from past decades, including Johnny Cash, Lionel Richie, Buddy Holly, The Euyrthmics, Bonnie Tyler, Madonna, Amy Winehouse and many many more! A dazzling firework display will make a grand finale ending to the show!

So, put your best frock on and come and experience the fabulous vintage fun on offer in Eastbourne this May Bank Holiday!

Come to Eastbourne for a Dirty Knees Up this Bank Holiday Weekend!

Eastbourne, usually a very clean town, is getting messy in May with a packed-out Bank Holiday weekend of dirty, mucky and down right messy fun! 

Magnificent Motors By Graham Huntley

Motoring fans can get messy with grease as they admire the 'Magnificent Motors' of over 400 classic and vintage cars, not to mention motorbikes, buses, vans, military and steam engines, all on the Western Lawns on Eastbourne's gorgeous seafront from 2-3 May. On Sunday night, head to the Arlington Stadium for even more high octane thrills when Eastbourne Eagles race in a national speedway league fixture on the dusty motorbike racing track.

Friday 1 May sees the Bandstand season kick off with a dramatic BANG with a fireworks display to end a concert of legendary rock and pop in the 'Legends TributeShow'. Get your rock on and remember your dirty concert days, with tributes acts impersonating Billy Idol, Prince, Dire Straits, Blondie and many many more!

Hilarious theatre show 'Dirty Dusting' on Saturday 2 May at the Royal Hippodrome, will challenge your perceptions of a housekeeping service. Staring ITV Benidorm’s Crissy Rock, this heart-warming comedy tells the story of three 'blue-rinse' cleaning ladies, who inadvertently start up a telephone sex chat line. 

For some grittier culture, why not take a self-guided Heritage Walking Tour and learn about the seedier side of Eastbourne’s history, discovering grisly murders and wartime events. The 200 year old Redoubt Fortress reveals some spooky cells and next door, Eastbourne’s new Summerdown Camp exhibition unearths some fascinating archaeological finds from the UK’s largest WW1 convalescent camp which opened in Eastbourne 100 years ago.

Eastbourne's promenade will become a hub for rich pungent smells, as the continental market provides gourmet cheeses and lots more of the smelly food variety, from 1-4 May. Clean up your act and treat your partner to a romantic picnic on the Western Lawns, whilst admiring the vintage vehicles. As the day draws to a close, head to the Grand Hotel, England’s only 5 star coastal luxury hotel, to enjoy the perfect Dirty Martini pre-dinner cocktail on the terrace. 

Foodies can get their hands dirty by the seaside, at The Belgian Cafe ripping open delicious mussels, which come in 50 different varieties. Or why not go for the classic seaside dinner in a paper bag, with fish and chips from The Chippy at the Pier - sit on the beach and enjoy the salty air as it blows through your hair!

The Mowbray 4 star guesthouse is offering free ‘Dirty Dusting’ theatre tickets with every booking of three nights or more.  To book call 01323 710012 or visit www.themowbray.com

For more information and accommodation visit www.visiteastbourne.com. 

Magnificent Motors returns with a drive in movie night!

Magnificent Motors is famously one of the biggest FREE motoring spectaculars on the South Coast and it returns on 4 – 5 May for the 10^th time with a dazzling anniversary display of over a century of motoring and a drive in movie night on Saturday 4 May.

Returning to the show’s original seafront venue after two years in the park, Eastbourne’s Western Lawns will welcome back over 600 vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses and more at the two day festival.

In addition to a display of 600 classic and vintage vehicles, there will also be a drive in movie night showing classic car movie, ‘The Italian Job’.

Tickets for the drive in movie can be bought at Eastbourne theatres box office call 01323 412000/ 415555 and are £15 per car, passenger numbers not to exceed seatbelts. Walk in tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children bring your own deckchair or blanket some limited seating will be available. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:30pm showing of the film on Saturday 4 May.

The drive in will also be running some great competitions! The first is the Italian Job Mini Show and Shine. Owners can pimp their minis to the style of Italian Job era. 1^st prize is two tickets to the Beer and Cider by The Sea with £10 beer tokens.

The second is a Michael Caine look-a-like competition where the best will win two tickets to Cirrus rooms Hospitality area at Airbourne.

To buy tickets for the drive in night and to register for the competitions please email events@eastbourne.gov.uk or for more information on the event and exhibiting go to www.magnificentmotors.co.uk