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 90th
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 90th Birthday)
The biggest seafront carnival in the South
East returns to Eastbourne’s seafront, this year the carnival also celebrates the Queen’s 90th
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 24th 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