June is the first of the summer months, and what better time to get out and about! With festivals, hikes, tennis tournaments, performance art and more taking place across the county, there’s something for everyone as we head into summer.
Florence Peake: FACTUAL ACTUAL, Eastbourne, 1 and 2 June
Internationally renowned choreographer and visual artist Florence Peake presents a special weekend of live performances in Eastbourne.
FACTUAL ACTUAL presents seven large-scale paintings on unstretched canvases that hang over a gloss dance floor. The canvases will be animated by six dancers using a rig and pulley system to hoist, lower, collapse, fold and drag the paintings throughout the performances.
World Crazy Golf Championships, Hastings, 7 to 9 June
The World Crazy Golf Championships have been staged since 2003 at the Adventure Golf Complex on Hastings seafront.
The event is seen by many as the ‘flagship’ event in the Mini Golf calendar. It attracts players from across the UK and Europe who are all competing for the biggest prize fund in mini golf!
South Coast Mighty Hike, Brighton to Seven Sisters, 8 June
Hike a full or half marathon across the South Downs and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support as you walk!
Starting in Brighton, the route takes in the beautiful South Downs before reaching the iconic Seven Sisters. This is a challenging route, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning coastal views before a final climb up to Beachy Head.
Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Bumblebees Workshop, Burwash, 13 June
Are you a bumblebee enthusiast or just curious about these charismatic little creatures? This event, held at Rudyard Kipling’s home Bateman’s, is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to identify bumblebees.
During this fun, hands-on day, you’ll learn to distinguish between various bumblebees and understand their vital role in our ecosystem.
Madagascar: The Musical, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, 13 to 16 June
Out of the zoo and onto a stage near you!
Starring CBBC and Strictly Come Dancing star Karim Zeroual as King Julien, Madagascar The Musical sees everyone’s favourite animals on stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime.
South Downs Beer & Cider Festival, Lewes, 14 and 15 June
The 26th CAMRA South Downs Beer & Cider Festival is taking place at the Corn Exchange in Lewes.
Over 70 live beers together with a selection of real ciders, perries and specialty ciders (cider with additional fruit!) will be available to taste. Please note this is an over 18s event.
The Forest Row Festival, Forest Row, 14 to 16 June
An amazing array of music and entertainment will be on display on Forester’s Green over the weekend representing the cream of Forest Row talent.
A wide range of stalls will be selling items including clothing, jewellery, ceramics, and treatments. There will also be plenty of food and drink options offering a wide range of culinary delights!
Sussex Day, 16 June
Sussex Day is an annual celebration of all things Sussex! Local events are held across both East and West Sussex on or around June 16, which is the feast day St Richard of Chichester, Sussex’s patron saint.
Crowborough Family Day
A family day will be held on Chapel Green in Crowborough from 1pm to 4pm.
There will be fairground rides, a Punch and Judy show and Animal Puppets. Live entertainment includes Morris Dancers, So Dance Academy and activities from the Scouts and Girl Guides.
Newhaven Community Event
Sussex Day at the Bandstand is back!
This community event, on Saturday 15 June from 12.30pm to 5.30pm, showcases what Newhaven and the surrounding area has to offer, with live music, delicious food, artisan drinks, craft stalls and much more.
Camper Marmalade 2024, Polegate, 21 to 23 June
This local VW festival is now in its fourth year, and promises live entertainment and great music in a chilled family environment.
This year’s family festival has camping, music, street food, Show ‘n’ Shine, Kids Zone, market traders and much more!
Rothesay International Tennis, Eastbourne, 22 to 29 June
Held since 1974, the Rothesay International Eastbourne is a fantastic tournament for tennis fans! The tournament is a WTA 500 series event played on outdoor grass courts at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne.
It takes place the week before Wimbledon Championships, starting on June 22. This year Naomi Osaka and 2023 champion Madison Keys will be playing as well as British No.1, Katie Boulter.
RAF Friston – Spitfires and Spies (D-Day Commemoration), Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, 30 June
Join National Trust guides on this walk to learn about the history of RAF Friston. Find out how the airfield grew from an emergency airstrip into a front-line fighter station during World War Two.
Starting from Crowlink car park, the walk will head to the site of the RAF memorial in the middle of what used to be RAF Friston. On the way you’ll hear about some of the brave men and women who were based here and flew the iconic Spitfires that still fly over this beautiful landscape today.
For more ideas of what to do locally and places to visit read our previous What’s on articles for April and May. And don’t forget to let us know your favourite things to do as we head into summer in the comments section below.
