February is officially the last winter month, but don’t let that stop you getting out and about. There are lots of activities and events taking place across East Sussex next month. Read on for a few of our favourites.
Draw your own stories with Ramzee, Hollington and Hastings libraries, Saturday, 1 February
Come and meet Ramzee, author and illustrator of the awesome and hilarious The Cheat Book, as East Sussex Libraries join with the National Literacy Trust to celebrate Storytelling Week.
Ramzee immigrated with his family to the UK from Somalia as asylum seekers. He is an award winning creative and has written comic books for 2000 AD and Marvel.
In The Cheat Book, Kamal is a refugee and struggles to fit in – until he finds a mysterious book in the library that promises to make him popular!
Shanties Showcase – for Pearls of the Sea 2025, White Rock Theatre, Hastings, Tuesday, 4 February
This free event from Hastings Contemporary will showcase the songs of the sea as performed by community choirs and local school children, in a unique collaboration between Hastings arts organisations.
The event will feature performances from Ore Village Primary Academy Year 4 for Pearls of the Sea, Ore Village Primary Academy Year 5 with Hastings International Piano, White Rock Youth Theatre, White Rock Community Choir and Completely Scuppered.
This event is delivered in partnership with White Rock Theatre and Hastings International Piano, as part of the gallery’s Pearls of the Sea schools programme.
The South Downs Dark Skies Festival, South Downs National Park, Thursday, 13 to Sunday, 23 February
This year’s Dark Skies Festival theme is “Glimmers.” It will celebrate the sparkling lights of the stars, planets, meteors and moon in the night sky, along with flashes of encounters with nocturnal wildlife.
Why not spend an evening looking at the stars at Birling Gap, which is a Dark Sky Discovery Site – an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze.
Messages To The Future – filmmaking workshops, Hastings Contemporary, Friday, 14 to Friday, 28 February
These three filmmaking workshops are led by artist filmmaker Rebecca E Marshall, co-founder of Dear Future Films and draw inspiration from the gallery’s still life exhibition.
They offer a space for slowing down, playfully observing and making a short film for someone participants know now, or in the future. Participants do not need any previous filmmaking experience.
Abstract Coastal Art and Handmade Bookmaking Workshop, Rye Creative Centre, Rye, Saturday, 15 February
Discover the joy of abstract expression and hands-on craftsmanship in this unique workshop.
In this immersive session, you’ll unleash your creativity by creating vibrant abstract artworks on paper, exploring colour, form, and texture. Caroline Fraser will guide you through a series of exercises for making marks on paper with ink and drawing tools.
Can’t draw? No problem! This workshop is suitable for anyone, seasoned artist or complete beginner.
Rye Bay Scallop Week, Rye, Saturday, 22 February to Sunday, 2 March
The 21st Rye Bay Scallop Week offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in seafood delights!
Throughout the week restaurants in and around Rye showcase an array of different scallop dishes. If you ever needed a reason to visit this picturesque town, Scallop Week must be it!
BBC Big Band – The Music of James Bond & Beyond, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, Thursday, 27 February
The internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band are joined by incredible vocal talents with this very special concert that explores the best of Bond.
Expect numbers ranging from Goldfinger and Thunderball, through to Nobody Does it Better and Live & Let Die, as well as most recent themes from Skyfall, and No Time to Die – all specially arranged for Big Band, and performed in the orchestra’s own, inimitable style!
Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival, Friday, 28 February to Tuesday, 4 March
This music festival offers five days of Mardis Gras and music on the south coast with over 350 gigs, cutting edge music and family activities.
Free events include community and school umbrella workshops, the family friendly umbrella parade, the Fat Tuesday music tour, and Saturday Unplugged – a packed afternoon of acoustic music sessions.
Now celebrating its 15th year, the festival is the flagship event of the Hastings Fat Tuesday CIC, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers a year-round programme of activity to support the communities of Hastings and St Leonards.
Please let us know about events happening near you in February in the comments section below. For inspiration to encourage you to get out and about in January, read our What’s on in January article.
Image: Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival Umbrella Parade; photographer: Sara Louise Bowrey
