With two bank holidays in the month, what’s not to like about May? As we head towards summer, May is the perfect time to enjoy traditional spring events, such as the Jack in the Green celebration, as well as carnivals, beach walks and family star gazing events.
Read on for more details of some of the unmissable events happening across East Sussex next month.
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green, Hastings, 2 to 5 May
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green is a British May Day celebration not to be missed. The annual four-day event includes live bands, dancing, sun (not guaranteed) and fun events for all the family.
On Bank Holiday Monday enjoy the colourful procession through the streets of Hastings Old Town with unique characters, dancers, drummers, giants and more, before the big finale on the West Hill with the slaying of the Jack to release the spirit of summer.
Lewes Speakers Festival, Lewes, 9 to 11 May
Lewes Speakers Festival returns to the All Saints Centre in May.
A fantastic selection of books will be discussed throughout the festival by the people who know them best – their authors!
Authors who will be speaking include:
- Sunday Times best-selling author Matt Goodwin
- Hugo Rifkind, columnist, critic and leader writer for The Times
- Michelle Ogundehin, Head Judge on the BBC’s Interior Design Masters TV series.
Battle of Lewes, Lewes, 10 and 11 May
Witness King Henry III and Prince Edward’s Royalist army battle it out in the streets of Lewes against Simon de Montfort and his barons.
This fabulous free event also includes a Medieval camp, combat displays and activities at The Convent Field and the Priory as well as food and drink, live music and a Medieval trading village.
Pirates Love Underpants, White Rock Theatre, Hastings, 14 and 15 May
Join this swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest.
Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge.
Filled with music, puppetry and glittering pants of gold, arrrr you ready to set sail for a family adventure?
Elderflower Fields Festival, Ashdown Forest, 23 to 26 May
The award-winning Elderflower Fields family festival offers a fantastic wild weekend of music, sport, art, performance and festival fun.
The festival is a chance for children and adults to connect in the stunning countryside setting of Pippingford Park in the Ashdown Forest.
Eastbourne Carnival, Eastbourne, 24 May
The biggest seafront carnival in the South East returns this month, with a new theme – ‘Celebrations of the World’.
More than 1,500 walkers are expected to take part in the seafront parade. The Carnival route will travel from Fisherman’s Green to the Wish Tower Slopes, starting at 2pm.
Beachy Head Lighthouse Challenge, Eastbourne, 25 May
This annual walk about Beachy Head Lighthouse has been organised every year by the Eastbourne Rotary Club since 2013.
Part of the funds raised through the entry fees are set aside to go towards the next re-paint of the lighthouse’s iconic red and white stripes, with the rest donated to local charities including the RNLI (Eastbourne).
Come along and experience the famous lighthouse close up from the beach below it.
Family Evening, The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, 28 May
Join the Observatory team for a fabulous family early evening event.
Enjoy all the observatory exhibits indoors and outside before being immersed in an ‘out of this world’ experience in a fantastic planetarium show. Be plunged into darkness to witness some of the most magnificent sights of our awesome night sky.
For more ideas about spring activities and events, check out our What’s on in April article.
Image – The Lighthouse Challenge, Eastbourne Rotary Club
