Whilst not wanting to wish the summer away, autumn is fast approaching. As we start the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”, there are lots of autumnal events happening across the county. From art exhibitions, concerts and seed workshops to fairs and walking festivals, East Sussex offers something for everyone to enjoy this September.
Sussex Modernism, Towner, Eastbourne, until 28 September
Fine art is shown with counterculture and pop in this vibrant exhibition. It reveals how artists of very different kinds responded to the crises of their day through their relationships to Sussex and to the many different movements of modernism.
The focus is on those who made work in, or had a connection to, Sussex. This is the first show of its kind to ask what it means to look at works of art through a regional lens.
Pay What You Can tickets are available on the first Friday of the month.
Seed Collecting and Sowing Workshop, Bates Green Garden, Arlington, 4 September
Autumn brings an abundance of seeds that we can collect and sow in readiness for next year. This useful resource is sometimes overlooked but seed sowing is one of the most cost-effective propagation techniques to use in your garden.
During this workshop, the Bates Green Garden team will show you suitable plants to collect seeds from. You will also learn different methods of seed collection and sowing in this hands-on workshop. After the workshop, enjoy a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake!
Adult classes, Hastings Contemporary, Hastings, 4, 6, 7 and 13 September
Join artistic classes for adults at Hastings Contemporary this month. Sessions include collaborative workshops, life drawing classes, wall plate painting and a British Sign Language creative workshop.
Embrace your inner Picasso painting plates, join friendly and sociable life drawing sessions, or get creative as you explore themes from the gallery’s Undersea and The Sun Feeds The Wind exhibitions.
Crowborough Arts – Open Studios, Crowborough, Rotherfield, Mayfield and Fairwarp, 6 and 7 September
This Open Studios weekend event offers free entry to over 45 artist studios and workshops in Crowborough and the surrounding villages.
There is a huge variety of work on display, ranging from emerging artists to established professional practitioners. Whether you’re interested in paintings or drawings, ceramics, jewellery or textiles, there’s something for everyone.
Eastbourne Steampunk Fair, Grand Parade, Eastbourne, 6 and 7 September
Come one, come all! Marvel at the curiosities, revel in the entertainment, and indulge in the delights at the Eastbourne Steampunk Fair.
Steampunk means many different things to many different people. To some it is a fashion, style of dress, a persona. To others it is art, craft, design, even a complete lifestyle.
Enjoy entertainment, live music, a beer tent, stalls and a children’s fair. On Saturday evening there is an adults only masked ball at The Fishermens, featuring music, dancing, burlesque and much more.
Heritage Open Days, countywide, 12 to 21 September
East Sussex is a county rich in history and the Heritage Open Days scheme offers a fantastic opportunity to visit some of the area’s historic and heritage sites for free.
England’s largest festival of heritage and culture gives you the chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences. East Sussex venues include Alfriston Clergy House, Polegate Windmill, Bishopstone Station, The Mint House in Pevensey and quite a few more.
High Weald Walking Festival, Sussex High Weald, 13 to 21 September
Now in its eighth year, the High Weald Walking Festival invites you to get your boots on and explore the High Weald National Landscape.
The Festival’s walks are for every level of walker, whether you’re looking for a gentle wellbeing stroll, are a seasoned long-distance hiker, or want to learn more about local habitats. With free guided and self-guided walks available you can discover local history and admire breathtaking views on routes which take in great estates, ancient forests and ridge-top villages.
Most of the walks run on a ‘turn up on the day’ basis, but please check as some will require booking via the website. The full programme and a range of self-guided walks will be available as free downloads from the website during September.
Rye Harvest Wine and Food Fair, Rye, 13 and 14 September
This two-day English wine and food fair in the beautiful medieval town of Rye returns again in September.
The festival shines a spotlight on the award-winning distillers, brewers and winemakers of East Sussex and Kent, as well as offering the chance to discover the incredible range of local produce from the land and sea around us.
Enjoy a programme of live music, talks, poetry, and children’s theatre, alongside a range of fringe events including food theatre!
Gala Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, White Rock Theatre, Hastings, 27 September
Hastings International Piano presents what promises to be the highlight of the season: a Gala Concert with one of the world’s best orchestras.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Scott Dunn and joined by two prize winners from the 2024 piano competition, Curtis Phill Hsu and Harmony Zhu. The programme includes two pillars of the Romantic piano repertoire by Chopin and Rachmaninov.
In addition, comedian, conductor, and St Leonard’s resident Rainer Hersch talks to Sarah Bardwell, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in a free pre-show event. Their conversation will give a fascinating insight into the life of a symphony orchestra and how playing for a competition differs from what usually goes on in the concert hall.
Brewery Tour and Tasting Experience, 360 Degree Brewing, Sheffield Park, 27 September
Join the brewers behind the scenes as they take you on an immersive tour of the brewery’s production areas followed by a tutored tasting experience in their taproom.
The comprehensive tour will include a fun but informative journey through the brewing cycle as you learn how 360 Degree make their beer. With glass in hand, you will explore the equipment required and processes needed at each stage, while tasting beers at different stages of their development, literally straight from the tank. Over 18s only.
For more ideas about places to go and activities to try in East Sussex, check our things to see and do pages.
Image – High Weald Walking Festival
