Dozens Of Exciting Events Revealed For Eastbourne In 2022!

A packed programme of events has been unveiled for 2022 by Eastbourne Borough Council with tickets for many displays, shows and other occasions now available to book online.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism and Culture Margaret Bannister said:

“With such a fantastic line up of events throughout 2022, Eastbourne really is THE place to be this year. 

“After two very difficult years, we are delighted to see so much back on the calendar including some regular crowd pleasers as well as new events.

“We are planning a stunning string of events and look forward to welcoming people back to enjoy all Eastbourne has to offer.”

• Jubilee Lantern Festival which will run from 14 – 20 February at the Pavilion Gardens, with free entry, to launch the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. 
• A new Spring Rise Festival – also from 14 – 20 February - will celebrate the natural landscape of the South Downs National Park and the emerging spring season with a range of activities from wildlife walks, craft workshops and photography to folk inspired puppetry and even graffiti.

With pre-bookable activities based out of the Beachy Head Story visitor centre throughout the day and evening, the free festival also includes the chance to help create an amazing nature inspired outdoor artwork with a graffiti artist.

• There’s also a chance to go stargazing with Eastbourne Astronomical Society on Saturday 26 February at Beachy Head from 6-8pm – and also on March 12 from 7pm.
• Eastbourne Half Marathon (Sunday 6 March) followed by the Coastal Trail Running’s 10K, Half Marathon and Ultra across the Downland from Helen Garden on Saturday 19 March.
• Seafront Markets return in April ahead of dates in May, June, July and August
• The Eastbourne Reggae Carnival brings a heavyweight reggae line up to the Winter Garden for Easter Sunday including Aswad and General Levy.
• April - Magnificent Motors (Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May) with a unique selection of vintage and classic cars, motorbikes and more joining together for the free motoring spectacular on the Western Lawns alongside funfair attractions.
• May the 10-day Eastbourne Spring Water Festival gets underway on Friday 13 May and from Friday 20 May to Sunday 22 May the Western Lawns will once again host the Beer & Cider by the Sea spring festival.
• John Searle’s Funfair will enjoy a two week stay at Princes Park from Friday 20 May and the month’s line-up of events culminate with UK Ultra’s South Downs 50K and 100K runs through the national park on Sunday 29 May.
• The Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival along the seafront takes place this year on Saturday 4 June while fundraisers will put their best feet forward in the MacMillan Mighty Hike on Saturday 11 June from Brighton to Eastbourne.
• The Eastbourne Triathlon will see hundreds of participants run, cycle and swim on Sunday 12 June and the world’s top tennis stars will arrive in town to take part in the Eastbourne International Tennis tournament at the award-winning courts at Devonshire Park from Friday 17 June to Saturday 25 June.
• Friends of Princes Park Fun Day - plenty of family entertainment on offer - Saturday 25 June
• 999 Emergency Services Display returns after a break of two years on Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 July. All the blue light services will take part in demonstrations and entry is free.
• Ironbourne for Triathletes on Sunday 10 July - the long-distance triathlon which welcomes spectators along the routes.
• Beach Life Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday 16 and 17 July. The festival will kick off the summer holidays with an awesome line-up on the music stage in Princes Park with delicacies from street vendors.
• LTA Summer County Cup from 17-22 July at Devonshire Park and the GB Women’s 35s Inter-County tennis from 28-31 July.
• Eastbourne Lammas Festival on Saturday and Sunday 23 and 24 July
• Eastbourne Pride on Saturday 23 July.
• Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society will present their outdoor production of Shakespeare in the beautiful Italian Gardens from 27 July – 6 August and on the Western Lawns, Wish Tower Slopes and Princes Park, the new E Festival from 29 – 31 July brings a mix of food, eco displays and a music festival with a line up including Toploader and funk and soul with Craig Charles.
• Airbourne, the renowned Eastbourne International Air Show set to delight crowds for four days from Thursday 18 August.

Airbourne will celebrate 28 years of air show excellence this year and with a two-mile flying display line along Eastbourne seafront, thousands of people are once again expected to flock to the town.

Details of flying displays will be announced nearer the time, but past shows have featured the RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon, Chinook, wing walkers, the Tigers parachute display team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

• GB Men’s 35s Inter-County tennis from 11-14 August and the British Open Seniors Grass Court Championship from 22-27 August.
• The Rude Mechanical Theatre will be delighting audiences in a Little Top in Eastbourne from 3-7 August when the company performs The Rudes Gods and Dogs Tour.
•  Eastbourne Feastival, a three-day family food, music and culture festival on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 27, 28 and 29 August. 
• Steampunk Festival on Saturday and Sunday 3 and 4 September when visitors of all ages will be able to marvel at curiosities, revel in the entertainment and enjoy live music, a beer tent, stalls and a children’s fair. The festival will be held on the Wish Tower slopes and along the seafront and entry is free.
• Starlight Stroll on the seafront on Saturday 10 September for St Wilfrid’s Hospice 
• Eastbourne Walking Festival returns from 16 – 25 September with a whole range of fascinating walks and downland hikes.
• Eastbourne Seafront Soapbox returns on Saturday 25 September when wacky creations will whizz around corners from the top of Dukes Drive down to the seafront.
• Wyntercon IX plans to return on Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11 September to the Eastbourne Winter Garden and Welcome Building 
• Tempo 10K on Sunday 25 September.
• Eastbourne Bonfire Procession and Fireworks on Saturday 1 October when bonfire societies from across the county join forces for a torchlit parade along the seafront.
• Eastbourne Oktoberfest, Saturday October 1st - a party night with traditional Bavarian beer, an Oompah band, live music, dancers and street food vendor. The event is on in the newly refurbished Winter Garden.
• Eastbourne Beer Festival on Friday and Saturday 7 and 8 October and also in the Winter Garden. The festival offers more than 160 cask ales with perries, wines and gins also available.
• Beachy Head Marathon, one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK and also features an Ultramarathon, Half Marathon and 10K run too.

The runs are popular for their scenic and challenging routes through the South Downs countryside.

The marathon, ultramarathon and 10K take place on Saturday 22 October and the half marathon is on Sunday 23 October, before Christmas events take centre stage in November and December.

You can find out more details and book tickets at the Visit Eastbourne website.