Sussex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pagan-pageantry">Pagan pageantry </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/jackinthegreen_group_hastings-1000x667.png" alt="Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green celebrations, Sussex" class="wp-image-84373" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/jackinthegreen_group_hastings-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/jackinthegreen_group_hastings-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/jackinthegreen_group_hastings-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/jackinthegreen_group_hastings.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green</figcaption></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://hastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green</a> is a hard act to top for May Day revelry. The four-day folk festival greets the arrival of the natural world’s rejuvenation with a foliage bedecked ‘Jack’ (yes, there’s a person someone beneath that wicker framework) who leads a procession through the Old Town on Bank Holiday Monday (<strong>4 May 10:15am-12:30pm</strong>). It kicks off on <strong>1 Ma</strong>y with Morris Dancing at Dawn (yes, it’s a 4:45am start), continuing over the weekend with the likes of music and song sessions, family headdress workshops, storytelling and ceilidhs. Donations are welcome but almost all events are free. It rounds off with a party on West Hill (12-4pm).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-picture-this">Picture this</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/pheobe_wingrove_credit.png" alt="Brighton &amp; House Artists Open Houses, credit Phoebe Wingrove" class="wp-image-84458" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/pheobe_wingrove_credit.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/pheobe_wingrove_credit-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/pheobe_wingrove_credit-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/pheobe_wingrove_credit-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/pheobe_wingrove_credit-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denise Harrison&#8217;s studio, photo credit Phoebe Wingrove</figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s the opening weekend of Brighton &amp; Hove’s <a href="https://aoh.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artists Open Houses</a> (<strong>2-4 May</strong> and weekends throughout the month), so you can plot a Regency ramble around the city, peeking into artists’ and makers’ homes and studios en route. If you’re feeling spendy after all, it’s the perfect opportunity to buy direct but browsing is welcome – curiosity, too. Ever wondered about artistic inspiration or technique? Now’s your chance to ask! There are nearly 200 spaces involved, spread not only across the city but along the coast and out to Ditchling and beyond.&nbsp;Highlights include a pop-up dog tattoo parlour (that&#8217;s tattooing dogs on humans), inflatable sculptures and works featuring living bacteria. Look out for open houses offering workshops, too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vroom">Vroom!&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/eastbourne_motors.png" alt="Magnificent Motors festival, Eastbourne, Sussex" class="wp-image-84461" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/eastbourne_motors.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/eastbourne_motors-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/eastbourne_motors-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/eastbourne_motors-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Magnificent Motors, Eastbourne</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy yourself some new wheels? Tootle over the Eastbourne for the <a href="https://www.visiteastbourne.com/magnificent-motors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magnificent Motors</a> festival (<strong>2-3 May, 10:30am-4:30pm</strong>) for some serious browsing. You’ll find some 600 vehicles pulled over on the Western Lawns and Wish Tower Slopes, and with the likes of modern supercars, vintage tourers and plenty in between, there’s a ride for every mood.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-petal-power">Petal power</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/knots_of_may.png" alt="Garland Day, Lewes" class="wp-image-84457" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/knots_of_may.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/knots_of_may-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/knots_of_may-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/knots_of_may-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/knots_of_may-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Knots of May</figcaption></figure>



<p>The early May bank holiday means only one thing in Lewes: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheKnotsofMay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garland Day</a> (<strong>4 May</strong>). It’s a Victorian tradition that celebrates spring but whimsy is paired with some vigorous Morris dancing, featuring sticks as well as bells. The timetable opens with a Children’s Garland Competition at 9:45am at the Castle. Then there’s dancing in the Gun Garden at 10am, a procession along the High Street at 11am, and various folk dance performances culminating in a 1:15pm finale down at The Dorset pub.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fayre-play">Fayre play</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Arundel.jpg" alt="Arundel, Sussex" class="wp-image-84463" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Arundel.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Arundel-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Arundel-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Arundel-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Arundel</figcaption></figure>



<p>Arundel town centre makes a picture-perfect backdrop for a free <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10165060593414122&amp;set=g.3961674564118607" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vintage Fayre</a> on <strong>3 May</strong>. Expect rummage-worthy brocante stalls, antiques, classic cars, children’s activities and live music. Arundel’s also hosting a free Craft Fair in the Norfolk Centre, which runs until 9 May. In need of a pitstop? Coffee and cake are being served in the Priory Playhouse Theatre from 10am-1pm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bright-on">Bright on </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/brightonfest_childrensparade.png" alt="Brighton Festival Children's Parade" class="wp-image-84459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/brightonfest_childrensparade.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/brightonfest_childrensparade-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/brightonfest_childrensparade-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/brightonfest_childrensparade-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/brightonfest_childrensparade-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Brighton Festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>The 60<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;<a href="https://brightonfestival.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brighton Festival</a> begins this weekend, and its <a href="https://brightonfestival.org/whats-on/XdH-childrens-parade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Children’s Parade</a> (<strong>2 May</strong>) is also celebrating a significant birthday, turning 40. It’s had a different theme each year, and this time it’s taking inspiration from 2026’s designation as the National Year of Reading. Over 150,000 students, teachers and group leaders have worked on the parade’s displays, making it the largest of its kind in Europe, and you can expect tributes to stories of all kinds, from classic fiction to fantasy and graphic novel, and live music, too. It begins on New Road at 10:30am and wends its way to the finish on Madeira Drive. </p>



<p>Another free festival highlight is scheduled for <strong>4 May</strong>. Head to Brighton Dome where <a href="https://brightonfestival.org/whats-on/XoX-our-place-family-fun-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Our Place Family Fun Day</a> features free drop-in workshops from 10:30am-4:30pm. Jumping Jacks, shadow puppets and cyanotype photography all feature. There are also timed workshops exploring clay and creative dance – they’re still free but booking is required.&nbsp;</p>



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<p><em><strong>In the mood for more? </strong></em></p>



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Hooray for May! Free things to do near you this Bank Holiday weekend

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