WHAT'S ON - ARTS LISTINGS
Please send details of local arts-related events, which you think should be featured here, to: littleartsrushlakegreen@gmail.com with ‘What’s On’ in the subject. Thank you.
CURRENT LISTINGS
1st February to 15th July - LITTLE ARTS RUSHLAKE GREEN 2026 AWARD SCHEME
Open for applications from young people, between 6 and 25, living within the Warbleton Parish or within one mile of the Parish boundary and/or studying full-time at one of the schools or colleges in the areas immediately surrounding the Warbleton Parish (including Heathfield Community College). Also, professional artists/organisations wanting to deliver an arts programme/activity to young people aged between 6 and 18 years.
https://littleartsfestival.co.uk/grants/ Winner announced August 2026.
Sun 26th April to Sunday 10th May 2026 - MAYFIELD FESTIVAL
The Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts is an long-established and highly reputed arts festival which is primarily devoted to classical music. Full details of all events are available online at https://mayfieldfestival.co.uk.
Friday 1st to Monday 25th May 2026 - 60th BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
Reputedly the largest curated annual arts festival in England. A celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and community events. Every year Brighton Festival is opened by the popular Children’s Parade. The inaugural The programme 60 years ago included Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Yehudi Menuhin, The Who, The Pink Floyd, Concrete Poetry.
For more info about the programme of arts events and booking details, see the website: https://brightonfestival.org/
1st to 4th May 2026. TUNBRIDGE WELLS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION at the Mayfield Festival
A unique and renowned event for outstanding young concert artists from around the world, the Competition started in 1979 and is now part of the Mayfield Festival. Hosted by Mayfield School, the Competition takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, comprising three rounds.
tunbridge-wells-international-music-competition
Sunday 10th May 2026 3:00pm - WARBLETON BRASS BAND SPRING CONCERT
State Hall, Kings Church, Heathfield. https://warbletonbrassband.org/
Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th May 2026 - CRANFORD by Elizabeth Gaskell and Martyn Coleman. A theatre production by the VILLAGE PLAYERS RUSHLAKE GREEN in the Dunn Village Hall. Tickets on sale at Ticketsource from 13th April for members and 20th April for general public. https://villageplayersrushlakegreen.co.uk/next-production/
22nd to 25th May - ELDERFLOWER FIELDS, family festival, Ashdown Forest.
The festival’s ambition is to provide a unique family experience that opens children and their parents’ minds to new opportunities in sport, music, the arts, nature and food. They want to get more kids out into the beautiful countryside and inspired by new challenges. They’re committed to remaining independent and offering the very best value festival they can. https://elderflowerfields.co.uk/
28th to 30th May - THE EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION
The Eastbourne International Singing Competition is open to classical singers and piano accompanists aged between 19 and 32. Both First, Semi-Final and Final Rounds will be held in front of a live audience and a panel of 4 adjudicators. For details and ticket info to attendee go to the website: https://www.ebisc.co.uk/2026-tickets
3rd - 5th July - 2026 LOVE SUPREME FESTIVAL, Glynde Place.
Love Supreme Jazz, R&B and Blues festival will take place at Glynde Place, Glynde, East Sussex, BN8 6SX from Friday 3th to Sunday 5th July 2026. For Line-up previews and ticket announcements see https://lovesupremefestival.com/
14th - 19th July - SOUTH DOWNS SUMMER MUSIC 20th anniversary festival.
This well established and popular classical music festival draws some of the finest international artists to perform in the very special village of Alfriston in the heart of the South Downs National Park. https://www.southdownssummermusic.co.uk/
23rd - 26th July - CHIDDFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026
"Three days of live music, family fun, and community spirit". What started as a small local event of fewer than 500 people has grown into “one of the county’s most loved festivals”, now welcoming over 3,500 festival-goers each year. "Chiddfest unites the community to party with purpose, proudly supporting St Wilfrid’s Hospice". https://www.chiddfest.uk/
Friday 4th to Sunday 6th Sept - LITTLE ARTS RUSHLAKE GREEN WEEKEND ARTS EVENT
Ideas are already being developed for the next Little Arts Rushlake Green weekend event. The group will be seeking art works for the Open Art Show, poetry and prose for a workshop event and musicians, singers and performers to take part in an Open Mic music event.
PREVIOUSLY IN WHAT'S ON . . . .
6th April 2025 – Nigel Horn. Singer, song-writer, guitarist
Mic slot at Bluebell Roots, Arlington Village Hall
10th April 2025 – Mark Austin, Artist
Exhibitor at PURE, Roche Gallery
4th May 2025 – Classical Stardom.
Concert by Mayfield Festival, Mayfield
8th May 2025 – Local young musicians and dancers
As part of VE DAY 80, Rushlake Green
11th May 2025 – Stage & Screen
Concert by Warbleton Brass Band, State Hall, Heathfield
24th May 2025 – Vivaldi Four Seasons Choral Re-imagining
Mayfield Festival Choir, Mayfield
30th May 2025 – Singing and Instrumental - Sussex Harmony
Ringmer Village Hall
Weds 4th June 2025 – God, the Bible and Everything. Stand up comedy by BBC writer James Cary.
Warbleton Parish Church.
Fri 6th June 2025 – Cowbeech Players Present ‘and now for something completely different’
Panto Night, narrated by Tom Baker. (yes that’s WHO). Merrie Harriers
Sat 7th June 2025, from 5.30pm. Gig in the Garden
Live music at the Merrie Harriers, Cowbeech
Weds 11th to Sat 14th June 2025 – Plaza Suite. Rushlake Green Village Players
Dunn Village Hall, Rushlake Green.
Sat 26th July 2025 7.30pm – Taylor Made (as seen at LAF 24 Big Little Gig) headline:
WDHPS Annual Summer Show evening gig, on Rushlake Green
Sat 26th July 2025 1.45pm – Paint a Pebble and Pen a Poem activities on the Big Little Arts Weekend stand at the Warbleton & District Horticultural & Poultry Soc, Summer Show, on Rushlake Green
Sunday 3rd August 2025 - Cowbeech Flower Show and Summer Fete organised by the Cowbeech Bonfire Society. Includes photography category amongst the many activities and entertainments. Plus fun Dog Sshow. Starts at 12.30pm behind the Merrie Harriers, Cowbeech.
Monday 25th August - Le Marche. Anglo-French Market in Heathfield. 10.00am to 4.00 pm.
Dozens of stalls, live music on the stage throughout the day.
Sat 6th - Sun 21st September 2025 - Hailsham Festival
30 events celebrating East Sussex Arts, Culture and Community
Thurs 25th to Sunday 28th September 2025 – Big Little Arts Weekend, presented by Little Arts Rushlake Green.
Art Exhibition, Music, Poetry and more at the Rushlake Green Dunn Village Hall and beyond.