St Leonards Festival returns to Warrior Square Gardens for a vibrant day of live entertainment, creativity and community celebration on the Sussex coast. This free outdoor festival is one of the highlights of the Hastings and St Leonards summer events calendar, attracting families, local residents and visitors from across the region.
From 12pm to 5pm the gardens will come alive with live music, dance, storytelling, walkabout performers, drumming, children’s workshops and a joyful community parade.
Festival highlights include:
• The Showglobe’s Enchanted Flower Globe with Floris
• UK African Acrobats showcasing impressive acrobatic skill
• Playful character performance from Dolly Delicious
• Skillful hula hoop artistry from Xena Flame
• Powerful rhythms from Raven Drummers and Section 5 Drummers
• Live music from Yasmein Hubard, Erin Colley and more
• Storytelling inside Richard Storybeard’s cosy yurt
• Free craft workshops where children can make animal themed items for the parade
Community Parade
Parade participants are invited to gather at 2.45pm at the Rose Garden in Warrior Square to join in the Community Parade, which sets off at 3pm. This year the parade and workshop activities take inspiration from animals, and everyone is encouraged to come along in their own animal themed costumes or creations.
Also at the festival:
• Community stalls
• Delicious food from local vendors
• The Ribbon Tunnel, a colourful interactive walk‑through installation new for 2026
St Leonards Festival is a free, family friendly, alcohol free and accessible event created by the St Leonards Festival Committee in collaboration with local event producers 18 Hours.
Plan your visit:
Warrior Square Gardens is a short walk from St Leonards Warrior Square Station and close to the seafront, cafés and independent shops. Perfect for a full day out in St Leonards‑on‑Sea.
More information: stleonardsfestival.org
