Christmas in Hastings

About Christmas in Hastings

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Hastings at Christmas is two towns in one: the modern centre with its shops and the White Rock Theatre on the seafront, and the Old Town, where lights are strung over the narrow High Street and the fishing boats rest on the beach of the Stade. In 2026 the White Rock pantomime is Snow White, from 12 December to 3 January.

Few towns on the coast have a Christmas atmosphere like the Old Town of Hastings: timber-framed houses, independent shops and pubs, lights overhead and the sound of the sea at the end of every street.

The pantomime

The White Rock Theatre’s 2026 pantomime, from the Guildhall Trust and Polka Dot Pantomimes, is Snow White, from Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Shona McGarty plays Snow White and Matt Terry Prince Henry; Ben Watson returns as Muddles and Tim McArthur plays Herman the Henchman, both Hastings panto favourites; Tuppence A’Bag is the wicked Queen Morgana and Chris Casserly the Dame, Nurse Nelly. Tickets are on whiterocktheatre.org.uk and from the box office.

Walk the Old Town at dusk, when the lights come on over the High Street.

Lights in the Old Town

Lights go up across the town centre and the Old Town each winter, and the Old Town High Street, with its galleries, antique shops and cafés, is the place to do your Christmas shopping slowly.

A winter walk on the Stade

On the beach at Rock-a-Nore, the tall black net huts of the Stade and the fishing fleet, launched straight from the shingle, are as striking in December as in summer, and the fish stalls sell the day’s catch. Climb the West Hill for the castle ruins and the view over the town.

Our advice: Hastings is about an hour from Brighton by train; see the panto in the afternoon and stay for supper in the Old Town.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Christmas in Hastings before you go.