Festivals in Rye

Festivals in Rye happen all year round.  Rye buzzes with various festivals from Rye Bay Scallop Festival in the winter months, The acclaimed Rye Jazz Festival and Rye Arts festival to name a few.

The list below often change so please check back.

If you know of a festival or event which is not listed then get in touch as it’s free to go on here.

Looking to stay with family and friends whilst visiting Rye then consider staying at https://saltcote.co.uk – located around 700 yards from Rye high street and with plenty of free parking it’s an ideal quiet location with an outstanding reputation.


  • Rye Christmas 2024
    It’s official –  Saturday the 7th of December is the start of Christmas in Rye 2024! There will be lots going on around the town including Santa’s Grotto, horse & cart rides in addition to fairground rides, and other festive activities. Rye is known for live music around the town, and there are some special treats ...
  • Mermaid Inn Restaurant
    Dine in the Linen Fold Panelled Restaurant, where you can enjoy the ambience of the large restaurant, the cosiness of The Dr Syn Dining Room or the privacy of the Boardroom for your evening meal, lunch and breakfast. Drew King, the Head Chef, is very focused on using quality, seasonal, local ingredients and cooking them perfectly.  ...
  • Quiet Rye Bed and Breakfast for Adults
    Saltcote Place is a Quiet Rye Bed & Breakfast – An Oasis for Mature Adults in Rye Rye Bed and Breakfast – Saltcote Place offers a serene and exclusive bed & breakfast experience in a stunning country mansion just 700 yards, or about a 10-minute walk, from Rye’s High Street. With a maximum of just 4-6 ...
  • Waterworks Brewery
    Really happy to announce after a very long time we’ve opened our Brewery & Taproom, open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Opened late October 2022 as an addition to the Waterworks Brewery, the Taproom, (as is the brewery), is run by the same proprietor and team as the successful Waterworks micropub in Rye’s town centre. The brewery’s ...
  • Rye Bay Scallop Week 2025
    Rye Bay Scallop Week 2025 or Rye Scallop Festival week is a delight for anyone who enjoys seafood. Runs 22nd Feb – 2nd Mar 2025 Rye Bay Scallop Week is promoted Pro Bono by Domain Support Ltd.  Domain Support operate the official https://scallop.org.uk/ website and organise the festival at considerable cost. We only list those who ...
  • The Globe Inn Marsh
    The Globe Inn is really one of the traditional places to eat in Rye, it’s a modern country inn located in the heart of Rye with a very strong sense of identity. The Globe Inn instantly has you looking around to see what else is happening. The decor is a treat in itself and if ...
  • The Owl Camber
    The Owl Pub Camber is very close to Camber Sands and ideal if you want to bring the entire family down for a celebration. The Owl Pub in Camber is a traditional English pub with rooms, set just behind the sand dunes of Camber Sands beach. As a Free House we offer a vast range of ...
  • Rye Arts Festival
    Rye Arts Festival 2024 Visit the Rye Arts Festival website and sign up to receive information about this year’s programme which will be packed with classical and contemporary music, literary, theatrical and special events. You can also follow our progress on the Rye Festival Blog.
  • The Ship Inn at Winchelsea
    The Ship offers a warm welcome cold beer and well presented well cooked fresh local food. The food at The Ship is about great produce prepared by our Chef and his team. The menu is full of freshness and flavour compiled with the minimum of fuss to give you the optimum dining experience. The Chef is ...
  • Rye Fish Market
    Rye Fish Market is an exciting local business set in the heart of the  local fishing community,  driven by locally landed fish. We opened our doors for the first time in 2022. The inspiration for the design for the Fish Market lies firmly on the continent – If you have ever been lucky enough to experience ...
  • Mermaid Inn Rye
    As seen on BBC https://www.facebook.com/themermaidinnrye/videos/1279866685393828/ Welcome to the Mermaid Inn , rich in history; Cellars dating from 1156 and the building rebuilt in 1420. The Mermaid Inn offers a unique experience; Sloping ceilings Creaking floorboards and numerous staircases A history and a rich tradition that is maintained by careful stewardship. There are 31 unique rooms to choose from, all of which can be ...
  • New Inn Winchelsea
    Just a few yards from the resting place of the late great Spike Milligan in the grounds of historic Winchelsea Church and next door to Winchelsea Town hall and Museum. With outstanding accommodation close to the 1066 Country Walk there is no better place to base yourself to explore 1066 Country. The New Inn at Winchelsea – ...
  • Rye Fine Wines
    WINE MERCHANT & BAR Based in the town of Rye, we provide quality wines, friendly service and always a warm welcome. Please take a look at our wines and let us know if there’s anything you need. If you wish to reserve a table or have any other questions – you can reach us on 01797 223165 or ...
  • Marino’s Fish and Chips Rye
    If Carlsberg did fish and chips. All cooked fresh to order and nicely presented you are going to love the Fish and Chips here, you can also call and book a table for your meal or hire the restaurant. 37-38 the Mint Telephone: +441797223268
  • White Dog Inn
    Situated in the charming village of Ewhurst Green, Robertsbridge,you are sure of a warm welcome, real ales, locally sourced ingredients,fresh and tasty homemade food. We are a short drive from Rye. Dog friendly We offer an excellent Sunday Roast We have 3 B&B rooms all with En-suites. https://www.thewhitedogewhurst.co.uk/The White Dog Inn, Village Street, Ewhurst Green,Robertsbridge TN32 5TDTel: 01580 830264
  • Webbs Fish Cafe
    Webbs Fish Cafe located in the heart of Rye close to the landgate with parking nearby. Paul and Rebecca Webbe, opened The Wild Mushroom Restaurant in 1998. from the outset it has proven popular with locals and visitors alike.  Inspired in part by our love of foraging wild food, the plentiful and outstanding natural ingredients on ...
  • Rye Windmill
    Rye Windmill is a grade II listed building and one of the town’s most famous landmarks. Standing on the banks of the river Tillingham, this welcoming Bed and Breakfast is ideally located with the town and Strand Quay just a two minute walk away. Rye Windmill B&B offers guests four star licensed accommodation with guaranteed and ...
  • Rye Bonfire Night 2024
    Rye Bonfire Night 2024 is on Saturday the 9th of November Please consider supporting the Bonfire Society all year round with sponsorship, they work hard all year round to make the event work. All streets on the processional route in Rye town centre will be closed to traffic from approx. 19:30 to 21:30. Please note ...
  • Rye Bay Jazz Festival
    SAVE THE 2023 FESTIVAL DATES THURSDAY 24 TO MONDAY 28 AUGUST AND SIGN UP TO OUR FESTIVAL NEWSLETTER  As we all look forward to an exciting 2023 ahead it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the previous year and to think of the numerous ways in which we can all enrich our lives for the better ...
  • The George In Rye
    Prominently positioned on the cobbled high street of the medieval town of Rye, East Sussex, The George in Rye is one of the most captivating hideaways on England’s south coast. Lovingly renovated, this Grade II listed bolt-hole offers a welcoming retreat for design lovers, foodies and the creatively inclined. The building dates from 1575 and has an ...
  • The Old Borough Arms
    The Old Borough Arms is a centrally located four star guest house at the bottom of the famous Mermaid Street in Rye. It is from here that the cobbled streets of Rye wind their way up to the Church of St. Mary, passing by the house of Henry James the famous author on the way. Just a short walk to ...
  • Ferry Road Nursery Rye
    Ferry Road Nursery – Rye. Childcare for children aged 3 months – 5 years. Open 50 weeks a year. The committee of Ferry Road Nursery are an important and essential part of the provision! Our committee is formed of volunteers who are passionate about the delivery of excellent childcare and service to our families and are ...
  • The Coach House
    Cadborough Farm, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6AA Telephone: 01797 225426 Email: apperly@cadborough.co.uk Location Map Website: www.cadborough.co.uk   The Coach House is the newest addition to Cadborough holiday cottages. It is recently converted and offers luxury accommodation for two people. The large spacious open plan living area is light and airy and offers everything for a comfortable, relaxing and peaceful stay. The kitchen ...
  • Haydens
    Hayden’s is an 18th century building perfectly placed in the heart of Rye, just a short walk away from the town’s many historic sites. Each suite has a seating area. TV, digital radio/ipod dock, complimentary Fairtrade organic tea, coffee and hot chocolate (plus home-made cake on arrival), fresh milk, hairdryer and bathrobes, and complimentary eco-friendly shampoos, ...