| Where: | Eastbourne, Sussex at Hampden Park |
| When: | Weekend in early August |
| Time: | 10 am - 5pm both days with Lammas Ritual on Saturday afternoon and John Barleycorn and closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon |
Lammas is an ancient celebration connected with the first fruits of the harvest and it falls on August 1st. Eastbourne Lammas festival is a modern celebration on a weekend near to 1st, which is currently newly revived after a break of several years and takes place over two days in leafy Hampden Park on the north side of the town. There are numerous performances over both days from the organisers Anderida Morris along with many visiting dance sides, accompanied by Druid ceremonies, a wide variety of music and song on the stage and a rather splendid retelling of the John Barleycorn story in music, song and dance, based on the ancient folksong about the corn spirit, his sacrifice and rebirth. Plenty of food and drink are available at on-site vendors and the Cafe next door, and there are stalls and children’s entertainments. A beautifully crafted Harvest Sheaf loaf and other specially baked bread is on display, which is shared with all at the ceremony on the Saturday afternoon along with apple juice or cider, and everyone is welcome to take part in the circle rituals. The revived custom took place for the first time in 2026, in blazing sunshine, and the funds raised were donated to the local wildlife rescue charity.
Helpful Hints
In 2026 it was on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August in Hampden Park, organised by Anderida Border Morris- 2027 details are yet to be announced, and bear in mind that times may be a little flexible on the day (morris time is rarely rigid!).
Entry in 2026 was £5 each day and tickets could be bought in advance via a link from the Facebook page below, or purchased at the gate. Programmes and wristbands are given at the entrance, so you can come and go from the enclosed festival site. Some of the dances take place outside the fenced area, next to the Lake just north of the festival enclosure (and there was a little confusion at the start of the Saturday when the dancers all processed around the lake, which wasn’t on the programme!). Visitors may bring their own seating if desired.
Full details and information about public transport are on the links below, and there’s free street parking nearby.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EastbourneLammas/
can you advise me of the organisers email address for this years event on saturday 26th & 27th July 2014.
Kind regards
Gary
Hi Gary,
The event belonging to the festival appears to be broken today – if it isn’t up and running soon probably the best way to get in touch wil be through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/45707716449/events/ I don’t have an email address without checking their site.I’m off on a trip in half an hour or I’d follow the link up myself! Hope you get it all sorted (they might be unaware that the site’s not working)Best wishes,
Averil
I too would like contact details for this festival to arrange having a trade stall. I have visited their main website and their FB page but cannot find any direct email or phone details!
Hi Nick,
I think your best course of action will be to leave a message on the event’s own facebook page -sorry I haven’t got any insider info for you!
Hope you manage to get through,
Averil
hi we would like to apply for a craft stall I have been on your show when linda was running it Iam selling my dog collars they are bling bling and personalised names wich does go very well but do you supply tables please I did do the fishcakes but I have had a stroke so there as can not do cooking any more thanks
Yvonne Patterson
Hi Yvonne,
You’re through to calendarcustoms, not the Lammas Festival organisers. Follow this link to their Facebook page, which is how they recommend people contact them : https://www.facebook.com/groups/45707716449/
Hope you get sorted!
Averil