Haywards Heath Arts Festival

05/06/2026

*** EVER WANTED TO BE IN PANTO? ***

Our friends at the Weald Theatre Group are holding auditions for their January production of ‘Aladdin’ on Sunday the 28th of June 2026.

All are welcome whatever your age or acting ability. There are loads of roles up for grabs so if you fancy yourself as the next Aladdin, Widow Twanky or even the Emperor of Peking! they’d like to hear from you.

It’s great fun with a great group of people. For more info contact them on the email address given.

If it helps – we’ve had a little look at the script. It’s hilarious. Oh yes it is

20/03/2026

After much thought, the Haywards Heath Arts Festival committee has taken the decision to pause the festival for this year.

Since its inception, the festival has proudly brought creativity into the heart of our town in ways that felt fresh, ambitious and sometimes a little unexpected. From performances in restaurants and exhibitions in estate agents - even a funeral directors - to events in the Town Hall and other unconventional spaces, we have been driven by a belief that art should be accessible, visible and woven into everyday life.

We have taken risks - many of which have paid off -helping to spark new ideas and opportunities for local businesses and venues. It has been particularly rewarding to see several of our partners continue hosting events and building on concepts that first began as part of the festival.

Alongside this, we are incredibly proud to have raised over £8,000 for charity during our time running the festival, supporting important causes within our community.

However, this has also been a challenging period. We are saddened by the recent council decision not to accept the Haywards Heath Community CIC’s bid for Clair Hall. In a town that is already short on dedicated cultural venues, this represented a significant opportunity to establish a more permanent hub for arts activity and to support the long-term growth of creative provision in our community.

While we take this time to reflect, we remain incredibly proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone - artists, audiences, volunteers, sponsors and local businesses - who have supported the festival along the way.

This is not a goodbye, but rather a moment to pause, reassess, and consider what the future might hold.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

05/11/2025

Here's a show not to be missed - Our friends at Funny That! bringing the biggest names to Lindfield.

30/10/2025

HURSTfolk proudly presents what will be an unforgettable evening at The Players Theatre in Hurstpierpoint on Sunday the 9th of November.
The talented and acclaimed drummer Terl Bryant presents songs and stories from his many collaboration with legendary musicians as well as his solo works.
Tickets are on sale now via www.HURSTfolk.org
https://www.terl.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeAy6jjNkoE

29/10/2025

Our friends at 'HURSTfolk' have some great events coming up. Friday the 7th of November sees Eddy Temple-Morris take to the stage at the Players Theatre in Hurstpierpoint talking about his life in the spotlight as Broadcaster, DJ, Presenter, Podcaster and social Agitator!

A one-off event not to be missed.

18/10/2025

Don't miss out on what promises to be a great evening from our friends at Funny That!. Secure your tickets now.

Bringing the cream of the UK comedy circuit to your local village hall

15/07/2025

*** AMAZING ***

In less than 24 hours our open air cinema event has SOLD OUT.

But never fear. You can still register to be put on our waiting list so in the event of tickets becoming available you’ll be the first to know.

For full details go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paddington-in-the-park-open-air-cinema-tickets-1486388631409?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you to everyone who has registered. Your support is very much appreciated.

15/07/2025

*** WOW!!! ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT ***

To say the response to this event has been phenomenal would be a bit of an understatement!!

A BIG thank you to everyone who’s booked so far.

If you’re still thinking about coming you’ll have to make your mind up fast as there are only a handful of tickets left.

This is a free to attend family friendly open air cinema. We'll be showing 'Paddington in Peru' An event in support of our chosen charity Finley's Touch. T’s and C’s apply and you can find all the details you need to know as well as booking info at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paddington-in-the-park-open-air-cinema-tickets-1486388631409?aff=oddtdtcreator

BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO HURRY

14/07/2025

*** PADDINGTON IN THE PARK ***

We hinted about it during ‘Spring into Summer’ and during festival week and now the time has come to announce that in partnership with Haywards Heath Town Council we’ll be showing ‘Paddington in Peru’ on the evening of Friday the 12th of September in Victoria Park.

This is a free to attend family friendly event but some Terms and Conditions apply.

Whilst free to attend we’d like you to register for a ‘ticket’. This will help us manage the event and give us the heads up on just how many people are coming. You never know registering may just win you a prize on the evening. More on that to come in due course.

This evening will be a fundraiser for our charity partner ‘Finley’s Touch’. A local charity doing some great work helping children with cancer and their families. If you can spare a few pounds it would be very gratefully received. To find out more go to https://finleystouch.org.uk/

The overriding condition is that you come and have an enjoyable time.

For all the full information on the event and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paddington-in-the-park-open-air-cinema-tickets-1486388631409?aff=oddtdtcreator

28/06/2025

*** WHAT A FINISH ***

Haywards Heath Arts Festival drew to a close this afternoon and what a way to finish.

In collaboration with Cuckfield Music Festival we took part in the ‘Sussex Piano Trail’.

With a piano set up in the Orchards Shopping Centre for passers-by to use there was no telling how the day would pan out.

However, us organisers and the public weren’t to be disappointed. The talent both young and old (ages ranged from 7 to 92!) was fantastic.

We’re not quite finished for 2025 and very soon we’ll be posting full details of a very special FREE event taking place in September. So please keep an eye on Facebook and our website – www.haywardsheathartsfestival.co.uk