Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday

Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival: 13th to 17th of February 2026 is back next week, and it's time to celebrate again Britain's largest Mardi Gras in Hastings! The full details of events can be found at the website. As usual I'll share details and notes here about the history of Mardi Gras itself. The festival encompasses numerous venues across Hastings throughout the 5 days of the festival until culminating on the evening of Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day/Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/whatever 🎶 Tuesday the 17th of February, for the Fat Tuesday Tour 2026, with partying and music galore from 24 established acts at 12 venues plus!

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Spectacle! 

OK, we may not be as spectacular as Mardi Gras in New Orleans (website) which has been going since 1703, originally 60 miles south of New Orleans, at Point Du Mardi Gras, where  French explorers landed a few years earlier, on the day of Mardi Gras, the 2nd of March 1699. New Orleans was established in 1718, with Mardi Gras regularly celebrated there by the 1830s, and by 1875, large floats were being built in New Orleans to celebrate the festival, the year it became a legal public holiday.

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, Glamour!

Or as glamourous as Carnaval in Rio which has been celebrated, initially with feasts, since the 17th century. Masquerade balls became popular in the 19th century, but in the early 20th century the culture of African music and dance, introduced by freed slaves and their children, was enveloped within Portuguese Rio de Janeiro, then was founded the dance style of Samba (Sambassadorsofgroove). Mardi Gras was now celebrated in Rio together with the development of Samba schools in the 1920s (there are about 200 schools in existence now) the Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival) festival became centred on the parade of the Samba schools and the glamour that was introduced, and since 1933 Rio Carnaval has become the largest Mardi Gras festival in the World, with 2 million people participating every year.

We may not have as much spectacle and glamour as New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, although there will be plenty of dressing up, be assured of that, and Mardi Gras and Carnaval have been going considerably longer than Fat Tuesday in Hastings, but we do have free live music galore and we party, this is Hastings!

Whichever events you attend, do enjoy our Mardi Gras and have fun!

Hastings Fat Tuesday 2025!

Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival: 28th of February to the 4th of March 2025 is back again and it's time to celebrate Britain's largest Mardi Gras in Hastings! The full details of events can be found at the website. As usual I'll share details and notes here about the history of Mardi Gras itself. The festival encompasses numerous venues across Hastings throughout the 5 days of the festival until culminating on the evening of Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day/Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/whatever 🎶 Tuesday the 4th of March, for the Fat Tuesday Tour 2025 (website), with partying and music galore from 24 established acts at 12 venues from The Carlisle in the west to The Dolphin Inn in the east, and entry is free. Plus there's the Reggae Room Party at East Hastings Sea Angling Association (website).

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Spectacle! 

OK, we may not be as spectacular as Mardi Gras in New Orleans (website) which has been going since 1703, originally 60 miles south of New Orleans, at Point Du Mardi Gras, where  French explorers landed a few years earlier, on the day of Mardi Gras, the 2nd of March 1699. New Orleans was established in 1718, with Mardi Gras regularly celebrated there by the 1830s, and by 1875, large floats were being built in New Orleans to celebrate the festival, the year it became a legal public holiday.

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, Glamour!

Or as glamourous as Carnaval in Rio which has been celebrated, initially with feasts, since the 17th century. Masquerade balls became popular in the 19th century, but in the early 20th century the culture of African music and dance, introduced by freed slaves and their children, was enveloped within Portuguese Rio de Janeiro, then was founded the dance style of Samba (Sambassadorsofgroove). Mardi Gras was now celebrated in Rio together with the development of Samba schools in the 1920s (there are about 200 schools in existence now) the Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival) festival became centred on the parade of the Samba schools and the glamour that was introduced, and since 1933 Rio Carnaval has become the largest Mardi Gras festival in the World, with 2 million people participating every year.

We may not have as much spectacle and glamour as New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, although there will be plenty of dressing up, be assured of that, and Mardi Gras and Carnaval have been going considerably longer than Fat Tuesday in Hastings, but we do have free live music galore and we party, for example Saturday 1st March Unplugged boasts 60 emerging artists and bands playing 15 minutes acoustic sets at 30 venues across Hastings, for 5 hours from 1-6pm, from Day Glo Records in St Leonards in the west, to the Dolphin Inn in the Old Town in the east (if you don't have a programme already, for specific acts and where they're playing, go to the website), entry is free, and don't be surprised to find more free non-festival live music at a number of venues Saturday evening too, this is Hastings!

Whichever events you attend do enjoy our Mardi Gras and have fun!

Mardi Gras - Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival 2023

Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival is back for 2023 (website) and it's time to celebrate Mardi Gras in style again! The festival kicks off this Friday the 17th with a one day music conference, Un-Convention, from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association opposite Hastings Lifeboat Station; tickets for the whole day are £5 (website), and continues in the evening with Le Grand Mardi Gras Ball, 8.00 pm to 3.00 am, at the White Rock Theatre; Early Bird tickets £22.50, otherwise £27.00 (website). The festival goes on to encompass numerous venues across Hastings throughout the 5 days of the festival until culminating on the evening of Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day/Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/whatever 🎶 Tuesday the 21st of February, for the Fat Tuesday Tour 2023 (website), with partying and music galore from 24 established acts at 12 venues from The Carlisle in the west to The Dolphin Inn in the east, and entry is free. Plus there's the Reggae Room Party too on Tuesday evening, at East Hastings Sea Angling Association (website).

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Spectacle! 

OK, we may not be as spectacular as Mardi Gras in New Orleans (website) which has been going since 1703, originally 60 miles south of New Orleans, at Point Du Mardi Gras, where  French explorers landed a few years earlier, on the day of Mardi Gras, the 2nd of March 1699. New Orleans was established in 1718, with Mardi Gras regularly celebrated there by the 1830s, and by 1875, large floats were being built in New Orleans to celebrate the festival, the year it became a legal public holiday.

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, Glamour!

Mardi Gras in Rio is from the 17th to the 25th of February this year (website), which is spectacular too, and has been celebrated, initially with feasts, since the 17th century, masquerade balls became popular in the 19th century, but in the early 20th century the culture of African music and dance, introduced by freed slaves and their children, was enveloped within Portuguese Rio de Janeiro, then was founded the dance style of Samba (Sambassadorsofgroove). Mardi Gras was now celebrated in Rio together with the development of Samba schools in the 1920s (there are about 200 schools in existence now) the Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival) festival became centred on the parade of the Samba schools and the glamour that was introduced, and since 1933 Rio Carnaval has become the largest Mardi Gras festival in the World, with 2 million people participating every year.

We may not have as much spectacle and glamour as New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, although there will be plenty of dressing up, be assured of that, and Mardi Gras and Carnaval have been going considerably longer than Fat Tuesday in Hastings... But what we do have is music galore and we party, for example on Saturday Unplugged boasts 60 artists and bands playing 15 minutes acoustic sets at 30 venues across Hastings, for 5 hours from 1-6pm, from St Leonards in the west to the Old Town in the east (if you don't have a programme already, for specific acts and where they're playing, go to the website), entry is free, and don't be surprised to find free non-festival live music at some venues later that evening, that's Hastings!

Of course, there is much more to follow during the Fat Tuesday music festival (website), for example the Umbrella Parade on Sunday the 19th, this year starting at the seafront promenade below London Road in St Leonards at noon, and heading to the White Rock Theatre where there will be a family-friendly party (website).

Whichever events you attend do enjoy our Mardi Gras and have fun!

Carnaval do Brasil returns!

Indeed, as I wrote just before Hastings own Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday festival (blog), Carnaval in Brazil was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, indeed, more than just the 3 weeks originally planned for, but it is on right now, continuing until next weekend (Sky), if you fancy flying out there! 😉 It's like the spectacle and glamour never went away, for example, see YouTube for evidence on film. 

Great to see, but let's not forget we have our own spectacle with Jack in the Green next weekend (blog), I'm so looking forward to our May Day Festival this year!

Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival Returns!

2 years since the last one, and the Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival is back (website) so this year we can celebrate Mardi Gras in style again! The festival kicks off on Friday the 25th with a one day music conference, Un-Convention, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association opposite Hastings Lifeboat Station (website), continuing that evening with Le Grand Mardi Gras Ball, 8.00 pm to 3.00 am, at the White Rock Theatre (website). The festival goes on to encompass numerous venues across Hastings throughout the 5 days of the festival until culminating on the evening of Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day/Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, Tuesday the 1st of March, for the Fat Tuesday Tour 2022 (website), with partying and music galore from 24 bands at 12 venues, plus a Reggae Room at the Sea Angling Club!

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Spectacle! 

OK, we may not be as spectacular as Mardi Gras in New Orleans (website) which has been going since 1703, originally 60 miles south of New Orleans, at Point Du Mardi Gras, where  French explorers landed a few years earlier, on the day of Mardi Gras, the 2nd of March 1699. New Orleans was established in 1718, with Mardi Gras regularly celebrated there by the 1830s, and by 1875, large floats were being built in New Orleans to celebrate the festival, the year it became a legal public holiday.

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, Glamour!

Although Mardi Gras in Rio, has been put back for 3 weeks this year, but this too is spectacular, and has been celebrated, initially with feasts, since the 17th century, masquerade balls became popular in the 19th century, but in the early 20th century the culture of African music and dance, introduced by freed slaves and their children, was enveloped within Portuguese Rio de Janeiro, then was founded the dance style of Samba (website). Mardi Gras was now celebrated in Rio together with the development of Samba schools in the 1920s (there are about 200 schools in existence now) the Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival) festival became centred on the parade of the Samba schools and the glamour that was introduced (website), and since 1933 Rio Carnaval has become the largest Mardi Gras festival in the World, with 2 million people participating every year. 

OK, we may not have as much spectacle and glamour as New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, although there will be plenty of dressing up, be assured of that, and Mardi Gras and Carnaval have been going considerably longer than Fat Tuesday in Hastings... But what we do have is music galore and we party, for example on Saturday 22nd Unplugged carries on with 60 artists and bands playing 15 minutes acoustic sets at 30 venues across Hastings, for 5 hours from 1-6pm, and from Tommy's Pizzeria in St Leonards to the Dolphin Inn in Rock-a-Nore Road in the old town (if you don't have a programme already, for specific acts and where they're playing, please go to the website), and don't be surprised to find further live music sets at some venues later that evening!

Also there is much more to follow until Fat Tuesday itself (website), and I shall be writing more about that too, but do enjoy yourselves, have fun, and stay safe!

Fat Tuesday: Already Kicking Off!

You know Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival 2019 (website) is kicking off when you see this marker in the town centre! Indeed, this is the 10th anniversary of Hastings Fat Tuesday, which always starts a wee bit early here compared to elsewhere in the world, and kicks off tonight with the Fat Friday Launch Party and The Great Malarkey starting at 8pm in The Albion (website), and encompasses numerous venues in the old and new towns throughout the 5 days of the festival until culminating on the evening of Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day/Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras itself...

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Spectacle! 

OK, it may not be as spectacular as Mardi Gras in New Orleans (website) which has been going nearby since 1703, 60 miles south of New Orleans, at Point Du Mardi Gras, where certain French explorers landed a few years earlier, on the day of Mardi Gras, the 2nd of March 1699. New Orleans was established in 1718, with Mardi Gras regularly celebrated there by the 1830s, and by 1875, large floats were being built in New Orleans to celebrate the festival, the year it became a legal public holiday.

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, Glamour!

Mardi Gras in Rio, has been celebrated, initially with feasts, since the 17th century, masquerade balls became popular in the 19th century, but in the early 20th century the culture of African music and dance, introduced by freed slaves and their children, was enveloped within Portuguese Rio de Janeiro, then was founded the dance style of Samba (website). Mardi Gras was now celebrated in Rio together with the development of Samba schools in the 1920s (about 200 schools in existence now) the Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival) festival became centred on the parade of the Samba schools and the glamour that introduced (website), and since 1933 Rio Carnaval has become the largest Mardi Gras festival in the World, with 2 million people participating every year! 

OK, we may not have as much spectacle and glamour as New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, though there will be plenty of dressing up, be assured of that, and Mardi Gras and Carnaval have been going considerably longer than Fat Tuesday in Hastings... but what we do have is music galore, and not a wee bit of merriment, carrying on with 40 artists and bands playing short sets at 20 venues across the Old Town tomorrow, 2nd March, for 5 hours from 1-6pm, and from St Mary in the Castle in Pelham Crescent to the Dolphin Inn in Rock-a-Nore Road (if you don't have a programme already, for specific acts and where they're playing, go to the website), plenty to enjoy!

Also tomorrow there is Thee Saturday Sonics (website - also on Sunday) at the Black Market from 1-6pm, and, in the spirit of masquerade, is Le Grand Mardi Gras Ball, from 8pm until 2 in the morning, at St Mary in the Castle (website - early bird tickets £15), and, not to forget, plenty of music at the usual Saturday venues, have fun!


Not to forget Saturday 2nd is the final day of the Piano Concerto Competition (blog).