It’s said that there is someone for everyone, and maybe the same could be said about festivals. If plunging into the slightly wacky is your cup of tea, there are plenty of quirky events and festivals in Kent and Sussex this year.

The Brits are not as uptight as the stereotype would have you believe. In Sussex, for example, they try to follow what looks like a moving hedge through the town of Hastings, while in Kent you’ll find them blessing the Whitstable waters. You wouldn’t believe what some people do en masse for fun.

While many of these celebrations may at first glance appear odd, all have their roots in Britain’s complex and fascinating history. Why not put them in your diary and treat yourself to an unusual break with a stay at one of our Kent and Sussex holiday cottages?

Warning: May contain morris dancing!

Jack in the Green Festival

Jack in the Green Festival by Funk Dooby

Where: Hastings, East Sussex.
When: April 29 – May 2 2016.
Details: The Jack is the symbol of the summer. An excellent chance to follow what looks like a moving hedge through town on the May Bank Holiday. Known as the Jack, he’s attended by green-faced ‘Bogies’ and a Morris group, and later gets ‘slain’ amid the cliff-top castle ruins. It all began as a form of legalised begging for chimney sweeps out of work during the summer months – the Jack began as a garland but grew and grew until he covered the person beneath.

Sweeps Festival

Sweeps Festival by Funk Dooby

Where: Rochester, Kent.
When: April 30 – May 2 2016.
Details: This festival is a throwback to pagan traditions and coincides with the tradition of Chimney Sweeps welcoming the summer so that they could clean the dirty chimneys. The modern day Sweeps Festival, one of many quirky events and festivals in Kent, is a colourful mix of dancers and musicians who converge on the street to provide a wonderful spectacle.

Dickens Festival

Dickens Festival by Luke McKernan

Where: Rochester, Kent.
When: June 3 – 5 2016.
Details: This festival celebrates the life and work of the great novelist Charles Dickens who spent much of his childhood in Medway while his father worked at the Dockyards. Every year Rochester mark this connection with a wonderful celebration of his characters and writing – with costumed character parades, street entertainment, readings and lots of free activities throughout the High Street. This year the festival will carry the theme of ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’.

Oyster Festival and Blessing of the Waters

Landing the oysters by Whitstable Oyster Festival

Where: Whitstable, Kent.
When: July 23 – August 2 2016.
Details: Head to this gorgeous seaside town in July for the ‘Landing of the Oysters’ at Long Beach, the colourful Oyster Parade and, of course, to eat as many tasty oysters as you can manage. Held over the period which includes St James Day (July 25) – St James being the Patron Saint of Oysters and Oyster Fisheries.

Faversham Hop Festival

Faversham Hop Festival by Smudge 9000

Where: Faversham, Kent.
When: September 3 – 4 2016.
Details: This internationally-renowned music and beer bash is a celebration of the hop harvest when thousands of Londoners would travel to Kent for a working holiday. Highlights include a barrel of bands and a mix of morris dancers.

Lewes Bonfire Celebrations

Lewes Bonfire Celebrations by Miles Sabin

Where: Lewes, East Sussex.
When: November 5 2016.
Details: For 364 days of the year, Lewes is the sort of town to take afternoon tea in. But on 5 November, the town takes on a very different personality. Steeped in traditions going back 500 years, Lewes takes fireworks night very seriously. There are six different torchlit processions before the lighting on the bonfire. Plus tar barrel rolling, marching bands, drummers, traditional fancy dress and floats with topical bonfire effigies.

Burning the Clocks

Burning the Clocks by Dominic Alves

Where: Brighton, East Sussex.
When: December 21 2016.
Details: People gather to make clock lanterns and time-themed figures of paper and willow. They make their way through the town to the beach where the sculptures are set on fire amid a massive firework display to celebrate the shortest day.