Hurst Festival 2026 Complete Guide
Dates, programme highlights, tickets, venues, parking, Hassocks Station connections, Super Sunday and safe journeys home—everything visitors need in one locally researched guide.
What is Hurst Festival?
Hurst Festival is a two-week community arts and culture festival staged across Hurstpierpoint. The 2026 programme runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 September and brings together live music, comedy, theatre, film, literature, local history, walks, workshops, exhibitions and family-friendly community events.
The festival is a registered charity and events take place in large and small venues throughout the village—from Holy Trinity Church and Hurst Village Centre to Players Theatre, Danny House, Hurst College and independent High Street businesses. Some activities are free; others require advance tickets.
Super Sunday 2026
Super Sunday takes place at the Recreation Ground on Sunday 20 September. The official programme describes a community day with a Hurstpierpoint Gymnastics display, Mid Sussex Radio, live music from local band Breeze In, independent vendors, activities, food, drinks and the Hurst Festival bar.
Hurst Festival 2026 day-by-day
The programme contains around 30 listed events. This compact calendar covers the confirmed events and repeat performances visible in the official schedule; always open the official listing before booking.
Café in the Church (10am); Hurst Open Studios (from 11am); Horticultural Show (2pm); Heritage Trail (2:15pm); The Lack of Commitments (8pm).
Free events availableHeritage Trail listed sold outHurst Open Studios; U3A walk from Trinity Road Car Park (10am); Reading for Wellbeing at Nixon’s Music & Books (3pm).
South Downs Cellars Wine School evening at Hurstpierpoint Bowls Club, 7–9pm.
Seven Poets Read at The New Inn (7pm); One Man, Two Guvnors at Players Theatre (7:30pm).
Building Better High Streets at Lyona Lounge; An Evening with Zadie Smith at Holy Trinity Church; One Man, Two Guvnors.
Zadie Smith listed sold outHurst College tour; free Music Scholars Concert; Jonny Hepbir Trio at Danny House; One Man, Two Guvnors.
Music Scholars free—booking requiredFunny That Comedy at Hurst Village Centre and One Man, Two Guvnors at Players Theatre, both from 7:30pm.
Hurst Open Studios; Heritage Trail; One Man, Two Guvnors; The Highway Sun at 8pm.
Hurst Open Studios; U3A walk; Super Sunday 12–6pm; Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess at Danny House, 3pm.
Community dayClarinet Duo classical soirée (7:30pm); The Informers (8pm).
The Informers listed sold outFestival Ceilidh at Hurst Village Centre and Close Encounters of the Third Kind at Players Theatre, both 7:30pm.
Art Masterclass at Hurst College (6:30pm); Ghost Stories Theatre at Players Theatre (7:30pm).
Art Masterclass listed sold outSecond Funny That Comedy night at Hurst Village Centre, 7:30–10pm.
Flow at Players Theatre (10am); Nature’s Tapestry at Danny House (10am–5pm); Heritage Trail; Always 4 – Take That at Holy Trinity Church (8pm).
Nature’s Tapestry Art Exhibition continues at Danny House, 10am–5pm. Check the live calendar for any further closing-day additions.
Main venues and addresses
Holy Trinity Church
24 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9TY. Music, talks and church events.
Hurst Village Centre
Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9UY. Comedy, ceilidh and horticultural show.
Players Theatre
147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU. Theatre and village cinema; limited nearby parking.
Danny House
New Way Lane, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9BB. Jazz, classical music and art exhibitions.
Hurst College
College Lane, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9JS. Tours, music and workshops.
High Street venues
The New Inn, Lyona Lounge and Nixon’s Music & Books host smaller talks and performances.
Tickets, prices and sold-out events
Tickets are available through the official Hurst Festival website. Some free events still require a booked space, and a one-off £1 administration fee may be added to baskets containing paid event tickets.
Parking, trains, buses and drop-offs
By train
Hassocks is the nearest practical railway station for many visitors and is roughly 1.5 miles from Players Theatre. Pre-book your onward taxi, especially after evening shows.
Trinity Road Car Park
The festival venue page lists 121 spaces and says a parking disc is required. Confirm current restrictions and never assume a space will be available during busy events.
Other parking
Players Theatre points visitors towards limited spaces in South Avenue, Brown Twins and Trinity Road car parks. Respect residents, access routes and local restrictions.
Bus connections
The Players Theatre venue information lists routes 33 and 273 outside the theatre. Check the operator’s live timetable before travel, particularly for evening returns.
When a pre-booked taxi makes sense
Festival events finish at different times and venues. A pre-booked local taxi is useful for Hassocks Station connections, evening performances, family groups, visitors with accessibility needs and anyone who does not want to rely on finding a late return journey.
Visitor checklist
Hurst Festival 2026 FAQs
When is Hurst Festival 2026?
Saturday 12 September to Sunday 27 September 2026.
When is Super Sunday?
Sunday 20 September 2026, scheduled from 12 noon until 6pm at the Recreation Ground.
Do I need tickets?
Many performances require tickets. Some events are free but may still require advance booking. Check the individual official event page.
Where is the festival held?
Across multiple Hurstpierpoint venues, including Holy Trinity Church, Hurst Village Centre, Players Theatre, Danny House, Hurst College and High Street businesses.
What is the nearest train station?
Hassocks is the nearest practical station for many visitors. Arrange the last part of your journey and return in advance.
Where can I park?
Trinity Road Car Park is one option and its festival page lists 121 spaces with a parking-disc requirement. Other limited local car parks exist; restrictions and availability must be checked.
Can I book a taxi to the festival?
Yes. Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked local, station, airport and return journeys for Hurstpierpoint. Supply the precise venue and finishing time.
Are event times and prices guaranteed?
No. The official festival website and individual venue pages are the authoritative live sources; check again before travelling.
Official sources
This independent visitor guide was checked against the Hurst Festival homepage, official calendar, Hurst Village Centre listing, Players Theatre listing, Danny House listing and Trinity Road Car Park listing. Sussex Airports Taxis is not the festival organiser; ticket and programme enquiries belong with Hurst Festival.
Last checked: 22 August 2026.
Plan your Hurst Festival journey
Pre-book Hurstpierpoint taxis, Hassocks Station connections and evening returns with Sussex Airports Taxis by phone, web or Sussex Go app.