Festival Information
South East
Overview
Rye Arts Festival is an annual multi-venue programme of arts and ideas, held in Rye and the surrounding area. It brings together classical and contemporary music, books and talks, theatre, film, walks, workshops and visual arts.
Daytime and evening events take place in churches, community venues, cultural spaces and heritage locations, allowing visitors to build their own programme while exploring Rye.
Programme
View the
official programme.
Note: Programme details may change. Check the official website and social media channels for the latest information.
First held: 19722026 edition: 55th
Location
Rye Arts Festival takes place at venues across Rye and the surrounding area rather than at one central festival site.
Travel Info
Rye is accessible by train, bus and road. The festival's official Getting to Rye and the venues information includes public transport guidance, road directions, parking information and a festival venue map. As events take place at different locations, check the address on the individual event page before travelling.
Festival Venues
Events take place in historic, cultural and community venues across Rye and the surrounding area. The official programme links each event to its venue page, where visitors can check the address and available practical information. Facilities, parking and accessibility vary between locations, so check the individual event details when planning a visit.
Some venues are in Rye's historic hilltop centre, where gradients and cobbled streets may affect journeys between locations.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: Free - £95
This range covers the currently published programme, from free activities to specialist workshops. Most standard talks, performances and shorter activities cost less than the highest-priced events. Always check the official programme for current prices, availability and inclusions.
Rye Arts Festival uses an event-by-event ticketing model. Visitors can browse and book individual talks, performances, films, walks, workshops and other activities through the official events programme.
The programme includes free and paid events. Check each event page for its current price, availability, venue and any concessions.
Membership
Annual Friends and Benefactor memberships provide priority booking and discounts on tickets purchased in advance.
Important Ticket Information
Any remaining tickets are sold at the venue door 30 minutes before each event. Membership discounts do not apply to tickets bought at the door.
Purchase tickets through the festival's official programme and box office. Correctly issued tickets normally cannot be exchanged, returned or resold. Refunds are generally available only when an event is cancelled or rescheduled, subject to the festival's official terms and conditions. Check individual event pages for suitability, concessions and access information before booking.
Accommodation
Visitors staying overnight can arrange accommodation in Rye or the surrounding area, with hotels, bed and breakfasts and self-catering options available locally.
The festival's official Where to Stay, Eat & Drink information links to local tourism and town resources covering accommodation and other visitor facilities.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with Festival Calendar UK's Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies between festival venues, and some historic buildings may not offer full step-free access. Individual event pages identify available facilities, including wheelchair access and hearing loops where confirmed.
Contact the festival's Box Office before booking to check venue access, reserve a wheelchair space where available, or discuss requirements relating to a carer or guide dog. Contact details are included in the official booking information.
