Hastings Jack in the Green

Jack in the Green

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MusicHastings
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsHastings draws dozens of Morris sides from
LanguageEnglishCurrency: GBP
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Hastings Jack in the Green in Hastings

A foliage-covered giant known as Jack in the Green, escorted by green-costumed Bogies, is paraded through Hastings Old Town on the May bank holiday before being ritually stripped of its greenery on West Hill. The event has grown, since its 1983 revival, into one of the largest annual gatherings of Morris dancers in England.

Hastings revived its Jack in the Green procession in 1983, and the custom has since grown into one of England's largest annual gatherings of Morris dancers.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Hastings draws dozens of Morris sides from across England for a single weekend, making its Jack in the Green one of the country's largest annual Morris gatherings rather than a single-troupe custom

02

The mystery stays covered

The Jack itself, an almost three-metre wicker and foliage frame worn by a hidden dancer, is escorted by Bogies in green rag costume and face paint, and the procession ends with the Jack's ritual death on West Hill, where onlookers strip and keep pieces of its foliage as the spirit of summer is symbolically released for the year

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Jack in the Green

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a wicker frame covered in foliage and worn by a hidden dancer

The sacred route

Living ritual

is escorted by attendants known as Bogies dressed in green rags and face paint

The local code

Living ritual

The procession ends on West Hill with the ritual slaying and stripping of the Jack

Tradition 5

Living ritual

its foliage scattered to onlookers to release the spirit of summer

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Use Hastings transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Wear shoes built for steep cobbled lanes and a full afternoon of standing, since the procession moves through Hastings Old Town's hilly streets to West Hill.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Hastings, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

GBP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map50.86 N, 0.58 EOpen in Google Maps

Hastings, England, United Kingdom

TransportUse Hastings transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Hastings, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hastings via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hastings, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearWear shoes built for steep cobbled lanes and a full afternoon of standing, since the procession moves through Hastings Old Town's hilly streets to West Hill.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United Kingdom and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hastings Jack in the Green?

Hastings Jack in the Green is listed for Past edition: 1–4 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hastings Jack in the Green take place?

The festival is listed in Hastings, United Kingdom. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hastings, England, United Kingdom

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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