1. Our Purpose
Hidden Beach CIC exists to bring people together through music, culture and creativity.
We believe cultural experiences should be accessible, inclusive and rooted in community, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, learn and express themselves.
Hidden Beach 2026 represents the next step in our journey:
a month-long programme celebrating the diverse artistic, cultural and social identity of Hastings.
2. Our Creative Vision
Our vision is to build a coastal cultural ecosystem where:
- music, arts and culture thrive all year
- local and international artists meet
- communities feel ownership of creative spaces
- young people see a future for themselves in the creative industries
- overlooked or underrepresented voices are celebrated
- public spaces are activated for creativity and connection
We curate work across genres — sound system culture, orchestral experiences, global diasporic arts, film, food culture, wellness, dance, creative workshops — because culture is lived, embodied and shared.
3. Why HB2026 Matters
Hastings is a town rich in heritage, identity and artistic talent.
But cultural opportunity is not always evenly distributed.
HB2026 aims to:
- create new cultural access points
- provide skills and learning pathways
- strengthen local cultural identity
- support wellbeing and community connection
- attract visitors and boost the local economy
- build partnerships across venues, organisations and communities
By spreading activity across venues, neighbourhoods and public spaces, HB2026 becomes a cultural experience for everyone.
4. What We Aim to Achieve
Through HB2026, we are building:
A thriving cultural environment
where participation is as valued as performance.
A platform for artists
supporting emerging, established, local and global voices.
A month of creative possibility
with events, workshops, nightlife, family sessions, film, food and culture.
Opportunities for young people
via School.HiddenBeach, creative training and hands-on learning.
A culturally confident Hastings
that sees its diversity and creativity reflected, celebrated and amplified.
5. Long-Term Cultural Impact
HB2026 is not a one-off festival — it is the foundation of a sustainable, long-term cultural movement.
Our ambitions include:
- developing annual and seasonal programming
- expanding creative education and participation
- creating new partnerships with local venues and communities
- embedding cultural pathways for young people
- contributing to Hastings’ identity as a recognised cultural destination
Our goal is to build something that lasts far beyond 2026 — a cultural legacy shaped with and for the people of Hastings.