July 16th, 2024.



This August, Newhaven’s unique riverside outdoor event space, The Sidings, hosts free live music, circus workshops and performances, ceilidh, games and activities, DJs, a pop-up tap room, food trucks and even a pirate day!

The programme, billed as ‘Summer At The Sidings’, kicks off at 6.00pm on Friday the 2nd of August with live music, and continues on Saturday the 3rd of August from 12 noon with a family-friendly circus activity day, extending into the evening with DJs at Abyss Brewing’s pop-up on-site tap room.

Events confirmed so far include ‘Under the Sea Circus’ - face painting, a singing mermaid, circus workshops, performances and walkabout from Arcanic Events on Saturday the 3rd of August, ARCADE Mini, performer-led participatory games on Saturday the 10th of August, a timber shivering ‘Pirate Day’ led by Leicester’s Enter Edem inviting you to become a bubbly buccaneer and enjoy face painting, a pirate circus school, and pirate games on Saturday the 17th of August, and a Ceilidh featuring local band the Dockside Barrel Scrapers on Friday the 23rd of August.

They’ll be free courtyard games to play including skittles, pucket, table tennis, connect 4 and Jenga alongside different DJs each weekend and each event will be accompanied by one tasty food truck offer including Raclette, Jerk, Crepes, and Burgers.

‘Summer at the Sidings’ kicks off with a flourish at 6.00pm on Friday the 2nd with Reverb-drenched guitar twang over Latin bass lines and pounding surf beats from Los Dedos. 6 Music’s Craig Charles said, “I’m obsessed with these guys . . . So cool!” , plus Burlesque Cabaret and support from the Stanmers.

The events, co-produced by Towner Eastbourne and Firestory Events, will celebrate Lewes District Council’s rejuvenation of Newhaven’s east-riverside area, with Marine Workshops now hosting the BN9 studio exhibition space on the top floor and Mamoosh Riverside Deli on the ground floor.