Etchingham Arts Festival

Welcome to the Etchingham Arts Festival, a week of music, spoken word and art, held annually during the first week of July in the superb 14th Century Church in Etchingham, East Sussex.

The Festival’s Patron, Peter Katin is one of the world’s finest pianists and he performs every year to delight audiences playing a magnificent Steinway piano.

The Festival aims to build on past successes and introduce new performers in a varied and entertaining programme. Why not take the opportunity to listen to quality performances in the intimate surroundings of a beautiful country church?

History of the Festival

The Etchingham Arts Festival was started in 1987 with a programme of formal and informal afternoon promenade concerts over a weekend.

In the spirit of revitalisation in 2001 the Festival was developed to eight days to include concerts featuring modern and classical music with a bias towards young people, new artists and composers.

Previous years have seen performances by Peter Katin, Katherine Fuge, Richard Evans, Madeleine Pierard, Adam Miller, Brass 10, the Bloomsbury Quartet, Mediva, the Primevera Chamber Orchestra and students from various music colleges.

In recent years four new works have been commissioned, some created during workshops with the artists leading the venture and with pupils from local schools.

Over the years the fesival has been awarded Grants and supported by; Rother District Council and the Friends of Mayfield Music Festival, as well as the Arts Council - England. Every year the local community and friends of Etchingham Arts Festival provide much needed sponsorship.