Easter in Eastbourne

The Easter holidays are here and for a truly egg-celent time this month, Eastbourne has something egg-stra special for all the family.

From an Easter Egg Hunt for young explorers to extravagant events, there’s plenty going on in the town throughout April.

Eastbourne is once again home to a state-of-the-art observation wheel this spring/summer season, but brand new to Eastbourne this year we're delighted to present the UK's largest transportable Ferris wheel.

The Eastbourne Eye, standing over a huge 160ft tall, offers the most panoramic views of the town and the stunning coastline ever seen in the town.

You can find the wheel located on the Western Lawns next to Bistrot Pierre and throughout summer 2022, the Eastbourne Eye will be open from 11am - 6pm.

Launched just in time for the Easter Holidays is Eastbourne’s new 3D virtual heritage trail.

The Story of Eastbourne 3D Trail invites visitors to scan QR codes at 12 locations across the town to view and rotate an uncovered artefact in full 3D from their smartphones - and find a wealth of information on each item.

Among the artefacts on virtual display are an extinct elephant’s tooth, a fireman’s medal, a rare Saxon claw beaker, an Iron Age bead, a flue tile from an Eastbourne Roman villa and a ring believed to have been made by a solider recovering at Summerdown Camp during the First World War.

All the items have been discovered during excavations in the town in previous years.

Locations include Grove Road, Hampden Park and Old Town and people can also access the trail and discover the artefacts on Heritage Eastbourne’s website.

For theatre goers, the Congress and Devonshire Park theatres have a packed programme of West End shows and performances.

From Tuesday 5 April to Saturday 9 April the Devonshire Park Theatre will host a production of Same Time, Next Year – a play which charts the lives of a couple who, after a chance encounter, embark on a romantic love affair that lasts 25 years.

The play follows the ups and downs of parenthood, career highs and lows as well as the shifting fashions and morals of the passing decades.

At the neighbouring Congress Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical School of Rock begins a five-day run-on Tuesday 12 April until Saturday 16 April followed by the welcome return of Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society at the Devonshire Park Theatre with Evita from Wednesday 20 April through until Saturday 23.

Comedian and 8 out of 10 Cats captain Rob Beckett returns on Saturday 23 April for one night only at the Congress followed by the hugely popular London Philharmonic Orchestra on the afternoon of Sunday 24 April.

For music lovers, the Bandstand on Tour continues with two tribute nights in April. Pure Queen take to the stage for a Queen Tribute Show on Friday 29 April and the following night – Saturday 30 April, it’s the turn of The Ragdolls with the Jersey Boys Tribute Show. Both shows take place in the Winter Garden and doors open at 7pm for an 8pm start.

If you want some home-grown musical talent, head to the Stage Door Pub in the heart of the Devonshire Quarter. On Sunday evenings local musicians join in the fun at the Open Mic Night. The pub and kitchen, open daily for food and drink, also runs a Quiz Night on the first Tuesday of every month for people to test their general knowledge.

For young egg-splorers, there’s cracking fun to be had at Drusillas Zoo Park at Alfriston.

From Saturday 2 April to Monday 18 April, special eggs will be hidden around the adventure park. But the Egg Hunt is only half the fun…. visitors can make memories and get nose-to-nose with 100 species of exotic animal in the zoo, go bananas in indoor and outdoor adventure play areas, enjoy unlimited turns on family-friendly rides, tiptoe among prehistoric giants, get wet in the super splash pad, be totally immersed in the new sensory play experience, and more.

Pre-book day tickets to the Park online and save up to 20% on the gate price, find more information here.

Another great way to spend the day is at The Beachy Head Story, Eastbourne’s newest exhibition, that allows visitors to discover the beautiful landscape of Beachy Head and the South Downs.

Start at the formation of the Downs and continue through time, discovering the stories of people who have shaped this landscape. Find out why Beachy Head has been so important to people for thousands of years, and why it is still a must-see tourist destination on the south coast.

If it’s adventure, you’re looking for, why not hire an electric bike and head off and explore Eastbourne or the surrounding South Downs. Cadence Cycle Club has hubs in the Devonshire quarter outside the Welcome Building and at Litlington and staff are on hand to provide advice on suggested routes and how to get the most out of the experience.

If water sports are more your thing, the Sovereign Centre with its fun pool and wave machine is open seven days a week and Buzz Active in Royal Parade also offers a host of activities on the water.