Palestine on the Pier is a free cultural festival on Hastings Pier on 4 September which celebrates the best of Palestinian culture.

As well as music, food, dance and craft, this year we are flying over a collection of hand-embroidered Palestinian dresses – some over 150 years old – to form a spectacular ‘catwalk’ centrepiece of the celebrations.

Our event showcases Palestinian artistes in the UK as well as from Palestine itself but raising the funds to keep this event free and open to all has been a tough call.

We need your help!

The very first Palestine on the Pier took place last year with music, food, dance, storytelling and craft, attracting a crowd of over 1000.

This year hosts Hastings Pier Entertainment and Hastings & Rye PSC are taking over the whole pier with a full programme of entertainment and activities for the whole family and hoping to attract over 3000 guests.

Check out our promo video here.

One notable performer will be acclaimed Palestinian viola player and composer Samer Rashed, flying in from occupied East Jerusalem, to showcase his latest album: ‘Tales of the Gypsy Jazz’, a unique Arabic twist on the genre.

The all-female dance troupe Hawiyya will take to the stage with their memorable brand of contemporary storytelling combined with traditional dabke, as well as musicians Jamal and Alaa

There will be a children’s corner featuring Palestinian storyteller Elias Matter and kite-making workshops, a number of stalls selling Palestinian food and drink stall, Palestinian handicraft for sale, as well as ‘tatreez’ embroidery workshops held at The Nest over the weekend with expert Miranda Allen.

The thobe catwalk show, from Ramallah in the West Bank, will be a centrepiece of this year’s festival, and as well as the live show, the dresses will be displayed at a static event for free on Saturday 3 September at The White Rock hotel between 10am-5pm. See here for the full programme.

Last year we teamed up with Hastings Pier Entertainment to hold the UK's very first Palestine on the Pier. Here is a little video taster of our amazing day.

We strongly believe Palestine on the Pier should be a free event, inclusive to all, a way to share the heritage and culture of a people whose very existence is under threat. That is why we are raising funds. Please support this unique and fantastic day and join us on Hasting Pier on September 4 2022.