Cuckfield Music Festival

Welcome to Cuckfield Life’s Cuckfield Music Festival event page. Here you will find our most recent information for the festival.

Cuckfield Music Festival is a registered charity that exists to bring a programme of musical events to Mid Sussex, working with professional, semi-professional and amateur musicians, schools and colleges, to encourage people of all ages to engage with and perform live music.

See also, Cuckfield Music Festival

2026’s Music Festival will take place 9th - 12th June

“I’M A HUGE FAN OF MUSIC IN ALL ITS FORMS, AND LOVE | THE WAY FESTIVALS BRING ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT MUSIC-MAKERS TOGETHER.”
- BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham, Cuckfield Music Festival Patron.

www.cuckfieldmusicfest.co.uk

9th June - 1pm Alexander Hancorn, Trumpet through the ages

10th June - 1pm Kitty Casey, Echoes of the heart

10th June - 7.30pm Lindfield Community Voices & No Strings Attached, Choir and acapella extravaganza!

11th June - 1pm Corey Wickens, Violin - from Vivaldi to Bernstein

11th June - 7.30pm Ian Shaw, jazz pianist/vocalist, When Bowie Met Joni

12th June - 1pm Alexander Rider, Harp, from Debussey to Scott

A musical theatre cabaret at Whitemans Green Sports Club
12th June - 7.30pm Rachel Lloyd, Debs Parker, and Gemma Stainer, leading ladies from West End to Broadway!




Upcoming Bridgerton-style afternoon tea this April

You are cordially invited to join us at the historic Ockenden Manor for what will surely be the event of the season!

Cuckfield Music Festival, in partnership with Time Health, are delighted to debut the first event in the 2026 Cuckfield Music Festival Programme.

On Sunday 19th April 2026, be the envy of the Ton and enjoy a sparkling Sussex welcome, a traditional afternoon tea, and the exquisite sounds of a live String Quartet performing music from the beloved series.

We warmly encourage Regency attire, and a prize awaits the most distinguished guest! Beware that there is limited availability so please do book your tickets and fill your dance card today.

Society will be watching.

Mark your calendars, music lovers

This June, the Cuckfield Music Festival brings high-quality performances straight to the heart of the community. People can enjoy four free lunchtime concerts, free tickets for under 18s, and £2 evening tickets for 19-25-year-olds.

The festivities begin on 19th April with a Bridgerton themed tea party at Ockenden Manor, complete with a live string quartet (see above). And let’s not forget on 30th May, Holy Trinity Church hosts the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus in a special performance that promises to lift your spirits.

Finally, the main festival runs from 7th - 12th June packed with unique performances for music lovers of all ages. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates right here at Cuckfield Life or click https://cuckfieldmusicfest.co.uk/

Cuckfield Bookfest

Welcome to Cuckfield Life’s Cuckfield Bookfest event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything Bookfest.

As a community interest group, Bookfest relies on the generous support from sponsors, benefactors and friends to help them host brilliant writers and new talents every year.

See also, Cuckfield Bookfest

The literary quiz will be taking place in the Talbot pub in the village, on Friday 25th September and proceedings open on Saturday 3rd October.

Celebrating ten years of the Cuckfield Book Festival

It’s ten years since the first book festival was planned so this year is a special one. We have grown steadily over the years and from 2017, when we had just 18 authors, to 2025 when we had over 35 events. As usual, the literary quiz will be taking place in the Talbot pub in the village, on Friday 25th September. There are some familiar names: Juliet Nicolson is opening proceedings on Saturday 3rd October to talk about her latest book, The Book of Revelations: Women and their Secrets, a blend of memoir, stories and social history.

Also on Saturday, Tim Spector, the world-leading gut scientist and best-selling author of Food for Life will discuss the life-changing benefits of fermentation. Ellie Griffith is returning and with Simon Toyne will provide an entertaining crime evening, mixed with Martinis, on Saturday 3rd October. Palaeontologist Steve Brusatte and his wife Anne have each published books this year about dinosaurs and they are collaborating with Cuckfield Museum on Sunday to provide a family event and an event for young children. Many people have been enthralled by Netflix’s current series on dinosaurs and will learn more by listening to the Brusattes.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh, James Campbell has published a beautiful book about his creators, E.H.Shepard and A. A.Milne, and will be talking about it on Sunday afternoon. The Big Book Group this year features Patrick Gale’s latest book Love Lane, a portrayal of escape and the power of love, home and family. Do Include the book in your own book club programme this year and come along to hear Patrick talk about it on the evening of Sunday 4th October.

There will, of course, be sessions for families and young people with details to come. 2026 is the National year of Reading and Cuckfield Bookfest has pledged support for this initiative. More information to come. There will be many more authors featuring books on politics, crime fiction, medicine, poetry and history. More information will be on the website, currently undergoing a revamp. www.cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk

Sponsors, benefactors and friends

As a community interest group, we rely solely on donations and ticket sales. Your support, however big or small, is incredibly valuable to help secure the long-term future of Cuckfield Bookfest. Please consider joining as a Friend or Benefactor. The support of our sponsors is instrumental to the success of the festival, and all sponsors will be acknowledged inside the programme, on social media and the website (or may remain anonymous if they prefer). Sponsorship packages start at just £250 and include all the benefits of being a Benefactor plus complimentary tickets as well as advertising opportunities for your organisation.

Thank you all for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the tenth Cuckfield Bookfest.

Cuckfield's Cuckoo Fayre

Welcome to Cuckfield Life’s Cuckoo Fayre event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything regarding the fayre.

The annual Independent State of Cuckfield Cuckoo Fayre takes place on May Day Bank Holiday Monday every year in the Recreation Ground, from 12noon, with the official opening by the current Mayor at 1pm. Entry is free.

See also, The Independent State of Cuckfield
Cuckfield Parish Council

Our next Cuckoo Fayre will be Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2026.

Return of Cuckoo Fayre – 4th May

A long time ago, in a pub far, far away, a group of Cuckfield locals came together to create the beloved Cuckoo Fayre. This Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May, the fun-filled family event returns for another memorable day.

Visitors can look forward to classic favourites like the dog show and tug of war, alongside the exciting ‘toss the barrel’ competition.

The main arena will feature performances from BPM and Brighton Baby Ballet, with live music playing throughout the afternoon in the bar area. There will also be plenty of activities for children to enjoy

Food lovers can sample a variety of options, from burgers and Caribbean dishes to Italian, Indian, vegan fare, gourmet coffees, ice creams, and a fully licensed bar. Fairground attractions will keep the little ones entertained, while a range of stalls and vendors will offer something for the grown-ups to explore.

The event will take place at Cuckfield Recreation Ground (behind the Queen’s Hall) starting at midday.

Entry is free, and the fayre will run until 4pm. To book a stall or join the ‘tug of war’ competition, email info@cuckfieldstate.org. Be sure to follow the Independent State of Cuckfield on Facebook for all the latest news.