Now that the Christmas festivities have finished and the New Years Eve hangover has fully worn off, a certain sense of deflation seems to have settled over the UK. No one’s got any money, there’s no celebrations left to look forward to and the emphasis is very much on cutting back on the booze, getting to the gym and getting early nights. However, even if you are currently in a state of detox, there’s no need to be glum because spring is just around the corner and there’s a whole range of spring festivals and events in Sussex to look forward to.

Why not learn a new skill this spring? It could be the most exciting thing you do this year! If you’re thinking of a career move in 2012, want to dust off some old skills, pick up that new talent you’ve been thinking about for a while or even flourish in your current role then training courses are the best way to start. If you want to get your creative juices flowing then our Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator courses are all perfect. If you want to take the web by storm then our Web Design courses are all tailored to different skill levels and SEO and Social Media are both important as well. If you are looking further up the career ladder or want some help in the corporate environment our range of Business and Management training courses are all very useful. We run everything from Management Skills Training and Leadership Training to accredited PRINCE2 and Six Sigma Training. Spring is not just for learning though! In your time off why not attend some of these great events…

Sussex Beer Festival takes place on 8-10 March and if you’re having a bit of a dry month at the moment then this is something to really look forward to. The festival has around 230 beers on offer, including a range of British and foreign beers, as well as other mouthwatering tipples, such as ciders, perries and wines. Tickets cost between £4 and £7, depending on the day you go, and include a free souvenir glass and programme.

Beer by Tim Dobson on Flickr

2012 sees the 45th Brighton Festival taking place between 7 and 29 May, guest directed by Vanessa Redgrave, and celebrating themes of liberty and freedom. The festival is an important annual event for the town and is the largest multi-art form festival in England. You can expect to find a broad selection of dance, music, art and film on the programme and a wide range of events for all the family.

Children’s Parade 2010 by Brighton photographer on Flickr

At the same time as the Brighton Festival is happening, the Brighton Festival Fringe is taking place, which holds the impressive title of the third largest fringe in the world. In the past the festival has attracted audiences of up to 180,000 and had more than 625 events taking place across Brighton and Hove. Anyone can take part in the Brighton fringe, whether complete beginner or competent professional, which results in a fantastic mix of arts talent and fabulously groansome performances!

Circus of Horrors – Brighton Fringe – By Heather Buckley on Flickr

Sussex Food and South Downs Fair takes place at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in Singleton between 6 and 7 May. The festival offers food and drink lovers two days of complete indulgence with tastings, cookery classes and a fine selection of delicious produce to try and buy. There is also music and demonstrations of local rural life that give the event a fun and educational feel.

Eastbourne Festival takes place between 7 and 29 April and offers an impressive selection of traditional and contemporary arts performances, including dance, theatre, poetry, street dance, theatre and storytelling. The festival is now in its fifth year and has become a serious arts flagship, so that it is now viewed as a showcase for talent in the Eastbourne area.

If you’re a fan of the races then an evening discussing the favourites for the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival at the Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening at Plumpton Racecourse, Lewes is likely to be right up your street. The smart event brings together a panel of racing pundits, trainers and well known media commentators for an evening of racing chat and a slap up two course meal. Tickets for the evening cost £50.

Plumpton Racecourse by Ronnie MacDonald on Flickr

The annual Glyndebourne festival opens for ticket sales on 24 March, with the first performances commencing in mid May. The Glyndebourne festival is an opera extravaganza that consists of six productions each year, staged in a 1,200 seat opera house, set in fabulous grounds that make for a romantic picnic spot. Tickets start at £10 for a standing position up in the gods, going up to £230 for a prime stalls seat.

 

The Glyndebourne Festival by HerryLawford on Flickr

Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival takes place each year for ten days between 30 March to 09 April and is a showcase for local food and drink. Events included in the umbrella of the festival include Brighton coffee and cake festival, Sussex gourmet bus tour, the big food debate and Brighton wine festival.

Celebration of Spring – if you have thoroughly had enough of winter by now and you’re ready for the primroses, warmth and Easter eggs of spring then no doubt you will be quite keen to celebrate its arrival. Parham House near Pulborough holds a special Celebration of Spring each year on Sunday 22 April with activities for kids and speakers, tours and sales for the adults. Tickets are £9 for adults and £4.50 for children.

There may still be a few more months of cold (possibly grey) days left until the UK starts to warm up again but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still plenty to look forward to. With all these exciting events and festivals coming up, Sussex is certainly the place to be to welcome in the spring in 2012.

John wrote this post for Elite Hotels who run some of the best hotels in Sussex and wedding venues in Sussex.

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