The White Rock Theatre is home to some of the best live entertainment in East Sussex. It’s one of the county’s largest venues with 1066 seats and a standing capacity of over 1800. May 2022 saw the venue’s highest ever attendance for Scottish rock band, Primal Scream.
The venue strives to be a cultural asset for Hastings and the wider community, hosting a broad programme of events each year. Situated in a commanding position on the shoreline, the White Rock Theatre’s cafe and Circle Bar offer unbeatable views of Hastings Pier and the English Channel.
The White Rock successfully hosts a huge variety of live music, comedy, musicals, dance, sport, family shows, talk shows, school performances, festivals, competitions, exhibitions, and its famous annual pantomime.
Since 1 February 2024, The White Rock has been operated by The Guildhall Trust, a registered charity whose vision is to become one of the county’s leading cultural organisations which places its communities at the centre of everything it does. The theatre is owned by Hastings Borough Council.
Ticket prices vary, dependent on the show.
24 hours a day! Secure booking with instant confirmation of purchase. See our What’s On pages to select a show.
Our box office phone line is 01424 462280 and is open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm. For accessible tickets (ambulant disable and companion tickets) please call this number or email box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk
Our in-person Box Office service for sales and collections is available, Monday-Friday, 10am4pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, and 90 minutes before a show start time, or 60 minutes before a Studio 27 event.
EVENTIM.Inhouse is our ticketing system
Built on the site of the old East Sussex Hospital, the White Rock Pavilion was opened by HRH Edward, Prince of Wales in April 1927. It was built for the Hastings Municipal Orchestra and attracted world-renowned musicians. Piano luminaries like Rachmaninoff and conductors like Sir Edward Elgar performed on The White Rock stage. Decca Records used it as recording studio while the BBC broadcast several radio concerts from there. These included three consecutive Christmas Day concerts from 1935-1937, after the King’s Speech, that were heard around the world.
The pavilion underwent a re-modification in 1937 and again in 1985 when it was renamed the White Rock Theatre.
For ideas and Inspiration visit White Rock Theatre Instagram
Tickets are available online, by phone or in person
By Car The White Rock is located on Hastings seafront (A259), opposite Hastings Pier. Postcode: TN34 1JX
Parking There are a number of disabled parking bays situated on the seafront outside the venue.
Further parking is available nearby at:
The Pier – 40 spaces St Margaret’s Road – 40 spaces Pelham Place – 250 spaces Falaise Road – 68 spaces Priory Street – 250 spaces Carlisle Parade – 171 spaces
By Train The nearest train stations are either Hastings or St Leonards Warrior Square.
By Bus The Hastings and St Leonards area is served by the Stagecoach bus company with several services operating which stop near the theatre, running before and after shows. There are also bus services operating in and out of the area from nearby towns and villages.
| Open Christmas |
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| Open New Year |
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| Season (1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Friday | 10:00 | - 16:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 | - 14:00 |
| Sunday | Closed | |
* Daily opening hours for Box Office
We open 90 minutes before a show start time, or 60 minutes before a Studio 27 event
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