The Secret Garden open air theatre at Winchester Cathedral on 29th July.

Winchester Cathedral, The Secret Garden Open Air Theatre

29th July, Hampshire

Fun School Holiday Events and Activities

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The summer holidays are here, six weeks of family fun, with the chance to spend time together, explore new places and try new things.  The South East has a packed calendar of events, you'll find an event or activity on every day, to keep you busy all over the summer holidays. Whether you are visiting South East England for your holiday, enjoying a day out in the region or planning a weekend break-away, you will find plenty to keep you entertained. 

Look out for dramatic firework displays, exciting outdoor adventures, super-sonic airshows, colourful carnivals and plush super cars events, plus a host of free fun activities this summer holidays 2023. With the school's out, the event list is ever growing, so make the most of the kid's summer holidays and make this an eventful summer you won't forget.

School Holiday Events and Activities

Our featured list below, covers every day of the school holiday, full of value-added activities or family-friendly events to enjoy.  Look out for the (F) which highlights the free events, making it even more cost-effective to spend time out and about in the region. Search for what's on in each county using the area search above or visit the specific county event pages, or head to the bottom of the page for a full listing of events across all nine counties over the UK summer holidays.

Coming to stay? Discover great value accommodation across the South East for a summer getaway. You can also search by destinations to link up with the local official tourism websites across the region.  Our newsletter archive and YouTube channel is a great place for inspiration and ideas and to discover things to do in South East England.

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South

When are the Summer Holidays in 2023?

Most schools across the South East break up for the summer holidays on Friday 21st July 2023 with the majority of schools returning on Friday 1st September 2023, although some areas do not return until the 4th September.  The summer holidays also include the August Bank Holiday on 28th August, which always sees a host of events, family activities and music festivals running across the destination.  There is plenty to be excited about this summer, and the with the weather forecast looking good too, plan your school summer holiday adventures right here.  

Don't forget that you can also take advantage of many of the free things to do across the destination and our rainy day and sunny day guides will help ensure you enjoy a great day out whatever the English weather brings.

Discover more events on over the school holidays

What's on near me this Summer Holidays?

Find hundreds more events and things to do in the summer in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Dorset including the August Bank Holiday weekend in our guide below. Whether you're looking for something near you, some great family activities, or if you are travelling to a part of South East England for a short break or day trip, use the 'map view' button to find something local.

Number of results:

Number of results: 51

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. Wilderness Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Cornbury Park, Charlbury

    Wilderness is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, craftsmanship and dining experiences. It's a rich tapestry of musicians, chefs, thinkers, actors, outdoor experts and teachers.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2024to4 Aug 2024
  2. Battle Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Battle

    BATTLE FESTIVAL is a firm fixture on South East England's cultural calendar, winning public and critical acclaim. The festival stages performances in iconic settings and attracts world-class performances and audiences to 1066 Country.

    Dates

    From:
    15 July 2024to30 July 2024
  3. Sandown Children's Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    SANDOWN

    Join in the fun of Children's Day with Sandown Carnival Children's Procession!  See website for carnival route.

    Dates

    From:
    27 July 2024
  4. Battle Scarecrow Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Battle

    Now in its 15th year, the Battle Festival Scarecrow Competition will have a classic theme this year – "Top of the Crops" – to complement Beautiful Battle's Summer Flower Displays.

    Dates

    From:
    13 July 2024
  5. Macaron Masterclass

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Brighton

    You will be hands on with your food preparation, this is not a cooking demonstration! So be ready to get to grips with the tools of our trade.

    Most historians are inclined to believe that the macaron originated in Italy, probably Venice, and was…

    Dates

    From:
    26 June 2024Open 18:00 - 21:00
  6. Broadstairs Folk Week

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Broadstairs

    For one glorious week in August, Broadstairs is filled with the sound of folk music. A huge event on the Isle's calendar, Broadstairs Folk Week welcomes hundreds of musicians playing in beer gardens, church halls or on stage. With over 400 events…

    Dates

    From:
    9 Aug 2024to16 Aug 2024Open 09:00 - 22:30
  7. The Wight Proms

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    WEST COWES

    The Wight Proms returns for eight days between the 9th and 18th August 2024. The festival will celebrate classical proms, comedy, nippers, opera, drag, musical theatre, plus country music and dance.

    More details to follow, please visit the…

    Dates

    From:
    9 Aug 2024to18 Aug 2024
  8. Sandwich Festival 2024

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    A weekend of free entertainment in the town centre and on the Quay Green.

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2024to7 July 2024
  9. The Free Brighton Choir

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Brighton

    Join the friendliest choir in town!

    The Free Brighton Choir is a volunteer-led singing group, open to everyone, regardless of age, singing ability or experience. No auditions, no requirements, no cost.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2024to18 Dec 2025
  10. Southsea Castle Makers Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Southsea

    A monthly exhibition and sale of original work from local artists, designers, makers and crafters.

    Dates

    From:
    14 July 2024Open 11:00 - 15:30
    From:
    11 Aug 2024Open 11:00 - 15:30
    From:
    8 Sept 2024Open 11:00 - 15:30
    From:
    13 Oct 2024Open 11:00 - 15:30
  11. Brighton & Hove Pride

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Brighton

    Fabuloso is the UK's biggest LGBTQ Pride festival and the Brighton & Hove Pride official fundraiser for the Brighton Rainbow Fund

    “Historic, inspired and unparalleled. Brighton Pride is one of the best international pride festivals, we love it”…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Aug 2024
    From:
    4 Aug 2024
    From:
    5 Aug 2024
  12. Hampshire Farmers' Market

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Southsea

    Hampshire Farmers' Markets bring beautiful, fresh local produce to Portsmouth and Southsea every month.

    Dates

    From:
    16 June 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    21 July 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    18 Aug 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    15 Sept 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    20 Oct 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    17 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    15 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
  13. Sandown Illuminated Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    SANDOWN

    Join in the fun and spectacle of Sandown's Illuminated Carnival!

    Please see website for route details.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Aug 2024
  14. Live at the Bandstand

    Type

    Type:

    Free Event

    Windsor

    Come and enjoy live band performances in the open air this summer. Windsor, Eton & Ascot Town Centre Partnership presents Windsor’s Live at the Bandstand programme 2024.

    Dates

    From:
    15 June 2024to15 Sept 2024Various Opening Times
  15. South Downs Show

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Petersfield

    The bottom of Butser Hill will be filled with awesome arena acts, entertaining attractions, dog shows, animal petting zoo, children's rides and fun zone, country life stalls, beer tent and catering with live music and much much more!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Aug 2024to11 Aug 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00
  16. Komedia Comedy Club

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Brighton and Hove

    Discover the best in live comedy, featuring three top acts and an MC!

    Boasting the hottest line-ups including Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Jordan Brookes, Olga Koch, Barbara Nice, Jarred Christmas, Nina Conti, Sara Barron, and many more!

    Komedia is a…

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2024to30 Nov 2024
  17. The British Motor Show Live 2024

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Farnborough

    The British Motor Show is back for 2023 at Farnborough International, from 17-20 August 2023. An essential event for the summer holidays, the show returns with even more cars, even more entertainment, and even more fun!

    Delivering an…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2024to18 Aug 2024Various Opening Times
  18. Rooted at Wakehurst

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Ardingly, Haywards Heath

    Visit Wakehurst for Rooted this summer

    7 July to 17 September

    This year, Wakehurst are celebrating one of the world's most recognisable and loved plants – trees.

    Incredible artists have created outdoor installations across Wakehurst that will…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 18:00
  19. Carfest South 2024

    Type

    Type:

    Festivals

    Basingstoke

    Carfest South will be returning to Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire in August as One Big Carfest. The 2,500 acres farm, near Overton, is owned by ex-racing driver and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2024to25 Aug 2024
  20. Sunday Carvery at The Oxen Bar & Grill

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    6 Milton Gate, Abingdon

    Dates

    From:
    11 June 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times