Events

Stuck for ideas on what to do in South East England? The South East hosts thousands of exciting events all year round, from internationally renowned star-studded events that welcome thousands of visitors to family friendly entertainment over the school holidays and weekends.  You'll find sporting events, food and drink festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, historical enactments, anniversaries and much more that we know you will love. Take a look at what's happening near you with our events calendar and find memory-making inspiration for all ages. 

Events near me

Whether you live nearby or are travelling to the South East for a day trip or longer holiday, find what's happening near you with our local events pages, showing you what's on in a specific county. You can either scroll through the search results, use our online calendar or the map view button to guide yourself through each county, or explore the top events for the county on our featured list, providing you with ideas and inspiration. Keep an eye out for the many free events (F) taking place throughout South East England. Search for what's on today or this weekend by selecting a date range, or choose the area you are visiting with the drop-down box and see what is happening right on your doorstep. It's definitely another Event-ful year across the South.

• Events in Kent
• Events in Hampshire
• Events in Sussex
• Events in Berkshire
• Events in Surrey
• Events in Oxfordshire
• Events in Buckinghamshire
• Events on the Isle of Wight
• Events in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

If you are heading to the South East for an event, don't forget to take a look at some of the great places to stay or things to do and make a long weekend of it!  With so much to see and do, choosing what to do first is often the hardest decision!

Most Popular Events

Grab those diaries and start adding some of the most popular events happening across the destination to your calendar. 

Springtime Events

April sees the first tours of Jane Austen's school in Reading (5th April - 27th September), this is a unique chance to explore this venue, which has not been opened to the public before. The fantastic free Magnificent Motors (F) will once again return to Eastbourne (3rd - 5th May 25) gracing the Western Lawns with classic cars and vintage vehicles. Don't miss England's largest multi-arts festival, the Brighton Festival (3rd - 26th May 25) and Brighton Fringe (2nd May - 1st June 25) bringing dance, film, music and more to the South Coast. The Royal Windsor Horse Show also returns in May (15th - 18th May 25), along with the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo. Head to Ramsgate in Kent to see the 'Little Ships' that rescued over 300,000 soldiers from the beaches at Dunkirk (16th May - 26th May 25).

Summer Events

Set over three weekends, the Basingstoke Festival returns from the 20th June - 6th July, bringing arts, music, dance and entertainment to all to the streets of Hamsphire (F). The summer season kicks off with the Henley Royal Regatta (1st - 6th July) Oxfordshire, one of the most well known rowing events in the world, followed by the Kent County Show, which returns to Maidstone for three days of agricultural fun (4th - 6th July 2025). Goodwood Festival of Speed will be whizzing into Sussex (10th - 13th July 25), whilst the fast and furious Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix comes to the UK and set sails to Portsmouth (19th - 20th July 25). Last in the UK, in 2022 this high-octane sailing event is a must this summer. The annual Petworth Festival returns for its 46th year (17th July - 2nd August) across thirteen venues in and around this charming West Sussex town. Whilst the sailing theme continues with famous Cowes Week (2nd - 8th August) on the Isle of Wight.

Zooming across the skies of Eastbourne the Red Arrows will be flying everyday at this year's Airbourne International Air Show (14th - 17th August 25) (F). This free event is suitable for all ages, and is a great day out along the South Coast. Portsmouth's Victorious Festival will be filling Southsea Common for three days of music, with the Kings of Leon closing this event (22nd - 24th August 25). Another fantastic free event comes to Kent over the August bank-holiday weekend, the Sandwich Festival (23rd - 25th August) fills the medieval town centre and Quay Green with family-friendly entertainment (F).

Autumn & Winter Events

In September with world famous International Boat Show returns to Southampton (19th - 28th September 25) with watersports, demonstrations and of course super yachts to explore.The event that changed the course of English history - The Battle of Hastings re-enactment will be fighting its way into the South East event calendar (11th - 12th October 2025), whilst the annual torchlight procession and fireworks display, one of the hightlights of the autumn calendar, will be filling the streets of Winchester (8th November). The Burning of the Clocks, makes the shortest day of the year (21st December 2025 TBC), with a parade of lanterns through the streets of Brighton, bringing light and laughter to this dark day.

Travelling by train?

Travel sustainably and experience comfort and ease while hopping on board a South Western Railway (SWR). Operating over 1,500 services each weekday across the network, SWR provides commuter inter-urban, regional and long distance services to passengers in South West London and southern counties of England and Island Line services on the Isle of Wight.