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, fringe and music festivals, 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.

Visiting South East England for a holiday or planning your next day out within the region, you can find out what's on in a specific county using the links below.  

Most Popular Events

Start planning your 2024 visit with our list of some of the most popular events happening across the destination:-

• For sports fans - The fantastic Windsor Horse Show leaps its way into the calendar in May, while the Worthing Regatta will be making waves on the 25th May 24.  Make sure not to miss the hard-hitting Rothesay International Tennis heading to Eastbourne seafront 22nd - 29th June 24.
• For walkers - The Reading Walking Festival returns for its second year 11th - 19th May 24, along with the Isle of Wight Walking Festival celebrating its 25th year on the same dates. 
• For gardening fans - Don't miss the chance to visit the annual Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens, East Sussex on until the 6th May 24 or the BBC Gardener's World Spring Fair at Beaulieu, National Motor Museum, Hampshire, 3rd - 5th May 24.
• National Events - The 6th June 2024 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and many venues, towns, and villages across the South East will be holding events including the D-Day Story, Portsmouth.
• For music fans - April was the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning Eurovision at the Brighton Dome, Brighton in 1974 with the song 'Waterloo', head to the city to experience a host of ABBA-themed shows and events, or rock along to one of the may music festivals across the region.
• For literary and live event fans - Don't miss the Dickens Festival which returns to Broadstairs 14th - 16th June 24, Basingstoke Festival 21st June - 7th July, and Winchester Hat Fair 30th June - 1st July 24.
• For comedy fans - The Brighton Fringe Festival returns bringing nearly a month of laugh-out-loud comedy to Brighton 3rd May - 22nd June 24.
• For foodie fans - The annual Sandwich Folk and Ale Festival returns 5th - 7th July 24 whilst it is beer all the way at this year's Bluebell Railway Beer Festival 20th - 22nd September 24, discover the array of food festivals here to enjoy across the region.
• For arts fans - Deal Music & Arts Festival with its French Connections will be heading to Kent 4th - 14th July 24, Oliver the Musical comes to Chichester Festival Theatre, West Sussex 8th July - 7th September 24, En Plein Air Windsor & Eton will be painting its way to Windsor Castle 25th July and Rye Arts Festival returns to East Sussex 13th - 29th September 24.

We can't wait to see what 2024 brings, can you? Another Event-ful year ahead.   

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.  

• 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!

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.