2rd - 3rd August, New Forest
The summer holidays are here, six to eight 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 2025. 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.
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.
The summer holidays also include the August Bank Holiday on Monday 25th August 2025, 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.
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: 238
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Carnival
RYDE
Join Ryde Carnival for some free family fun as we celebrate Children's Carnival Day. Lots of activities and entertainment will take place in different locations around Ryde town centre. Activities will include story time, junk modelling competition,…
Food
Hinton
New Forest Food Festival is an event for all the family. Rich in local produce, artisan foodies and makers, internationally-renowned chefs and restaurants, unique skills and intricate crafts, showcasing the best of the New Forest.
Childrens Events
Wexham
Join us in Black Park for our Jurassic Jungle Dinosaur Trail!
Collect your map and quiz sheet from the Visitor Centre and see if you can find all the dinosaurs hidden in the woods! It's going to be ROARsome!
Running Tuesday 26th August - Friday…
Festival
WEST COWES
The Wight Proms returns for eight days between the 9th and 18th August 2024. Set in the grounds of Northwood House, a Grade II listed country manor house in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the festival celebrates summer with classical proms, comedy,…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Horsham
This summer, get ready for the ultimate inflatable adventure on one of the UK's largest inflatable obstacle courses! With over 34 unique obstacles spread across 5 exciting zones, the Labyrinth Challenge is a test of skill, stamina, and bravery.…
Tour
Chatham
If you're a fan of the hit series and you've been wondering where Call the Midwife is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham…
Tour
Ryde
For a unique experience only offered on the South Coast, try a Hovercraft Experience Flights on your next visit to Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight
Heritage & History
Southsea
Take a vintage bus ride across the city this summer.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Titmus Drive, Crawley
Based in the heart of Tilgate Park, just two miles from the centre of Crawley,
adventure awaits. Whether you're a thrill-seeker looking for a unique activity or simply
after some quality time with friends and family, Go Ape have you covered.…
Arts
Bordon
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting at Bordon's The Shed!
Our friendly local artist will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
️ What's included: All the painting materials you'll…
Arts
Petworth
This summer, discover creative short courses hosted across the beautiful estates of Petworth House and West Dean in this collaboration celebrating our shared artistic heritage. Petworth House and West Dean share a rich history of influential…
Summer
Guildford
When the days get longer, After Dark turns into SUNSET SESSION
Special Events
Woking
Treat yourself to a delightful two-night getaway with our dinner, bed, and breakfast package, complete with a complimentary bottle of house wine in your room upon arrival. Experience the cosy comfort of our accommodations as you relax and unwind…
Arts
High Street, Haywards Heath, Cuckfield
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting at Cuckfield's 180 Degrees Bar & Kitchen!
Our friendly local artist will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
️ What's included: All the…
Sporting Events
Newbury
Relax after work and come and enjoy a lovely summer’s evening racing.
Food
Tillington, Petworth
Enjoy a relaxed Friday evening with loved ones at our beautiful Petworth vineyard, sipping our exceptional vintage sparkling wines with a handmade pizza, whilst watching the sun go down. Our Sunset Sipping packages include a glass or bottle of our…
Festival
Reading
One of the biggest musical festivals in the world, every year over 90,000 people flock to the Richfield Avenue site to experience the iconic event.
Family
Farnham
Immerse yourself in serenity at Wetland Waders, where you can observe a stunning variety of bird species using their unique beaks to feed from shallow and deep waters, while others soar and swoop gracefully all around you, creating a truly immersive…
Shopping
Henley-On-Thames
Henley Country Craft Show
Stonor Park, Henley-On-Thames
Friday 22nd to Monday 25th August 2025
THE UK'S LARGEST COUNTRY CRAFT SHOW WITH OVER 200 STALLS…
Set against the breath-taking backdrop of Stonor Park, immerse yourself in a day of…
Arts
Colchester
Looking for a creative night out in Colchester? The Paint Club runs a regular paint and sip night at Romano Lounge.
All sessions are run by professional artists and include your painting materials and a canvas to take home.
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