The summer holidays are nearly here, six weeks of family fun, with the chance to spend time together, explore new places and try new things. With no restrictions this year the South East has a packed event calendar to keep you busy all over the summer holidays, so whether you are visiting South East England for your summer holiday, enjoying a day out in the region or planning a weekend break-away, you'll find plenty to keep the family entertained.
South East England covers the nine counties and as a destination there is a host of outdoor events and indoor activities on offer this summer holiday. Our online calendar features an ever-growing list, with a mix of events to suit all tastes and budgets, from family friendly activities, informative exhibitions, value added experiences and internationally renowned events, that bring hundreds of visitors to the South East. To find something near you in a specific county, use the links below or try a date search if you are looking for something to fill a quiet day.
Don't forget that you can also take advantage of many of the free things to do across the destination, so the holidays don't have to cost the earth, and our rainy day and sunny day guides will help ensure you enjoy a great day out in the South East whatever the English weather brings.
Featured Events
Most schools across the South East break up for the summer holidays on Friday 22nd July 2022 until Thursday 1st September 2022, although some areas and schools do not return until the 5th September. The summer holidays also include the August Bank Holiday on 29th 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.
Find hundreds more events and things to do in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset this Summer Holiday, and August Bank Holiday weekend in our guide below. Whether you're looking for something near you, 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: 281
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Sporting Event
WEST COWES
Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events.
Festival
Ashey Road, Ryde
In 2022 Jack Up Events are spreading the fun with a feast of retro music events taking place throughout the year including a boutique mini-fest at their new farm site in Ryde.
Their Jack Up Summer Party will be a family-friendly celebration of…
Food
Twyford
Do you enjoy both wine and beer, and love cheese? This is the event for you! We have paired three of our wines and three craft beers made locally, with a selection of British cheeses. The result? A super-delicious evening exploring lots of different…
Fireworks
TOTLAND BAY
Visit The Needles in the Summer to watch the fireworks light up the skies. The firework display is one of the largest to hit the South Coast this Summer.
Join us every Thursday at dusk between 4th August and 1st September here at The Needles…
Heritage & History
Lewes
Come along to Barbican House Library for a chance to bring your archaeological finds to show our Finds Liaison Officer, Jane, for identification.
She will also share with you some of the amazing objects recorded through the Portable Antiquities…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Chichester
Don't miss out on one of our most popular events - Bounce About Day!
Join us on our Oak Tree Field with a range of different bouncy castles for your children and their friends to enjoy.
No need to book just turn up.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Chichester
Don't miss out on one of our most popular events - Bounce About Day!
Join us on our Oak Tree Field with a range of different bouncy castles for your children and their friends to enjoy.
No need to book just turn up.
Music
Hove
Join Brighton Festival Chorus and Youth Choir for a programme of beautiful choral and orchestral music from 20th century American composers, perfect for a summer's evening.
Commissioned for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival at Chichester,…
Show / Display
NEWPORT
Gather in the open air of the Lower Valley and experience immersive Night Glow performances from internationally renowned hot air balloon pilots and the UK’s first ever Midnight Glow from 19th – 21st August!
Experience roaming entertainment,…
Family
VENTNOR
Every Monday & Wednesday from the 25th July–29th August 6pm–9.30pm
The Isle of Wight’s BIGGEST family night-out is BACK for 2022! Experience a summer clifftop partylike no other as Blackgang Chine brings the party vibes for two incredible…
Heritage & History
Fishbourne, Chichester
Join us at Fishbourne Roman Palace on July 30th and 31st for a fun-packed family-friendly weekend featuring the soldiers of the Ermine Street Guard.
Since its formation 50 years ago, the Guard has become the leading society studying the Roman Army…
Heritage & History
Lewes
Come and discover more about medieval life at Lewes Castle this summer – with our Castles and Crowns session offering crafty activities, armour and dressing up.
The drop-in session will run from 12pm to 4pm – so come along at any time and join in…
Childrens Events
Canterbury
Explore Roman Canterbury for less this Summer Half Term with our Kids Go Free offer!
Learn all about Roman money and mint your own Roman coin with our new Coin Bash Half Term activity. Use replica tools to hammer your own unique coin to take home…
Childrens Events
Hailsham
Family drop-in session with a Wildlife theme at Michelham Priory.
Explore the gardens, go on a bug hunt and make some crafty things to take away.
All ages welcome.
Included in admission to Michelham Priory House and Gardens.
Music
NEWPORT
The Isle of Wight's annual jazz festival, now in its 10th year. The event brings the very best of the UK jazz scene to the Island for 5 days of top class music, using venues in and around Newport.
The event is popular with many jazz fans and…
Heritage & History
Lewes
Discover what life was like 500 years ago at our Tudor themed sessions in Anne of Cleves House, Lewes.
The drop-in sessions will run from 1pm to 4pm on Tuesday 16 August featuring a range of family activities including spinning, sewing and drawing…
Heritage & History
Lewes
A quiet hour exclusively for families with additional needs to explore Lewes Castle & Museum and learn about its medieval past.
The session runs from 10am to 11am on Mondays 25 July, 1, 8, 15 and 22 August with our trained educational team on hand…
Music
Gawcott
The BFG is back, only this time bigger and better! 10 hours of live music on our magnificent Strawberry Fieldz stage .
About this event
The BFG featuring: Alvin as Elvis + 2Tone feat Dave Mason and Ryan Chandler
Other acts include;
Jennah, Robbie…
Film
West Sussex
We've teamed up with the UK's longest-running and largest independent providers of Open-air cinema, to bring a summer of films under the stars, with our Grade I listed woodland gardens as the backdrop.
With a great selection of films to choose…
Arts
Hailsham
The Sussex Guild returns this summer to Michelham Priory, a Grade I listed Tudor house, surrounded by England's largest water filled medieval moat, with a working watermill, and replica Bronze Age roundhouses.
Immerse yourself in the past whilst…