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 201 to 220.
Heritage & History
Bognor Regis
A brand-new immersive experience by artist Matt Reed comes to Bognor Regis Esplanade until September 2025
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.
Comedy
Brighton and Hove
Bingo, bottomless brunch & the Bogan Bingo boys!
What could be a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than a gloriously chaotic bingo and bottomless brunch session with Brighton’s no.1 comedy bingo show, Bogan Bingo!
Tickets include:
- 90…
Childrens Events
Aylesbury
This summer holiday, blast off into a world of space, science, and sci-fi fun for the whole family.
Join us for themed crafts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, explore the incredible Beyond the Stars exhibition, Space Descent VR – narrated by Tim…
Walking
High Street, Oxford
Have fun (re-)discovering Oxford, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst exploring this historic city. Curious About Oxford visits not…
Special Events
Portsmouth
Celebrate the Clipper Race departing from Portsmouth.
Summer
Guildford
When the days get longer, After Dark turns into SUNSET SESSION
Show / Display
Eastbourne
Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow will return in 2025.
The free four-day show will return to Eastbourne's seafront from 14 – 17 August 2025. Now in its 31st year, it is one of Europe's biggest free seafront airshows, attracting huge…
Circus
East Cowes
Circus fun on the Isle of Wight Jay Miller's Circus is on tour on the Isle of Wight during the school summer holidays and is perfect to entertain all the family.
Live entertainment The jam-packed show provides live traditional entertainment…
Carnival
NEWPORT
Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated Procession!
Please see website for route details.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Faversham
Meet giant insects – Bug hunt – Outdoor craft – Bring a picnic – Enjoy a day at Brogdale Farm.
Come and join us for a day of mini-beastie fun! A day of exploring Brogdale and discovering fantastic bugs & mini beasts.
Close Encounters with the…
Walking
West Street, Marlow
Have fun (re-)discovering Marlow, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, exploring this charming Thames town. Curious About Marlow visits not…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Bournemouth
Have fun (re-)discovering Bournemouth, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky, self-guided treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst finding out more about this charming seaside…
Exhibitions
Petworth
For the first time in 20 years, a wide range of JMW Turner's artistic studies of the extraordinary landscape at Petworth House and Park will be exhibited in the very place that inspired him. Visitors will be able to discover more about his methods,…
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,…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Brighton Road, Lower Beeding
With a celebration in honour of Dr Susan Michaelis
As summer draws to a close, join us for the final Leonardslee Lates of the season. Wander through 240 acres of lakes and landscaped grounds as the sun sets, soak up the relaxed atmosphere, and…
Childrens Events
Fareham
Every Friday in August at 4pm on the Meadow
Come and join us for a fantastic magic show,courtesy of Silly Scott.
For more details, please visit
solenthotel.co.uk/events
Special Events
Portsmouth
The Ocean Race Europe, an offshore sailing race, will include Portsmouth among its six stopovers in 2025. Part of the iconic Ocean Race - first held in 1973 with Portsmouth as its original start and finish port - the event combines sport with…
Arts
South Godstone
Looking for a creative night out near Godstone and Nutfield?
The Paint Club will be runs a monthly paint and sip night at The Fox and Hounds in South Godstone and The Queens Head in Nutfield.
Music
Haywards Heath
Sunday Afternoons of Live Music in the Garden
Our much-loved Music in the Garden events return on selected Sunday afternoons this summer, bringing the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing family day out.
Settle into the stunning surroundings of our…