Guildhall Square, 29th - 30th August 26 (Free)
Discover what’s on this summer holiday in South East England, from family-friendly events and outdoor adventures to festivals, shows and interactive experiences across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight. Whether you’re planning days out with the kids, looking for what’s on this weekend or exploring something new throughout the school holidays, you’ll find plenty of events to keep everyone entertained. Browse highlights across the summer and start planning memorable family days out.
The South East has a packed calendar of summer events, from dramatic firework displays and spectacular airshows to colourful carnivals and classic car shows. Alongside these, you'll find a host of free activities taking place throughout the summer holidays in 2026. With schools out for the summer, new events are being added all the time - so keep checking back and make the most of the holidays with an eventful summer across South East England.
Scroll down to explore a selection of family-friendly events taking place across South East England, or use the search filters to find something near you. Our featured events list is full of value-added experiences, from live music at the bandstand and outdoor adventure trails to living history events bringing the past to life.
With events taking place right across the summer holidays, there’s always a new way to enjoy family days out in the South East. You can also explore events pages for each county across the region, or scroll to the bottom of the page for a full listing of events taking place across all nine counties this summer.
If you're planning a trip to South East England this summer holiday to enjoy some of the many events on offer, you'll find answers to some common questions below. You can also head over to the travel information page full of useful tips and information on different ways to visit.
There are events taking place every day during the summer holidays, including weekends. Use the search filters above to explore what’s on by date and location.
Head over to our free things to do page or enter 'Free' into the keyword search box above to find some of the free events available. You'll find free museums, airshows, art trails and music events which you can mix with other paid for events to make your budget go further this summer.
If you are travelling from outside the region, there are plenty of great value accommodation choices to suit your needs for a summer getaway. You can also search by destinations to link up with the local official tourism websites across the region.
Running from 22 July to 1 September 2026, the summer school holidays bring weeks of family-friendly events across South East England. Dates may vary slightly between counties, with Isle of Wight schools typically breaking up a few days later from 27 July. The summer holidays also include the August Bank Holiday on Monday 31 August 2026, 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 with the weather forecast looking good too, plan your school summer holiday adventures right here.
Looking for events nearby? Use the map view and search filters to explore what’s on across each county, or discover events happening close to where you’re staying
Number of results: 369
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Music
Margate
25th year of Margate Soul Weekender - A packed weekend of live music celebrating Margate's relationship with soul music plus funk, disco, reggae and house within venues, on streets and piazzas plus beachside stages.
Summer
Sevenoaks
Follow a loop around the lower level of Riverhill Himalayan Gardens and marvel at over 60 sculptures in an array of mediums. Open Wednesdays to Sundays and included in the standard garden admission tickets, the trail works in perfect harmony with…
Walking
Meopham
Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of nature with a structured walk designed to support physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection. Heather provides a safe welcoming environment for adults, walks will be gentle with time for reflection…
Childrens Events
Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks
About the event
Our award winning Holiday Club will be returning to Oak Lodge, Sevenoaks, this summer!
Immerse your child in nature
Our Wilder Holiday Club offers days crammed full of activities designed to inspire and develop your child's love of…
Music
Margate
Babyshambles are getting together for a massive summer show on the Kent coast, with very special guests Big Special, Warmduscher, GANS and Pregoblin.
Set within the grounds of Dreamland, Margate, the show places live music inside one of Britain's…
Performing Arts
Oxford
Back for its 16th year - the Oxford Shakespeare Festival returns from the 22nd June - 15th August 2026.
This summer see three incredible live open air theatre shows in the castle yard of Oxford Castle Prison. Right in the heart of the city of…
Childrens Events
Arundel
Transform into a dragonfly this summer and with vibrant, nature-inspired facepainting. Our talented artist from Kate's Carnival will bring each design to life in a rainbow of colours, from shimmering wings and bold patterns to flashes of blues,…
Childrens Events
Winchester
Get ready for a generational showdown at Winchester Science Centre!
Step into a high-energy family silent disco where the battle of the decades begins! Will you side with the iconic tunes of the 90s & 00s, or vibe along to the biggest hits from the…
Childrens Events
Chatham
Calling all explorers! This summer, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has teamed up with legendary wildlife expert and adventurer, Steve Backshall, for an extraordinary journey beneath the waves. Explore the planet's coolest underwater habitats and…
Arts
Southampton
About the Event
Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
Each artist…
Tour
Reading
Afternoon Tea on the Upper Thames in Reading. Enjoy a great English Tradition with the wonderful backdrop of the beautiful Upper Thames, freshly prepared by Three Love Food.
Exhibitions
London
Cornwallis Cloth is a brand-new film created and produced by Sweet Patootee Arts as part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund.Inspired by oral testimony and the untold stories of British Caribbean lives during the Second World War, this 20-minute film…
Water Based Activities
Ramsgate
Ramsgate's Royal Harbour plays host to the Royal Temple Yacht Club's annual regatta, with a full programme of sailing and racing. It is recognised as an alternative to Cowes Week and traditionally attracts competitors from France, Holland, Belgium…
Walking
Brighton
Explore Brighton’s big sights and hidden corners, uncover quirky stories, and enjoy 1–2 hours of fresh‑air exploring on each fully wheelchair and buggy‑friendly route.
Walking
West Street, Marlow
Have fun (re)discovering Marlow with two quirky treasure‑hunt walks that get you spotting things you’ve never noticed before. It’s a fresh‑air adventure that’s fun, affordable, and perfect for all ages.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Faversham
Join us this summer for some fun, food, and fire. Get outdoors and cook over the fire with Wild Classroom, using the very best local, seasonal, and foraged foods. This two-hour workshop will include a tour of Brogdale Collections stunning Heritage…
Heritage & History
Didcot
The Didcot Railway 'Discovery Days' offer the chance to explore the 21-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s - unearth almost two centuries of railway history. Trains will not be running on these days, meaning…
Heritage & History
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles
Travel back to the 19th century at Victorian Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum, a lively Victorian living history event in Buckinghamshire and a perfect family day out near London.
Special Events
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles
Step into the early medieval world as Viking raiders clash with local defenders in dramatic combat displays. Watch skilled re-enactors demonstrate authentic weapons, armour and battle tactics, and discover how these feared seafarers lived, fought…
Exhibitions
Waterperry
The Waterperry Gardens summer exhibition of landscape paintings features original works by Josie Clouting, Tara Parker-Woolway, Francesca Shakespeare and Christine Bass. These four Oxfordshire based artists paint in very different ways but share a…
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