13th - 16th August 26 credit Team Raven (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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Nature
Kintbury, Hungerford
Once you would have seen this idyllic picture along every canal, today its an experience from yesteryear. These public horse-drawn trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal are available from Easter to the end of September. Enjoy a leisurely 2-hour…
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.
Music
Maidenhead
Much in demand as both leader and sideman, Mark works in a wide variety of musical settings including jazz, big band, classical, shows and recording sessions on clarinet and saxophone.
Mark is a member of the award-winning Back to Basie Orchestra…
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…
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,…
Food
Chinnor
Treat that special person with a cream tea and train ride at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway.
Heritage & History
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles
Travel through centuries of conflict in Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum, showcasing warfare and everyday life from the medieval period to the Second World War.
Explore how conflict shaped Britain across multiple eras, from medieval…
Tour
Guildford
Join the Tower Tour Guides on an exciting journey up Guildford Cathedral tower.
Travelling up the spiralling 249 steps to the top of Guildford Cathedral, visitors will pass through our Ringing Chamber and Bell Chamber containing the only ring of 12…
Exhibition
Oxford
Explore the fantastic free Pets and their People exhibition at the Weston Library in Oxford. Delving into the relationship between humans and their pets over ten thousand years with stories, images and poetry from the Bodleian Library collection
Childrens Events
Didcot
The Didcot Railway Centre Family Festival celebrates summer with a fun family day out with lots of entertainment
Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this…
Walking
Hastings
Get ready to explore Hastings like a real‑life detective!
Curious About Hastings takes you to famous places and secret corners, with surprises hiding around every turn. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly, so…
Arts
Arlington, Polegate
The workshop will begin with an introduction to the cyanotype process, what it is, its history and show you all examples by artists and myself. I'll explain the chemicals involved which are non toxic and then perform a demonstration to show everyone…
Childrens Events
Tenterden
A fun filled summer of events awaits at East Sussex and Kent Railway in Tenterden, from the Teddy Bear Express and Great Train Mystery, to Willow Weaving and Circus Skills workshops and of course, the return of our much loved Bricks on the Move!…
Music
Maidenhead
Featuring Lucy Randell.
The five-piece band, Jazz Dynamos take well known hit songs from the 70s and 80s, transforming them with a mix of jazz, bossa and samba.
Their unique set of exuberant, entertaining, and original contemporary jazz…
Childrens Events
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Sevenoaks
Enjoy a change of scenery as we entertain your toddlers with a seasonal story or two at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve.
Bring your toddlers to Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on the first Wednesday of each month for a relaxed story telling session with Kent…
Arts
Horsham
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…
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.
Arts
High Wycombe
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…
Guided Walk
Worthing
A smalltown mystery is a digital activity where you read a story, search for clues, answer questions and solve a mystery. You walk in the town center for about an hour. After the walk it’s perfect to finish off with a coffee break to solve the…
Arts
Triangle Road, Haywards Heath
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…
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