What’s On This Summer Holidays in South East England

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.

Family-friendly events this summer holiday in 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.

• Mirror Moon
  12 June - 1 September | Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London
• Live at the Bandstand (Free)
  20 June - 13 September | Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, Berkshire
• My Fair Lady 
  6 July - 5 August | Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester, West Sussex
• Families Explorer's Passport Trail
  18 July - 30 September | City Sightseeing Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire
• Boring Ends Here this Summertime
  22 July - 1 September | Go Ape at Tilgate Park, Crawley, West Sussex
• Explore Eton with Eton Walkway
  22 July - 1 September | Eton Visitor Information Centre, Eton, Berkshire
• Family Festival
  25 - 26 July | Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire
• 180th Gravesend Regatta (Free)
  1 - 2 August | Gordon Promenade, Gravesend, Kent
• Summer Sunset Safaris
  5 - 26 August | Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight
• Pukka Putters comes to Kent
  10 - 23 August | Rare Breed Centre, Ashford, Kent
• Dinosaurs are Forever
  11 August - 1 November | Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
• Solar Eclipse Live
  12 August | Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, Hampshire
• Tudor Merriment
  15 - 16 August | Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfort St Giles, Buckinghamshire
• Enchanting Outdoor Sculpture Trail
  29 August - 4 October | Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent

Summer Holidays FAQ's

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. 

What's on in South East England today or this weekend?

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.

Are there any free events this summer holiday?

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.

How can I plan a short break around an event?

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.

When are the summer school holidays in South East England?

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.  

Events near you this summer holiday in South East England

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