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 121 to 140.
Arts
High Street, Haywards Heath, Cuckfield
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting at Cuckfield's 180 Degrees Bar & Kitchen!
Our friendly local artist will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
️ What's included: All the…
Summer
Windsor
Come and enjoy live band performances in the open air this summer. Windsor and Eton Business Partnership presents Windsor’s Live at the Bandstand programme 2025.
Childrens Events
Maidenhead
Led by Sideways Drama
Make a Play in 4 Days!
Come along and dive into the world of theatre, writing, directing and star in a brand new play!
Suitable for ages 8 - 14 years.
Tues 12 - Fri 15 Aug | 10am - 4pm
£160 | £145 Advantage Card…
Arts
Tonbridge
The Paint Club runs monthly workshops across Kent at The Carpenter's Arms near Tonbridge, Maidstone Mercure, Tunbridge Wells Mercure in Pembury and Accord Lounge in Deal.
Expert instruction from a professional artist will guide you step-by-step…
Heritage & History
Southsea
Take a vintage bus ride across the city this summer.
Tour
Ryde
For a unique experience only offered on the South Coast, try a Hovercraft Experience Flights on your next visit to Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight
Heritage & History
Bletchley
This summer, join Bletchley Park to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two with Summer of Peace, a season of reflection, creativity, and hope.
Commemorating the anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day, Summer of Peace explores what peace means…
Food
Dorking
Join us for a relaxing afternoon on the lawn at Denbies Wine Estate with live music from different musicians
Performing Arts
Edenbridge
The Festival Theatre events run throughout the year in our gorgeous locations at Hever Castle including our flagship stunning theatre re-built in 2024, Chiddingstone Castle and Penshurst Place & Gardens.
We will not be playing in August at Hever…
Guided Walk
Chichester
Families are invited to come and enjoy a new summer sculpture trail around Chichester city centre, part of the celebrations marking 950 years of Chichester Cathedral.
Theatre
Waterperry
From the company who brought you The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Beauty and the Beast and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the classic fairytale of magic, true love and custom-made shoes is brought to life in this brand new show for all ages.
Embark on…
Christmas
Tunbridge Wells
Join us at THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at Tunbridge Wells West on the Spa Valley Railway for a magical Christmas adventure—book your tickets today!
Step into the beloved story as THE POLAR EXPRESS™ departs from Spa Valley Railway, bringing the film to life.…
Music
Chalfont St. Giles
Announcing our 2025 summer festival show: Le Carnaval de Venise (1699), a circus-opera with music by André Campra
Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 August
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 September
3pm 'til late at The Vache, HP8 4SD
To celebrate our fifth…
Food
Aylesbury
Turn up the heat at our annual Chilli festival taking place in the beautiful surroundings of the Aviary and Pleasure gardens. Throughout the three days explore food and drink stalls and the shopping village and enjoy live music and family…
Arts
Woking
ooking for a sip and paint night in Woking? Choose from one of the painting workshops below. All sessions include your materials and a canvas to take home.
Gardens
Test Valley
Houghton Lodge Gardens is proud to announce the launch of a new sculpture exhibition and trail, which invites visitors to explore the concept of flow in both nature and creativity.
Running until the 30th September 2025, Fluvii, which is Latin for…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sandown
We will be opening our doors to our Sanctuary from 8:30am, so you can have a delicious breakfast with us while enjoying a rare early morning encounter with our rescued animals.
Free Event
Lee-on-the-Solent
Summer in Lee returns for its 9th year to Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport this summer. The event will involve Smile Emporium, The Smile Stage, Summer Fun Fair and Summer Pirates all on the Lee-on-Solent promenade over 3 days with different genres of…
Music
Ashey Road, Ryde
Join us for the ultimate Take That party night currently selling out festivals, theatres and arenas across the UK and Ireland.
Created by Take That fans, for Take That fans! This is the first show of its kind, starring the UK’s favourite…
Exhibitions
Guildford
10 July - 7 September 2025
Exploring Senses delves into how artists interpret and evoke the world around us through the fundamental act of drawing. Featuring a compelling collection of works by members of The Society of Graphic Fine Art, this…