14th - 17th August 2025
The summer holidays are here, six 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: 236
, currently showing 121 to 140.
Show / Display
Near Petersfield
South Downs Show and Hampshire Wood Fair
Heritage & History
Reading
In 2025, come and join the celebrations in Reading marking the 250th anniversary since the birth of Jane Austen, the treasured nineteenth century writer famed for Pride & Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion.
From April 2025, as part of the 250th…
Music
Henley-on-Thames
Rewind South comes to Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire this August, with headliners including Soft Cell, ABC, Holly Johnson and many more!
Festival
Birchington
Country, soul, blues and rock 'n' roll in a local, national and international line up of musicians, motorcycles and automobiles. A brand-new family friendly festival with high octane energy and plenty of heart comes to one of Kent's best loved…
Festival
Cornbury Park, Charlbury
Wilderness is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts, and an array of theatre, craftsmanship,p and dining experiences. It's a rich tapestry of musicians, chefs, thinkers, actors, outdoor experts, and teachers.
Exhibitions
Aylesbury
In 2024, a cataloguing project in the Waddesdon Archive led to the rediscovery of an extraordinary collection: 229 letters and papers written or signed by some of history's most influential figures, including Elizabeth I, Benjamin Franklin, Lord…
Walking
High Street, Rochester
Have fun (re-)discovering Rochester, 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 discovering more about this fascinating town. Curious…
Carnival
NEWPORT
Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated Procession!
Please see website for route details.
Childrens Events
Fareham
Saturday 26th July 11am to 12:30pm
Come down to Parson's Collar and create your own pizza, add toppings
of your choice and cook them in our very own pizza oven!
Create your own milkshake to eat alongside your pizza with follow-up ice cream from…
Festival
Faversham
Dates: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August 2025
Open: 10am – 5pm
Brogdale Cider Festival: Exciting new layout for 2025! Enjoy local ciders, music and family fun. Free shuttle bus to and from Faversham station.
Savour the summer while you sample…
Festival
A weekend of free entertainment in the town centre and on the Quay Green in Sandwich, Kent.
Festivals
Basingstoke
Carfest South will be returning to Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire in August as One Big Carfest. The 2,500 acres farm, near Overton, is owned by ex-racing driver and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter.
Arts
Petworth
This summer, discover creative short courses hosted across the beautiful estates of Petworth House and West Dean in this collaboration celebrating our shared artistic heritage. Petworth House and West Dean share a rich history of influential…
Participatory Event
Fareham
This summer, we are delighted to invite you to a series of seasonal Picnic in the Vines afternoons at Quob Park Estate, open to all guests.
Music
Winchester
Brighten up your lunchtime with musical performances from local musicians, and pupils of schools and colleges from around the county.
A Lunchtime Concert Series will take place at the Cathedral, in the Lady Chapel, from 1.15pm – 1.50pm most…
Tour
Reading
Book now to enjoy an official Abbey Quarter Tour, Reading which includes exclusive access to Jane Austen's school.
Available from Saturday 5 April 25 until 27th September 2025, explore the heart of Reading with an official Reading Museum tour guide.
Exhibition
Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Explore the history of AI and pioneers in this technology, including Codebreakers, smart speakers & chatbots, social media & search engines at the new Bletchley Park exhibition - The Age of AI
Literature
Lechlade
Award-winning poet Robert Seater and acclaimed visual artist Jessica Palmer will bring the fascinating stories and compelling atmosphere of Kelmscot Manor to life as part of the Manor’s programme of learning and public engagement alongside an…
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.
Theatre
Winchester
We all want to meet people from history! The trouble is everyone is dead!
So it's time to prepare for Horrible Histories live on stage with the acclaimed production of Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians!
Are you ready to swing with a Georgian…
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