Two day celebration along Dover Waterfront and the Port of Dover, free to visit.

Dover Regatta, Dover Waterfront

12th & 13th July, Kent

Fun School Holiday Events and Activities

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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.

School Holiday Events and Activities

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.

When are the Summer Holidays in 2025?

  • Berkshire - Wednesday 23rd July - Tuesday 2nd September 2025
  • Buckinghamshire - Wednesday 23rd July - Monday 1st September 2025
  • Hampshire - Wednesday 23rd July - Tuesday 2nd September 2025
  • Isle of Wight - Tuesday 29th July -  Monday 1st September 2025
  • Kent - Wednesday 23rd July - Monday 1st September 2025
  • Oxfordshire - Wednesday 23rd July - Tuesday 2nd September 2025
  • Surrey - Wednesday 23rd July - Wednesday 3rd September 2025
  • Sussex - Wednesday 23rd July - Wednesday 3rd September 2025

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.

Discover more events on over the school holidays

What's on near me this Summer Holidays?

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:

Number of results: 238

, currently showing 141 to 160.

  1. Painting party in Henfield at Tottington Manor

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Henfield

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting at Henfield's Tottington Manor!

    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 painting…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Aug 2025Open 21:00 - 22:00
  2. Painting party in Hampton Hill: Fabio's

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Hampton Hill

    The Paint Club runs painting workshops at Fabio's in Hampton Hill by Bushy Park.

    Tickets include guidance from a professional artist, painting materials, plus a canvas to take home at the end of the night.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
  3. Sunset at the Trust

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Weyhill, Andover

    Saturday 31 May | Saturday 21 & 28 June | Saturday 12 & 26 July | Saturday 9 & 23 August.
    5:45pm-9:00pm
    The Hawk Conservancy Trust invites you to a special summer's evening with their feathered friends. Against a setting sun, you'll have the…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 17:40 - 21:00
  4. Painting party in Stroud: Curio Lounge

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Stroud

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting at Stroud's Curio Lounge!

    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 painting materials…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
  5. Meri Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Crockham Hill

    Join us for our inaugural family farm festival celebrating local live music, artists and produce in the heart of Kent. Let's get Meri!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2025Open 12:00 - 23:00
  6. Ryde Hovercraft Experience Flights

    Type

    Type:

    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

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2025
    From:
    20 Aug 2025
    From:
    27 Aug 2025
    From:
    30 Aug 2025
  7. Ceramics - Make a Mug

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Fawley, Henley-on-Thames

    Welcome to our beginner-friendly make a mug workshop, set in the serene and inspiring surroundings of Oaken Grove Vineyard.

    In this exciting pottery workshop, you'll learn how to hand build a mug and make a delightful biscuit bowl or tea bag…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 16:00
  8. Ice Cream Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Lock Ln, Maidstone

    Kent Life welcomes back the Ice Cream Festival.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
  9. Bursledon Brickworks Museum - Lego Event

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Southampton

    The Brick People bring LEGO® back to the Museum

    We are delighted to welcome The Brick People back to the Museum for a fifth year of running brilliant brick-based events using LEGO® bricks.

    On Weds 20th August and Thursday 21st August as well as…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    21 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
  10. Summer Holiday Fun

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    New Forest

    Get set for a summer filled with thrilling adventures and treasured memories at Beaulieu!

    Experience colourful characters, living history parades, phantasmagorical rides, and new displays throughout the attraction including Sculpture at Beaulieu…

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to5 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 18:00
  11. Rana Begum: No.1367 Mesh

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Chichester

    Acclaimed visual artist Rana Begum RA transforms our historic staircase with No.1367 Mesh, her iconic suspended, colourful mesh clusters, creating a vibrant blend of history and contemporary art.

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2024to1 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  12. Curious About Hastings

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Hastings

    Have fun (re-)discovering Hastings, 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 exploring this historic seaside town. Curious About…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2025to3 May 2026
  13. Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Winchester

    Immerse yourself in the original, psychedelic, fulldome Planetarium visualisation of Pink Floyd's iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon.
    Head off on an emotional and inspiring journey into the heart and themes of the iconic album and songs. Fly…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 17:20 - 18:50
  14. Summer Orienteering Trail – Alice in Wonderland

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Waterperry

    Put on your maddest laughing hat because you're invited to the greatest trail around – a family orienteering fun trail throughout the summer holidays!

    Follow the clues and compass directions to find the 9 hidden Alice in Wonderland characters,…

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2025to1 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:30
  15. Summer fun with TV's Taskmaster at Osborne

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    East Cowes

    TV's Taskmaster challenge Join the Taskmaster challenge at Osborne this Summer! English Heritage has partnered with TV's Taskmaster to set challenges as you explore the historic seaside palace and gardens. 

    Fun activities Tackle silly tasks,…

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to31 Aug 2025
  16. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride Spa Valley

    Type

    Type:

    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.…

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 11:00 - 19:10
  17. Painting Party in South Godstone: Fox & Hounds

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    South Godstone

    Looking for a creative night out near Godstone and Nutfield?

    The Paint Club will be runs a monthly paint and sip night at The Fox and Hounds in South Godstone and The Queens Head in Nutfield.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Sept 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
  18. Newport Illuminated Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    NEWPORT

    Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated Procession!

    Please see website for route details.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Aug 2025
  19. Victorious Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Portsmouth

    Victorious Festival returns for 2025 - bringing some of the biggest bands and artists to Southsea Common.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2025to24 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 23:00
  20. Viking Raid

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles

    The Vikings have arrived and taken over a Saxon settlement at the museum!

    Explore the Viking and Saxon living history camps and watch as the clash between the two forces unfolds before your eyes.
    Get involved in games, music, storytelling and fun…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00