Guildhall Square, 29th - 30th August 26 (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
, currently showing 161 to 180.
Walking
West Street, Marlow
Have fun (re)discovering Marlow with two quirky treasure‑hunt walks that get you spotting things you’ve never noticed before. It’s a fresh‑air adventure that’s fun, affordable, and perfect for all ages.
Theatre
Chichester
In a small coastal village in Wales, Bryn and Gwen learn they will be forced to abandon their cherished home in the face of rising seawater. Their crisis rekindles Gwen's crusading spirit, cradled at the Greenham Common protests in the 1980s – a…
Other
Lower Beeding, Horsham
Bring the kids for a fun, hands-on cupcake decorating session this half term. Each child will receive six cupcakes to decorate, with guidance from Zoe from Bouquet Bakes, they will decorate them with designs including a mix of cute animals, pretty…
Walking
Millmead, Guildford
(Re)Discover Guildford with two lively treasure‑hunt walks packed with clues, surprises and “I’ve never noticed that!” moments.
Childrens Events
Winchester
Put on your headphones and step into the world of K-Pop at the Winchester Science Centre high-energy family silent disco!
Choose your music channel and dance under colourful lights inspired by the global K-Pop scene. Join us for an unforgettable…
Festival
Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Discover the fascinating story of how Polish mathematicians and intelligence pioneers achieved early breakthroughs against Enigma, helping to lay the foundations for the codebreaking work at Bletchley Park.
Music
Brighton
Brighton's most popular live music nights, last Thursday of every month at this popular city centre venue, with free entry.
From cover pop, funk & soul bands, to rock covers and even steam punk and blues…there is something for everyone to tap along…
Arts
Boat, Chichester
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
Babyshambles are getting together for a massive summer show on the Kent coast, with very special guests Big Special, Warmduscher, GANS and Pregoblin.
Set within the grounds of Dreamland, Margate, the show places live music inside one of Britain's…
General event
Southampton
We will pass into Portsmouth Harbour, home to the Royal Navy – an exciting opportunity to view Britain’s naval vessels and the dramatic skyline of Portsmouth, including Southsea; Clarence Pier; Spice Island and the Spinnaker Tower, from the water.…
Music
Waterperry
WATERPERRY GARDENS, Moonrakers annual concert in the fabulous open-air Amphitheatre (or a marquee if raining).
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sevenoaks
Engage with the natural world in a mindful and creative way at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Embark a gentle walk to collect natural items to create vibrant leaf artwork using the beautiful technique of hapa zome!
Weekend Wellness: Walk and Leaf…
Comedy
Lower Beeding, Horsham
Head along to the fun Leonardslee Comedy Club for an evening of live stand-up and plenty of laughs!
Join us at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens in West Sussex for top-quality stand-up from Epic Comedy, enjoyed in a brilliant atmosphere and intimate…
Exhibitions
Guildford
Watts Gallery presents a major exhibition celebrating one of Britain's most influential designers. The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co is a vibrant exhibition exploring the beauty, craftsmanship and enduring appeal of William Morris's iconic designs.…
Music
Fareham
Created by our dedicated team of chefs, our Sunday lunch is a firm favourite for any celebration, occasion or treat. Join us for a delicious lunch and enjoy the background sounds of The Swing Rhythms Trio.
Music
Maidenhead
Welsh pianist Tomos Boyles programme embraces some enchanting Schubert song transcriptions by Liszt, one of Schumann's most poetic scores and a dramatic war-time sonata by Prokofiev.
Tomos was winner of the 2025 Dudley International Piano…
Workshop
Arundel
Join Tracy Waters for a relaxing craft session to create your own unique handmade cards in collage. Celebrating the colourful display of dragonflies. Paint your own, unique, collage papers. You will then craft your own set of four collage dragonfly…
Arts
Sarson Lane, Andover
Saturday August 22 – Sunday 23
10am-5:30pm
Join the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a celebration of wildlife art! They'll be hosting artists exhibiting their work at the Hawk Conservancy Trust for this art-tastic weekend. Special guests include their…
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…
Special Events
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles
Step into the lively world of Tudor England at Tudor Merriment, a colourful and family-friendly living history event at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Buckinghamshire
© Visit South East England 2026. All Rights Reserved
.png){kind=icon}
