29th July, Hampshire
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 2023. 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.
Most schools across the South East break up for the summer holidays on Friday 21st July 2023 with the majority of schools returning on Friday 1st September 2023, although some areas do not return until the 4th September. The summer holidays also include the August Bank Holiday on 28th August, 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: 51
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Carnival
SANDOWN
Join in the fun of Children's Day with Sandown Carnival Children's Procession! See website for carnival route.
Music
NEWPORT
The Isle of Wight's annual jazz festival, now in its 12th year. The event brings the very best of the UK jazz scene to the Island for 4 days of top class music, using venues in and around Newport.
The event is popular with many jazz fans and…
Comedy
Brighton and Hove
Discover the best in live comedy, featuring three top acts and an MC!
Boasting the hottest line-ups including Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Jordan Brookes, Olga Koch, Barbara Nice, Jarred Christmas, Nina Conti, Sara Barron, and many more!
Komedia is a…
Outdoor Event / Activities
New Forest
We are pleased to announce the return of Beaulieu Supercar Weekend in 2023 on 5 – 6 August; the must-see family spectacular that brings some of the world's most exclusive and desirable motors to Beaulieu.
Join us for one of the biggest Supercar…
Music
WEST COWES
The Wight Proms returns for eight days between the 9th and 18th August 2024. The festival will celebrate classical proms, comedy, nippers, opera, drag, musical theatre, plus country music and dance.
More details to follow, please visit the…
General event
Brighton
Fabuloso is the UK's biggest LGBTQ Pride festival and the Brighton & Hove Pride official fundraiser for the Brighton Rainbow Fund
“Historic, inspired and unparalleled. Brighton Pride is one of the best international pride festivals, we love it”…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Farnborough
The British Motor Show is back for 2023 at Farnborough International, from 17-20 August 2023. An essential event for the summer holidays, the show returns with even more cars, even more entertainment, and even more fun!
Delivering an…
Festivals
Margate
Now in its 21st year, Margate Soul Festival is a massive date on the soul, funk and reggae music calendar. The festival provides a combination of large-scale live shows, DJ-led carnival street parties, beachside programming and an eclectic mix of…
Participatory Event
Henley On Thames
A quintessentially English afternoon tea on the Thames at Henley on the spectacular New Orleans
Childrens Events
Edenbridge
July: 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30
August: 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 25 – 28
The annual Summer Jousting Tournaments will begin at Hever Castle on 15 and 16 July.
This summer the Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating…
Festival
A weekend of free entertainment in the town centre and on the Quay Green.
Festival
Rye
Exceptional artists hit the heart of Rye for the International Jazz and Blues Festival.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Petersfield
The bottom of Butser Hill will be filled with awesome arena acts, entertaining attractions, dog shows, animal petting zoo, children's rides and fun zone, country life stalls, beer tent and catering with live music and much much more!
Walking
Broad Street, Oxford
Discover the vibrant history of the oldest university in the English-speaking world on the only official University of Oxford walking tour. Learn how Oxford grew from a small market town to become the city of dreaming spires.
Starting and ending at…
Childrens Events
Didcot
Buy a Railway Centre ticket for the 25th May or 26th August and see Paddington™ who will meet and greet fans at intervals throughout the day.
Festival
Portsmouth
Victorious Festival returns for 2024 - bringing some of the biggest bands and artists to Southsea Common.
Festival
Battle
BATTLE FESTIVAL is a firm fixture on South East England's cultural calendar, winning public and critical acclaim. The festival stages performances in iconic settings and attracts world-class performances and audiences to 1066 Country.
Markets
Southsea
A monthly exhibition and sale of original work from local artists, designers, makers and crafters.
Festivals
SANDOWN
A heady mix of country fair, pop festival and a vampire’s worst nightmare, this festival offers everything for the family!
Show / Display
Dover
Dover's most popular and anticipated event will return to the seafront this July!
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