Portsmouth, 13th July - 13th Sept 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: 116
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Health & Wellbeing
Little Horwood, Milton Keynes
Designed to pamper you from head to toe, come and experience the Instant Radiance Spa Day at Horwood House Hotel near Milton Keynes.
Comedy
Brighton
Brighton's longest running, and friendliest, new material comedy night.
Walking
High Street, Oxford
Explore Oxford’s big sights and hidden corners, uncover quirky stories, and enjoy 1–2 hours of fresh‑air exploring on each fully wheelchair and buggy‑friendly route.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Faringdon
Sudbury House is the Perfect Venue for Your Summer Party.
In our Beautifully Landscaped Gardens for up to 200 guests
Exhibitions
Waterperry
The Waterperry Gardens summer exhibition of landscape paintings features original works by Josie Clouting, Tara Parker-Woolway, Francesca Shakespeare and Christine Bass. These four Oxfordshire based artists paint in very different ways but share a…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Crawley
Stop scrolling Go Ape! Searching for things to do in West Sussex this summer holiday? Head to Go Ape Crawley for an unforgettable outdoor adventure that's perfect for reconnecting with nature and each other.
Childrens Events
Oxford
Join City Sightseeing Oxford to set off on an Oxford adventure!
Collect stamps from six exciting locations across the city, with fun child‑friendly activities to complete at each stop and earn an Oxford Explorer's Certificate to claim as your…
Walking
Town Quay, Southampton
Explore Southampton’s big sights and hidden corners, uncover quirky stories, and enjoy 1–2 hours of fresh‑air exploring on each fully wheelchair and buggy‑friendly route. Fun, affordable and perfect for all ages.
Arts
Maidstone
Experience the enchanting Sculpture Trail at Leeds Castle from Saturday 29th August to Saturday 4th October 2024, offering families a unique adventure through our magnificent grounds and gardens.
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…
Walking
West Street, Chichester
Have fun (re)discovering Chichester 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.
Childrens Events
Wexham
Play your way through nature at Black Park!
Join us at Black Pines Camp for Forest Play! Children can play and explore through activities like the mud kitchen, games, sand pit, bug hunting, water play, balancing and more. Outdoor play is proven to…
Summer
Sevenoaks
Follow a loop around the lower level of Riverhill Himalayan Gardens and marvel at over 60 sculptures in an array of mediums. Open Wednesdays to Sundays and included in the standard garden admission tickets, the trail works in perfect harmony with…
Childrens Events
Chipping Norton
Families are invited to create their own magical summer stories at Fairytale Farm's Fairytale Festival from 18 July to 1 September 2026.
Festival hosts will lead interactive storytelling, puppet activities, games and challenges at selected times…
Exhibitions
Chichester
This major exhibition will bring the British landscape to life
through the eyes of some of the 20th century's most inspiring
artists. It will explore works from 1910 to 1970 that reimagined
the countryside and coastlines of the British Isles as…
Childrens Events
Waterperry
Summer holiday fun at Waterperry Gardens. Using the compass and instructions on the trail map provided, look carefully around our gardens to find the Butterflies.
Childrens Events
Wexham
Explore and get messy at Black Park!
Join us in Black Pines Camp for some fun in the woods! We have a variety of activities for your child to go wild and many Forest School skills to learn about. This includes crafts, tools, campfire skills…
Cycling
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst
Offering full-day adult bike hire only, New Forest Activities offer bike sizes from XS to XL. It’s ideal for couples, adult groups and families with teens who want a relaxed but active day out in the New Forest.
Tour
Pulborough
Experience the Gold Medal-winning Tour & Tasting at Wiston Estate, celebrated as Experience of the Year 2023/24 at the Beautiful South Awards! Perfect for all seasons, our tour is winter-friendly, fully undercover, and fully accessible, so you can…
Exhibitions
Chichester
This exhibition will mark Haroun Hayward's (b. 1983) first solo
institutional show. Hayward will present a new body of work,
created in dialogue with artworks in Pallant House Gallery's
collection by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Paul Nash,…
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