Fun School Holiday Events and Activities

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.

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.

• 22nd July - 31st August, Bodiam's Medieval Fair, Bodiam Castle, Bodiam, East Sussex
• 24th July - 26th August, Rock Follies, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester, West Sussex
• 24th July - 3rd September, City of Oxford Walking Tour, Bodleian Libraries, Oxford, Oxfordshire
• 24th July - 3rd September, Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience, Cutty Sark, Greenwich, London
• 24th July - 10th September, Live at the Bandstand, Weekends at Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, Berkshire (F)
• 24th July - 30th September, Creative Connections Southampton, Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton (F)
• 27th July - 31st August, The Islands Biggest Kids Party, Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
• 25th - 27th August, Carfest South 2023, Laverstoke Park Farm, Overton, Basingstoke
• 26th Aug - 28th August, Sandwich Festival 2023, Sandwich, Kent (F)
• 31st Aug - 3rd September, Bournemouth Air Festival, Bournemouth Seafront, Dorset (F) 
• 1st Sept - 2nd September, The Creative Craft Show, Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, Farnborough, Hampshire

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 2023?

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.

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.