13th - 16th August 26 credit Team Raven (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 321 to 340.
Summer
Whitchurch
This summer enjoy Friday nights with friends at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery near Whitchurch at the brand new Aperitivo evenings.
Inspired by the Italian aperitivo tradition, this early evening experience invites you to slow down, gather with…
Free Event
Windsor
Come and enjoy live band performances in the open air this summer. Windsor and Eton Business Partnership presents Windsor’s Live at the Bandstand programme 2026.
Childrens Events
Edenbridge
This summer the Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat,…
Childrens Events
Maidenhead
Led by And Circus
Four days of learning incredible circus skills and performing. Learn to walk on stilts, ride a unicycle, walk the tightrope and perform on a trapeze!
Suitable for ages 7 – 14 years.
Tues 28 – Fri 31 Jul 10am – 4pm
£220 | £200…
Health & Wellbeing
North Stoke, Wallingford
Treat yourself to a full spa day at the 1893 Spa located in the Springs Resort, Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Special Events
Woking
Treat yourself to a delightful two-night getaway with our dinner, bed, and breakfast package, complete with a complimentary bottle of house wine in your room upon arrival. Experience the cosy comfort of our accommodations as you relax and unwind…
Childrens Events
Great Missenden
A unique chance to work with an experienced animator to create your own family stop-motion animation and immerse yourself into the whimsical world of Fantastic Mr Fox at Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.
Exhibitions
Maidstone
An Audience With Eleanor: Unveiling the World's First AI Queen Experience
Immerse yourself in the life of medieval England's most remarkable and misunderstood queen through a groundbreaking exhibition featuring the world's first interactive…
Dance / Dancing
Maidenhead
Hosted by Jeff Lloyd.
Remember when you could dance all night? Now you can — just earlier.
Join us for DayGlow: the day rave where the beats drop before bedtime.
From 2pm – 6pm, we're bringing back the good times, minus the 3am kebab.
It's all the…
Show / Display
Farnborough
The Greatest Show On Wheels returns this August. The British Motor Show is a must-visit event for car enthusiasts and families alike.
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…
Childrens Events
New Forest
Horrible Histories® bring the Vile Victorians to Beaulieu!
From 23 May to 31 August follow Rattus, the cheeky rat from Horrible Histories, on a trail around the attraction packed with dreadful discoveries, delightfully disgusting details and plenty…
Special Events
Farnborough
Explore everything the Farnborough International Airshow has to offer, from aircraft and flying displays to live entertainment with immersive activities, from simulators and virtual and augmented reality, to ‘Beat The Pilot’ reaction
Food
Marlow
Immerse yourself in a week-long celebration of afternoon tea at the exquisite 2 AA Rosette Glaze at Crowne Plaza Marlow. Offering a delightful escape into the world of delectable treats and perfectly brewed tea with views over the lake.
Childrens Events
Gillott's Lane, Henley-on-Thames
Active Reality delivers immersive, adventure-driven VR experiences for all ages, designed to bring people together through fun, memorable, and engaging gameplay. With a focus on social connection and light physical activity, Active Reality…
Festival
Reading
One of the biggest musical festivals in the world, every year over 90,000 people flock to the Richfield Avenue site to experience the iconic event.
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…
Tour
Chatham
f you're a fan of the hit series and you've been wondering where Call the Midwife is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham…
Arts
Sunbury-on-Thames
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…
Portsmouth 100
Portsmouth
A great fun way to explore Portsmouth is coming this summer, with the brand new Pride of Portsmouth Lions trail. Taking over the city in a spectacular celebration of creativity, community, and culture, this unforgettable public art trail will see 40…
© Visit South East England 2026. All Rights Reserved
.png){kind=icon}
