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
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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.
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
East Sussex
Infused with wit and shaped by her surrealist sensibility, this playful display in the Farleys Gallery Café focuses on Lee Miller's animal subjects. From taking 'pet portraits' at the request of rich clients in her New York Studio, to rescuing a…
Food
Milton Keynes
Experience a delicious afternoon tea, where every bite celebrates the season's bounty amidst the relaxing ambience of Horwood House, Buckinghamshire.
Exhibition
Oxford
Explore the fantastic free Pets and their People exhibition at the Weston Library in Oxford. Delving into the relationship between humans and their pets over ten thousand years with stories, images and poetry from the Bodleian Library collection
Childrens Events
Wexham
xplore 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 tot to go wild, including the mud kitchen, the sand pit, bug hunting, games stations, water play, weaving, balancing,…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Titmus Drive, Crawley
Based in the heart of Tilgate Park, just two miles from the centre of Crawley, adventure awaits. Whether you're a thrill-seeker looking for a unique activity or simply after some quality time with friends and family, Go Ape have you covered.
Walking
Millmead, Guildford
(Re)Discover Guildford with two lively treasure‑hunt walks packed with clues, surprises and “I’ve never noticed that!” moments.
Festival
Edenbridge
The Festival Theatre events run throughout the year in our gorgeous locations at: Hever Castle – including our flagship stunning theatre re-built in 2024, Chiddingstone Castle and Penshurst Place & Gardens.
Food
Chichester
Enjoy sunny summer evenings in the rolling hills of the South Downs at West Dean Gardens Kitchen. Gardens Kitchen offers a dining experience unlike any other. Set in the heart of one of England's most beautiful landscapes, our Summer Evening Dining…
Arts
Henley-on-Thames
Join contemporary artist Ann Generlich from 2-8 September at The Old Fire Station Gallery in Henley-on-Thames to explore the fusion of emotion, energy and structural form through richly layered mixed-media works that shift between abstraction and…
Shopping
Horsham
Join us in store at John Lewis, Horsham for this unmissable skincare masterclass with Dermalogica skin therapists. At this immersive session you'll learn what makes Dermalogica the professional skincare brand trusted by experts worldwide.
Portsmouth 100
Portsmouth
In 2026, Portsmouth celebrates its 100th anniversary of becoming a city with a wide round program of events and activities for both visitors and residents to enjoy. Visit the city, join the events and discover more of Portsmouth's fascinating…
Exhibitions
Petworth
Towering sculptures by renowned ceramicist Felicity Aylieff are being exhibited for the first time at Petworth House and Park. The exhibition takes place across the whole property including installations throughout the house, and two monolithic…
Childrens Events
Petworth
Step into a world of colour, creativity, and imagination on this fun, buggy-friendly family trail at Petworth House and Gardens near Chichester.
Follow Pipkin, a young dragon, on a journey through landscapes, play spaces, and creative challenges to…
Walking
Bournemouth
Get ready to explore Bournemouth like a real‑life detective! With two treasure‑hunt walks, you’ll spot clues, solve puzzles, and discover amazing things you’ve never noticed before. It’s fun, it’s outdoors, and it’s perfect for curious kids (and…
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…
Exhibitions
Canterbury
Visit the exhibition to discover artefacts, historical documents and interactive displays that bring to the life the story of Canterbury's notorious poet, playwright, and provocateur!
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…
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…
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