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
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Festival
Ventnor
Ventnor Fringe is a unique celebration of the arts, showcasing emerging and established talent across every creative discipline.
Markets
Maidenhead
Visiting the market is the perfect way to spend your weekend.
Inspired by the summer night markets of southern France, we bring you a laid back evening of shopping and feasting to a backdrop of live music.
Take a seat at one of our tables to enjoy…
Arts
Bordon
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…
Free Event
Portsmouth
Get your bag for life ready — there’s never been a more exciting time to shop the market.
Childrens Events
Chatham
Calling all explorers! This summer, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has teamed up with legendary wildlife expert and adventurer, Steve Backshall, for an extraordinary journey beneath the waves. Explore the planet's coolest underwater habitats and…
Childrens Events
Didcot
The Didcot Railway Centre Family Festival celebrates summer with a fun family day out with lots of entertainment
Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this…
Childrens Events
Tenterden
A fun filled summer of events awaits at East Sussex and Kent Railway in Tenterden, from the Teddy Bear Express and Great Train Mystery, to Willow Weaving and Circus Skills workshops and of course, the return of our much loved Bricks on the Move!…
Tour
Aylesbury
With so many old trees, open spaces, roosting places on the Manor's roof and down in the old Ice House, bats have found many places to roost, forage and feed at Waddesdon.
11 native bat species have been spotted here including 64 Noctule, 52 Brown…
Walking
Sun Street, Canterbury
Curious About Canterbury takes you to the famous sights and the hidden gems, with surprises tucked around every corner. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly.
Workshop
Sandown
Step into the world of wildlife photography right here at the Sanctuary with our new Bear Photography Workshops — enjoy a half-day experience designed especially for beginners and keen amateurs.
Heritage & History
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles
Travel back to the 19th century at Victorian Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum, a lively Victorian living history event in Buckinghamshire and a perfect family day out near London.
Festival
Smugglers Festival is a gathering on the last weekend of summer each year, on a beautiful woodland in East-Kent. It’s a small, intimate festival, rooted in community from the outset.
Childrens Events
New Forest
Some of the world's most loved stars from the Disney and Pixar Cars franchise cruise into the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu from 29th June 26 including Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm and Finn McMissile.
Music
Maidenhead
Welsh pianist Tomos Boyles programme embraces some enchanting Schubert song transcriptions by Liszt, one of Schumann's most poetic scores and a dramatic war-time sonata by Prokofiev.
Tomos was winner of the 2025 Dudley International Piano…
Carnival
Ventnor
Children's Carnival in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight Fun for all the family at Ventnor Children's Carnival!
Carnival route information For the route details please visit the carnival website.
Music
Maidenhead
Behind the Music – Stories from the Studio
Record producer Stuart Epps has spent over five decades at the heart of the music industry, working with legendary artists including Elton John, Led Zeppelin, George Harrison, Chris Rea, Robbie Williams,…
Free Event
Maidenhead
One of our most popular summer attractions is back! The Maidenhead beach at Norden Farm is back for another year
Free for children and families to play on in the daytime and for adults to relax on in the evening.
Childrens Events
Faversham
Join Wild Classroom at Belmont this summer for a special workshop showcasing the very best of our kitchen garden.
Over the past five years, our family workshops have produced some truly delicious dishes, and this year we're bringing back a few of…
Festival
Ovington, Alresford
A world of unity, creativity & freedom, Boomtown Fair is a four day festival set in the Matterley bowl in Hampshire, UK on the second weekend of August. Boomtown fuses a diverse line-up of underground and global music with boundary pushing immersive…
Sporting Events
Faversham
Described by RunABC as an 'absolute gem', this beautiful 10k course takes runners along the quiet contry lanes around the stunning estate at Mount Ephraim Gardens. The race has grown in notoriety and kudos in recent years, attracting both club…
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