24th July - 3rd September, Kent
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Number of results: 50
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Walking
Broad Street, Oxford
Discover the vibrant history of the oldest university in the English-speaking world on the only official University of Oxford walking tour. Learn how Oxford grew from a small market town to become the city of dreaming spires.
Starting and ending at…
Music
WEST COWES
The Wight Proms returns for eight days between the 11th and 18th August 2024. The festival will celebrate classical proms, comedy, nippers, opera, drag, musical theatre, plus country music and dance.
More details to follow, please visit the…
Music
Worthing
Fun Monthly Sunday afternoon Jam session in Worthing for all Blues enthusiasts, singers, musicians and fans.
Performers/Jammers: All will get a chance up on stage if they wish, we work on a first in, first up basis, so come early to ensure a good…
Food
Aylesbury
Come and visit the annual Chilli Festival, held in the picturesque gardens of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. Featuring a handpicked selection of passionate chilli exhibitors, including local artisans and independent traders from across the…
Festival
A weekend of free entertainment in the town centre and on the Quay Green.
Festival
Cornbury Park, Charlbury
Wilderness is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, craftsmanship and dining experiences. It's a rich tapestry of musicians, chefs, thinkers, actors, outdoor experts and teachers.
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.
Show / Display
Dover
Dover's most popular and anticipated event will return to the seafront this July!
Carnival
SANDOWN
Join in the fun of Children's Day with Sandown Carnival Children's Procession! See website for carnival route.
Shopping
Henley-On-Thames
Henley Country Craft Show, Stonor Park
The UK's biggest, quality craft show with over 200 stands!
Great shopping, delicious food and a feel-good atmosphere – the perfect family day out whatever the weather!
Join us at Henley Country Craft Show in…
Childrens Events
Edenbridge
July: 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30
August: 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 25 – 28
The annual Summer Jousting Tournaments will begin at Hever Castle on 15 and 16 July.
This summer the Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating…
Carnival
SANDOWN
Join in with the carnival fun with Sandown's Main Procession! See website for carnival route.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Petersfield
The bottom of Butser Hill will be filled with awesome arena acts, entertaining attractions, dog shows, animal petting zoo, children's rides and fun zone, country life stalls, beer tent and catering with live music and much much more!
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.
Festivals
Margate
Now in its 21st year, Margate Soul Festival is a massive date on the soul, funk and reggae music calendar. The festival provides a combination of large-scale live shows, DJ-led carnival street parties, beachside programming and an eclectic mix of…
Festivals
Tilford, Farnham
Weyfest is more like a mini-holiday than a music festival. It is a stress-free weekend in the country, with over 30 hours of the finest music, camping, posh loos, friendly staff and plenty to occupy the kids with music, drama and creative arts…
Music
NEWPORT
The Isle of Wight's annual jazz festival, now in its 12th year. The event brings the very best of the UK jazz scene to the Island for 4 days of top class music, using venues in and around Newport.
The event is popular with many jazz fans and…
General event
Brighton
Fabuloso is the UK's biggest LGBTQ Pride festival and the Brighton & Hove Pride official fundraiser for the Brighton Rainbow Fund
“Historic, inspired and unparalleled. Brighton Pride is one of the best international pride festivals, we love it”…
Festival
RYE
A packed fortnight of opera, classical and contemporary music, drama, walks, authors, performers and artists.
Carnival
NEWPORT
Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated Procession!
Please see website for route details.
© Visit South East England 2024. All Rights Reserved
.png){kind=icon}
