Events suitable for the whole family are never hard to come by in Sussex thanks to its great family-friendly seaside resorts, vibrant cities and gorgeous countryside. Don't miss the chance to join in the 950th anniversary celebrations at Chichester Cathedral which includes a year-long exhibition and a spectacular light show in October or enjoy a trip on one of the Sussex steam railways as part of Railway 200. 2025 also marks 100 years since Drusillas Park invited families to experience its zoo, adventure play and rides, as well as 25 years since the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst opened, now home to over 2.4 billion seeds.
Start planning your next event-ful visit to Sussex and make sure you don't miss some of the most popular events happening across the county - Chichester 950 Religion, Rebellion & Reformation exhibition, West Sussex (now until 15th November), The Brick Build at Battle Abbey, East Sussex (12th - 21st April), Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor, East Sussex (21st April - 5th May), Brighton Festival (3rd - 26th May 25) (F) and Brighton Fringe, East Sussex (2nd May - 1st June), Beer & Cider by the Sea, Eastbourne (16th - 18th May 2025), Chichester Pride (24th May 25), World of Wizardy at Bluebell Railway (28th - 31st May), Balloons and Tunes at Fontwell Park (13th & 14th June).
To find out what's on in Sussex today or this weekend, use the search box above to narrow down your required date, explore the featured list or head to the bottom of the page and explore the list of events in Sussex. If you are on a budget look out for the free events (F) taking place across the county. Sussex means you're never far from an event, a place, or an adventure - guaranteed to keep you entertained and coming back for more.
If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Sussex, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.
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Sussex hosts hundreds of exciting events, all year round for residents, day-trippers, and holidaymakers to enjoy. The guide below shows our full calendar of events in Sussex. Find what's happening near you by clicking the Map View button.
Number of results: 116
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Pulborough
Step into a world of wonder and excitement at the Sussex Steam Rally.
With a variety of exhibits from steam traction engines to vintage vehicles with trade stalls, local crafts and a traditional fun fair to keep the whole family entertained.
Theatre
Chichester
William Golding's compelling adventure takes us into the heart of darkness.
A plane crash on a desert island abandons a group of young survivors to fend for themselves. Quickly, tribal loyalties start to form. Despite attempts by Ralph and Piggy to…
Food
Shaves wood Lane, Albourne
Join us on Saturday, 24th May for a fantastic Sussex Cheese & Wine evening, where we'll be highlighting the award-winning High Weald Dairy with a carefully curated cheese tasting and paired wine flight.
Throughout the evening, you will learn about…
Festival
Lewes
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is a three-day greenfield music festival held annually on the first weekend of July in Glynde Place in the South Downs of East Sussex. It includes a spectrum of musical styles adjacent to jazz, such as funk, soul,…
Comedy
Brighton
★★★★½ "Enlightening & uproarious" FringeFeed 2024
★★★★ "Charming & funny" Perth Happenings 2024
Shaftesbury Fringe 2023 Best in Comedy
Can we do life better using science? Join marine biologist turned award-winning comedian Robyn Perkins as her…
Arts
Chichester
Acclaimed visual artist Rana Begum RA transforms our historic staircase with No.1367 Mesh, her iconic suspended, colourful mesh clusters, creating a vibrant blend of history and contemporary art.
Free Event
Eastbourne
Biggest free motoring spectacular on the South Coast returns to Eastbourne this May Bank Holiday weekend. With over 600 vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses, steam traction engines, commercial and military vehicles, ranging across a century…
Other
West Chiltington, Pulborough
Join us for a family fun day out at the ABC Animal Sanctuary Annual Open Weekend.
Meet the animals • live music
refreshments • variety of stalls
tombola • bric-a-brac • kids corner
face painting • groom a pony
horse parade • tea & cakes at Bertie's…
Childrens Events
Uckfield
Visit a magical realm with Bluebell Railway this May.
Childrens Events
Berwick
Head to East Sussex as Drusillas celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025!
No single day could do justice to such an incredible moment in our history, so we've got a host of special events planned, including a number of Centenary Saturdays…
Food
Eastbourne
The full music line-up has been announced for this year’s Beer & Cider by the Sea.
The three-day event takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 16-18th on the Western Lawns on Eastbourne seafront.
Run / Rally
Eastbourne
The award-winning triathlon is back with a nationwide field of athletes in a challenging 750m sea swim, 18.3km cycle and 5km run, plus brand new Olympic distance race. Athletes of all abilities and experience, from novice to elite, can sign up to…
Food
Cowfold Road, Bolney
Come and grab some Pizzas and a craft Cider at our pop up kitchen at Wobblegate Cider Tap Room. Serving Thursday - Sunday from June 2024
Childrens Events
Goudhurst
The interactive family trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get back to the family tree. Enjoy the wonderful world of Stick Man as you complete lots of fun stick-based activities, discover tree-mendous facts and learn about forest…
Festival
Brighton
Established in 1967, Brighton Festival is the largest and most established annual curated multi-arts festival in England. Taking place over three weeks in May, the Festival is a celebration of music, theatre, dance, art, film, literature, debate,…
Show / Display
Eastbourne
Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow will return in 2025.
The free four-day show will return to Eastbourne's seafront from 14 – 17 August 2025. Now in its 31st year, it is one of Europe's biggest free seafront airshows, attracting huge…
Theatre
Chichester
Phillip Breen's witty and sensual version of Tolstoy's masterpiece Anna Karenina – blending period dress with a contemporary tone – takes us into the hearts and minds of its conflicted, very human characters. A surprisingly funny, romantic 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”…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Haywards Heath
Reconnect with nature and unwind from the stresses of everyday life at our forest bathing workshops.
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing invites you to slow down and fully immerse yourself in the calming forest…
Family
Burwash
Come dressed in your best 1940s glad rags and enjoy a victory cream tea with live music at Bateman's.