2025 marks 25 years since the doors opened to the Millennium Seed Bank c Jim Holden

25th Anniversary

Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, c Jim Holden

What's On in Sussex

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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.  You'll find a whole host of events and activities to enjoy on every visit, as the what's on calendar is full to bursting all year round. Whether you choose to head to East or West Sussex, visit for a city break in either Chichester or Brighton, or relax and explore the stunning South Downs National Park that stretches through both counties.

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.

What's on in Sussex this weekend?

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.

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Staying overnight in Sussex?

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 events near me

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.

Inspiration

  1. Dinosaur Adventure Live!
    Surely The Greatest Prehistoric Show on Earth! 65…
    1. 15 Feb 2026
  2. Stargazing at Helen Garden
    Explore the skies with Eastbourne Astronomical…
    1. 24 Jan 2026
    2. 21 Feb 2026

Number of results:

Number of results: 87

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. ABBA Under the Stars

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Haywards Heath

    Following their 2025 sell-out concert, ABBA Gold Europe returns to Borde Hill!

    Get ready to dance the night away with a spectacular tribute to ABBA's timeless hits! Leading tribute band ABBA Gold Europe delivers an electrifying live performance,…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026Open 18:00 - 21:30
  2. SteamLights at Bluebell Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Uckfield

    Join us for a truly enchanting evening as our Ice Queen summons her powers to light up the train before it steams into the night on a brand-new, family-friendly narrative journey!

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to28 Dec 2025
  3. Bewl 15 & 5 Mile

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Wadhurst

    Overview
    Organised by Wadhurst Runners, the Bewl 15 & 5 mile races return on 5th July 2026.

    The 15 mile race is the original round Bewl Water race and the only one which includes the nature reserve with its stunning lakeside views. Once voted the…

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2026
  4. Christmas Wine Tasting Weekends

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Shaves Wood Lane, Albourne

    Our Tasting Room will open on 13th & 14th and 20th & 21st December, 11am to 5pm, for the return of our Christmas Wine Tasting Weekends with wine tasting, mulled vermouth & mince pies!

    We will have every bottle across our range open for you to…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 17:00
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 17:00
  5. Santa's Grotto & Christmas Kids Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Haywards Heath

    Kick-start the festive season with a visit to see Santa in his magical grotto.

    Step into Elf Training Camp

    Ticket holders will begin their adventure by joining Elf Training Camp, where novice elves can take part in a series of creative tasks and…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00
  6. Chichester950 | Religion, Rebellion & Reformation

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Chichester

    An exhibition sharing the story of the Christian faith in Sussex, revealed through people, events and objects, from 1075 to the present day.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2025to1 Feb 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
  7. GLOBALLS Date Night Package

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Brighton Marina, Brighton

    Looking for a unique and budget-friendly Valentine's Day date?
    Glow crazy in love with the GLOBALLS Date Night Package! ️‍♀️ Choose from any of our stunning UV light mini golf courses or Carnival games for a night full of fun and unforgettable…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 22:00
  8. Burning the Clocks

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Brighton

    The dark grip of long wintry nights is broken by a flicker of light. Started in 1993, Burning the Clocks represents an alternative to the commercial Christmas. Thousands of people gather to make paper lanterns to carry through the city before…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2026
  9. Eastbourne International Airshow

    Type

    Type:

    Free Event

    Eastbourne

    Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow is scheduled to return for its 32nd year from 13th – 16th August 2026, bringing one of the South East's top events back to the South Coast. 

    Dates

    From:
    13 Aug 2026to16 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
  10. Santa Special Steam Trains

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Station Road, Tenterden

    We love Christmas at the Kent and East Sussex Railway and we have been welcoming families to meet Santa on our trains since 1974! There's nothing quite like the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a named…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
  11. Talk | How To See Now: The Female Subjects with Katy Hessel - Virgin Mary

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Chichester

    Join art historian Katy Hessel for a series of lectures dedicated to Biblical and mythological female subjects commonly depicted in western art history, from witches to the Virgin Mary, Medusa, Eve to Aphrodite. Borrowing from the 1972 book and…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
    From:
    26 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
    From:
    5 Mar 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
  12. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride Spa Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Tunbridge Wells

    Join us at THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at Tunbridge Wells West on the Spa Valley Railway for a magical Christmas adventure—book your tickets today!

    Step into the beloved story as THE POLAR EXPRESS™ departs from Spa Valley Railway, bringing the film to life.…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Dec 2025to30 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 19:10
  13. Christmas Workshops at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Brighton Road, Lower Beeding

    Discover Festive Workshops at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
    Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens offers a delightful array of creative experiences to embrace the festive spirit, set against the backdrop of their enchanting gardens. Here are just a few of this…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Nov 2025to19 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 16:00
  14. Curious About Brighton

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Brighton

    Have fun (re-)discovering Brighton, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air. Curious About Brighton visits not just the obvious places, but…

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  15. Rana Begum: No.1367 Mesh

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2024to1 July 2026
  16. Bentley Wildlife Wood Carvers Showcase

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Arundel

    Discover the art of wildlife wood carving with the Bentley Wildlife Wood Carvers. Meet the talented carvers, admire a stunning display of their work, and watch live demonstrations as they bring nature to life in wood.
    This showcase is included in…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
  17. Curious About Hastings

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Hastings

    Have fun (re-)discovering Hastings, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst exploring this historic seaside town. Curious About…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2025to3 May 2026
  18. Evening Roost Watch

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Arundel

    Stay onsite a little longer to watch pied wagtails, egrets, and marsh harriers gather for their evening roost. The hides will remain open an extra hour, while the Living Collection, Reedbed boardwalk, and Willow Sphere close at 4:30 pm as usual.…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Jan 2026Open 16:00 - 17:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 16:00 - 17:30
  19. Christmas At The Oak Barn Restaurant 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Burgess Hill

    Gather family & friends & celebrate Christmas in style at The Oak Barn this festive season

    • Celebration Festive Lunch
    • Celebration Festive Dinner
    • 9 Christmas Dinner, Disco & Entertainment Party Nights
    • Boxing Day
    • New Years Eve
    • New…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2025to1 Jan 2026Open 10:00 - 23:30
  20. Ice Skating at Seal Bay Resort

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Selsey

    Get ready to skate into the festive season at Seal Bay, with our magical Ice Skating Rinkopen from 12th December to 2nd January. ​

    Whether you're a seasoned skater or taking your first glide, it's the perfect way to celebrate with friends and…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025to2 Jan 2026Open 12:00 - 22:00