Head along to meet the Stormtroppers at Bluebell Railway in East Sussex this May 26

Character Day with Stormtroopers

Bluebell Railway 2nd - 4th May 26

What's On in Sussex

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Sussex is ready to welcome you for a year filled with colour, creativity and coast-to-countryside events. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant seaside cities, peaceful gardens, world‑class culture or family‑friendly days out, you’ll find plenty to enjoy across East and West Sussex in every season.

2026 brings an exciting line‑up of celebrations. At Borde Hill, the much‑loved Jay Robin’s Rose Garden marks its 30th anniversary, with more than 750 David Austin roses across 100 varieties taking centre stage. Across the county, the Brighton Festival celebrates its 60th year, bringing theatre, music, dance and visual art to venues and open spaces throughout the city from 2–25 May 2026. East Sussex honours the 100th anniversary of Winnie‑the‑Pooh, with Ashdown Forest hosting themed walks, family activities and exhibitions inspired by the Hundred Acre Wood. Whilst in West Sussex, Chichester Cathedral welcomes visitors back to its spectacular Festival of Flowers, returning from 3rd – 6th June to mark 30 years with more than 50,000 blooms filling the historic nave and cloisters.For foodie fans the tasty Rye Bay Scallops festival is a great way to indulge in this delicious seafood running from 21st February - 1st March 26.

From dramatic coastline and rolling South Downs landscapes to headline festivals, historic re‑enactments and flourishing gardens, Sussex is the perfect place for a short break or longer escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today — your Sussex experience is waiting.

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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.

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.

>>> Search & Book Sussex Accommodation

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.

What's on in East Sussex and West Sussex

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Number of results: 156

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  1. Murder Mystery Evening

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Station Road, Tenterden

    Murder Mystery Evening

    Step aboard for a thrilling night of intrigue and deception!

    It's 1953 and a signalman has been found dead at Tenterden. DCI Thomas needs your help to uncover the truth before the killer escapes down the line.

    As the train…

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026Open 18:30 - 21:40
    From:
    26 June 2026Open 18:30 - 21:40
    From:
    31 July 2026Open 18:30 - 21:40
    From:
    28 Aug 2026Open 18:30 - 21:40
  2. Antigone Exits

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    Antigone's brother has died in a bloody civil war. The king – her uncle – has forbidden anyone to bury the body. Antigone is going to bury the body anyway.

    Twenty-five centuries after Antigone, seven performers gather to re-tell the tale of what…

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to17 Oct 2026
  3. Cyanotype Printing Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Arlington, Polegate

    The workshop will begin with an introduction to the cyanotype process, what it is, its history and show you all examples by artists and myself. I'll explain the chemicals involved which are non toxic and then perform a demonstration to show everyone…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Aug 2026Open 09:30 - 12:30
  4. BBB10k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Battle

    The BBB10k is truly a treat to race. It takes runners through the pretty and historic streets of Battle, exploring the surrounding villages before finishing at the ancient Battle Abbey. It's a fast course with some hilly sections and a great race…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2026
  5. The Paint Club painting party at The Victory

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Brighton

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    5 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    2 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    7 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    4 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  6. The Paint Club painting party at Grounded @ The Forge

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Ringmer, Lewes

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    8 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  7. Easter at Go Ape Crawley

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Titmus Drive, Crawley

    Looking for things to do this Easter holidays in West Sussex? Escape the ordinary
    and head to Go Ape Crawley Tilgate Park, set among the rolling woodland just outside
    Crawley, for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.

    Perfect for families, friends,…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to12 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 14:00
  8. Pashley Manor Gardens Tulip Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Bank Holiday

    Near Wadhurst

    Pashley Manor's spectacular Tulip Festival is a riot of colour in East Sussex with over 40,000 tulips to experience.

    Venue

    Pashley Manor Gardens, Rother

    Dates

    From:
    16 Apr 2026to1 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  9. Fungal Foray

    Type

    Type:

    Countryside

    Arlington, Polegate

    Come and dip into the fascinating world of fungi. From Beefstakes to Birds Nests, Fly Agaric to Fibrecaps, we have identified sixty types of fungi in Beatons Wood, and there are many more! Discover a little about the woodland web, and maybe discover…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
  10. Forbidden Nights

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Eastbourne

    Forbidden Nights is made up of a male vocalist, aerial artist, pole performer and fire act all with an element of strip tease -- think Cirque du Soleil meets *Magic Mike*.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -
  11. The Rogate Pumpkin Patch

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Rogate, Petersfield

    The Rogate Pumpkin Patch is now in its 12th year, the pick your own autumn pumpkin event will open on Friday 16th October, running through to Sunday 1st November. We'll close with our much-loved Pumpkin SMASH! Autumn Finale! a one-day ONLY event…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
  12. Stormtroopers at the Bluebell Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Uckfield

    May The 4th be with you!

    A must-attend event for all Star Wars fans! On May 4th, prepare for an epic galactic adventure as Darth Vader & Stormtroopers take over the Bluebell Railway!

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to4 May 2026
  13. Jacobean Crewelwork Hand Embroidery Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Hailsham

    Join professional hand embroidery artist and tutor Amy Burt for this one
-
day workshop
introducing you to the fabulous and historical Jacobean crewelwork technique.

    Taught
in the stunning setting of Herstmonceux Castle, this is the perfect…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  14. The Paint Club painting party at 180 Degrees Bar & Kitchen

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Cuckfield, Haywards Heath

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    7 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    4 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    2 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    6 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  15. Painting party with The Paint Club at Tottington Manor

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Henfield

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    19 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    16 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    21 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    18 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  16. Birdsong Identification Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Countryside

    Arlington, Polegate

    Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah Wilesmith has worked in the woods for over a decade, and can help you tell your Coal Tit from your Great Tit, and Nuthatch from Treecreeper. We may even…

    Dates

    From:
    21 May 2026Open 08:30 - 10:30
  17. Smalltown Mysteries Worthing

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Worthing

    A smalltown mystery is a digital activity where you read a story, search for clues, answer questions and solve a mystery. You walk in the town center for about an hour. After the walk it’s perfect to finish off with a coffee break to solve the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
  18. Wealden Times Midsummer Fair

    Type

    Type:

    Shopping

    Cranbrook

    Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 
Hole Park - Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th June
 - Our much‑loved summer celebration returns to the glorious gardens of Hole Park with over 220 stallholders showcasing fashion, homeware, artisan food, jewellery and more…

    Dates

    From:
    11 June 2026to13 June 2026Open 09:00 - 16:30
  19. Talk | 'William Nicholson's greatest invention? The image of the artist' with Stephen Calloway

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Chichester

    William Nicholson's greatest invention? The image of the artist.

    In this illustrated talk, celebrated curator and aesthete Stephen Calloway explores how William Nicholson's carefully crafted public persona, captured in portraits and photographs…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Apr 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
  20. 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