The fun family festival Jack in the Green, Hastings

Jack in the Green, Hastings

1st - 4th May 26 c Jonny Thompson

What's On in Sussex

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Discover what's on in Sussex, including festivals, family-friendly events, theatre shows, garden open days, food festivals and seasonal events for a great day out in East and West Sussex. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant seaside cities for a holiday, peaceful gardens for a day out near you, world‑class culture for a short break away or events that the whole family will enjoy, you’ll find plenty to upcoming events to suit all ages and interests.

Events in Sussex

Top Sussex Events Not To Miss in 2026

2026 brings an exciting line‑up of events and celebrations across the county of Sussex

  • World of Wizardry, Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield, East Sussex
    24th, 25th, 27th - 30th May 26
    A magical adventure of enchantment and adventure for all the family at Horsted Keynes Station.
  • Beach Life Music Festival, Eastbourne Bandstand, Eastbourne, East Sussex
    30th & 31st May 2026
    Family-friendly free seaside music festival (F).
  • Treetop Challenge, Go Ape, Tilegate Park, Crawley, West Sussex
    Ongoing 
    Exhilarating family-friendly adventure up in the tree canopy, with Tarzan swings and ziplines.
  • Rose Week, Pashley Manor Gardens, Wadhurst, East Sussex
    12th - 20th June 2026
    With rose themed talks and walks and the chance to enjoy the beautiful English Rose.
  • Summer Season, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester, West Sussex
    Includes 45 Years (12th June – 11th July 2026) and My Fair Lady (6th July – 5th September 2026)
    Award-winning theatre shows full of secrets, intrigue and life-changing stories.
  • Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, Eastbourne Seafront, East Sussex
    13th - 16th August 2026
    Featuring the Red Arrows ,The Starlings Aerobatics Team and Aerosuperbatics Wing Walkers (F)
  • Battle of Hastings Re-enactment, Battle Abbey, Battle, East Sussex
    10th & 11th October 2026
    Dramatic living history event that changed the course of English history.

From dramatic coastline and rolling South Downs landscapes to headline festivals, historic re‑enactments and flourishing gardens, make Sussex the perfect place for a seaside stay or countryside escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today. 

What's on in Sussex this May, June and July?

Explore our featured events list and discover what's on this May, June and July in East and West Sussex, from spring garden festivals to sporting events to take part in, family trials and outdoor adventures all waiting to be explored.

Visiting Chichester for an event, book a stay at Stubcroft Farm campsite

Planning your visit to Sussex events

If you planning to come to South East England to enjoy one of the many events on offer in Sussex, find answers below to some frequently asked questions.

Planning a short break around an event 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

What's on in Sussex today or this weekend?

You'll find daily updated listings of events across East and West Sussex by using the date filter in the search box above or scroll to the bottom of the page to see our full events guide to Sussex - great for providing inspiration and ideas.

Are there any family-friendly events in Sussex?

Yes. Many of Sussex events are designed for families, including garden and nature trails, steam railway events, outdoor festivals and school-holiday activities. Use the 'type filter' in the search box above and choose family to find suitable events.

Are there free events in Sussex?

Yes. Look for events marked (F), including airshows, festivals and community celebrations. 

Sussex events near me

Discover events for residents, day-trippers, and holidaymakers. Browse the full calendar of events in Sussex below or switch to Map View to find out what's happening near you.  A visit to Sussex means you're never far from an event, a place, or an adventure - guaranteed to keep you entertained and coming back for more.

What's on in East Sussex and West Sussex

Number of results:

Number of results: 171

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Eclipse

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    In the kitchen of an old Devon rectory, the daughter who stayed and the son who moved away make conversation with their current and former partners, the milkman, the postman, the care workers. They talk about the weather, the roads, the toaster, the…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    8 May 2026to6 June 2026
  2. The Paint Club painting party at Carlo Lounge

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    East Grinstead

    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:
    11 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    8 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    13 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    10 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  3. The Paint Club painting party at The Blackboys

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Blackboys, Uckfield

    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:
    7 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  4. Rathfinny Run

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Polegate

    This race has sold out every year since its inception five years ago - so it's in high demand! The Rathfinny Run is an exceptionally special running experience. It focuses on reducing it's environmental impact and encourages runners to reduce their…

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026
  5. 45 Years

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    Buried for decades, the body of a young woman is found in the melting ice. A thousand miles and 45 years away... a crack forms in the crystal of a marriage.

    It's the week leading up to Kate and Geoff's wedding anniversary and preparations for the…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    12 June 2026to11 July 2026
  6. Sink & Soften - An Evening Yoga Practice with Calli Popham

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Haywards Heath

    Join us for a slow, embodied practice designed to help you land, listen, and let go, not by forcing release, but by creating the conditions for it to happen naturally. The practice will take place in the tranquillity of the South Lawn after hours,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 June 2026Open 17:00 - 18:00
  7. Rye Summer Series Race Four

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Rye

    The Rye Summer Classic Series provides a unique chance to enjoy one of Britain's most treasured conservation sites, covering a mosaic of interlocking shingle ridges, saltmarsh, intertidal grazing, reed-beds and saline lagoons. It can get windy on…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Aug 2026
  8. Hawkhurst 10k & 5k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Hawkhurst

    We are excited to announce the return of this fabulous community race for its sixth year. Working alongside Highgate Hawkhurst WI to support existing and new community projects, you can expect the usual delights: a free half pint in The Eight Bells…

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026
  9. Rye Summer Series Race Five

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Rye

    The Rye Summer Classic Series provides a unique chance to enjoy one of Britain's most treasured conservation sites, covering a mosaic of interlocking shingle ridges, saltmarsh, intertidal grazing, reed-beds and saline lagoons. It can get windy on…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026
  10. Barefoot Waterski Jump Evening

    Type

    Type:

    Water Based Activities

    Dengemarsh Road, Lydd

    An evening of Barefoot Waterskiing at Action Watersports.
    Watch the GB Barefoot Waterski Team train at Action Watersports, skimming across the water at 45mph on their barefeet.
    Food available from our lakeside cafe
    This is weather dependent…

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
  11. 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
  12. Peacehaven Trail 10k

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Peacehaven

    Experience the thrill of this gripping and scenic race beginning in Peacehaven. The route winds through stunning bridleways, the iconic South Downs Way, and the historic Greenwich Meridian Trail, finishing with a loop through the charming village of…

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026
  13. Standup Paddle Board BSUPA Ready to Ride Course

    Type

    Type:

    Water Based Activities

    Dengemarsh Road, Lydd

    Learn or improve your paddleboarding techniques in a fun, action-packed 2-hour session.
    Perfect for 1st timers or experienced paddle boarders who want to master more than the basics and learn some fun new techniques.
    2-hour course - 90-minutes on…

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
  14. a small and quiet light

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    October 1943. In a small office on the Avenue Foch in Paris, a Gestapo interrogator is questioning a young woman who has been known by many different names: Babuli, Jeanne-Marie, Nora, Madeleine.

    As one of the secret agents of Britain's Special…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    21 Aug 2026to12 Sept 2026
  15. Home Education Stand Up Paddleboard Course

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Dengemarsh Road, Lydd

    Whether your child is a first-timer or an experienced paddler, our 3-week Home Ed SUP Programme is the perfect way to get out on the water, have fun, and develop new skills. All while gaining the BSUPA Ready to Ride certification, a recognised SUP…

    Dates

    From:
    30 Apr 2026to14 May 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00
    From:
    1 June 2026to15 June 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00
  16. 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
  17. The Paint Club painting party at The Longshore

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Shoreham-by-sea, 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:
    12 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    9 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    14 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    11 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  18. 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…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to17 Oct 2026
  19. Bogan Bingo Bottomless Brunch

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Brighton and Hove

    Bingo, bottomless brunch & the Bogan Bingo boys!

    What could be a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than a gloriously chaotic bingo and bottomless brunch session with Brighton’s no.1 comedy bingo show, Bogan Bingo!

    Tickets include:

    - 90…

    Venue

    Komedia, Brighton and Hove

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 12:30 -
  20. World of Wizardry at Bluebell Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Uckfield

    Visit a magical realm with Bluebell Railway this May.  

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to30 May 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00