Events suitable for the whole family are never hard to come by in Sussex thanks to a range of tourist hot-spots including a national park, two cities, Chichester and Brighton, and selection of seaside resorts. We've got hundreds of exciting events taking place all year round for residents, day-trippers and holiday makers to enjoy.
To find out what's on in Sussex today or this weekend, use the search box above to narrow down your required date. Families on a budget can look out for the many free events (F) taking place. If you're looking for what's on when it's raining, the coastal geography of Sussex means you can switch the beach for a trip to a local castle, all of which have a calendar of seasonal events to entertain children and adults.
You'll find an enviable supply of themed festivals in Sussex, from food and drink festivals bursting with local produce, which is amongst the best in the UK, and full to the brim with English wine as this county has the ideal conditions for a host of vineyards giving a unique flavour to any event. Sussex means you're never far from an event, a place, an adventure, guaranteed to keep you entertained and coming back for more.
Don't miss this year's Brighton Festival which kicks off on the 4th - 26th May 2024. This wonderful indoor and outdoor celebration of the arts is a highlight on the South East event calendar and includes dance, circus acts, shows, comedy, and more. Look out for the Olivier Award-winning performance maker, Marisa Carnesky, the newly refurbished Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre which opens to welcome premieres and international productions to Brighton Festival 2024 and for the children, the British Animation award-winning Kensuke’s Kingdom, adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling children’s book.
Take a look at our featured list for inspiration and then scroll to the bottom of the page to see hundreds of more events 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
The guide below shows our full calendar of events in Sussex. Whether you're local or visiting the area, find what's happening near you by clicking the Map View button.
Number of results: 143
, currently showing 101 to 120.
Outdoor Event / Activities
East Dean, Nr Chichester
West's Wood Fair is an event featuring the many interesting ways in which wood is used.
We have over 100 exhibitors including trade stands selling timber and many other wood-related products, demonstrations of sawmilling, pole lathes, and hurdle…
Arts
Brighton
Why this artwork? Because you're the mane event. Using a base of neutral colours, Into the Lion's Den channels the king of the jungle with a colourful twist. We honestly think this big cat should be in the next Lion King movie.
Arts
Brighton
Plants Over People? Now you're speaking my language. Replace real indoor plants with this nursery of greenery with a background of soft pinks and orange colours.
Good thing is you don't need to water these plants. They'll live forever.
Your…
Arts
Brighton
Hey Brighton People. It's history in the making as we salute to our mother, Queen B. Whether you're 'Crazy in Love' or 'Drunk in Love', our artists won't 'Break Your Soul' thanks to their step-by-step guide. Bring your dancing shoes and break out…
Food
Brighton
Foodies Festival returns to Preston Park across the May Bank Holiday Weekend from 4th – 6th May 2024, with brand-new features and a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars, including: Scouting For Girls, Sister Sledge…
Festival
Brighton
The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist…
Arts
Ford,, Arundel
Plans For Living
An exhibition of painting and ceramics by Louise Bristow and Coco Crampton.
Everyday objects can provide a profound insight into history, reflecting the society that created them and the ideology of the period in which they were…
Heritage & History
Station Road, Tenterden
Come join the fun and splendid madness at the K&ESR Steampunk Weekend!
Steampunk dives into the world of Victorian Science Fiction, looking back through history and the fantastical works of H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley and Jules Verne (to name a few!)…
Childrens Events
Brighton
It's early in the morning at the Magic Toyshop and Meg the Doll can't find her glove! Join in the chaotic hunt as Meg and her best friend Penny the Toy Soldier enlist your help to unlock the enchanted toy boxes, reveal their hidden surprises and…
Festival
Lewes
The Urban Van Fest is a 3 day and night camper van / van life festival set in the scenic setting of Plumpton Racecourse near Lewes East Sussex at the foot of the South Downs.
The Urban Van Fest is an event for van life enthusiasts and novices, those…
Music
Bexhill
The Feast of Fiddles set out on their Spring Tour once again in 2024 following a very successful return to the road post pandemic restrictions. Born in Nettlebed on Valentine's Day 1994 as a one-off special concert, Feast of Fiddles has done 28…
Heritage & History
Station Road, Tenterden
1940s Weekend
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May 2024
A whole weekend of pure nostalgia recreating the sights, sounds and fashions of the 1940s
Early booking is recommended for this popular event!
Trains will be departing every 45mins from 10.30am -…
Comedy
Brighton
Every dress, every suit tells a story.
The year is 1989 and loveable, eccentric septuagenarian, Hilda, has run a second-hand clothes shop in Sheffield for three decades. She does it to make money to feed 30 stray cats. One day a journalist from The…
Theatre
Chichester
Austria, 1938. Free-spirited nun Maria is sent away from her abbey to become governess to the widowed Captain von Trapp's seven children. She brings music and laughter back to his unfeeling household, but the future holds more joy and jeopardy than…
General event
Brighton
With plenty of excellent stalls, you can enjoy a brilliant range of plant-based bites, as well as a fantastic range of gifts, crafts, beauty and other treats.
General event
Streat
It’s a quintessential pairing: fresh seafood and sparkling wine.
Join us for a special evening of plateau de fruits de mer, served alongside our award-winning sparkling wines.
It is one of our most popular events at Artelium, so pre-bookings are…
Festival
Brighton
A two day Thai Festival to experience the taste of Thailand this summer at Preston Park is brought to you by Magic of Thailand, previously known as Brighton Thai Festival.
Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and bring along your families and friends…
Arts
Brighton
Cue The White Lotus theme music (fine, I'll rewatch Season 2!). Dive in the realm of Sicilian dreams with this goddess-inspired masterpiece of intricate vases, citrus fruit and green leaves.
Unleash your inner goddess (and artist) as you sip, dip,…
Tour
Pulborough
Throughout the open season, Parham will run a variety of special tours of the Garden. These tours are designed for regular visitors who might never have had the opportunity to take a tour before.
All places must be booked in advance via our website…