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What's On in Sussex

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Discover what's on in Sussex, including festivals, family-friendly events, theatre shows, garden trails, food festivals, outdoor experiences 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 of upcoming events to suit all ages and interests.

Images from around Sussex

Sussex Events

2026 brings an exciting line‑up of events and celebrations across the county of Sussex. From outdoor adventures to festivals, workshops to seasonal events, you'll always find lots of exciting events in Sussex. This autumn the Bonfire Society Procession returns along Eastbourne seafront, celebrating its 25th anniversary, with a beach-side bonfire and fireworks (3 October) (F) ahead of some festive fun in Little Chelsea, with the festive Christmas lights and fireworks on (4 December). The thrilling Go Ape Sundown Adventures returns to Tilgate Park, Crawley, offering visitors the chance to experience the treetops after dark (16 October - 8 November).  

Autumn doesn't mean the Sussex events diary gets any quieter, as a host of outdoor and immersive events arrive on the calendar. For living history fans, over 300 re-enactors take part in The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment on the very spot where King Harold and Duke William fought (10 - 11 October) ahead of this year's Guy Fawkes Celebrations in Battle (7 November). The sell-out Bluebell Railway Ghost Train returns (22 October - 1 November) with some spine-tingling family fun, along with a Murder Mystery Dinner at Tottington Manor, West Sussex (31 October).

From dramatic coastlines and the rolling South Downs to fireworks, festivals, historic re-enactments and award-winning gardens, Sussex is the perfect destination for a seaside stay or countryside escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today. 

Sundown Adventures Now Live at Go Ape Crawley

What's on in Sussex

Explore our featured events list and discover what's on this September, October and November in East and West Sussex, from garden events and live music to sporting occasions, family trails and outdoor adventures.

From coastal celebrations and historic re-enactments to family attractions, theatre performances and countryside adventures, Sussex offers one of the most varied events calendars in South East England.

Exquisite Afternoon Tea at Alexander House Hotel, West Sussex

Plan your visit to Sussex

If you're 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.

Frequently asked questions about events in Sussex

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 to plan your visit.

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's 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) or add free to the keyword search box and you will find airshows, festivals, community celebrations and seasonal events taking place across East and West Sussex throughout the year.

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: 141

, currently showing 121 to 140.

  1. Cool-Aid Comedy - New Material Comedy Night

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Brighton

    Brighton's longest running, and friendliest, new material comedy night.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    From:
    4 Nov 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    From:
    11 Nov 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    From:
    18 Nov 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    From:
    25 Nov 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    From:
    9 Dec 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
  2. Midhurst Rother College Contemporary Craft Show

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Midhurst

    The Sussex Guild is delighted to be returning to the spacious, modern surroundings of Midhurst Rother College to showcase our contemporary crafts this Christmas.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
  3. Discover the New Beachy Head Experience

    Type

    Type:

    Indoor

    Eastbourne

    The Beachy Head Experience is a new interactive attraction in Eastbourne, combining immersive exhibitions, hands-on activities and self-guided walking trails. Discover the history of Beachy Head, enjoy a unique green-screen flight experience and…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    6 Nov 2026to28 Feb 2027Various Opening Times
  4. Forest Bathing

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Lower Beeding, Horsham

    Emma Weaver leads regular soothing Forest Bathing experiences at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Horsham, guiding you on a slow-paced circular walk of around 5 - 51/2 km through our West Sussex woodlands. In small, intimate groups, you'll pause at…

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
    From:
    21 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
  5. Spa Day at Award-Winning Utopia Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Indoor

    Turners Hill, Crawley

    Escape to the multi award-wining Utopia Spa at Alexander House in the West Sussex countryside.

    Dates

    From:
    24 July 2026to30 Nov 2026
  6. Curious About Hastings

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Hastings

    Get ready to explore Hastings like a real‑life detective!

    Curious About Hastings takes you to famous places and secret corners, with surprises hiding around every turn. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly, so…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026to3 May 2027
  7. Pallant Proms: A Harmonious Revival

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Chichester

    Head to Pallant House Gallery in Chichester for a celebration of exceptional music featuring talented pianists over three afternoons. Pallant Proms offers three captivating daytime piano concerts, featuring young pianists from the Royal College of…

    Venue

    Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 12:00 - 13:00
    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 12:00 - 13:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 13:00
  8. Halloween Potion Hunt at Go Ape Crawley

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Crawley

    Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Halloween with your family? Take on the Halloween Potion Hunt, a ‘spell-tacular’ addition to Go Ape Crawley’s Treetop Adventures. Combining high ropes crossings, zip wires and a seasonal trail, this special…

    Venue

    Go Ape Crawley, Crawley

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
  9. A Tale of Two Cities

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    Adapted by Terence Rattigan (The Winslow Boy, The Deep Blue Sea) and John Gielgud, based on Dickens' classic novel, this epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption asks: is there any price too great to pay for love? A Tale of Two Cities at…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    9 Feb 2027to13 Feb 2027
  10. Sompting Pumpkins

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Sompting, Lancing

    Join us for pumpkin-picking fun at our family-run pumpkin field Sompting Pumpkins, Halewick Lane, Sompting, BN15 0NE, next to the A27.
    Open 10am-4pm (last entry 3:30pm) on the 3rd/4th, 10th/11th, 17th/18th and 24th-31st October 2026
    Free entry, free…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    26 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    27 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    28 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
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    29 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  11. Garden Tour & Cream Tea at West Dean Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Chichester

    Enjoy an exclusive tour of the famous West Dean Gardens in West Sussex, with the senior Garden Team followed by a delicious cream tea in the prestigious Oak Hall. Seasonal highlights will be explored, including the Walled Kitchen Garden, Victorian…

    Venue

    West Dean Gardens, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
  12. Beauty Takeover at John Lewis Horsham

    Type

    Type:

    Shopping

    Horsham

    Enjoy fun on-counter games, indulge in luxurious treats, a prize draw and much more at John Lewis Horsham next beauty takeover. Tickets are £15 and redeemable on the day against any purchase in the beauty hall.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Nov 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    From:
    19 Nov 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
  13. Bates Green Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Arlington

    Bates Green Garden was designed and planted by the late Carolyn McCutchan over a period of many years from 1968.  The tranquil 1.5-acre garden surrounds the farmhouse, which was originally a gamekeepers cottage built circa 1814. 

    Dates

    From:
    25 Feb 2026to28 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
  14. Burgess Hill 10k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Burgess Hill

    This 3-day event commences in East Grinstead on the 1st of May 2027 with a 10 mile race, followed by the Haywards Heath 10 mile on the 2nd of May and finishing in Burgess Hill on the 3rd of May with a 10k. Combined, these race make up the Mid Sussex…

    Venue

    Nice Work, East Sussex

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2027Open 09:30 - 12:30
  15. Little Crafters: Christmas @ Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Horsham

    Let your little ones get stuck into this fun and creative crafting session for 18 months - 4 year olds with Kirsty from Make, Do & Trend at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in Horsham, West Sussex

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    15 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 11:40
  16. Christmas Afternoon Tea with Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Lower Beeding, Horsham

    Step into the magic of Christmas Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee Wine Estate

    A festive family afternoon filled with sweet treats, seasonal cheer and a special visit from Santa himself.

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 15:00
  17. Robertsbridge Bonfire Night 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Fireworks

    Robertsbridge

    The Sussex bonfire season goes out with a bang with the Robertsbridge Bonfire and Torchlight Procession.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026
  18. Grim Glory: Lee Miller's Britain at War

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Lewes

    An major exhibition from the Lee Miller Archives will be on display for the second half of the 2026 open season in the Lee Miller Gallery.

    Arriving in Britain just as war was declared Lee Miller, an American with no permit to work, used her camera…

    Dates

    From:
    30 July 2026to30 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
  19. Steam into the New Year

    Type

    Type:

    New Year

    Tenterden

    Come and join the team from Kent & East Sussex Railway for a cracking day out this Festive Season and don't miss the chance to join us on New Years Day to welcome in 2027.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Dec 2026to1 Jan 2027
  20. Adults Only Sundown Adventures at Go Ape Crawley

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Crawley

    Go Ape’s popular adults-only sessions are back at Tilgate Park, this time for Sundown Adventures, running across two exclusive nights only.

    Venue

    Go Ape Crawley, Crawley

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00