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: 197
, currently showing 181 to 197.
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…
Literature
Lewes
Lewes Speakers Festival May 2024
Friday 10th May 15.30 Sarah Sands, Editor of the BBC Today Programme, tells a beautiful story about the end of life, in which hedgehogs become a metaphor for hope.
Friday 10th May 17.00 Suzanne Heywood,…
Festival
Rowlands Castle
Our highly popular Stansted Summer Festival will be back for 2024!
Join us for our fourth eclectic weekend of family fun, quirky entertainment and a little bit of the eccentric all within the setting of a quintessential country estate.
Free Event
Pett, Hastings
The first beer festival in Pett village!
Outdoor Event / Activities
Eastbourne
This annual 10 day eco festival returns - to celebrate our beautiful surroundings and promote sustainable living.
There are many events throughout the festival, from an Eco Fair on 11 May on the Western Lawns to a Big Beach Clean on 12 May.
Past…
Festival
Chichester
Chichester Cathedral's Festival of Flowers is a floral extravaganza stretching across four days. Visitors can experience 60 floral arrangements, handcrafted by talented florists and flower enthusiasts from across the county.
This year will also…
Festival
HASTINGS
The annual four-day Jack in the Green Festival celebrates the coming of summer and is one of the most colorful events in the town of Hasting. Welcoming thousands of visitors this event culminates on May Day.
Tour
Washington
Join us for a guided walking tour of our beautiful vineyards hidden away in the South Downs, which incorporates a tasting of our award-winning English Sparkling wines and a picnic lunch in the vineyard. Join us for a guided walking tour of our…
Performing Arts
Brighton
You are cordially invited to a spooky storytelling performance by author C.J. Carter-Stephenson. With the help of an immersive soundscape and projected images, C.J. will bring two of his horror stories vividly to life.
First on the agenda is AND…
Theatre
Brighton
Seen by over a million people!
It’s no surprise that this show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history.
Come celebrate our brand-new show as we Reach Out and show you there Ain’t No Mountain High Enough with the biggest…
Festival
Eastbourne
Prepare to kick off summer in style and rock out like never before as Eastbourne Music Fest makes a grand return with two phenomenal bands, "DYNAMITE" and "APACHE ROSE," set to deliver a live on-stage experience featuring over 4 hours of the…
General event
Brighton
Join us for our hugely popular Couples Cook session – together you’ll cook an array of authentic Mexican dishes, prepared and plated to restaurant standards then dine together in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. With prosecco on arrival as well as…
Arts
Brighton
Is it hot in here or is it these incredibly chiselled abs that I'm staring at? I know what you are thinking, someone definitely turned on the heater.
Create your own Adonis and bring all your desires to life with neon paint. Watch him grow and glow…
General event
Brighton
Fabuloso is the UK's biggest LGBTQ Pride festival and the Brighton & Hove Pride official fundraiser for the Brighton Rainbow Fund
“Historic, inspired and unparalleled. Brighton Pride is one of the best international pride festivals, we love it”…
Festival
Worthing
Worthing’s multi arts festival – comprising music, theatre, dance, art, heritage, comedy, spoken word, workshops, film, outdoor and family events taking place in venues across Worthing.
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.
Music
Worthing
An evening with Richard Norris of The Grid (and many other musical ventures!): Q&A from 8.00 PM, then Richard Norris DJ set 10.00 - midnight.
Richard Norris is best known as one half of The Grid, alongside Dave Ball (of Soft Cell). The duo had a run…