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

Inspiration

  1. Dinosaur Adventure Live!
    Surely The Greatest Prehistoric Show on Earth! 65…
    1. Stargazing at Helen Garden
      Explore the skies with Eastbourne Astronomical…
      1. 21 Feb 2026

    Number of results:

    Number of results: 158

    , currently showing 21 to 40.

    1. Easter at Leonardslee: Become a Garden Explorer

      Type

      Type:

      Childrens Events

      Horsham

      An Easter adventure made for curious kids.
      A trail of clues, stickers, and challenges across the gardens, finishing with a fun obstacle course and an Easter prize.

      Armed with a trail booklet and a pocket full of stickers, children set off across…

      Dates

      From:
      21 Mar 2026to12 Apr 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    2. Celebrate Mother’s Day at Rare Breeds Centre

      Type

      Type:

      Mother's Day

      Ashford

      Celebrate Mother’s Day at Rare Breeds Centre

      Dates

      From:
      15 Mar 2026
    3. Rye Summer Series Race One

      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:
      8 May 2026
    4. Fascinating and free exhibition train

      Type

      Type:

      Exhibitions

      Worthing

      An exhibition inside a train is heading to Worthing – and it's totally free to visit.

      Co-curated with the National Railway Museum and packed full of interactive exhibits and amazing stories, 'Inspiration' reveals how railways transformed the world…

      Dates

      From:
      27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    5. Hastings Half Marathon 2026

      Type

      Type:

      Sporting Events

      Grosvenor Crescent, Saint Leonards on Sea

      The energy: electric
      The crowd support: epic
      The course: achievably challenging
      The vibes: unmatched

      WINNER OF MIDSIZED EVENT OF THE YEAR AT THE 2025 RUNNING INDUSTRY AWARDS!

      Join thousands of runners on the start line at the iconic - and…

      Dates

      From:
      22 Mar 2026
    6. Burning the Clocks

      Type

      Type:

      Show / Display

      Brighton

      The dark grip of long wintry nights is broken by a flicker of light. Started in 1993, Burning the Clocks represents an alternative to the commercial Christmas. Thousands of people gather to make paper lanterns to carry through the city before…

      Dates

      From:
      21 Dec 2026
    7. Talk | How To See Now: The Female Subjects with Katy Hessel - Athena

      Type

      Type:

      Arts

      Chichester

      How much do you know about the Virgin Mary? How has her image perpetuated an idealisation for motherhood? Where does the iconography of the witch stem from? Is there more to Aphrodite/ Venus than as just the ancient's idea of a pin-up?

      Join art…

      Dates

      From:
      26 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
    8. Mudfest 2026

      Type

      Type:

      Childrens Events

      Arundel

      Grab your wellies and dive into the muddy magic of wetlands this February half term! From February 14 to 21, 2026, join us daily between 10 am and 4 pm for a week of hands on fun where mud isn't just messy — it's marvellous.
      Cook up creations in the…

      Dates

      From:
      16 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
      From:
      17 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
      From:
      18 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
      From:
      19 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
      From:
      20 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
      From:
      21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    9. 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:
      14 May 2026Open 08:30 - 10:30
    10. 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
    11. Rana Begum: No.1367 Mesh

      Type

      Type:

      Arts

      Chichester

      Acclaimed visual artist Rana Begum RA transforms our historic staircase with No.1367 Mesh, her iconic suspended, colourful mesh clusters, creating a vibrant blend of history and contemporary art.

      Dates

      From:
      20 July 2024to1 July 2026
    12. February Half Term at Drusillas Park

      Type

      Type:

      Childrens Events

      Alfriston

      Make wild memories this February half term at Drusillas Zoo Park!

      Keep the kids half term happy with a zooper day out at Drusillas Park - voted one of the best days out with kids in Sussex!

      Get nose-to-nose with 80 species of animal in our…

      Dates

      From:
      14 Feb 2026to22 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    13. Sketch Booking Workshop

      Type

      Type:

      Arts

      Arlington, Polegate

      Join us for a 3-hour sketchbooking workshop in the beautiful and inspiring setting of Bates Green Garden, led by talented local artist Emma Lindsay. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the garden as you explore a range of drawing, mark making,…

      Dates

      From:
      6 Aug 2026Open 09:30 - 12:30
    14. Roald Dahl's The BFG

      Type

      Type:

      Theatre

      Chichester

      Roald Dahl's unforgettable story The BFG comes to life in a magical new co-production from Chichester Festival Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Roald Dahl Story Company. This new adaptation by Tom Wells is directed by RSC Co-Artistic…

      Dates

      From:
      9 Mar 2026to11 Apr 2026
    15. Robertsbridge Midsummer 10k & 5k

      Type

      Type:

      Sporting Events

      Robertsbridge

      The Robertsbridge Bonfire Society return to present another wonderful instalment of their much loved Midsummer 10k & 5k race. This is a community affair. It boasts fantastic local support with some super volunteer marshals to cheer and guide runners…

      Dates

      From:
      19 June 2026
    16. Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon

      Type

      Type:

      Sporting Events

      Tunbridge Wells

      This famous race is much loved for its scenic and challenging route. It is steeped in local history and thanks to meticulous organisation, value for money and friendly marshals, entries are highly coveted. It was voted the No.2 Half Marathon in the…

      Dates

      From:
      22 Feb 2026
    17. 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:
      3 Mar 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
      From:
      7 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
      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
    18. Kids Go FREE! Be a Nature Detective this February Half Term 2026

      Type

      Type:

      Childrens Events

      Tenterden

      KIDS GO FREE this Half Term!
      Be a Nature Detective this February Half Term!
      Climb aboard our Steam and Diesel-hauled trains at the Kent & East Sussex Railway and enjoy a memorable family adventure through the stunning Rother Valley National…

      Dates

      From:
      17 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
      From:
      21 Feb 2026to22 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    19. Eastbourne International Airshow

      Type

      Type:

      Free Event

      Eastbourne

      Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow is scheduled to return for its 32nd year from 13th – 16th August 2026, bringing one of the South East's top events back to the South Coast. 

      Dates

      From:
      13 Aug 2026to16 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
    20. Optics Day at WWT Arundel

      Type

      Type:

      Outdoor Event / Activities

      Arundel

      In Visitor Centre gallery
      WWT Arundel's Optics Days give visitors the chance to test a wide range of binoculars and spotting scopes and receive expert advice on choosing the best equipment for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Running from…

      Dates

      From:
      7 Mar 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00