Enjoy your leisure time with a visit to John Lewis at Horsham, a fun day out shopping with friends.

Shopping Time at John Lewis

Horsham, West Sussex

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: 108

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. Santa's Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Chichester

    Join the Chichester Festival Theatre Elves for a journey to the North Pole. The elves need your help to complete a series of festive tasks to save Christmas, ahead of meeting The Man in Red, and taking an 'elfie before the little ones receive an…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026
  2. Christmas 2026 - Lunch & Dinner

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Burgess Hill

    Festive Lunch & Dinner at The Oak Barn

    Gather with friends and family & celebrate Christmas in style at The Oak Barn Restaurant & Bar

    Freshly Crafted Festive Three‑Course Menu

    Options for everyone: classic roasts, fresh fish and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026to30 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 23:50
  3. 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:
    21 Nov 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    27 Feb 2027Open 13:15 -
    From:
    24 Apr 2027Open 13:15 -
  4. Painting Party in Pevensey: The Royal Oak & Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Pevensey

    Our friendly local artist will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.

    Venue

    The Paint Club, East Sussex

    Dates

    From:
    16 Nov 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  5. Christmas Market at Weald & Downland Living Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Chichester

    The annual Weald & Downland Christmas Christmas Market - booking essential. Come and explore boutique market stalls located around the Weald & Downland Living Museum, with around 100 hand-selected stallholders offering a selection of arts, crafts…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to22 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  6. Painting party in Rye at The Globe Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    10 Military Road, Rye

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting in Rye at The Globe Inn!

    Venue

    The Paint Club, East Sussex

    Dates

    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    6 Jan 2027Open 19:00 - 21:00
  7. Ultimate Christmas Party Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Eastbourne

    Three Nights. One Epic Christmas Party. Zero Dry Turkey.

    After multiple sold-out Christmas events, Eastbourne Music Fest returns with Ultimate Christmas Party Fest 2026 – bigger, louder, snowier, and more party-focused than ever before.

    This year,…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 18:20 - 23:30
    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 18:20 - 23:30
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 18:20 - 23:30
  8. Dinosaur Adventure Live!

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Eastbourne

    Surely The Greatest Prehistoric Show on Earth! 65 million years in the making… Are you ready for the adventure?

    Join our intrepid Dinosaur Adventurers as we journey to a world of living, breathing, life-like Dinosaurs. Walk with us through the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2027Open 14:00 -
  9. Christmas Afternoon Tea at West Dean

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Chichester

    Treat yourself to a Christmas-themed afternoon tea in the luxurious surroundings of West Dean House. Nestled in the heart of the South Downs, this historic country estate offers a truly enchanting setting, where you can relax by a roaring fire and…

    Venue

    West Dean Gardens, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:30
    From:
    11 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:30
    From:
    18 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:30
  10. Bogan Bingo

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Brighton and Hove

    Celebrating 10 years of mullets & mayhem at Komedia Brighton!

    Strap in and prepare to experience the simmering chaos of the comedy game-show Bogan Bingo – one of the UK’s longest running bingo shows.

    Expect a unique night of hilarious…

    Venue

    Komedia, Brighton and Hove

    Dates

    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 20:00 -
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 20:00 -
    From:
    18 Mar 2027Open 20:00 -
  11. Santa Specials At The Bluebell Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Uckfield

    Santa Specials Are Back! Christmas won't be Christmas without seeing Santa, and The Bluebell Railway is delighted to welcome back these highly popular running days this winter!

    Venue

    Bluebell Railway, Wealden

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
  12. Afternoon Tea at Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Crawley

    Experience one of the finest Afternoon Tea experiences in West Sussex at Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa. Served daily between 12pm and 4:30pm, guests can relax in the elegant Drawing Room and enjoy a traditional British afternoon tea in…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Sept 2026to30 Nov 2026Open 12:00 - 16:30
  13. Bewl New Year 10k & 5k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Lamberhurst

    Whilst the mornings are still crisp and cold, come and celebrate your New Year beside the water at Bewl. With a clean slate and renewed energy for the year ahead, enjoy striking out along the Bewl Water trail, winding between the trees and taking in…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2027Open 09:30 - 12:00
  14. How to build the perfect Winter capsule Wardrobe

    Type

    Type:

    Shopping

    Horsham

    Want to discover the newest Winter fashion trends and brands for the upcoming season? Join the John Lewis personal stylists at their Horsham store for an intimate look at how to build a capsule wardrobe for the Winter.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 11:30 - 12:20
    From:
    29 Nov 2026Open 11:30 - 12:20
  15. 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
  16. Sussex History & Heritage Events with Kevin Newman

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Lower Beeding, Horsham

    Join Sussex historian, author, and Pages Magazine columnist Kevin Newman for a lively and entertaining series of history events in The Courtyard here at Leonardslee.

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
  17. Reusable Christmas Wreath Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Lower Beeding, Horsham

    This Christmas Wreath making workshop in West Sussex is suitable for complete crafting beginners and includes all equipment, materials and to create your very own faux wreath to take home.

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 12:30 - 14:30
    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
  18. Santa Special Steam Trains

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Station Road, Tenterden

    We love Christmas at the Kent and East Sussex Railway and we have been welcoming families to meet Santa on our trains since 1974!

    There's nothing quite like the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a named…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2026
    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026
    From:
    23 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026
  19. Painting party at Hart Country Stores in Haywards Heath

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Haywards Heath

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting in Haywards Heath at Hart Country Stores
    Our friendly local artist will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.

    Venue

    The Paint Club, East Sussex

    Dates

    From:
    16 Nov 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
  20. Christmas at Bedgebury

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas

    Goudhurst

    Christmas at Bedgebury returns from 20 November to 31 December 2026, transforming Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest into a magical illuminated trail. Discover glowing woodland displays, spectacular light installations, festive food and seasonal…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times