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

Share this with

x

  • Accommodation Search

  • Things to Do Search

  • What's On Search

  • Food & Drink Search

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

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.

Sign up now for news and events information across South East England

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

Number of results:

Number of results: 157

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. The Paint Club painting party at The Queen's Head

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Redhill, Nutfield

    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:
    9 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    14 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    11 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    9 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    13 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  2. 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
  3. Stansted Summer Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festivals

    The highly popular Stansted Summer Festival returns to Rowlands Castle in Hampshire on the 27th and 28th June 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026to28 June 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
  4. Autumn Garden Tutorial

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Arlington, Polegate

    Join us for the autumn garden tutorial at Bates Green Garden, to celebrate the unique beauty and challenges of autumn. Guided by Head Gardener Emma Reece, this walk will immerse participants in the art of border planning and maintenance, garden…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
  5. 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
  6. Forbidden Nights

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Eastbourne

    Forbidden Nights is made up of a male vocalist, aerial artist, pole performer and fire act all with an element of strip tease -- think Cirque du Soleil meets *Magic Mike*.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -
  7. Bedgebury HM & 10k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Goudhurst

    Enjoy the epic scenery, the race day buzz and delight in every twist and turn of this traffic free trail. Perfect for novices and experienced athletes alike, the course meanders through the narrow trails of this beautiful woodland. If the weather…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2026
  8. Leonardslee Lates

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Horsham

    1, 2 & 3 May and 22, 23 & 24 May 2026

    May Bank Holidays | 18+ event | Starts 18:00 | From £6.65 per person | FREE parking for the event

    Leonardslee Lates returns for six spring evenings of live music, street food and Sussex sparkling wine set…

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2026to3 May 2026Open 17:30 - 21:00
    From:
    22 May 2026to24 May 2026Open 17:30 - 21:00
  9. William Nicholson

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Chichester

    This is the first major exhibition of the celebrated artist William Nicholson (1872 – 1949) in more than 20 years.
    Spanning Nicholson's entire career, this landmark show reveals the breadth of his artistic vision – from world-renowned still lifes,…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to10 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  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. The Paint Club painting party at Carlo Lounge

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    East Grinstead

    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:
    13 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    11 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    8 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    13 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    10 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  12. Children's Workshop | Easter Holiday Club: Willow Masks

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chichester

    Bring your child's imagination to life in this hands-on creative workshop inspired by William Nicholson's love for portraits and theatrical costume designs.

    In this workshop, participants will have fun sketching ideas for expressive, imaginative…

    Dates

    From:
    9 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
  13. Begin Wood Carving – Redstart

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Arundel

    £48 per person, 18+ only, book online
    This full‑day wood carving workshop introduces participants to the craft of wildlife carving under the guidance of the Bentley Wildlife Carvers. Attendees learn the fundamentals of carving as they shape a…

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
  14. Eclipse

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    In the kitchen of an old Devon rectory, the daughter who stayed and the son who moved away make conversation with their current and former partners, the milkman, the postman, the care workers. They talk about the weather, the roads, the toaster, the…

    Dates

    From:
    8 May 2026to6 June 2026
  15. The Wiston Winery Tour & Tasting

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Pulborough

    Experience the Gold Medal-winning Tour & Tasting at Wiston Estate, celebrated as Experience of the Year 2023/24 at the Beautiful South Awards! Perfect for all seasons, our tour is winter-friendly, fully undercover, and fully accessible, so you can…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026to31 Dec 2026
  16. The Paint Club painting party at The Heathfield Tavern

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Heathfield

    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:
    13 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    10 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    8 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    12 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  17. Painting party with The Paint Club at The Highlands Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Uckfield

    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:
    25 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    27 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  18. Spring Blooms Photography Workshop with Molly Hollman

    Type

    Type:

    Other

    Haywards Heath

    Join award-winning garden photographer Molly Hollman for an inspiring early spring photography workshop. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, Molly will guide you through the creative techniques needed to help elevate your…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 09:00 - 14:30
  19. In the Turning Light - A Morning Yoga Practice with Emily Phillips

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Haywards Heath

    This session will be run by Emily Phillips of The Embodied Beings.

    As the season begins to turn and the pace subtly shifts, so do we. As leaves change on the trees, nature reminds us of the beauty found in letting go.

    Join us for a one-hour…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
  20. The Paint Club painting party at The Spur

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Arundel

    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:
    6 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    3 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    1 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    5 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00