Roald Dahl's The BFG comes to Chichester Festival Theatre from the 9th March

Roald Dahl's The BFG

Chichester Festival Theatre, 9th March - 11th April

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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

Number of results:

Number of results: 153

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. 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 -
  2. Atonement

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    On an English country estate during the blazing summer of 1935, 13 year-old Briony Tallis witnesses a passionate scene between her elder sister Cecilia and the son of their housekeeper, Robbie. In a disastrous desire for drama but only a dim…

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026to20 June 2026
  3. Stormtroopers at the Bluebell Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Uckfield

    May The 4th be with you!

    A must-attend event for all Star Wars fans! On May 4th, prepare for an epic galactic adventure as Darth Vader & Stormtroopers take over the Bluebell Railway!

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to4 May 2026
  4. Rye Summer Series Race Four

    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:
    7 Aug 2026
  5. A-May-zing half term at Drusillas Park

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Alfriston

    Make wild memories this May 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:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
  6. Painting party at Ninkaci in Eastbourne

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Eastbourne

    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:
    21 Apr 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    19 May 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    16 June 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    21 July 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    18 Aug 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
  7. 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
  8. Special Event | Babes in Arms Guided Tour: Caroline Walker

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Chichester

    Bring your baby and enjoy a relaxed guided tour of Caroline Walker: Mothering with one of our Curatorial Team. Discover Walker's paintings exploring the unseen labour of motherhood and childcare with your little one.

    This tour will last around 45…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Apr 2026Open 10:40 - 11:30
  9. The Paint Club painting party at 180 Degrees Bar & Kitchen

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Cuckfield, Haywards Heath

    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:
    2 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    7 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    4 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    2 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    6 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  10. Hastings Half Marathon 2027

    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:
    21 Mar 2027Open 10:30 -
  11. 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
  12. Fungal Foray

    Type

    Type:

    Countryside

    Arlington, Polegate

    Come and dip into the fascinating world of fungi. From Beefstakes to Birds Nests, Fly Agaric to Fibrecaps, we have identified sixty types of fungi in Beatons Wood, and there are many more! Discover a little about the woodland web, and maybe discover…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
  13. Summer Propagation Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Arlington, Polegate

    On Wednesday, July 8th, join us at Bates Green Garden for a Summer Propagation Workshop dedicated to the fascinating technique of taking cuttings. This practical session will help you master the different types of cuttings you can take in July,…

    Dates

    From:
    8 July 2026Open 09:30 - 12:30
  14. 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
  15. Summer Garden Tutorial

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Arlington, Polegate

    Join us for the Summer Garden Tutorial at Bates Green Garden, one of three inspiring tutorials thoughtfully timed to celebrate the unique beauty and challenges of spring, summer, and autumn, guided by Head Gardener Emma Reece.

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
  16. Children's Workshop | Easter Holiday Club: Fabulous Footwear

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chichester

    Have fun designing and collaging your own fabulous footwear!

    Looking at William Nicholson's picture of Gertrude Jekyll's boots, other paintings and photographs of very fancy footwear, we will collect ideas and features we like the look of. Then…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
  17. Family Drop-in | Bunnies Galore! | Age 5+

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Chichester

    'Hop' along to the Gallery and take part in our free drop-in activity!

    Inspired by William Nicholson's Velveteen Rabbit children's story, we will be creating our very own Easter bunny framed portrait.

    This activity is FREE and supported by members…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Apr 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    From:
    3 Apr 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
  18. Worthing Rock Choir

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Worthing

    If you have ever wondered 'are there any community choirs near me?' then the answer is firmly yes!

    The Worthing Rock Choir is led by local musician Emma Steele. People who have already joined the choir, who hail from Worthing and further afield in…

    Dates

    From:
    7 May 2026Open 10:30 -
    From:
    14 May 2026Open 10:30 -
    From:
    21 May 2026Open 10:30 -
  19. 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
  20. Hove Prom 10k

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Hove

    The accurately measured 10k course is two laps along the promenade with lots of great support from Arena 80 Athletics Club. The event is a Sussex Grand Prix Championship event and attracts both seasoned and beginner runners alike. The course is…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2026