The fun family festival Jack in the Green, Hastings

Jack in the Green, Hastings

1st - 4th May 26 c Jonny Thompson

What's On in Sussex

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Discover what's on in Sussex, including festivals, family-friendly events, theatre shows, garden open days, food festivals 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 to upcoming events to suit all ages and interests.

Events in Sussex

Top Sussex Events Not To Miss in 2026

2026 brings an exciting line‑up of events and celebrations across the county of Sussex

  • World of Wizardry, Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield, East Sussex
    24th, 25th, 27th - 30th May 26
    A magical adventure of enchantment and adventure for all the family at Horsted Keynes Station.
  • Beach Life Music Festival, Eastbourne Bandstand, Eastbourne, East Sussex
    30th & 31st May 2026
    Family-friendly free seaside music festival (F).
  • Treetop Challenge, Go Ape, Tilegate Park, Crawley, West Sussex
    Ongoing 
    Exhilarating family-friendly adventure up in the tree canopy, with Tarzan swings and ziplines.
  • Rose Week, Pashley Manor Gardens, Wadhurst, East Sussex
    12th - 20th June 2026
    With rose themed talks and walks and the chance to enjoy the beautiful English Rose.
  • Summer Season, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester, West Sussex
    Includes 45 Years (12th June – 11th July 2026) and My Fair Lady (6th July – 5th September 2026)
    Award-winning theatre shows full of secrets, intrigue and life-changing stories.
  • Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, Eastbourne Seafront, East Sussex
    13th - 16th August 2026
    Featuring the Red Arrows ,The Starlings Aerobatics Team and Aerosuperbatics Wing Walkers (F)
  • Battle of Hastings Re-enactment, Battle Abbey, Battle, East Sussex
    10th & 11th October 2026
    Dramatic living history event that changed the course of English history.

From dramatic coastline and rolling South Downs landscapes to headline festivals, historic re‑enactments and flourishing gardens, make Sussex the perfect place for a seaside stay or countryside escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today. 

What's on in Sussex this May, June and July?

Explore our featured events list and discover what's on this May, June and July in East and West Sussex, from spring garden festivals to sporting events to take part in, family trials and outdoor adventures all waiting to be explored.

Visiting Chichester for an event, book a stay at Stubcroft Farm campsite

Planning your visit to Sussex events

If you 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.

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

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 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), including airshows, festivals and community celebrations. 

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

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Number of results: 181

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  1. Bentley Wildlife Wood Carvers display

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Arundel

    The carvers display their beautiful work and demonstrate carving techniques. Drop in for a chat - many pieces of work are for sale, with 10% or sales donated to Arundel Wetland Centre. The group is always interested in attracting new members.
    This…

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
  2. Beach Life Music Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Free Event

    Eastbourne

    Beach Life returns this summer to a new venue at Eastbourne's iconic Bandstand, with non-stop live music, street food, stalls and entertainment. 

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026
  3. The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Chichester

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Chichester

    Spain's Siglo de Oro, the Age of Gold, gave rise to some of the greatest sacred choral music of the Renaissance. The majestic music of the Spanish Renaissance will be the theme of our 2026 Choral Pilgrimage programme, 'Lead, kindly light.' This…

    Venue

    Chichester Cathedral, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 19:30 - 21:10
  4. Bates Green Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Arlington

    Bates Green Garden was designed and planted by the late Carolyn McCutchan over a period of many years from 1968.  The tranquil 1.5-acre garden surrounds the farmhouse, which was originally a gamekeepers cottage built circa 1814. 

    Dates

    From:
    25 Feb 2026to28 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
  5. Air Ambulance Family Fun Day Sussex

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Steyning

    Bring your friends and family along for an unforgettable experience! But this isn't just a day out – it's a unique chance to meet the people who save lives in your community. Kids can learn, explore, and play, while families see first hand how their…

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
  6. Rye Summer Series Race Three

    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:
    10 July 2026
  7. Life Drawing

    Type

    Type:

    Community

    Chichester

    Welcome to the Summer season's drop-in Life Drawing workshops, being held in the Gallery spaces from 6–8pm as part of our Thursday Late events on:

    16 July 2026

    17 September 2026

    15 October 2026

    Experienced tutor Wendy Barratt, Sky Portrait…

    Venue

    Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    16 July 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    17 Sept 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    15 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
  8. Specialist Spring Plant Fair

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Haywards Heath

    The ever-popular Specialist Spring Plant Fair will return to Borde Hill on Sunday 10th May from 10am to 3pm. Hosted by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, a collective of independent specialist nurseries, visitors can expect an extraordinary lineup of locally…

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
  9. The Paint Club painting party at The Boathouse Cafe

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Boat, Chichester

    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:
    14 May 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    11 June 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    9 July 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    13 Aug 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
  10. Painting party with The Paint Club at The Railway Inn

    Painting party with The Paint Club at The Railway Inn

    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:
    26 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    23 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    28 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    25 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  11. 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
  12. My Fair Lady

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    Cockney Eliza Doolittle scrapes a living selling flowers on the streets of London. Her dream of being a lady in a florist's shop is out of reach unless she can speak 'proper English'. So when she encounters Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics,…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    6 July 2026to5 Sept 2026
  13. Spring Walk with our Head Gardener

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Horsham

    Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is famous for its display of spring colour and our recently accredited national collection of Rhododendrons. Take a walk with our Head Gardener to discover more about what makes this garden so unique.

    Led by Head…

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    14 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
  14. Fireworks Night at Leonardslee Wine Estate

    Type

    Type:

    Fireworks

    West Sussex

    Join us for one of West Sussex's most spectacular fireworks displays at the beautiful Leonardslee Wine Estate. Set across 240 acres of historic gardens and rolling countryside, this magical evening is perfect for families, couples, and friends…

    Venue

    Leonardslee Wine Estate, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    5 Nov 2026to6 Nov 2026Open 17:00 - 21:00
  15. The Paint Club painting party at The Kings Arms

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Horsham

    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:
    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
  16. Children's Spring Tote Bag Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    West Sussex

    Get creative and design your very own spring-themed tote bag using a colourful selection of stencils and fabric pens. Add bright blooms, playful patterns and personal touches to make it completely unique, then take it away ready to fill with all the…

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026Open 13:00 - 14:00
  17. 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…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    8 May 2026to6 June 2026
  18. Rye 10 & 5 Mile

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Peasmarsh near Rye

    This exciting event will be organised in conjuction with the Peasmarsh Memorial Hall Committee to help raise funds for the Village Hall. The race follows a challenging and scenic course on the quiet country lanes surrounding the pretty village of…

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026
  19. 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
  20. The Savoy Hotel: An Evening of Music and Scandal

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Hailsham

    Experience an enchanting evening of music, storytelling, and intrigue at Herstmonceux Castle Estate with The Savoy Hotel: An Evening of Music and Scandal.

    This captivating performance brings the rich and glamorous history of Savoy Hotel to life…

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026Open 15:00 - 17:00