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

Plan your visit to Sussex

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.

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 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: 196

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  1. 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
  2. Dragonfly Willow Weaving for children 10-17 yrs workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Arundel

    Fly into a willow weaving workshop and create a 3-D dragonfly sculpture.
    Zsofi from Nature Makers will guide children aged 10-17 years old through the basic techniques of working with flexible natural willow – a beautiful, sustainable wetland…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2026Open 10:10 - 11:50
    From:
    8 Aug 2026Open 13:00 - 14:30
  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. Dorothy Bohm: About Women

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    East Sussex

    This exhibition of pioneering photographer Dorothy Bohm takes her declaration 'I think of women as the most natural subjects for me' as a starting point, revealing an astute awareness of the male gaze. Taken around the world and across decades,…

    Dates

    From:
    19 May 2026to26 July 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
  5. Ashdown Forest Open Studios

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Locations in and around the Ashdown Forest

    Artist and makers Open Studios. Visit over 80 different artists and makers in 21 different venues in and around the Ashdown Forest, home of Winnie-the-Pooh!

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  6. Pause & Bloom: A Relaxed Floral Painting Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Horsham

    Pause & Bloom is a gentle, joy-filled creative workshop designed to help you slow down, reconnect with nature and create without pressure.

    Set within The Studio, in a calm, garden-inspired setting, and around a shared table, you'll be surrounded by…

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Curious About Hastings

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Hastings

    Get ready to explore Hastings like a real‑life detective!

    Curious About Hastings takes you to famous places and secret corners, with surprises hiding around every turn. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly, so…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026to3 May 2027
  10. The Paint Club painting party at Grounded @ The Forge

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Ringmer, Lewes

    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:
    8 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  11. Painting party with The Paint Club at D'Arcy's Bar

    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:
    25 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    23 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    27 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  12. British Landscape: A Sense of Place

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibitions

    Chichester

    This major exhibition will bring the British landscape to life
    through the eyes of some of the 20th century's most inspiring
    artists. It will explore works from 1910 to 1970 that reimagined
    the countryside and coastlines of the British Isles as…

    Venue

    Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to1 Nov 2026
  13. 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
  14. Summer of Fun - Kids Travel Free!

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Tenterden

    Make the most of summer with family-friendly days out at the Kent & East Sussex Railway in Kent. With heritage train rides, interactive adventures, creative workshops and activities for all ages, it’s one of the best things to do in Kent during the…

    Dates

    From:
    22 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  15. Mansion Concerts: Music of Bridgerton at Kew Wakehurst, Sussex

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Haywards Heath

    Inspired by the world of Bridgerton and set in a wild botanical garden, this open-air concert at Kew Wakehurst, reimagines modern music through a classical lens with chart-topping hits transformed into a stunning string performance in the West…

    Venue

    Wakehurst, Mid Sussex

    Dates

    From:
    3 July 2026
  16. Talk | Curator's Introduction to British Landscapes: A Sense of Place

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Chichester

    Join Gallery Director Simon Martin for an introduction to our current exhibition British Landscapes: A Sense of Place, a landmark exhibition exploring how artists from the 18th to the 20th century have responded to the landscapes of the British…

    Dates

    From:
    30 June 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
  17. Talk | In Conversation: Haroun Hayward and Miriam O'Connor Perks

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Chichester

    Join artist Haroun Hayward and curator Miriam O'Connor Perks as they discuss Hayward's practice and his new body of work which forms the exhibition Path through Trees (30 May – 1 November).

    In this exhibition, Hayward has created a series of…

    Venue

    Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    16 July 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
  18. Little Crafters: Summer Sun

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Horsham

    Let your little ones get stuck into this fun and creative crafting session for 18 months - 4 year olds with Kirsty from Make, Do & Trend.

    Your budding artists shall be inspired to learn new skills as well as completing at least 4 themed crafts plus…

    Dates

    From:
    6 July 2026Open 10:30 - 11:40
  19. The Sussex Guild Contemporary Craft Show at Plumpton College

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Lewes

    The Sussex Guild's inaugural show at Plumpton College in the newly built AgriFood Centre. Meet contemporary craft makers, buy handmade applied arts or commission work direct from the designer.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026to21 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  20. Music in the Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Haywards Heath

    Sunday Afternoons of Live Music in the Garden

    Our much-loved Music in the Garden events return on selected Sunday afternoons this summer, bringing the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing family day out.

    Settle into the stunning surroundings of our…

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to30 Aug 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00