Events suitable for the whole family are never hard to come by in Sussex, thanks to its great family-friendly seaside resorts, vibrant cities, and gorgeous countryside. You'll find a whole host of events and activities to enjoy on every visit, as the what's on calendar is full to bursting all year round. Whether you choose to head to East or West Sussex, visit for a city break in either Chichester or Brighton, or relax and explore the stunning South Downs National Park that stretches through both counties.
Don't miss the chance to join in the 950th anniversary celebrations at Chichester Cathedral, which includes a year-long exhibition and a spectacular light show in October or enjoy a trip on one of the Sussex steam railways as part of Railway 200. 2025 also marks 100 years since Drusillas Park invited families to experience its zoo, adventure play, and rides, as well as 25 years since the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst opened, now home to over 2.4 billion seeds.
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.
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 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.
Number of results: 91
, currently showing 41 to 60.
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…
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,…
Childrens Events
Brighton
The UK’s most beautiful Christmas ice rink is back, powered by renewable energy. With its unrivalled setting in front of Brighton’s iconic Royal Pavilion, and ice like glass, the rink has been welcoming visitors since 2010. It’s still the UK’s only…
Food
Burgess Hill
Gather family & friends & celebrate Christmas in style at The Oak Barn this festive season
• Celebration Festive Lunch
• Celebration Festive Dinner
• 9 Christmas Dinner, Disco & Entertainment Party Nights
• Boxing Day
• New Years Eve
• New…
Christmas
Haywards Heath
Sussex’s award-winning light trail is reimagined for 2025. A new trail full of exclusive installations, handcrafted lanterns, and immersive moments is accompanied by new experiences that promise more festive fun than ever! Just 30 minutes from…
Performing Arts
Rye
Concentrating on Shakespeare's relationship with the festive season, this show will get everyone into the spirit of Christmas with bawdy humour, disguises, song, cakes, ale and a ghost or two!
Exploring the…
Arts
Chichester
Women's Work (2025, 60 mins) is a new documentary directed by Nicola Black, about internationally acclaimed artist Caroline Walker.
The hour-long film follows Walker over the past 5 years, creating work around themes of childcare and nurture in…
Sporting Events
Lydd
This long-established and highly coveted event takes place on a pancake flat course, using the wide, quiet country lanes surrounding the marsh town of Lydd in Kent. It is the perfect opportunity to test your pace, hydration, and nutrition for…
Christmas
Bognor Regis
Ice Skating in The Park is BIGGER and BETTER this year at our location in London Road Coach Park, measuring in at 30 x 20 metres, the whole family can enjoy a traditional style rectangular Ice Rink.
Exhibitions
Arundel
Discover the art of wildlife wood carving at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, with the Bentley Wildlife Wood Carvers. Meet the carvers, see a display of stunning carving work and watch live carving demonstrations. This activity is included in your…
Comedy
Brighton and Hove
Enjoy the very best comedians on the circuit, with a glass or two of bubbly and some delicious food.
Childrens Events
Haywards Heath
Kick-start the festive season with a visit to see Santa in his magical grotto.
Step into Elf Training Camp
Ticket holders will begin their adventure by joining Elf Training Camp, where novice elves can take part in a series of creative tasks and…
Arts
Triangle Rd, Haywards Heath
The Paint Club runs monthly sip and paint nights at the Hop Sun Tap & Hart County Stores.
All sessions include your painting materials and a canvas to take home.
Arts
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…
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…
Christmas
Uckfield
After our successful season last year, we aim to give you another wonderful festive experience with all the traditional sights, sounds and aromas of Christmas.
Arts
Chichester
Join art historian Katy Hessel for a series of lectures dedicated to Biblical and mythological female subjects commonly depicted in western art history, from witches to the Virgin Mary, Medusa, Eve to Aphrodite. Borrowing from the 1972 book and…
Exhibitions
Chichester
An exhibition sharing the story of the Christian faith in Sussex, revealed through people, events and objects, from 1075 to the present day.
Sporting Events
Tunbridge Wells
This famous race is much loved for its scenic and challenging route. It is steeped in local history and thanks to meticulous organisation, value for money and friendly marshals, entries are highly coveted. It was voted the No.2 Half Marathon in the…
Special Events
Uckfield
Join us for a truly enchanting evening as our Ice Queen summons her powers to light up the train before it steams into the night on a brand-new, family-friendly narrative journey!