Events in Sussex - look to the skies and celebrate Airbourne - Eastbourne International Airshow, East Sussex in August - credit Mark Jarvis

Eastbourne International Airshow

13th - 16th August 26 credit Mark Jarvis

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

Number of results:

Number of results: 173

, currently showing 61 to 80.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Smalltown Mysteries Brighton

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Brighton

    A smalltown mystery is a digital activity where you read a story, search for clues, answer questions and solve a mystery. You walk in the town centre for about an hour. After the walk it’s perfect to finish off with a coffee break to solve the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
  5. Birdsong Identification Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Countryside

    Arlington, Polegate

    Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah Wilesmith has worked in the woods for over a decade, and can help you tell your Coal Tit from your Great Tit, and Nuthatch from Treecreeper. We may even…

    Dates

    From:
    21 May 2026Open 08:30 - 10:30
  6. Grand Tasting at the Winelands Festival of English Wine in Lewes

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Lewes

    Raise a glass to English Wine with WINELANDS – an exciting festival in Lewes to showcase the world-class quality of Sussex sparkling and still wines. WINELANDS brings together wine lovers, local producers, and industry experts for a week-long…

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 12:00 - 18:00
  7. Medieval Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Hailsham

    Herstmonceux Castle Estate invites you to journey back over 600 years for a Medieval Heritage Weekend, taking place on the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

    Explore the castle as it was in 1441, brought vividly to life with knights in combat,…

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to4 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  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. Kids Trail: Eco Explorers

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Haywards Heath

    This half term, bring your family and join Ethan, the Eco Explorer, who loves discovering ways to look after nature and care for our planet.

    As you explore the Garden, uncover fun facts, solve puzzles, and collect natural treasures in your 'nature…

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  10. The Labyrinth Challenge

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Horsham


    Take on one of the UK's biggest inflatable obstacle courses this summer!

    24 - 26 July

    Spanning 1,000ft with 34+ obstacles across 5 zones, it's a fun-filled test of skill and stamina for anyone over 1.2m tall.

    Quiet sessions: 24 July between 9:30…

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    24 July 2026to26 July 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
  11. 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
  12. Spa Day at Award-Winning Utopia Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Indoor

    Turners Hill, Crawley

    Escape to the multi award-wining Utopia Spa at Alexander House in the West Sussex countryside.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2026to31 May 2026
  13. Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    East Grinstead

    This 3 day event commences in East Grinstead on the 2nd of May with a 10 mile race, followed by the Haywards Heath 10 mile the 3rd of May and finishing in Burgess Hill on the 4th of May with a 10k. Combined, these race make up the Mid Sussex…

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to4 May 2026
  14. Christmas Pudding Dash

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Events

    Pett, Hastings

    This cross country event is great for all the family, with the main race being accompanied by a Fun Run and the Children's Scurry. There truly is something for everyone and afterwards, bask in the festive spirit and enjoy a yummy mince pie. Explore…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 10:30 -
  15. The High Weald Walking Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Flimwell

    Now in its 9th year, the High Weald Walking Festival is inviting you to get your boots on and explore the High Weald National Landscape, and discover local history and admire breath-taking views.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. Noddy fest annual dog show

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Chichester

    Please join us for a pawsome day out.
    Fun dog show, food, stalls and more for all the family to enjoy.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00
  19. Wire Flower Making

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    West Sussex

    Unwind, create, and explore the delicate beauty of wire flower art.

    In this 2-hour workshop, you'll be guided step by step through the enchanting process of crafting beautiful, everlasting flowers and leaves from metal wire.

    You'll begin by…

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    31 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
  20. Peacehaven Trail 10k

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Peacehaven

    Experience the thrill of this gripping and scenic race beginning in Peacehaven. The route winds through stunning bridleways, the iconic South Downs Way, and the historic Greenwich Meridian Trail, finishing with a loop through the charming village of…

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026