Head along to meet the Stormtroppers at Bluebell Railway in East Sussex this May 26

Character Day with Stormtroopers

Bluebell Railway 2nd - 4th May 26

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: 167

, currently showing 61 to 80.

  1. Chichester Cathedral Festival of Flowers 2026: Nature's Embrace

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Chichester

    The Festival of Flowers at Chichester Cathedral returns from 3 – 6 June 2026 for its 30th anniversary.

    This much-loved event will see the Cathedral transformed by more than 50,000 blooms in a spectacular celebration of colour, scent and creativity.…

    Venue

    Chichester Cathedral, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    3 June 2026to6 June 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00
  2. Magic

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    Harry Houdini is the greatest illusionist the world has ever known. Arthur Conan Doyle is the creator of literature's most brilliant detective, Sherlock Holmes.

    Their mutual admiration blossoms into a profound friendship, even as they discover a…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    24 Apr 2026to16 May 2026
  3. 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
  4. Rye Summer Series Race Two

    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:
    5 June 2026
  5. Smalltown Mysteries Worthing

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Worthing

    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 center 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
  6. 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
  7. Standup Paddle Board BSUPA Ready to Ride Course

    Type

    Type:

    Water Based Activities

    Dengemarsh Road, Lydd

    Learn or improve your paddleboarding techniques in a fun, action-packed 2-hour session.
    Perfect for 1st timers or experienced paddle boarders who want to master more than the basics and learn some fun new techniques.
    2-hour course - 90-minutes on…

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
  8. 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
  9. 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…

    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
  10. The Paint Club painting party at Globe Inn Marsh Rye

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Rye

    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:
    6 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    3 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    1 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    5 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  11. Rye Summer Series Race One

    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:
    8 May 2026
  12. 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
  13. June Moth Morning

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Arundel

    Join Reserve Manager Suzi Lanaway to see what the moth traps on our survey attracted the night before. Be there for close encounters with a myriad of moth species on the monthly survey. Help ID the catch. A must for photographers and moth fans!
    Cost…

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
  14. a small and quiet light

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    October 1943. In a small office on the Avenue Foch in Paris, a Gestapo interrogator is questioning a young woman who has been known by many different names: Babuli, Jeanne-Marie, Nora, Madeleine.

    As one of the secret agents of Britain's Special…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    21 Aug 2026to12 Sept 2026
  15. 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…

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to1 Nov 2026
  16. The Paint Club painting party at The Heathfield Tavern

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Heathfield

    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:
    13 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    10 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    8 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    From:
    12 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
  17. 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
  18. Outdoor Family Theatre - Pinocchio

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Haywards Heath

    Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, adapted by Oliver Gray

    Illyria brings Carlo Collodi's magical coming-of-age classic Pinocchio to Borde Hill's stunning Azalea Ring in a joyful, music-filled outdoor theatre performance perfect for all ages.

    Since its…

    Dates

    From:
    7 June 2026Open 15:00 - 16:50
  19. Stand-up Paddleboard Course

    Type

    Type:

    Water Based Activities

    Dengemarsh Road, Lydd

    The Best way to have FUN on Bank Holiday Monday

    BSUPA SUP Paddleboard Course
    You can do so much more on a SUP Paddleboard than most people realise.

    •Perfect for 1st timers or experienced paddleboarders that want a better insight to how much fun…

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026Open 08:00 - 17:00
  20. 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…

    Venue

    Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026Open 13:00 - 14:00