Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Sussex
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
Monkey Puzzle trail at Bateman’s
23rd May-1st November 2026
Venue: Bateman's
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
As you explore the house and garden, you’ll step into the world of Monkey Puzzle, meeting friendly jungle characters and taking on interactive games and challenges along the way, from hook a bat and...
Summer Fun at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
10th June-19th September 2026
Venue: Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
Website: www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk
From live entertainment and hands-on workshops to outdoor exploring and imaginative play, every visit offers something new. Discover family-friendly activities across the gardens, keep little ones entertained,...
Monkey Puzzle trail at Bateman's
2nd July-1st November 2026
Venue: Bateman's
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
As you explore the house and garden, you’ll step into the world of Monkey Puzzle, meeting friendly jungle characters and taking on interactive games and challenges along the way, from hook a bat and...
Burgess Hill Girls Open Events
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Burgess Hill Girls
Website: www.burgesshillgirls.com
Friday mornings are dedicated to meeting prospective new students and their families to ensure you have the best possible experience so you leave your visit feeling you have all the right information to...
Crazy Fun at Hastings Adventure Golf
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Hastings Adventure Golf
Website: www.hastingsadventuregolf.com
Home to the World Crazy Golf Championships, Hastings Adventure Golf boasts three imaginatively designed 18-hole courses - Pirate, Adventure and Crazy. They have delicious fish and chips, homemade gelato,...
Daily Tour
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
Website: www.raystede.org
Hear more about the lives of furry and feathered friends and have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful and tranquil animal sanctuary. All you need to do is book a free visitor ticket. When you arrive,...
Hove Park Junior Parkrun
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Hove Park
Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/hovepark-juniors
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) every Sunday at 9am. Free to join but register before you first go along.
I Spy Trail
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Chichester Cathedral
Website: www.chichestercathedral.org.uk
Take the family to Chichester Cathedral for the new I Spy Tail with Wilfrid the Seal. With three fun levels of challenge, children and adults can explore the Cathedral together, spotting everything from...
Out of Bounds Birthday Parties
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Golfers Ln, Angmering
Website: https://out-of-bounds.co.uk
Out Of Bounds offers action-packed birthday and celebration parties featuring activities like laser tag, adventure golf, soft play and more. From thrilling outdoor challenges to indoor classics like Bowling...
Reindeer Run
24th August-4th October 2026
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.stch.org.uk/reindeer-run
Take part in St Catherine’s Hospice Reindeer Run by choosing your own date, time and location, raise vital funds and enjoy a fun-filled run with friends. Every participant receives reindeer antlers and...
Grow Up Wild - Home Ed Forest School
16th September 2026
Venue: Wilderness Wood
Website: www.wildernesswood.org
Head into the woods to make camp ready for a day of play, bushcraft, fire lighting and exploration. Forming friendships, building resilience and breathing in all that Wilderness Wood has to offer, what...
Home Educators’ Day
16th September 2026
Venue: Amberley Museum
Website: www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
Enjoy a day exploring Amberley Museum, with drop-in activities and experiences specially for home-educating families. £10 per person (child 4-18, adults maximum 2 per child). Activities available to prebooked...
Wednesday 1812 and Fireworks Concerts
16th September 2026
Venue: Eastbourne Bandstand
Website: www.purchase.eastbournebandstand.co.uk/Events
Join this one final 1812 performance of 2026. An evening of classical music and popular film scores performed by a different local band each week, ending with a firework finale to the 1812 Overture.
Green Woodworking for Adults and Families
19th September 2026
Venue: Wilderness Wood
Website: www.wildernesswood.org
These small group, outdoor workshops offer the opportunity to experience the joy of working with green wood through your own exploration and creativity, regardless of age and ability. Suitable for adults...
Miniature Steam and Model Show
19th-20th September 2026
Venue: Amberley Museum
Website: www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
On both days there will be a parade of all the engines on display ending in one place so you’ll not miss seeing any engine.Plus take the controls of a locomotive on one of the industrial lines (without...
Model Boats on the Lake
19th-20th September 2026
Venue: Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
Website: www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk
See the Schooner Radio Control Group in action on Waterfall Pond at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, and enjoy a fantastic, fun-filled day with a range of Model Radio Control Boats, yachts, steamboats and...
Stargazing Evenings
19th September 2026
Venue: The Observatory Science Centre
Website: www.the-observatory.org
Stargazing Evenings are the best way to experience the natural wonders of the night sky. It may be the moon or the planets or it may be deeper sky objects, looking through a telescope is awe inspiring!...
Meet Bluey and Bingo
20th September 2026
Venue: Sharnfold Farm
Website: www.thefamilyparksgroup.co.uk
Children can enjoy memorable moments with Bluey and Bingo during the arena-style meet and greet. While individual interactions or photos aren’t guaranteed, the characters love engaging and do their best...
The Hideout
20th-21st September 2026
Venue: Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
Website: https://wtm.uk
The Hideout is a vibrant mix of circus, parkour, and heartfelt storytelling that captures the highs and lows of making a new friend. Through breathtaking acrobatics and playful physical theatre, Luca and...
The Hideout
20th-21st September 2026
Venue: Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
Website: https://wtm.uk
The Hideout is a vibrant and daring mix of circus, parkour, and storytelling that captures the highs and lows of making a new friend. Through breathtaking acrobatics and playful physical theatre, Luca...
Steying Grammar School Open Events
23rd September 2026
Venue: Steying Grammar School
Website: www.sgs.uk.net
Steyning Grammar School and Sixth Form College is a unique, successful and dynamic learning community, offering day and State Boarding for students from ages 11-18. Visit the website to book for one of...
Autumn Show and Horse Trials
26th-27th September 2026
Venue: South of England Showground
Website: www.seas.org.uk
Guests of all ages (and their canine companions) will enjoy this jam-packed outing. Featuring the prestigious South of England International Horse Trials, affiliated with British Eventing. The Horse Trials,...
Bede's Open Morning
26th September 2026
Venue: Bede's Prep & Upper School
Website: www.bedes.org
Through world-class teaching, bespoke pathways, and a vibrant community where every child belongs, academic ambition and emotional wellbeing thrive side by side. The result isn’t just outstanding success;...
Brighton Prep School Open Mornings
26th September 2026
Venue: Brighton College Prep School
Website: www.brightoncollege.org.uk
Open Mornings are the perfect opportunity to experience everything the Prep School has to offer. Find out more about why Brighton College Prep School is so special and hear directly from the Headmaster...
Land Rover Day
27th September 2026
Venue: Amberley Museum
Website: www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
Running since 2016, Land Rover Day is a showcase of vehicles to celebrate the Land Rover series. See the early development of the iconic Land Rover and photograph Land Rovers dating from 1949 onwards including...
The Sir Robert Woodard Academy Open Evening
1st October 2026
Venue: The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
Website: www.srwa.woodard.co.uk
The Sir Robert Woodard Academy is a vibrant learning community serving Lancing, Sompting, and Shoreham. Driven by the motto 'Aspire to Achieve', the academy seeks to motivate and inspire students, so they...
Willingdon Community School Open Evening
1st October 2026
Venue: Willingdon Community School
Website: www.willingdonschool.org.uk
Willingdon Community School places Developing Personal Excellence at the heart of everything they do. After-school clubs, sporting fixtures, and cultural activities develop every talent. A well-established...
Claremont Prep Open Day
2nd October 2026
Venue: Claremont Prep School
Website: www.claremontschool.co.uk
Visit Claremont on their Open Day and learn more about their award-winning performing arts programmes and successful football academy, whilst exploring the extensive grounds and meeting the School's senior...
Farlington Whole School Open Morning
3rd October 2026
Venue: Farlington School
Website: www.farlingtonschool.com
Open Mornings are an excellent way to get a taste of life at Farlington. Visitors are asked to arrive at 9.45am, to allow time to park and sign in before the Headmaster's address begins at 10am. After...
Slindon College Open Morning
3rd October 2026
Venue: Slindon College
Website: www.slindoncollege.co.uk
Slindon College Open Mornings are an opportunity for families to see the College, its impressive 14 acres of grounds and to meet members of staff and the Headteacher. It's an informal way for families...
Diwali at Bateman's
8th October-8th November 2026
Venue: Bateman's
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Everyone is welcome to come together at Bateman’s in East Sussex to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. Discover beautiful Indian objects,...
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape
9th-11th October 2026
Venue: Pavilion Theatre
Website: https://wtm.uk
Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s no ordinary feline. Almost completely blind, Toto has incredible ninja skills, a big heart, and a nose for adventure. By day, she naps like any...
Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey
10th-11th October 2026
Venue: 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Be entertained by Battle’s Jester, hear the tale of the Bayeux Tapestry performed and enjoy traditional music as you explore. Young knights can test their skills at sword school and join in with their...
Live Mad Scientist Show
10th-11th October 2026
Venue: Sheffield Park
Website: www.bluebell-railway.com
Get ready for a wild, wacky science-filled adventure! This is a free event, but there are limited spots, only one adult per family, if sessions are busy. There will be seats for parents and floor space...
The Animal Guyz: Amazing Animals
11th October 2026
Venue: The Hawth
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
A show dedicated to and celebrating all creatures great and small. The only show around that you get to see life-sized crocodiles, sloths, reindeer, penguins, orangutans and maybe even a spraying skunk...
Imperial Classical Ballet: Swan Lake
14th October 2026
Venue: The Hawth
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Following the success of previous tours, Imperial Classical Ballet® proudly returns with a breathtaking new season of Swan Lake. From the haunting beauty of the lakeside scenes to the electrifying Black...
Giants of Steam
16th-18th October 2026
Venue: Bluebell Railway
Website: www.bluebell-railway.com
Following the success of previous Giants of Steam events — which have seen some of the country’s most famous heavy express engines working intensive services across the line — the 2026 gala promises...
K-POP Dance Heroes
16th October 2026
Venue: White Rock Theatre
Website: www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk
Sing and dance along with the K-POP Dance Heroes as they take you on a musical adventure through the biggest K-Pop hits of all time. Featuring songs from the Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters, including...
Alice In Wonderland
17th October 2026
Venue: The Hawth
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company returns with this fabulous family favourite. Stunning dancing, much-loved characters and super costumes bring the famous tale to life. Join Alice as she enters the...
Comedy Club 4 Kids
17th October 2026
Venue: Komedia
Website: www.komedia.co.uk
Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families… but without...
Annie
20th-24th October 2026
Venue: The Hawth
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Set in 1930s New York, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she's chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire,...
The Ghost Train
22nd October-1st November 2026
Venue: Bluebell Railway
Website: www.bluebell-railway.com
The Ghost Train is back! Bigger and better than ever, with all-new story and ghosts! After a sell-out first year, and as the first of its kind in the UK on a steam heritage railway, the Ghost Train returns...
All Star Wrestling
26th October 2026
Venue: Assembly Hall Theatre
Website: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Witness the very best high flying, over the top, hard hitting BIG TIME wrestling mayhem that the entire family will be talking about for weeks! Whether it's one on one, two on two or everyman for himself...
Your Toys
28th October-1st November 2026
Venue: Brighton Dome Studio Theatre
Website: https://brightondome.org/whats-on/L05-your-toys/
This October half term, see your very own toys come to life as the stars of the show through Lewes-based Slot Machine Theatre's extraordinary puppetry skills. Perfect for children aged 4–9, this...