• Creative Arts, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, February half-term- enjoy a week of creative activities and countryside skills: Follow the trail around the Museum to find the hidden animals, and work out the link between them. Make some bird cake for the hungry birds, try rag-rugging, roll your own bees wax candle, and have a go at brass rubbing and lace making. Also enjoy creative arts, crafts and country storytelling. You can even plant a garden pea or broad bean, take it home and watch it grow!
• Sussex Beacon Half Marathon, Brighton Seafront, Brighton, End Feb
• Pioneer Motorcycle Run, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Mid March- To take part you have to have a motorcycle, tricycle, of bike and sidecar that 'left the factory' before 1st Jan 1915. However the Pioneer Run is also a must-see. It is a walk into a living museum for the day.
• A Taste of Sussex Fine Food Fair, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester- Around 50 producers from throughout the South East get together to sell speciality food and drink including award-winning beers and wines, sausages and bacon, succulent meat and game, delicious ice cream, aromatic bread and much more.
• British and World Marbles Championship, Greyhound Inn, Tinsley Green, Horsham- Every year this popular playground game is taken to its most competitive level, at the British and World Marbles Championship.
• Jaguar Run, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Late April- Jaguars old and new make their way to Brighton from London
• Lewes Lions Club International Toad-In-The-Hole Competition, Lewes- This unique event is not, as the name suggests, devoted to toad-in-a-hole. It is instead a traditional throwing game, held annually at Lewes Town Hall, in which old penny coin-sized discs (toads) are tossed through a hole in the slanting top of a table.
• Morris Minor Rally, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Early April- 250 Morris Minors depart Battersea Park for Brighton & Hove seafront. The run finishes on Madeira Drive where the entrants and spectators can enjoy a day by the seaside.
• Tulip Festival, Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst, Late April - Early May- Now in its thirteenth year, the Tulip Festival is a magnificent and mesmerising display of approximately 15,000 bulbs from Bloms Bulbs (Chelsea Gold Medal winners 56 times).
• A Taste of Sussex Fine Food Fair, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester- continued from April
• Brighton Festival, Brighton, Throughout May- the largest event of its kind in England. Now in its fifth decade, it has become one of the major milestones in the cultural calendar, bringing an international mix of exclusive events, world and UK premieres, special one-off commissions and endless hours of entertainment to the city by the sea. Each year it unveils a sensational programme of theatre, dance, music, books & debate, children's and family shows and outdoor spectacle.
• Brighton Fringe Festival, Brighton- The biggest open access, mixed arts event in England. Each year the range of events included in the Fringe expands. From circus to exhibition, from classical concerts to club night and from street theatre to tours, all artistic life is here!
• Charleston Festival, Charleston, Nr Firle, Lewes- a selection of writers, poets, performers, film-makers, thinkers, movers and shakers providing stimulation, celebration, good argument, conservation, comedy, new ideas and marvellous stories.
• Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes, Mid - Late May- a selection of the best opera around
• Horse Driving Trails, Stanmer Park, Brighton, Early May- a three day event held in Stanmer Park, the event is the eagerly anticipated opener to the season and attracts big names in the Sport
• Jack-in-the-Green Morris Dancing Festival, Hastings- On the Saturday and Sunday there are bands and Morris dancers in the pubs and streets and the May Queen is crowned, while the main Morris dancing event is on the Monday
• Mackerel Fayre, Brighton, Late May- Annual blessing of nets with music, entertainment and freshly caught mackerel
• Royal Armouries Jousting, Arundel Castle, Arundel- join the celebrations and watch spectacular jousting competitions.
• Streets of Brighton, Seafront & City Centre, Brighton, Early May- attracts a wide range and number of street arts performers from across the world, who come to present work to local audiences and UK and international programmers as part of a showcase event.
• Sustainability Day, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester- Learn more about a wide range of low impact, 'green' products and techniques for building and sustainable living in the 21st century. Includes seminars, demonstrations and a wide variety of exhibits to interest domestic users and professionals
• Chichester Festivities, Chichester- a wide variety of talks, music and performances
• Corpus Christi Carpet of Flowers, Arundel- A stunning colourful flower display with historic origins: great free attraction.
• Crawley Folk Festival, The Hawth, Crawley- packed full of traditional and contemporary folk and roots music and dance from Britain, Ireland and America
• Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood Park, Chichester, Late June- it can justifiably claim to be the world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport.
• Hastings Beer & Music Festival, Hastings- What started out as a small charity raising event offering a selection of ales has now become a major event for Hastings and the surrounding areas
• Heavy Horse Spectacular, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Early June- One of the largest gatherings of heavy horses in the South East. Over 30 working horses will demonstrate their versatility in day long displays packed with activity. There will be displays throughout the day with continuous ringside commentary and a grand parade of over thirty horses and horse drawn vehicles.
• Hickstead British Jumping Derby Meeting, Haywards Heath- an iconic showjumping contest, the like of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world, no other course asks this much of a test of horse and rider and no other course creates this type of drama
• London to Brighton Bike Ride, Brighton, Mid June
• Southern FM's Party in the Park, Preston Park, Brighton, Mid June- the biggest outdoor gig in Sussex
• Special Rose Weekend, Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst- A visual delight of colour-themed roses with wonderful fragrance.
• Sussex Guild Craft Show, Arundel Castle, Arundel- provides a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in which visitors can meet the Guild craftsmen, and also affords a chance to purchase unique and beautiful craftwork from the region's finest selected craftspeople. On show will be a stunning array of original artworks in wood, glass, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and other media.
• Battle Classic Car & Motorcycle Show, Battle, Mid July
• Chichester Festivities, Chichester- continued from June
• Early Music Afternoon, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Early July- A lively afternoon of music, dancing and merrymaking, as groups of musicians, some in period costume, perform song and dance from the medieval, Tudor and Stuart times
• Evening Open Air Theatre, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Early & Mid July- A perfect introduction to Shakespeare for newcomers, with plenty to entertain and inspire those more familiar with his work, this production of a rich variety of great Shakespeare scenes will be performed by a professional cast in full costume, all set in locations around the Museum’s site in the South Downs.
• Game & Country Fair, Michelham Priory, Hailsham, Mid July- If you are a country sports enthusiast or simply enjoy the countryside and rural life
• Garden Weekend, Parham Gardens, nr Pulborough, Early July- the weekend showcases over 50 specialist nurseries and horticultural business all brought together in one idyllic setting
• Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood- continued from June
• Hickstead British Jumping Derby Meeting, Haywards Heath- continued from June
• Kite Festival, Brighton, Early July- A lovely family event in the stunning setting of Stanmer Park. The Kite Festival has been running for 28 years and is enjoyed by young and old alike.
• Lily Time, Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst, Late July - Early August- Over 40 fascinating varieties of lilies have been planted throughout the Gardens and in the woodland area.
• Rare & Traditional Breeds Show, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Mid July- Over 500 cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry of numerous rare breeds will be taking part in the show, the largest in south east England.
• Ringmer Steam & Country Fair, Upper Lodge Farm, Ringmer- over 500 exhibits from all over the country, from pre-war motorbikes to kit cars, with the Rolls Royce with its Spitfire Merlin engine returning for another year.
• Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club Rally, Michelham Priory, Hailsham, Early July- Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts now boast a membership of over 10,000 people in their club- in 52 countries world-wide and from all walks of life.
• Smallholders Show, South of England Showground, Ardingly- 200+ Trade Stands - A great family day out
• Seaford Food Fest, Seaford - fun fair, exhibitions, community stalls, live music and a few surprises.Fee: Free entrance
• Icklesham Beer Festival - The festival will hosts numerous amounts of real ales from micro and medium breweries across the country as well as lager, wines and ciders from local suppliers. The evening sessions are for over 18’s only, however the Sunday session is family orientated and is open to children of all ages - children aged twelve and under admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult.
• Airbourne: Eastbourne’s International Air Show, Seafront and Western Lawns, Eastbourne, Mid August
• Arundel Festival, Arundel, Late August- a wide and varied programme of exciting events and thrilling concerts which will appeal to people of all ages.
• Chichester Film Festival, Chichester- one of the few independent film festivals in the country and one of the best.
• Chill Chilli Fiesta, West Dean Gardens, Chichester- 250-plus chillies, 80-plus stallholders, fiery food tastings, Latin rhythms and dancing make this the UK's premier gathering for all aficionados of nature's napalm!
• Eastbourne Lammas Festival, Eastbourne, Early August - A free extravaganza of folk music, Morris dancing, traditional giants, carnival and entertainment for everyone
• England's Medieval Festival, Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, Late August- Britain's largest three day celebration of the Middle Ages!
• Firle Place Horse Trials and Country Fair, Lewes- a showcase for some of the best riders in Southern England. This combines with a Country Fair, incorporating a large French and English Food Market, Dog Show, Terrier Racing, Trade Stands, Traditional Fun Fair, Bar and Archery.
• The Royal International Horse Show, Haywards Heath
• Saffron Gallery, Battle - Summer Exhibition (late july - early september) Saffron Gallery’s resident artists are on show throughout the summer in an ever changing exhibition until 3 September. The line up of artists is impressive and balances national and international award-winning artists with local and regional artists including Dion Salvador Lloyd, Helen Masacz, Jessica Zoob Con Cremin and Louise Giblin. More information on the exhibition is posted regularly on the gallery’s website and Facebook pages www.SaffronGallery.co.uk and www.facebook.com/SaffronGallery.
• Rye Arts Festival - (10th - 25th September) Rye welcomes its 40th arts festival, featuring over 40 events covering literary, classical and contemporary music, exhibitions, guided walks, dance and much more. Visit http://www.ryefestival.co.uk/ for more information.
• Brighton Early Music Festival, Brighton – classical music, jazz, religious services, dances and dance music, theatre, story- telling and more…
• Brighton Food & Drink Lovers Festival, Various venues, Brighton, Early September- a month of fun and frankly delicious events.
• British Open International Minigolf Tournament, Hastings- Far removed from the popular image of crazy golf, the British Open venues are a true test of skill. The competition is open to anyone who has registered in advance.
• Chichester Film Festival, Chichester- continued from August
• Heritage Open Weekend, Brunswick Square/various venues, Brighton, Early - Mid September- An opportunity for visitors to see & to try the traditional building crafts & skills that created Brighton & Hove's magnificent architecture
• International Bognor Birdman, Bognor Regis- a flight competition for human powered flying machines held each summer in the picturesque seaside resort. Many flyers take part to raise money for charities, other design complex machines to aim for the distance prizes
• Motor Circuit Revival Meeting, Goodwood- Over three hundred of the world's greatest cars and motorcycles take to the track for free practice. Wartime Spitfires will be in the air and spectators will be in period 1950s costume to enjoy that special Goodwood Revival garden party atmosphere.
• National Speed Trials, Brighton, Early September- All manner of vehicles take part, including cars and motorbikes, both old and modern. This is a very popular event and many people turn out to watch from the top of Marine Parade, which overlooks the action.
• Sussex Guild Craft Show, Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst
• Autumn Countryside Celebration, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Early October- A celebration of how the countryside used to be: steam engines, heavy horses and vintage tractors.
• Brighton Early Music Festival, Brighton- continued from September
• Jewish Film Festival, Brighton
• Lanes Market, Ship Street, Brighton- The market will feature over 40 up-and-coming local designers with an interest in fashion and interiors selling their products.
• Paramount Brighton Comedy Festival, Brighton, Mid - late October
• Sussex Fine Art & Antiques Fair, East Sussex National Resort & Spa, Uckfield
• Cine City - Brighton's first film festival, Brighton, End Nov - Beg Dec- features a global mix of UK premieres and previews, treasures from the archives plus the latest digital adventures and artists' moving images.
• RAC Veteran Car Run, Brighton, Early November- commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896 which celebrated the new law which raised the speed limit for `light locomotives' from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot.
• Burning the clocks, Brighton, Late Dec- winter solstice celebration, an antidote to the excesses of the commercial Christmas. People gather together to make paper and willow lanterns to carry through their city and burn on the beach as a token for the end of the year.
• Tastes of a Tudor Christmas, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Late December - Early January- experience the traditions of Christmas past
• Tree Dressing, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Early December- A festival of trees rooted in the Green Man legends of ancient times and the importance of natural objects to man. People of all ages flock to join in with dancing, singing, fireside story telling, mummers plays ending with a lantern procession and spiral dance around a magnificent aspen tree as it is dressed with the lanterns