Whats On In Sussex Bank Holiday Weekend August 2025

With the August bank holiday soon to close in, it is great to know what is happening across the county of Sussex.

Secret Sussex has your back from colourful carnival parties, and French food markets to live jazz events.

This August bank holiday weekend kicks off on the 23rd and rounds up on the 25th of August, let’s hope we get the weather so we can get out and enjoy the end of summer!

Whats On In Sussex – East Sussex Events

Brighton

Symphonic Ibiza Live
Date: 22nd August 2025
Location: Black Rock, Brighton
Details: Get whisked away to the white isles with Symphonic Ibiza Live. Featuring legendary Balearic classics and high-energy performances, this is a summer show not to be missed.

Easy Skankin’ Reggae Party
Date: 25th August 2025
Location: Fortune of War, Brighton
Details: Enjoy a free reggae party with Easy Skankin’ DJs spinning reggae, ska, rocksteady, roots, dub, and dancehall. Held at the iconic seafront pub Fortune of War—arrive early to grab a bench as it gets busy.

Brighton Mod Weekender
Date: 21st – 25th August 2025
Location: Various venues across Brighton
Details: Celebrating 20 years, the Brighton Mod Weekender offers a packed schedule of live music, DJ sets, scooter rides, vintage markets, and all-night parties. A must-attend for Mod culture lovers.

The One Garden – Bank Holiday Special
Date: 25th August 2025
Location: The One Garden, Brighton
Details: Spend the day in a relaxed, open-air setting with free live music, delicious street food from Tallow, and a variety of local drinks. Family-friendly and perfect for a laid-back Bank Holiday.

Hastings

Hastings Pride
Date: 24th August 2025
Location: The Oval, Hastings
Details: Celebrate Hastings Pride with a vibrant parade and full day of entertainment. The parade starts at 11am from the Stade, with festivities continuing at The Oval from 12pm to 8pm.

Caribbean Beats & Beachy Vibes
Date: 23rd August 2025
Location: The Relais Cooden Beach & Spa, Cooden, East Sussex
Details: An early-evening beachside event filled with upbeat Caribbean music and laid-back summer vibes. Perfect for a relaxed, festive atmosphere by the sea.

Heathfield

Heathfield French Market
Date: 25th August 2025
Location: Heathfield
Details: Now in its 28th year, the Heathfield French Market features around 80 stalls offering authentic French food, crafts, and goods. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day, with the added bonus of free parking.

Battle

The Battlefields Festival
Date: 24th August 2025 from 2pm
Location: Battle Abbey, Battle
Details: A vibrant, one-day tribute music festival held in the historic grounds of Battle Abbey. Enjoy performances from top national tribute bands including acts inspired by Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, and Neil Diamond. With festival bars, food, and family-friendly amenities, it’s a summer Sunday celebration for all ages.

Eastbourne

Eastbourne Seafront Market
Date: 19th – 31st August 2025
Location: Eastbourne Seafront, Eastbourne
Details: Explore a variety of delicious local and international foods at this extended summer market along the Eastbourne Seafront. A perfect opportunity to sample fresh street food with a sea breeze.

Summer at The Perch
Date: 23rd – 24th August 2025
Location: Eastbourne Seafront, Eastbourne
Details: Enjoy free live music at The Perch every weekend in July and August from 12pm. With wood-fired pizza, cold drinks, and ice cream on offer, it’s the ideal spot to relax by the sea—just bring a blanket or chair and settle in for a chilled-out afternoon.

Rye

Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival
Date: 22nd – 25th August 2025
Location: Various venues, Rye
Details: Taking place in the historic town of Rye, this acclaimed festival features a diverse lineup of world-class jazz and blues artists. Expect an intimate atmosphere with live performances, workshops, and events celebrating the very best in jazz and blues music.

ABBA Tribute Show
Date: 22nd August 2025
Location: Eastbourne Bandstand, Grand Parade, Eastbourne, BN21 3AD
Details: Relive the magic of the ABBA era with a brilliant tribute band offering all the iconic music, style, and choreography. A fun-filled evening that captures the spirit of one of pop’s most beloved groups.

King for a Day – The Nat King Cole Story… with Strings
Date: 22nd August 2025 (various times)
Location: Congress Theatre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4BP
Details: A moving tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole, combining world-class live music, narration, and archival visuals. Led by acclaimed vocalist Atila and a top-tier ensemble, the show celebrates Cole’s iconic hits and hidden gems in an elegant, string-accompanied performance.

A Country Night in Nashville
Date: 23rd August 2025 (various times)
Location: Congress Theatre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4BP
Details: Experience the sound and energy of a Nashville honky tonk, brought to life by Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes. This lively show journeys through country music history with hits from legends like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton to modern stars like Kacey Musgraves.

Lewes

Charleston Lewes: Koak Exhibition
Dates: Until 1st September 2025
Location: Charleston Lewes, Southover Road, Lewes, BN7 1FB
Details: The first UK institutional solo exhibition by San Francisco-based contemporary artist Koak. Known for her emotionally expressive portraits of female figures, the exhibition explores identity and human nature through drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation.

Summer Flowers Bundle Dye Workshop
Dates: Until 1st January 2026
Location: Radical Living, Needlemakers, West Street, Lewes, BN7 2NZ
Details: Led by botanical dye artist Tara Macdonald, this hands-on workshop introduces the gentle art of bundle dyeing using petals, leaves, and natural extracts. Participants create a unique silk or organic cotton scarf and enjoy refreshments plus discounts at Radical Giving and Squisito café. All levels welcome.

Whats on In Sussex – Events in West Sussex

Worthing

Worthing Rotary Carnival
Dates: 24th – 25th August 2025
Location: Steyne Gardens and along the Seafront, Worthing
Details: A classic summer carnival featuring live music, a funfair, market stalls, a parade, and a classic car show. This family-friendly event brings a vibrant atmosphere to Worthing across the Bank Holiday weekend.

Spun Records: Live Music with Katja
Date: 23rd August 2025
Location: Spun Records, Town Centre, Worthing
Details: Enjoy an intimate evening of live music at Spun Records, a cherished community hub in Worthing. Featuring singer Katja, this relaxed, welcoming event is perfect for music lovers looking for something local and soulful.

Sterns Ravers Bash
Date: 23rd August 2025, 6pm – 1am
Location: Coast, Worthing
Details: Stern’s DJs return for a high-energy summer party at Coast Worthing. Kicking off on the rooftop terrace at 4pm with sea views and sunshine, the party continues indoors into the night with a mix of classic anthems and fresh dance tunes.

Chichester

Chichester Record Fair
Date: 23rd August 2025
Location: Assembly Room, Council House Building, North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LQ
Details: Spend the day crate-digging at the Summer Record Fair, featuring thousands of records from leading sellers across the South. Find everything from affordable bargains to rare collectibles, with Wendy’s pop-up coffee shop available to keep you refreshed while you browse.

Choir – Chichester Festival Theatre
Dates: 2nd – 30th August 2025
Location: Chichester Festival Theatre
Details: Enjoy this heartwarming comedy centered around a choir, featuring lots of contemporary songs. A guaranteed great night out at the theatre.

Primal Warriors Men’s Circle
Date: 22nd August 2025
Location: Goodwood Education Centre
Details: Monthly men’s mental health and wellbeing support group offering talks and workshops to foster connection and community among like-minded men. Regularly occurring event.

Horsham

Sussex Sounds
Date: 23rd August 2025
Location: Carfax Bandstand, Horsham Town Centre
Details: Enjoy a diverse mix of electric blues and acoustic pop performed by The Jackie Young Band and P43 at the Carfax Bandstand over the Bank Holiday weekend.

East Sussex Concert Band
Date: 24th August 2025, 2pm – 4pm
Location: Horsham Park
Details: The East Sussex Concert Band presents an engaging program featuring a wide variety of attractive and interesting music for the community to enjoy.

Arundel

Dragon Boat Race
Date: 23rd August 2025
Location: Quay Side, Arundel
Details: Take part in or watch this legendary boat race set against the beautiful backdrop of Arundel as part of the iconic Arundel Festival. The event also supports a worthy charitable cause.

Amberley

A Taste of Sussex
Dates: 23rd – 25th August 2025
Location: Amberley Museum, New Barn Road, Amberley, Near Arundel, BN18 9LT
Details: Celebrate local food, drink, and crafts at this family-friendly event. Alongside live music and craft stalls, enjoy miniature steam vehicles and nature trails for a full day of entertainment.

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