What’s on in Sussex in September – The Top Things To Do
Sussex is a treasure trove of attractions waiting to be explored. It may be time to go back to school, but there are still loads of wonderful things to do in Sussex in September.
With its beautiful coastline, golden sandy beaches, rolling green hills, and rich heritage, Sussex promises a memorable experience for every visitor.
Discover the best things to do in Sussex this September, from vibrant autumn gardens and heritage events to family adventures and outdoor experiences across this beautiful county. Let’s explore what’s on in Sussex in September!
Enjoy the great outdoors
This September, visit the living collection, and gallery without walls at Kew Wakehurst! Here for one year, four iconic Henry Moore works are presented alongside bold new commissions by contemporary artists. Experience the towering American Prairie at its peak, discover the wild Loder Vallery Nature Reserve, and escape to the shady Wild Wood, where giant willow animals peek through the trees.
Get outdoors and discover adventure at Go Ape Crawley this autumn. Tackle the Treetop Adventure, perfect for families and younger explorers, or take on the Treetop Challenge for a thrilling journey through the forest canopy. With exciting crossings, treetop obstacles and epic zip lines, it’s the perfect way to experience the great outdoors this September.
As dusk falls over Borde Hill, visitors can discover the fascinating world of bats on a guided evening walk with renowned Sussex naturalist Michael Blencowe. Beginning with an illustrated talk before venturing into the Parkland with bat detectors, this unique experience offers an unforgettable insight into the estate’s nocturnal wildlife (11 – 12 September).
New for 2026, Canopy Tree Climbing invites visitors to experience Borde Hill from an exciting new perspective. Suitable for ages six and over, this guided recreational climbing adventure explores the woodland canopy using specialist equipment, offering a unique way to connect with nature while creating unforgettable memories for families, friends, and individuals (13 September).
The Specialist Autumn Plant Fair returns to Borde Hill with an inspiring selection of locally grown, garden-worthy and unusual plants from leading independent nurseries across the South East. Visitors can browse expert exhibitors, enjoy seasonal displays, and receive horticultural advice from Borde Hill’s gardening team (30 September). ABBA Under the Stars, Borde Hill’s outdoor ABBA tribute concert, taking place on 4th September. For more information, please click here.
Don’t miss your final opportunity to explore the enchanted Fairy and Dragon Willow Sculpture Trail at High Beeches Gardens! Sunday, 6th September is the very last day!. Perfect for all ages, the circular trail invites you to hunt for secretive fairies, playful sprites, mischievous boggarts, and friendly dragons hidden throughout the gardens complete with a stop at the wishing tree.
There’s still time to let your imagination run wild at Sheffield Park and Garden’s Summer of Play: Myths and Legends, running until Sunday, 6th September! Free with normal garden admission, young adventurers can explore five mythical play zones, from building den homes with trolls in the Play Glade to playing garden games where dragons, unicorns, and mermaids come to life. It’s the perfect magical outdoor family experience to wrap up the summer holidays!
Special Events in Sussex this September
Looking for an unforgettable September day out in Sussex? The iconic Bluebell Railway is hosting its annual Diesel Gala from 4 – 6 September 2026, offering families and transport fans a fantastic chance to experience historic diesel locomotives, special guest engines, and nostalgic 1980s Network SouthEast displays across their picturesque line.
Summer may have come to an end, but family days out don’t need to, thanks to Drusillas Park’s 2-for-1 September Saver Offer prebook your day tickets and enjoy standard Drusillas entry for two people for the price of one between 2nd-13th September, only available on advance, online!
Overcome your fear of eight-legged creatures at Drusillas Zoo Park’s popular Spider Phobia Courses this autumn! Led by experts Angela and Ray Hale, these transformative sessions boast a 100% success rate in helping arachnophobes understand and comfortably co-exist with spiders.
Time is running out to test your skills on the Dragon Detectives Trail at Paradise Park! You have until Sunday, 6th September to track down hidden dragons around the gardens and take on fun interactive challenges like the Bean Bag Toss. Included free with general admission, it’s the ultimate summer family adventure, head over before the dragons fly away for the season and see if you can complete every challenge!
Back for its fifth consecutive year, Tinwood’s popular Open-Air Cinema Nights invite guests to an unforgettable evening among the vines on 3rd and 4th September. With a bottle of sparkling wine and cinema-style food, enjoy a viewing of Uncorked or Bohemian Rhapsody against the vineyard landscape.
From Friday 4th every day until Saturday 12th September, 10am to 5pm. Discover over 70 varieties at Dahlia Days at Pashley Manor Gardens where this diverse perennial are planted throughout the garden; soft pinks, sunny yellows, pure whites, hot reds, deep purples and more. Enjoy Dahlia talks and the opportunity to place an order for Bloms Bulbs tubers (delivered in spring). Don’t miss the café with terrace; gift shop; sculpture and art.
On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September, Butser Ancient Farm welcomes BjarnarFolk for a Viking Reenactment Weekend. Explore a Viking encampment, discover early medieval life, watch warriors in combat, and experience living history demonstrations. Try traditional crafts, including spinning and chalk carving, for a glimpse into life in the Viking Age.
September is packed with classic transport and hands-on heritage at Amberley Museum! Kicking off the month is the Vintage Tractors Weekend (5 – 6 September), followed by a celebration of classic transport at the Autumn Bus Show (13 September). Families and curious minds can enjoy a specialized Home Educators’ Day (16 September) and a “Printing the News” Discovery Day (17 September). Steam enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Miniature Steam & Model Show (19 – 20 September), and motor fans can cap off the month surrounded by iconic 4x4s during Land Rover Day (27 September).
One of the South East’s largest visual arts festivals is setting sail this year, with Artwave taking to the water for the first time in its 33-year history. Best known for its trail of over 170 artist venues across Sussex, the festival is now adding a travelling exhibition aboard the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry, the only cross-Channel passenger route in the county, with artwork on display across every DFDS crossing throughout the festival’s run from 5 – 20 September.
West Dean Gardens is hosting the Autumn Plant Fairs Roadshow for the second time on Sunday 13 September 2026. Set at the foot of the South Downs, historic West Dean is home to one of the finest Walled Kitchen Gardens in the country. They also have creative taster sessions running each Saturday at the Gardens Gatehouse.
Visitors can discover the Royal Pavilion this September through a series of guided tours. Every Saturday at 2pm, An Introduction to the Royal Pavilion explores the palace of King George IV. Special tours include Basement & Tunnel (8th and 22nd September) and Secrets of the Royal Pavilion (16th September). Advance booking is available at brightonmuseums.org.uk.
Join Bluebell Railway between 18–20 September 2026 for a fantastic weekend of real ales, ciders, heritage trains, live music and great food at the Bluebell Railway Beer Festival. In association with CAMRA Sussex, enjoy over 90 beers and ciders, travel aboard heritage trains, and soak up the atmosphere at one of Sussex’s favourite beer festivals.
September is packed with sensational live music at the Eastbourne Bandstand, offering something for every musical taste as late summer turns into autumn! Tribute nights lead the charge with Take That, Motown, the Spice Girls, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, Madness, and UB40, along with genre nights dedicated to Ska and Country. Classical and brass enthusiasts can enjoy traditional 1812 Fireworks & Proms concerts alongside relaxing Sunday afternoon performances by local bands, making the iconic seafront venue the place to be for evening entertainment all month long.
Calling all home-learning young explorers aged 4 – 7! WWT Arundel is hosting its hands-on Incredible Insects Learning Session on 22nd and 24th September. Kids can dip into raised ponds, hunt for minibeasts in the wildlife garden, and craft wildflower seed bombs to take home. At £10 per child (which includes full-day entry and a free accompanying adult), it’s the ultimate autumn educational adventure.
Don’t miss your final chance to experience the Summer of Colour Trail at Chichester Cathedral before it closes on 4th September! Families can uncover vibrant art hidden throughout the ancient stone walls, while art lovers can marvel at Glowing + Alive (running through 15th November), an exhibition showcasing John Piper’s iconic, vivid 1966 tapestry behind the High Altar.
Heritage Open Days in Sussex
Heritage Open Days at Petworth House & Park – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September:
Visit Petworth House & Park for free over the Heritage Open Days weekend. Explore the magnificent state rooms and relax in the Pleasure Garden, the perfect place for a picnic.
Visitors can also see the acclaimed exhibition ‘Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain by Felicity Aylieff’, which features towering sculptures on display throughout the house and two monolithic obelisks in the ground.
Sussex Family Fun in September
Autumn Fun Awaits at Harbour Park where there’s plenty to enjoy this September! Weekend rides, year-round indoor attractions, arcade, soft play, and Treasure Quest Escape Room. Savour food, stroll the award-winning East Beach, promenade, and River Arun walkway. Relax on the East Pier where river meets sea – perfect for crisp autumn days with family.
Visit the new exhibition in Battle Abbey’s visitor’s centre. Playful illustrations tell the story of events running up to the Battle of Hastings, and there’s a new film on the battle itself. Outside, explore the peaceful ruins of the abbey, and see what’s growing in the walled garden.
This September at the Weald & Downland Living Museum holds its annual weekend of threshing for the harvest on 5th and 6th September and the Made By Hand celebration of heritage crafts & skills on 26th – 27th September.
Enjoy a day out at Fishers Adventure Farm Park in the Sussex countryside this September! With over 40 rides, attractions, and indoor/outdoor play areas, it’s a haven for families seeking all-weather fun. Little ones can get up close with friendly farmyard animals in the undercover Animal Encounters Barn, hop aboard the tractor-trailer ride, or burn off energy across acres of outdoor adventure play.
As September is a wonderful time for a tranquil family day out at Sky Park Farm. Visitors can take a relaxed stroll through the grounds, learn all about life on a working deer farm, and let the kids burn off energy in the adventure play area. Afterwards, enjoy a rich coffee or a seasonal dish at the Bar & Grill, and don’t forget to pop into the Farm Shop, Butcher, and Deli counter to pick up delicious local produce to take home.
September is a magical time to experience the late-season beauty of Bates Green Garden in Arlington, East Sussex. As late summer transitions into early autumn, the garden comes alive with stunning late-flowering perennials, and peaceful tranquil borders. Open every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the month, it offers the perfect, serene setting for a leisurely afternoon stroll in the Sussex countryside and don’t forget to show your support by casting a vote for them as your RHS Partner Garden of the Year!
Embrace the Charm of Sussex This September
As the summer sun fades and the autumn breeze rolls in, Sussex continues to shine with its huge variety of attractions and activities.
From its scenic walks to theme parks and outdoor adventures, there’s no shortage of experiences waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend escape or a visitor eager to uncover the county’s gems, Sussex in September promises a blend of relaxation, education, and entertainment.
Be sure to check out our events diary, mark your favourites, and set out on a journey to experience the best of what Sussex has to offer. See you there!
