We promised you more Sussex festivals and here they are. An eclectic selection of festivals across the county for you to enjoy this summer. And don’t forget to check in with our first post in this Festival Fever series if you missed it.
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens Enchanted Woodland Trail. Horsham, 30 July-1 August, and 6-8 August
This magical festival in the grounds of the 240-acre Grade I Listed Leonardslee estate includes live music, spectacular aerial performances, street theatre, a funfair, and food and drink, as well as a mile-long trail that weaves a spellbinding tale of magic with mystical creatures, magnificent lakes, music, and spectacular visual and sound installations. There will be a market with arts and crafts, fashion, and other entertainment including unicorns for children to ride and workshops to take part in including a circus performance and making rhino horns and dream catchers. Finally, don’t miss the 15-minute interactive show with giant puppet Gnomus, Guardian of Leonardslee Woods.
For further information or to book: www.enchantedleonardslee.co.uk
Foodies Festival. Preston Park, 24-26 September
Foodies Festival is one of the UK’s largest celebrations of food and drink where visitors can feast on a vast array of culinary activities. This year, it comes to Preston Park in Brighton and Scouting for Girls will headline the festival! Masterchef winner 2021 will be cooking in the Chef’s Theatre; wine, beer, and cocktails to be had in the Drink’s Theatre, a brand new Tasting Theatre, a BBQ Arena, a live entertainment stage and kids can learn to cook too in the Children’s Cookery Theatre.
For further information or to book: https://www.visitbrighton.com/whats-on/foodies-festival-p1802571
Goodwood Festival of Speed. Chichester, 8-11 July
We couldn’t not mention the world famous Goodwood Festival of Speed, self-proclaimed as the greatest celebration of motorsport and car culture! Held in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, the Festival of Speed is motorsport’s ultimate summer garden party, an intoxicating celebration of the world’s most glamorous sport. Nowhere else will you get so close to the cars and bikes as they blast up the Hillclimb track and enjoy such unrestricted access to the machines and the drivers who made them famous.
For further information or to book: Goodwood.com

Walking Festival. Eastbourne, 17-26 September
Eastbourne Walking Festival is a ten-day celebration of the great outdoors. The event promotes the health and wellbeing benefits of discovering walking as a way of life and is carefully put together in order to provide something for everyone whatever age or mobility. It introduces participants to the incredible trails and paths in and around Eastbourne as well as some of the stories of this Victorian town. The programme of walks and talks is supported by numerous fringe events with the aim of promoting appreciation and conservation of the natural world from plant, animal and marine life.
For further information or to book: https://www.visiteastbourne.com/walking-festival
Faerie Festival. Alfriston, 10-12 September
And finally, we do like to bring you “the unusual” and Faerie Festival really is unique. With community at it’s heart and held within the Sussex Downs and in the picturesque village of Alfriston at Pleasant Rise Farm, this festival celebrates a magical world of faeries with mystical entertainment and uplifting workshops. There’s a full schedule across three days which also includes yoga, live music, dance groups, and a faerie market.
For further information or to book: http://www.magicalfestivals.co.uk/

It never ceases to amaze the team at Sussex Exclusive what amazing and diverse events are hosted in our region. And in a year where it’s beginning to look increasingly likely to be staycations all round, you now have no excuse for not enjoying a little adventure!