As summer wears on, there is still plenty to see, do and enjoy. So here’s our round-up of what’s on in September in Sussex in 2026:
Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival
11 – 13 September 2025
Set in Hastings Old Town’s atmospheric Stade Open Space, this lively festival blends superb local seafood with wines from Sussex and Kent, alongside an eclectic programme of live music. Expect to discover artisanal producers, enjoy freshly prepared dishes, and soak up the vibrant coastal atmosphere.
All Things Fungi Festival
18 – 20 September 2025
Hosted at Chiddinglye Estate in West Sussex, this unique event celebrates the fascinating world of mushrooms. Visitors can enjoy lectures, guided walks, art installations, and culinary experiences, as well as UV night walks for a truly magical autumn adventure.
Crowborough Carnival & Bonfire Night
12 September 2026
A cherished community event featuring a daytime fête, torchlit procession, and a traditional bonfire. The carnival raises funds for local charities and keeps Sussex’s bonfire traditions alive in a family-friendly setting.
Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair
12 – 13 September 2026
Held in the medieval town of Rye, this fair gathers more than 30 vineyards, brewers, and food producers from East Sussex and Kent. Visitors can taste award-winning wines and foods while enjoying live entertainment in a historic setting.
Steyning & District Food and Drink Festival
202 dates TBC
This festival celebrates the best of West Sussex’s food and drink. Events include market specials, tasting sessions, brewery tours, and themed suppers in and around the charming market town of Steyning.
Sheffield Park Autumn Colour Walks
Mid to late September 2026
Visit the National Trust’s Sheffield Park and Garden near Uckfield to see the first hints of autumn colour. Stroll among lakes, woodlands, and landscaped gardens as the season begins to change, making it a photographer’s dream.
Weald & Downland Museum Threshing Weekend
5 – 6 September 2026
The Weald & Downland Living Museum’s interpretations team will be demonstrating the process of ‘Threshing’ with a steam powered threshing machine.
The team will be demonstrating the processing of the triticale and oats for visitors to see throughout the day, then our rural farming team will be transporting the straw and grain off to be stored with the help of the Museum horses and a cart.
Rye Arts Festival
Throughout September 2026 but dates TBC
A vibrant cultural highlight, Rye Arts Festival brings music, literature, theatre, and visual arts to historic venues around the town. The programme includes both internationally renowned and emerging talent.
Heritage Open Days
11 – 20 September 2026
This is England’s largest festival of heritage and culture, giving you the chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore. Sussex venues include Anne of Cleves House Museum and Lewes Castle & Museum, Alfriston Clergy House, Wilmington Priory, Coastguard Cottage at Seaford and quite a few more. Check the Heritage Open Days website for details.
Winchelsea Cellar Tours
Various dates in September 2026 TBC
Tours run from April to October and take place on most Saturday mornings, plus some bank holidays, and during the Rye Arts Festival in the autumn. They provide an insight into the history of Winchelsea, its role as a Cinque Port and as an important centre for medieval trade.
Autumn Show & Horse Trials
Taking place at the South of England Showground, this event features the prestigious South of England Horse Trials, affiliated with British Eventing. Spectators can look forward to the elegant dressage, exciting showjumping, and thrilling cross-country phases, with top riders competing. Beyond the equestrian events, the show will host a variety of activities and attractions for all ages, including horsemanship and falconry displays, game cookery demonstrations, wood carving, sheep shearing, bushcraft workshops, a dedicated zone showcasing steam engines, and a Scammell rally. There will also be opportunities to try fly casting, archery, axe throwing, laser clay shooting, and more.
Artwave Festival
5 – 20 September 2026
Artwave is one of the largest visual arts festivals in the South East, connecting hundreds of artists and makers with tens of thousands of appreciative viewers and visitors each year. This year, they have more than 160 venues with free-to-visit exhibitions in private homes, studios, potteries, windmills, railway stations, farms and churches, many of them opening their venues for the first time. 
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