Spotlight - Sussex Events Guide: September 2026
- Hannah Room
- Aug 24
- 4 min read
Bluey & Bingo Return to Sharnfold Farm
Sunday 20th September
Get ready for a fantastic family day out as Bluey & Bingo return to Sharnfold Farm. Little ones can see their favourite characters during a special arena-style meet and greet in the Sussex Barn, included with your farm admission.
Your ticket also includes a full day of farm fun, with friendly animals to meet, the adventure
playground, mini golf, lawn games, Timber Town, Vehicle Valley, Barnyard Burrows and plenty more to explore.
Tickets and character timeslots are limited and are likely to sell out, so book early to avoid disappointment! Booking in advance is essential: www.thefamilyparksgroup.co.uk/meet-bluey-bingo/
Bodiam Castle
Special September Events
Step back in time at Bodiam Castle this September for a month of family- friendly fun. Enjoy armour displays, costumed moat and castle tours, and thrilling live re-enactments that bring the castle’s history to life. Don’t miss the special free weekend on 12 and 13 September, celebrating 100 years of National Trust care at Bodiam Castle. As part of Heritage Open Days, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of activities and entertainment, with free admission for all. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover this iconic castle and celebrate a century of its remarkable history.
Haywards Heath Town Day
Saturday 12th September, 12 pm to 9 pm
Get ready for the event of the year: Haywards Heath Town Day is back! Come along to Victoria Park for a FREE celebration packed with family fun. Enjoy stalls, face painting, balloon modelling, circus skills, crazy golf, and live performances. Bring your four-legged friends for The Mewes Vets Dog Show, meet a life-sized T-Rex for roarsome photo ops, and sing along to ABBA ReBjörn’s feel-good hits and BHMTS' amazing singers!
Staged - A Musical Theatre Concert
Friday 25th September 7.30 pm and 26th September at 2.30 pm & 7.30 pm Join Burgess Hill Musical Theatre Society for STAGED, a spectacular celebration of musical theatre, packed with show-stopping songs, soaring vocals and unforgettable moments! From the spellbinding magic of Wicked and Anastasia to the energy of The Greatest Showman, the charm of Mary Poppins and the much-loved classics of Oliver!, STAGED brings together something for every musical theatre fan. With a talented cast, stunning performances and plenty of songs you'll want to sing along to, this is an evening of theatre you won’t want to miss. Come and experience the magic of musical theatre live at Ditchling Village Hall – there’s truly something for everyone!
Ticketsource.co.uk/bhmts Tickets also available on the door
The King of Instruments at St John’s Church, Burgess Hill
Saturday 12th September, 3:30 pm
An inspiring afternoon of music as Fr Michael Maine presents ‘The King of Instruments’ – a captivating recital celebrating the magnificent sounds and colours of the church organ.Enjoy a wonderful programme featuring music by Bach, Widor, Wesley and other celebrated composers, showcasing the organ’s remarkable range, power and beauty.
Whether you are a lifelong lover of organ music or simply curious to experience this extraordinary instrument in the beautiful surroundings of St John’s Church, everyone is warmly welcome. Refreshments will be available.
Tickets: www.ticketsource.com/stjohnschurch Also available at the Help Point and on the door: St John’s Church, Lower Church Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9AA
Hailsham Festival of Arts & Culture: 20th Anniversary Edition
Saturday 5th to Sunday 20th September
Celebrating two decades of creative expression, the Hailsham Festival returns this September. The festivities launch on September 5th with a vibrant high street celebration featuring live music, gigantic dinosaur puppets and a street market, alongside South Asian music and dance by the Sonia Sabri Company. Highlights over the two weeks include a Rocky Horror immersive cinema experience (11 Sept), the Ukrainian ensemble Volya Voices (17 Sept), and a family-friendly musical gig by The Kids Concert Company (6 Sept).
Explore two packed weeks of theatre, comedy, and art for all ages at: www.hailshamfestival.co.uk
Grim Glory: Lee Miller’s Britain at War
Now until Friday 30th October
Grim Glory: Lee Miller’s Britain at War offers a special opportunity to experience renowned photojournalistLee Miller’s photographs in the wider context of her East Sussex home, Farleys House& Gallery. Following the acclaimed Tate retrospective of her work, this exhibition focuses on the transformational period of 1940-44, including
never-before-seen images, documenting the devastation of the Blitz and the resilience of the women’s war effort. Enhance your visit by booking a guided tour of the house Miller shared with Roland Penrose, and explore its outstanding collection of 20th-century art and Sculpture Garden. www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk
Bateman’s
Until 1st November, 10 am to 4 pm
Swing into a jungle adventure at Bateman’s inspired by the much- loved Monkey Puzzle story by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Little Monkey is searching for his mum, and kindly Butterfly is keen to help but keeps getting it wrong! Can you join the adventure and help reunite them? As you explore the house and garden, you’ll step into the world of Monkey Puzzle and take on interactive games and challenges along the way, from hook-a-bat and giant noughts and crosses to jungle hide and seek.
£3 with general admission. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans
Bodiam Castle
Special September Events
Step back in time at Bodiam Castle this September for a month of family- friendly fun. Enjoy armour displays, costumed moat and castle tours, and thrilling live re-enactments that bring the castle’s history to life. Don’t miss the special free weekend on 12 and 13 September, celebrating 100 years of National Trust care at Bodiam Castle. As part of Heritage Open Days, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of activities and entertainment, with free admission for all. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover this iconic castle and celebrate a century of its remarkable history.
David and Jonathan by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
NSO stages another operatic masterpiece, bringing this dark Baroque jewel with its achingly beautiful score - sensuous and dancelike by turns – to London and the South for the first time. - A biblical tragedy with a war-torn setting: love and duty collide, with David, Jonathan and Saul caught in a web of desire, politics, and paranoia, building to a climax that lets Charpentier’srichly expressive music shine. With a new English translation, David and Jonathan is staged by the creative team behind The Silver Bell and Dragon of Wantley. Toby Purser conducts The Bellot Ensemble, an international cast and NSO Chorus. Performances at Hove, Cadogan Hall, Cuckfield, Eastbourne and Winchester www.newsussexopera.org
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