Top 5 culture festivals in Sussex

Discover a whole host of incredible festivals in Sussex celebrating the Arts, opening from May in 2025; from world-class Opera at Glyndebourne, iconic performances at Chichester Festival Theatre to celebrations of the World at Eastbourne Carnival, there is a packed calendar to immerse yourself in this summer.

Glyndebourne

16 May – 24 August 2025

Glyndebourne's flagship summer programme of world class opera starts in May with Parsifal and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful gardens during the 90 minute interval or indulge in a dining experience in one of the restaurants.

Stay in nearby historic Lewes and explore the surrounding countryside with an extended visit. 

Places to stay in Lewes 

Chichester Festival Theatre

From 25 April

Chichester Festival Theatre opens their renowned Festival season with The Government Inspector, starring Tom Rosenthal, which runs until 24^th May. From the 5^th May at the Minerva Theatre, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a joyous new musical adapted by Rachel Joyce from her own multi million-selling novel, featuring songs by the chart-topping indie musician, Passenger.  

The Festival has played host to stage debuts and performances before they go to the West End, so don’t miss out on a chance to see it first.

Chichester is a great place to explore the surrounding South Downs National Park, or Chichester National Landscape so why not take a few days to enjoy the area and escape to the country.

Charleston, Firle

14 – 26 May 2025

The 36^th Charleston Festival opens from 14 May, with a brilliant and bold lineup of voices and stories including Richard E. Grant, Grayson Perry, Ruth Jones, Julia Donaldson, Cherie Blair and many more. The modernist home and studio of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, Charleston was a gathering point for some of the 20th century’s most radical artists, writers and thinkers known collectively as the Bloomsbury group. 

Explore the quaint village of Alfriston whilst you are visiting, and treat yourself to a stay at a boutique hotel The Star.

Brighton Festival 2025

3 – 26 May

Running throughout May, Brighton Festival 2025 and guest Director Anoushka Shankar has announced a huge multi-arts line up, inspired by the theme ‘New Dawn’, from music, dance and talks to family-friendly immersive events. It’s not to be missed.

Brighton is just 1 hour from London, but there is so much to discover on the doorstep, with vineyards offering tasting and accommodation just a pebbles throw from buzzzing Brighton.

Eastbourne Carnival

Saturday 24 May

A fabulous, colourful celebration this year with the theme ‘Celebrations of the World’, Eastbourne Carnival is not to be missed as the seaside town comes alive with a parade for one day in May, attracting visitors from across the world.

Eastbourne is home to Towner Gallery, which hosted the Turner Prize – jump on the Sussex Art Shuttle, a hop-on-hop-off minibus running every weekend between Towner Eastbourne, Charleston, Seven Sisters Country Park and Charleston’s new arts space in central Lewes.

Explore Eastbourne 

Opening soon... 

Goodwood Art Foundation

Opens Saturday 31 May

2025 sees the next chapter in Goodwood’s history with the opening of Goodwood Art Foundation. The not-for-profit organisation with a focus on art, education and environment opens to the public on Saturday 31 May. The site will comprise two gallery spaces set in 70-acres of landscaped grounds as well as an exciting new café. Award-winning horticulturist and landscape designer, Dan Pearson has planted 100,000 bulbs and 1000 new trees including a striking Cherry Grove, and created an Amphitheatre which will serve as a multi-use space and a setting for a host of events. 

The launch headline for 2025 is from Rachel Whiteread, one of the most highly respected sculptors of her generation and the first female artist to win the Turner Prize.  Alongside her characteristic sculpture there will be an opportunity to see little known and rarely exhibited photography by the artist. This headline exhibition is presented in partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.