THEATRE

Remember Ian McEwan’s heartbreaker of a novel, Atonement? Class act Christopher Hampton has adapted it for stage and it makes its world premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre (until 20 Jun). More theatrical excitement comes at its sister space, the Minerva Theatre, where Golden Globe-winner Gabriel Byrne is among the cast of 45 Years (12 Jun-11 Jul), adapted from the acclaimed film of the same title. Expect tension and intimacy as long buried secrets rupture a marriage in this world premiere.

Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem, an homage to England’s lost wildness, was a massive hit when it premiered at the Royal Court, proving that original theatre can still score big at the box office as well as garnering gongs. Tower Theatre’s production lands at Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) this month (17-20 Jun), where can also catch Jane Eyre (10-13 Jun), Brighton Little Theatre’s 800th production.

In the mood for something quirky? Eastbourne Soup is a community play set in a short-staffed community kitchen with 200 meals to cook. Tempers are fraying and disaster loom but maybe the likes of H.G. Wells, Eleanor Marx and other figures from the town’s past help? A cast of 50 and music from local groups including Eastbourne Silver Band bring it all to life at the Winter Garden (4-6 Jun).

One other must-see: The Importance of Being Oscar (16-17Jun) at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre charts the Wilde’s rise and fall through his own words. It’s funny and moving and features a bravura performance by Alastair Whatley.

COMEDY

Comedian Sara Pascoe — Image credit: Sara Pascoe

Theatre isn’t all that’s headed outdoors this month. Fancy some laughs with your picnic and Prosecco? Head to BOAT stage for an entire Summer Comedy Festival (1-7 Jun) with tickets for trios of funny folk including Marcus Brigstocke, Sara Pascoe and Hall Cruttenden still available. Good to know: there’s a Family-Friendly Show on 7 Jun.

For seaside hoots without the need to pack a brolly, the Bexhill Comedy Club returns to De La Warr Pavilion on 14 Jun with top stand-up Russell Kane headlining, and the 11th Hastings Comedy Festival (1-7 Jun) will keep you chortling all week with emerging as well as established acts.

OUTDOORS

Aerial view of Rose Garden at Borde Hill, Sussex — Image credit: Borde Hill House & Gardens

June means midsummer so get yourself to the Weald & Downland Museum (13-14 Jun) for a family-friendly celebration drawing on pagan, religious and folkloric traditions. It’s living history at its most immersive, filled with the sights, sounds and stories associated with this long-marked pivot point in the ritual year.

For another way to celebrate our connection to the natural world, head to Borde Hill where Jay Robin’s Rose Garden turns 30. The month-long hurrah coincides with peak bloom time for this feted and fragrant ‘garden room’, featuring more than 750 David Austin roses across 100 varieties.

Fancy something more active? A Guided Run (13 Jun) at Cowdray makes a great warm-up for the Summer instalment of the Estate’s Run the Seasons (26 Jun) race series. With 10k, 5k and dog-friendly options, the course traverses stunning grounds and the medals are pretty nifty, too.

Lastly, for a dose of only-in-Sussex, there’s Dwyle Flunking at the Lewes Arms (14 Jun), the same pub that’s responsible for the World Pea Throwing Championships (look out for its return on 2 Aug). Dwyle Flunking is an ancient and mysterious – you might even say perplexing – game. Once a rite of passage for an apprentice brewer, it remains an excellent excuse for beery fun.

FOOD & DRINK

English Wine Week at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex — Image credit: Bolney Wine Estate

English Wine Week celebrates its 20th anniversary this month but one laureled local grower has roots that go back even further. Bolney Wine Estate‘s first vines were planted back in 1972, when homegrown wine was still an eyebrow-raising novelty, and they’ve been crafting sparkling wines, whites and reds ever since. Tootle over from 20-28 Jun and you’ll find a full programme of events from vineyard picnics and sunset viewings to a blending experience (27 Jun). Better yet, as a Muddy reader, you can enjoy 10% off with the code MUDDYPICNIC10. Sip, sip hooray!

There’s extra cause for celebration countywide as this month also brings Sussex Day (16 Jun). Trenchmore Farm is marking the occasion with a day of music, dancing and of course food. Dogs welcome!

The South Downs Food Festival comes to Stansted Park Estate (6-7 Jun) with a tempting marketplace full of farmers, fermenters and foragers, artisan makers and handy crafters. You’ll be able to indulge in everything from charcuterie and cheeses, to kombucha and kefir, burgers and beer. South Downs ingredients, some global influences and lashings of local ale, cider and wine pair perfectly with live demos, craft cocktails and high tea on the terrace.

The Cheese and Chilli Festival brings big flavours and fiery fun to Chichester’s Oaklands Park for a third year from 20-21 Jun. A cooking theatre, chilli eating competition, and taste tent are all on the menu. If you’re thinking it’s too much for the kids, fear not – a magic show, a three-metre tall koala (it’s named Kerry and is the festival mascot!), ballon modelling, and crazy golf will keep them busy.

For more summery noshing and the perfect start to a weekend, make space in your diary for live local music and BBQ at The PIG-in the South Downs (19 and 26 Jun). Your £10 ticket includes a freshly grilled treat, acoustic beats and (hopefully) a splash of early evening sunshine. If you’re in the mood for something more indulgent, treat yourself to a ticket to Vines, Vintage & a Very Good Lunch with Oz Clarke (26 Jun) – it’s a three-course lunch paired with plentiful pours, hosted by wine icon Oz.

And we couldn’t resist one large tip: Alfriston’s ever-appealing Much Ado Books has teamed up with their village neighbour The Star to host a book swap cocktail party with (bookmark) crafting evening (5 Jun). Bring along a book to trade, loved or perhaps loathed, and leave with another. There’ll be bookish chat to savour in between and something delicious to sip. You can also pick a ‘Blind Date’ book, hidden by wrapping that reveals the merest hint before you commit. Go on, we dare you!

EXHIBITIONS

Image credit: Anna Maria Nabirye, Self Portrait (Kitchen Portrait Series), 2025

The De La Warr Pavilion’s summer exhibition To Improvise A Mountain: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Curates, arrives in Bexhill from the Hayward Gallery this month, showcasing the painter’s influences and inspirations. You’ll find known names like Walter Sickert and Édouard Vuillard with plenty more to discover. It runs from 27 Jun-13 Sep with a free Opening Night Party on 25 Jun, drinks and speeches included.

Over in Eastbourne, Towner’s latest had us at its title – Black British Kitchens: The Funnest Room in the House Pop-Up (10-14 Jun). An immersive installation, it aims to serve as a portal back to the ancestral homelands of the African and Caribbean diaspora, created by multi-disciplinary artist Anna Maria Nabirye.

One more tip in case you didn’t get to it last month: Paula Rego: Visions of English Literature runs at Newlands House Gallery until 6 Sep. It’s an impish, accomplished treat for anyone interested in storytelling.

MUSIC

June finishes strong for fans of orchestral music. Bexhill’s Big Summer Sounds (27 Jun-4 Jul) brings the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to the De La Warr Pavilion for a seaside sojourn. We’re already picking out our grooviest Muddy togs for Symphonic Groove (27 Jun), which promises soul and disco including Aretha Franklin and ABBA – plus the chance to grab a DLWP picnic box. Dancing? Don’t even bother trying to resist!

In the meantime, Brighton Dome’s music month is exceptionally starry, with highlights including hot tickets (they’re selling fast) James Morrison (1 Jun), Ray LaMontagne (5 Jun) and Beverley Knight (24 Jun).

And of course summer in wouldn’t be complete without Glyndebourne, the world-class opera house that just happens to be right here in Sussex. Its 2026 festival is already underway and June brings performances of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo (various dates 14 Jun-25 Jul) and Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd (various dates 28 Jun-30 Jul), two wildly different productions of equal potency. The black-tie picnicking is a major lure but it’s almost impossible not to fall for this most dramatic of art forms while you’re at it.

KIDS

The Tiger Who Came to Tea stage adaptation

Tootle over to One Garden Brighton on 16 Jun and you and your under-5s can take an Imagination Walk. It’ll bring a storybook to life through a nature ramble and craft activity, with a barn at the ready in case of rain.

And speaking of stories… Independent Book Week is 13-20 Jun and one of Muddy’s favourite browsing destinations, Bags of Books in Lewes, is hosting is kicking things off by hosting author Paul Ian Cross for a SuperQuesters event (ages 6–9, 13 Jun). You can look forward to an interactive adventure with storytelling, science, creativity and excitement.

Chichester Cathedral Green is where it’s at for family-frienldy Sussex Fest (14 Jun). Fishbourne Roman Palace and Chichester Festival Theatre are just a couple of the organisations who’ll be delivering hands-on activities and interactive experiences throughout the day.

Our final tip’s a stone-cold classic: The Tiger Who Came to Tea (26-28 Jun) at Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre. The stage show brings Judith Kerr’s timeless, tea-guzzling big cat bounding off the page with catchy songs and number-based intrigue for its target audience.

In the mood for more?

Jam-packed June! 30+ things to do near you in Sussex

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