More than 50 options to keep the family entertained this summer

Summer festivals

Music Mania Festival

Worthing Rugby Club, Roundstone Lane, Angmering, Friday, July 24, to Sunday, July 26, 10am, weekend £35/£25, day tickets from £20, under 12s free, www.musicmaniaevents.co.uk

A DOZEN bands including Bad Manners, The Spitfires, Secret Affair and tributes to Madness, The Small Faces and The Jam are joined by eight DJs in this Mod and scooter weekend.

Brighton Yoga Festival

St George’s Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown, Saturday, July 25, 9am to 5.30pm, free, www.brightonyogafestival.org

A ONE-DAY drop-in event curated by city-based yoga teachers offering free classes and therapy for all the family. Last year’s inaugural event saw up to 2,000 people take part.

Crawley International Mela

The Hawth Theatre and Grounds, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, noon to 6pm, free, www.crawleymela.uk

FOLLOWING the theme of The World At Your Doorstep, this year’s mela features performers, stalls and workshops from India, Greece, Poland, Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Romania and the Middle East.

Chilled In A Field

Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, Halland, Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2, from noon on Friday, tickets from £74.50, www.chilledinafieldfestival.co.uk

NOW in its sixth year, Chilled In A Field offers activities and workshops for children and adults, as well as live music, DJs, performance, a real ale bar and home-cooked food.

Pride

Preston Park, Brighton, Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, parade starts Sat 11am, park tickets from £21, family £42, www.brighton-pride.org

PRIDE celebrates its silver anniversary in the city with a huge party – featuring The Human League and Fatboy Slim on the main stage, plus a revamped Kemptown Village Party. Look out for the Pride Dog Show at Hove Rugby Football Club this Sunday, July 26.

Chilli Fiesta

West Dean, Chichester, Friday, August 7, to Sunday, August 9, 10.30am, weekend £80/£60, day tickets from £12, www.westdean.org.uk/chilli

TASTEBUDS have changed a lot in the last two decades, as the English palate becomes more accustomed to spicy food. And West Dean’s chilli fiesta has been a big part of that – winning a Tourism Event Of The Year Bronze Award from the Beautiful South Awards to mark its 20th anniversary. Expect live music, entertainment and naturally a lot of hot food to a crowd in excess of 22,000 heat-lovers.

Forgotten Fields

Eridge Park, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, Friday, August 7, to Sunday, August 9, from £99, forgottenfields.co.uk

JUST on the very edge of East Sussex is a new festival from the team behind Kendall Calling.

A top capacity of 4,000 people can catch sets by Super Furry Animals, Basement Jaxx, Levellers, De La Soul, Razorlight, The Horrors, British Sea Power, Public Service Broadcasting and more.

Shakedown

Waterhall, Brighton, Saturday, August 15, noon, £45, www.shakedown.co.uk

ALTHOUGH strictly an over-18s event, any round-up of the Sussex festival scene wouldn’t be complete without dance haven Shakedown. This year sees the four stages taken over by major dance brands Hospitality, Defected, Supercharged and Cirque Du Soul, with live appearances from MK, Camo And Krooked, and Sigma and a DJ set from 2ManyDJs.

For more over-18s only events check out the music and real ale festival The Big Green Cardigan, in Cripps Corner, Hastings, from Friday, September 4, to Sunday, September 6, featuring headliners Eddie And The Hotrods.

Together The People

Preston Park, Brighton, Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, weekend £70, day tickets from £39.50, www.togetherthepeople.co.uk/

BRIGHTON’S newest 5,000-capacity festival will close the summer holiday weekend in Preston Park. And this week the festival announced its Sunday night headliner – Jose Gonzalez.

He will join a line-up including Super Furry Animals, Martha Reeves And The Vandellas, Levellers, Billy Bragg and Ghostpoet, with family performances of Horrible Histories and The Cat In The Hat also on the bill.

Fun days out

National Trust

Various venues across Sussex, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

FROM wildlife trails and bug hunts to woodland workshops and living history re-enactments the National Trust in Sussex has a range of family events through the summer. Look out for the Exploring Childhood exhibition at Nymans, in Handcross; Petworth House’s Big Dig archaeology week from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30; Bateman’s First World War weekend on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2; and Bodiam Castle’s knights and princess academy running every Wednesday and Thursday from Thursday, July 29, to Thursday, August 27.

The Tulleys Giant Castle Maize Maze And Puzzle Park

Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill Road, Crawley, until Sunday, September 6, 10am to 6pm, from £8.95/£9.95, www.tulleysfarm.com

HAVING started out in 1998, Tulleys Farm’s giant Maize Maze is following the theme of a medieval castle. And there’s plenty of other attractions too – from the Forest Challenge walk to giant games and adventure play.

The Outdoors Project: Holiday Clubs

St Ann’s Well Gardens and Hove Park, Hove, Preston Park, Brighton, until Friday, August 21, 10am, £28, www.theoutdoorsproject.co.uk/holiday-clubs/

AIMED at five to 12 year-olds these holiday clubs range from mad science sessions to circus skills, water games, animal tracking and sports tuition.

Wild Woodies

Wood Mills Nature Reserve, Henfield; Stanmer Park, Brighton; Tilgate Park, Crawley; Seven Sisters Country Park, Seaford; and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, various dates and times, www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson

SUSSEX Wildlife Trust is offering workshops in how to hunt bugs, survive in the woods, and make arts and crafts from nature all through the summer holidays in fully supervised classes.

The Open Market

London Road, Brighton, throughout summer, free, www.brightonopenmarket.co.uk/

HAVING celebrated its first birthday last weekend, The Open Market is hosting a series of family fun days through the summer. Today The Fairy Tale Fair hosts an underwater adventure with craft workshops and a treasure hunt from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and on Sunday the festival of Eid is being celebrated with a multicultural event including story-telling, poetry and short film screenings.

Look out for a circus workshop on Friday, July 31, Lego building sessions on Friday, August 7, a full Fairy Tale Fair on Saturday, August 15, and a science festival on Friday, August 21.

Drusillas Park

Near Alfriston, daily, 10am to 6pm, £16/£18, www.drusillas.co.uk

AMONG the special guests coming to Drusillas this summer are Hello Kitty, Fat Controller Sir Topham Hatt, Ben Elf and Princess Holly from Little Kingdom on Wednesday, July 29, Fireman Sam on Wednesday, August 12, Peppa Pig on Wednesday, August 26, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leonardo and Raphael on Tuesday, August 18.

Safe Haven For Donkeys Family Fun Day

Ardingly College, College Road, Haywards Heath, Sunday, July 26, noon to 4pm, www.safehaven4donkeys.org

VISIT craft stalls, enjoy the barbecue and get up close and personal to some four-legged friends at the family fun day in aid of Safe Haven For Donkeys In The Holy Land which treats more than 600 donkeys a week.

Hands On Roman Archaeology

Arundel Museum, Mill Road, Arundel, Saturday, July 25, 11am to 3.30pm, £3/£2.50, under six free, www.arundelmuseum.org

LEARN about Arundel’s Roman villa, chat to experts and handle objects from the museum collection in this event as part of the Festival Of Archaeology 2015.

Go Wild Animal Trail

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Pavilion Gardens, Tuesday to Sunday, until Sunday, September 6, 10am to 5pm, brightonmuseums.org.uk

TO link with this year’s Wildlife Photographer Of The Year exhibition, the museum and art gallery has a trail running throughout the space leading to curious creatures from around the world.

The mini-beast handling session Jaws And Claws also returns on Friday, August 7, visit the website to book tickets which start at £7.

Crawley Circus Festival

The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2, weekend £32/day tickets £12/£7, 01293 553636

THIS year’s celebration of circus skills has a steampunk theme. Special guests include Kettle Of Fish cabaret who will be performing on Saturday, August 1.

UK Street Velodrome

Beach House Grounds, by Splashpoint, Worthing, Saturday, August 1, 10am to 6pm, and Sunday, August 2, 9am to 6pm, free, www.streetvelodrome.co.uk

A POP-UP cycle track comes to the South Coast for the fifth round of the Street Velodrome series. As well as a chance to watch races going on there are free have-a-go sessions on the track on both days, with free bike hire available.

Firle Vintage Summer Fair

Firle Place, Firle, near Lewes, Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, 10am to 5pm, £5/free under tens, www.firleandcountry.co.uk

NOW in its third year, Firle Vintage Fair features antiques and homeware, classic clothing and collectibles, soundtracked by swing jazz bands, with a champagne bar, refreshment tent and children’s entertainment, plus classic cars.

Clifton Street Jumble Trail And Community Day

Clifton Street, Brighton, Saturday, August 8, 9am to 2pm, free, jumbletrail.com/event/CliftonStreet2015

CLIFTON Street is closing to traffic and being taken over by upcycled jumble for a morning, with individual homes setting up their own stalls, before a neighbourhood summer street party and kids play session.

Brunswick Festival

Rural Day: St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove, Sunday, August 9

Festival, Brunswick Square, Hove, Saturday, August 15, to Sunday, August 16, free, brunswickfestival.org.uk/

THE community celebration which punches well above its weight is now in its 34th year. The Rural Day features the ever popular dog show Scrufts, while the main festival hosts a live music stage as well as stalls and refreshments over two days.

Airbourne

Eastbourne seafront, Thursday, August 13, to Sunday, August 16, free, bandstand seating £12, www.eastbourneairshow.com

THE only flying Bristol Blenheim bomber in the world is coming to Eastbourne this summer, fresh from its first public display in May after 12 years of restoration work. Other new additions to the flight programme are the Belgian NH90 helicopter and Norwegian MiG-15 jet, which will join the Vulcan bomber on its last display season and Red Arrows. Once the flights are over on Saturday night Scouting For Girls will play on the beach with Toyah a special guest on Friday night.

Brighton Big Screen

Seafront by the wheel, Friday, August 14, to Sunday, September 13, daytime showings from 2pm free, 5pm onwards from £3, www.brightonsbigscreen.com

THE giant 40sqm screen will be showing 90 movies, ranging from new hits Interstellar and Guardians Of The Galaxy, to cult favourites The Goonies, Frozen, Blade Runner and Quadrophenia, plus the Rugby World Cup in September.

Vintage And Steam

Weald And Download Open Air Museum, Saturday, August 15, to Sunday, August 16, 10.30am to 6pm, £12.50/£7, www.wealddown.co.uk

FULL-SIZE and model steam engines will be on display and working around the museum’s 40-acre site, plus displays of commercial and military vehicles, narrow gauge railways, model boats and classic cars.

Arundel Festival

Across Arundel, Saturday, August 22, to Monday, August 31, various times and prices, www.arundelfestival.co.uk

FROM the gallery trail to the theatre trail, free music in Jubilee Gardens to exclusive performances by the Hanover Band, Shakespeare against the backdrop of Arundel Castle to the Lions Duck Race, the last week of August is a great time to visit one of Sussex’s often-overlooked historical jewels.

Richard Robinson

Underground Theatre, under the library, Grove Road, Eastbourne, Saturday, August 22, 10am to noon, free, www.undergroundtheatre.co.uk

THE founder of Brighton Science Festival hosts an interactive science discovery morning – explaining why toast lands butter side down, and how a bottle can blow up a party balloon.

Summer Festival

Alfriston, Friday, August 28, to Monday, August 31, from 1pm Fri, free, www.alfriston-village.co.uk

OPENING with a kids fun day on Friday, Alfriston's summer festival includes classic cars, bell-ringing, a car boot sale and fun fair - plus beret and welly boot throwing competitions.

50th Anniversary Celebrations

Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, Sunday, August 30, noon to 4pm, £8.20/£5, www.bordehill.co.uk

BORDE Hill marks its 50th anniversary with a 1960s-themed picnic on the lawn and live music from The BB Collective. The gardens are open throughout the summer.

Family theatre

Dr Bunhead’s Secret Science Lab

Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, Friday, July 24, 1.30pm and 4.30pm and Saturday, July 25, 11am and 2.30pm, £8.50, 01903 206206

AN explosive show from the television stunt scientist, aimed at children seven years and above.

The Jungle Book

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, Friday, July 24, 6.45pm, £14/£12, 01323 844224

CHAPTERHOUSE Theatre tells Rudyard Kipling’s story of Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves, and his battle with fearsome Shere Khan the tiger.

Hetty Feather

Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Tuesday, July 28, to Sunday, August 2, Tues 7pm, Wed to Sun 3pm, Thurs and Sat 11am, from £13.50, 08448 717650.

See pages 24 and 25 for an interview with creator Jacqueline Wilson.

Running Wild

Cass Sculpture Foundation, Chichester, Sunday, August 2, to Sunday, August 16, 7.15pm, 3pm matinees, £23, 01243 781312

MICHAEL Morpurgo’s tale inspired by the Boxing Day tsunami is created on stage by the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre and some life-size animal puppets. Find out more in The Guide next week.

Tales Of Peter Rabbit And Benjamin Bunny

Nymans, Handcross, near Haywards Heath, Sunday, August 2, 5pm, £12/£8, 0844 249 1895

QUANTUM Theatre brings Beatrix Potter’s much-loved animal creations to life as Peter Rabbit sneaks into Mr McGregor’s garden.

Annie

Congress Theatre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, Monday, August 10, 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinees Thurs and Sat, from £18.50, 01323 412000

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood dons a dowdy dress to play orphanage owner Miss Hannigan in this new touring version of the sickly-sweet musical.

Moscow State Circus

Princes Park, Wartling Road, Eastbourne, Thursday, August 6, to Sunday, August 10,

Glynde Gap Field, Bexhill Road, Hastings, Wednesday, August 12, to Tuesday, August 18, 3pm and 7.45pm (not Sat/Sun/Mon 10/Tues 18), 2pm and 5pm Sun/Mon 10/Tues 18, 3pm and 6pm Sat, from £18/£15.30, www.moscowstatecircus.com

THE Moscow State Circus returns with a show based on the Russian folk tale The Flower With Seven Colours, set in an enchanted garden.

Disney’s High School Musical

Royal Hippodrome, Seaside Road, Eastbourne, Saturday, August 15, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, £10/£8, 01323 802020

TRAPDOOR Theatre School recreates the cult Disney musical onstage.

Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom

De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill, Wednesday, August 19, and Thursday, August 20, 1pm and 4pm, from £13.50, 01424 229111

THE BAFTA-Award-winning animation from the creators of Peppa Pig comes to the stage, following young fairy princess Holly who is still learning both how to fly and create magic, and her best friend Ben the elf.

Zippo’s Circus

Hove Lawns, Thursday, August 20, to Tuesday, September 1, 3pm (not Thurs 20), 6pm Sat to Tues (not Tues 1), 7.30pm Wed to Fri, from £6.99, zippos.co.uk/

A TWO-HOUR circus spectacular, featuring the motorcycle Globe Of Terror, musical clowns The Rastellis, the Liberty horses, tumblers the Kenya Boys and balancer Kremena introduced by ringmaster Norman Barrett.

The Basil Brush Show

Connaught Theatre, Union Place, Worthing, Friday, August 21, 11am and 2.30pm, £15, 01903 206206

Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Sunday, September 6, 2.30pm, £15, 08448 717650

HE may have spent more than 50 years on the small screen, but Basil Brush is still as cheeky and irreverent as he ever was, accompanied by sidekick Mr Stephen.

Flyaway Katie

The Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove, Sunday, August 23, 11am and 2pm, £8, 01273 201801

POLLY Dunbar’s colourful picture book is reimagined in 3D by Longnose Puppets, with music from Gomez’s Tom Gray.

Tiger Tale

Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, Wednesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 27, 2pm, £8.50, 01903 206206

TOLD through the eyes of a child Tiger Tale describes what happens when a striped big cat enters a troubled family’s life. Look out for accompanying show Tiger at 7.30pm each day telling the same story through an adult’s eyes.

Treasure Island

Royal Hippodrome, Seaside Road, Eastbourne, Thursday, August 27, to Sunday, August 30, 2pm (not Fri) Fri 1pm and 4.30pm, Sat/Sun 5pm, Sat 11am, tickets from £13, 01323 802020

BEST known for playing Tracy Beaker on CBBC, Dani Harmer plays a mermaid in this new reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic, also starring Chris Edgerley and Tom Swift.