Looking to fill your calendar this April? Check out our picks for Sussex! Spring Live! in Ardingly offers a weekend of animal encounters, archery, axe throwing, and hands-on fun. Lou Sanders takes over The Hawth in Crawley with her laugh-out-loud show No Kissing In The Bingo Hall, while Olly Murs hits the Brighton Centre for a night of tunes and banter. Whether you’re seeking adventure, comedy, or a music-filled night, Sussex has plenty to offer this month!
Top Attractions in Sussex this April 2025
Dawn of Impressionism
Dates: Throughout April
Venue: Picturehouse Brighton
Don’t miss an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant Parisian art scene of the 1870s. Exhibition On Screen invites cinema goers to discover the origins of Impressionism with this big screen look at the 1874 exhibition which saw the birth of the world’s favourite art movement. Told uniquely through the words of those who witnessed the birth of Impressionism – the artists, their contemporaries, art critics, writers and commentators of the time – the film reveals the political and social shifts which sparked their new approach to art.
Reserve your spot
The Government Inspector
Dates: 25 April–24 May
Venue: Chichester Festival Theatre
Gogol’s brilliantly inventive 19th century satire of skulduggery, mistaken identity and human absurdity spirals into dizzying levels of comic hysteria in Phil Porter’s sparkling new version.
The bureaucrats in a remote provincial town are panicking. So when they discover the inspector is already staying at the inn, incognito, the whole town lavishes flattering attention on him. This suits ‘the inspector’ just fine, since in reality he’s a lowly and broke government pen-pusher, nursing extravagant fantasies of fame and fortune…
Spring Live!
Dates: 26-27 April
Venue: South of England Showground
Spring Live! returns to Ardingly, West Sussex, promising a weekend full of activities, entertainment, and countryside experiences for all ages. Animal lovers will have the chance to meet an exciting array of creatures, and visitors will have plenty of opportunities to try new skills and participate in hands-on activities. Guests can test their aim with archery and axe throwing, hone their outdoor skills in bushcraft workshops, and craft their very own creations in the wand-making workshops.
Get your tickets at Spring Live!
The Sun Feeds the Wind
Dates: Until 14 September
Venue: Hastings Contemporary
A ground-breaking new partnership and exhibition that will collect and display the living histories of the fishing community of Hastings, Sussex for the first time will open in spring 2025 at Hastings Contemporary. The project, which will preserve an intangible cultural heritage for future generations, has received a grant of £249,972 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is part of a season of events that celebrate the unique knowledge, skills and practices of the Hastings fishing fleet.
The exhibition is part of a year-long project between Hastings Contemporary and Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society to create an online archive of oral histories, an illustrated map of the historic Stade area, and a rich programme of events and engagement activities for the community. At the centre of the project will be the presentation of an oral history archive, collected and curated by Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society and artist Mary Hooper. Hooper will create an immersive sound installation, The Sun Feeds the Wind, in Hastings Contemporary’s Foreshore Gallery, giving voice to the fishing community which surrounds the gallery. Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society has been working informally with Hooper since 2011, who has had a long association with the community, to record conversations and document their work, traditions, and familial heritage with a breadth and depth that has real value for a future and national archive.
View more at Hastings Contemporary
Lou Sanders
Dates: 10 April
Venue: The Hawth
Lou Sanders brings her deep, dumb show for the masses to Crawley. No Kissing In The Bingo Hall is all about being human – can you relate? Star of Dancing On Ice (ITV), champion of Taskmaster (Channel 4), co-host of Mel Giedroyc’s Unforgivable (Dave), regular on QI (BBC) and as seen on The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS) and Would I Lie To You? (BBC), don’t miss Lou, as she comes to Crawley for one night only.
Phil Rosenthal
Dates: 3 April
Venue: Brighton Dome
Award-winning author, producer and creator of hit TV shows Phil Rosenthal has announced a live tour for 2025. An Evening With Phil Rosenthal will see the award-winning creator offer thought provoking insights into his incredible career which spans 40 years in the entertainment industry. Phil Rosenthal is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of the hit Netflix series ‘Somebody Feed Phil’, and he also created the hit CBS comedy “Everybody Loves Raymond” and served as the showrunner and executive producer for all nine years of the show’s very successful run.
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Olly Murs
Dates: 26 April
Venue: Brighton Centre
Fresh from his nationwide tour as special guest to Take That earlier this year, Olly Murs has announced a massive UK arena tour. Get ready to party with a set that features all the hits and more. Olly says: “Celebrating 15 unbelievable years doing what I love best will be truly special. But to top it off I’m taking a band with me who I was obsessed with in my college years, Blue! No doubt the pranks and banter will be free-flowing but most importantly it’s going to be a great night for the fans to enjoy, I can’t wait.”
Book your tickets at Brighton Centre
Gregory Porter
Dates: 22 April
Venue: Brighton Centre
Gregory Porter, the internationally acclaimed jazz and soul singer, is set to return to the UK for a series of highly anticipated performances. Gregory has become one of the most successful jazz vocalists of his generation. With a voice that has been described as “liquid gold”, Gregory has captivated audiences around the world with his soulful baritone and deeply emotional performances. His unique blend of jazz, soul, and gospel has earned him critical acclaim and huge global success.
Dora Carrington
Dates: Until 27 April
Venue: Pallant House Gallery
Don’t miss the final weeks of this dive into the life and work of Dora Carrington – a remarkable artist who defied social norms with her bohemian lifestyle. As a significant contributor to Modern British art during the interwar years and an associate of the Bloomsbury Group, Dora Carrington was described as ‘the most neglected serious painter of her time’ by former Tate Director, Sir John Rothenstein. This exhibition aims to reposition her in the history of Modern British art. Spanning paintings, drawings and prints from across her career, the exhibition will include film and photographs from private and public collections.
Buy your tickets at Pallant House Gallery
The Return
Date: From 11 April
At Various Venues
Uberto Pasolini’s The Return reunites The English Patient co-stars, Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes and Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche, in a powerfully original and psychologically revealing adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. After 20 years away, Odysseus (Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The King has returned from the Trojan War, but much has changed in his kingdom. His beloved wife Penelope (Binoche) is a prisoner in her own home, hounded by suitors vying to be king and planning the death of Telemachus, the son he never knew. Shattered by his experience of war, Odysseus must rediscover his strength in order to win back all that he has lost.
How Absolutely Picks The Best For You
At Absolutely Magazines, we pride ourselves on curating only the finest recommendations for our refined readers. Our editors leverage their extensive expertise in lifestyle journalism to ensure that every selection meets the highest standards of quality and relevance. From scouring local insider tips to understanding trends and feedback, we leave no stone unturned in identifying the most exceptional venues for you. Guided by an appreciation for your taste, we prioritise venues and events that epitomise luxury, style, and premium experiences. You can trust us to bring you the Absolute best, every time.
