There are always good reasons to visit Sussex. Plan your February events and school half term activities from this selection of things to see and things to do in East and West Sussex.
Weekends throughout February - Hickstead Arena Polo
Arena (Winter) Polo is played with 3-a-side teams, using a larger and softer ball than traditional polo, and shots and angles can be played off the boarded sides of the arena. Spectator admission and car parking is free of charge. Arena polo matches
Saturday 04 Feb - Saturday 24 Mar - Mixed Prints and Valentine Ceramics
Arundel's Zimmer Stewart Gallery presents original prints in various forms - etching, dry point, lithograph, screenprint and monoprint - by a mix of gallery artists. In addition there is a new series of stoneware and raku ceramics by Josse Davis. Mixed Prints
Various dates during February - Explore the night sky
Enjoy topical talks and events designed to share something fascinating about the sky above and what to look out for on clear evenings. The South Downs Planetarium has 10 presentation events this month lasting approx 1 hour each.
Tuesdays throughout February - Lunchtime Concerts
Chichester Cathedral's popular lunchtime concerts take place at 1.10pm. They are free and last approximately 50 minutes. You are welcome to come and go as you please. Coffee is available at no charge. Chichester Cathedral lunctime concerts
Friday 10 - Wednesday 29 February - Brighton Science Festival
Days devoted to catastrophes, maths, sport: shaking to the core by quantum, consciousness, religion; shaking with fright by Catastrophe, global warming, economic melt-down, and shaking with laughter as science meets comedy. Brighton Science Festival
Saturday 18 February - Sunday 04 March - Worthing Music and Arts Festival
Annual competitive festival which gives a platform for performance with classes, concerts and recitals for budding singers, actors, dancers, and instrumentalists. Worthing Music and Arts Festival.
starts Saturday 18 February - Dreams of Here exhibition
Brighton Museum presents a beautiful exhibition of new work by Julian Bell, Tom Hammick and Andrzej Jackowski, three nationally recognised contemporary painters and printmakers who each have strong connections to Sussex. Dreams of here
starts Saturday 18 February - Thursday 29 March - Loss
A Textile Installation by Alice Kettle and Jules Findley takes place in Chichester Cathedral’s North Transept. This exhibition explores themes of loss and bereavement and is open daily. Loss textile exhibition
finishes Tuesday 21 February - Robot Invasion
Science fiction comes to life at Hove Museum in this galactic exhibition of robots and space toys! Display of vintage, collectable and popular items from the collection of Sussex artist and illustrator Chris McEwan. Robot Invasion
finishes Friday 24 February - Society of Sussex Painters exhibition
Littlehampton Museum showcase of new work and ideas from the highly prestigious Sussex based art group, founded in 1924. The display features paintings and sculpture created by members of this talented Society. Society of Sussex Painters exhibition
Friday 24 - Sunday 26 February - See Festival
The Brighton Documentary Film Festival, now in its seventh year, celebrates all things documentary, showcasing local and national talent. See Festival
Saturday 25 February - Choral Concert
Chichester Cathedral presents the Church colleges and universities choirs festival concert starting 7.30pm. Choral festival concert
Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 February - Winter Open Weekend
Great Dixter is full of late winter interest including snowdrops, crocuses, and hellebores. The garden's structure becomes even more apparent at this time of year as preparation for the seasonal opening is in full swing. Winter Open Weekend
Saturday 25 February - Sunday 04 March - Rye Bay Scallop Week
A mainly restaurant-based event when the local delicacy is at its plumpest and most succulent. The festival features scallop shucking demos and culminates in racing barrows of scallops, through the cobbled streets of Rye. Scallop week
Sunday 26 February - Explore
A free guided walk exploring the best of Wilderness Wood. The content varies, depending on the specialism and interests of the person leading the walk. It's a great way to discover the wood's seasonal secrets. Explore
Monday 27 February - Racing at Plumpton
Enjoy winter jump racing in Sussex. The Thoroughbred racehorse is beautiful to watch especially close up. Plumpton is a small course with opportunities to see the horses parade before racing, or by standing close to a fence. Racing at Plumpton
starts Monday 27 February - Robin Ironside exhibition
Pallant House Gallery celebrates the centenary of the visionary artist Robin Ironside (1912-1965). A self-taught painter of Surrealist fantasies, theatre designer and art writer, this is the first museum show of his work for over 40 years. Neo Romantic Visionary
on-going until March - Unsung Heroes exhibition
Rustington Museum pays tribute to the bravery of First and Second World War soldiers and their families with personal stories and memories. This is bravery and endurance from POW’S in prison camps; undercover intelligence missions in occupied France and more.
ongoing until - 20 May - David Dawson: Working with Lucian Freud
An insight into the notoriously private world of painter Lucian Freud through the eyes of his model and studio assistant of 20 years David Dawson. Pallant House Gallery exhibition of his own little-known paintings, pieces by Freud and photographs of the studio.
ongoing throughout 2012 - Diamond Jubilee exhibition
A year long exhibition to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee year, 60 Years of Paintings from the Permanent Collection brings together contemporary paintings collected by Hastings Museum and Art Gallery over the past 60 years.
