What's on this weekend? There are always good reasons to visit Sussex. Plan your March events and activities from this selection of things to see and things to do in East and West Sussex.
Various dates during March - Explore the night sky
Enjoy topical talks designed to share something fascinating about the sky above and what to look out for on clear evenings. The South Downs Planetarium Chichester has 6 presentation events this month lasting approx 1 hour each.
Various dates and locations - National Garden Scheme
NGS gardens are mostly privately owned and open only a few times each year. They offer interesting planning and design, a good range of plants and gardens which have been tended with love and care, and a good cup of tea. Sussex NGS Gardens open this month.
Saturday 03 March - International Arena Polo Test Match
The UK's only international arena polo test match promises a day of epic polo. The USA sends a 21 goal American side across the water to battle it out against Team England at Hickstead's Arena for the Bryan Morrison Trophy. Arena test polo
Saturday 03 March - Encounters with Mars
Interested in the night sky? Fancy looking at the stars, planets and the moon through some of the country's largest telescopes? Open evenings at the Herstmonceux Observatory are your opportunity to glimpse these amazing instruments. Open Evening
Saturday 03 March - Friday 13 April - Robert Pledger exhibition
Large scale dramatic landscapes and seascapes by Rustington based Artist, Robert Pledger. The exhibition at Littlehampton Museum features a collection of original prints and colourful abstract work. Robert Pledger exhibition
Saturday 03 March - Sunday 03 June - Chichester Festival Theatre
To mark Chichester Festival Theatre 50th anniversary, Pallant House Gallery celebrates how visual theatre artists responded to designing for the UK's first purpose-built Thrust Stage Theatre with a selection of models, costumes and props.
Sunday 04 March - Eastbourne half marathon
A community event aimed at runners of all abilities, the Eastbourne Half Marathon has raised over £100,000 for local charities over the past eight years. It takes place in Princes Park, Royal Parade. Eastbourne half marathon
Sunday 04 March - Lewes Art Deco Fair
In its second year with stallholders offering for sale original goods from the 1920's to the 1970's including books on Art Deco & 20th century collecting from the Resident Bookseller, furniture, lamps, ceramics, jewellry, figures and figurines. Decofair
Sunday 04 March - Mind, Body Soul Fayre
Worthing's Charmandean Centre offers taster treatments in all types of holistic therapies, with internationally and locally known psychics, mediums, clairvoyants and tarot readers, all highly experienced and ready to offer consultation. Mind Body Soul Fayre
Sunday 04 March - Clown Parade
Professional clowns from around the UK gather in Bognor Regis. The parade, led by Bloco Fogo Samba band, leaves Butlins at 2pm to travel along the seafront and through the town centre before returning at approximately 4pm.
Until 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
Until 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.
Tuesdays throughout March - 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 Catherdal lunctime concerts
Thursday 08 March - Premier League Darts Tournament
The Brighton Centre hosts the world’s top 8 darts players as the likes of Gary Anderson & the legendary Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor do battle for the £125,000 first prize. Premier League Darts
Thursday 08 - Saturday 10 March - Sussex Beer and Cider festival
Hove town hall welcomes enthusiasts of traditional beers for the 22nd annual festival. Nearly 230 traditional beers, ciders, perries, country wines as well as British and foreign bottled beers on sale. Live entertainment on Saturday night. Sussex beer festival.
starts Saturday 10 March - My Favourite Toy exhibition
Everyone has a favourite toy. They inspire imaginations, hold cherished memories and make us nostalgic for times gone by. This new family friendly exhibition at Hove Museum & Art Gallery celebrates toys of all kinds from across the eras.
Saturday 10 March - Hickstead Arena Polo
The end-of-season Champagne Pommery Challenge Final. Arena (Winter) Polo is played with 3-a-side teams, using a larger and softer ball than traditional polo. Spectator admission and car parking is free of charge. Arena polo
Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 March - Gardens, Home and Lifestyle Show
Live demonstrations and presentations, practical tips and advice with the emphasis on quality and style from the likes of Oliver Heath, Joe Swift and Lesley Waters. The exhibition is at the Brighton Centre. Gardens, Homes and lifestyle show
Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 March - National Science Festival Weekend
Herstmonceux Observatory Science Centre hosts activities for visitors of all ages and abilities plus stands, workshops and interactive shows offering a fun, hands-on approach to science for National Science Festival Weekend.
starts Saturday 10 March - March 2013 - Charlotte: the Forgotten Princess
The short life and tragic death of Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales is portrayed for the first time in a generation. The exhibition features items from Brighton Royal Pavilion & Museums’ collection of paintings, dresses, ceramics and drawings.
starts Saturday 10 March - Sunday 10 June - Keith Vaughan: Romanticism to Abstraction
A Pallant House Gallery exhibition to mark the centenary of the birth of the British painter Keith Vaughan, born in Selsey, West Sussex and largely self-taught. The exhibition features both his drawings and studies and major paintings. Keith Vaughan
Monday 12 March - 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
Thursday 15 March - Behind the scenes at Preston Manor
Go behind the door marked ‘private’ and see parts of the house off the public route. This special tour takes in upstairs, downstairs and backstairs of Brighton's beautiful Edwardian Manor House. Tea and biscuits included. Advance booking required. Hidden House Tour
Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 March - Chocolate Festival
Brighton hosts two days of chocolate-fuelled festivities. Expect an array of chocolate products; bars, truffles, bonbons cakes and savory food with chocolate from some of the world's best Chocolatiers. Chocolate festival
Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 March - Green Fingers Weekend
Which plants attract butterflies and which plants are bee friendly? Go on a Plant Walk or plant Sunflowers with your children. Learn about rain gardening and water conservation and hear Jonathan Huet talk on Woodland Remedies. WWT Arundel
Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 March - VegFest
The Hove Centre hosts one of Europe's largest events dedicated to veggie friendly consumers. Highlights include a Ready Steady Cook competition, Best Veggie Sausage, over 100 stalls, cookery demos, entertainment, music, talks and product presentations. Vegfest
Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 March - Medieval Merriments
Enjoy the sounds of live medieval music at Bodiam Castle with a trio of musicians from Portcullis. Watch the medieval dance display and take the opportunity to join in and learn a few dance moves yourself. Medieval Merriments
Saturday 17 March - 10 June - Cerith Wyn Evans exhibition
Specifically curated for the De La Warr Pavilion, the exhibition consists of major installations and smaller new works dispersed throughout the building including the roof-terrace. It is described by the artist as “a love letter to the building". Cerith Wyn Evans
Saturday 17 March - 01 July - Rose Wylie exhibition
Hastings exciting new cultural venue The Jerwood Gallery opens with the UK’s first retrospective of the works of Kent-based artist Rose Wylie, who has just been awarded the 2011 Paul Hamlyn Prize for Visual Arts. Jerwood Gallery opening
Sunday 18 March - The Pioneer Run
Around 300 pre-1915 motorcycles travel from London to Brighton's Madera Drive. Walk into a living museum for the day and witness the evolution of the motor-cycle from the bicycle, nurtured by their 'careful owners'. The Pioneer Run
Sunday 18 March - Heavy Horses
The Working Horse Trust return to haul poles from Wilderness Wood's coppice sites. Meet these gentle giants, pat and brush them and watch them at work in the woods - demonstrating how much nimbler they are than the average tractor. Heavy Horses
Monday 19 March - Easter Sporting Bunny Trail
Fun trail to find each bunny with an Olympic theme and get a chocolate egg reward at Borde Hill Garden. Easter Sporting Bunny Trail
finishes Saturday 24 March - 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
Sunday 25 March - 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
Sunday 25 March - Hastings half marathon
Around 5000 runners circumnavigate the Ancient Town of Hastings, starting at the Seafront and following the route of William the Conqueror towards Battle, down to the 'Old Town' and fishing village then back along the three mile Seafront. Hastings Half Marathon
finishes 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
Friday 30 March - Monday 09 April - Spring Harvest
A 10 day food festival and showcase of the fantastic food, drink and hospitality to be found in Brighton and Sussex with a strong focus on seasonal Sussex ales, wines and local food. Includes the Big Sussex Market. Spring Harvest
Saturday 31 March - Peppa Pig visit
Meet children's favourite Peppa Pig at Fishers Adventure Farm Park. She’ll be available at intervals throughout the day for a great pig hug. To celebrate there’ will be special events such as ‘Pig Racing’ and a ‘Name The Piglet’ competition. Peppa Pig visit
Saturday 31 March - Preview Open Day
Arundel Lido opens for the 2012 summer season. The term Lido is from the name of the place in Venice where bathing took place. Lidos usually have areas for sunbathing, relaxing and eating and are designed for activities around water. Arundel Lido open day
Saturday 31 March - Seaford Musical Showtime
Seaford hosts an evening of live musical entertainment with lots of laughs featuring Electronic Organist and TV personality, Jean Martyn, from ITV's "Britain's Got Talent" You will hear a range of styles, from the powerfull Big band sound to melodic ballads. Musical Showtime
Saturday 31 March - Evening with the planets
Interested in the night sky? Fancy looking at the stars, planets and the moon through some of the country's largest telescopes? Open evenings at the Herstmonceux Observatory are your opportunity to glimpse these amazing instruments. Open Evening
starts Saturday 31 March - Standing, Walking, Sitting, Lying
New paintings and woodcuts by Nick Bodimeade. A painter of everyday life, his past subjects included dogs, trucks, sheds, chairs, lorries and motorways while more recent work concentrates on the beach. Arundel's Zimmer Stewart Gallery
finishes March 2012 - 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.
on-going until Sunday 22 April - 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 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.
on-going until Sunday 10 June - 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
on-going 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.
