What’s on in 2023
January 4, 2023
Welcome to 2023!
This year promises to be an exciting one with the return of some of our favourite events and festivals.
Here’s our run through of what to look out for in the South Downs in 2023.
Remember to also check out our events calendar to see what’s coming up.
January
It might seem like a cold, dark, slow month but there’s still plenty to get up to in January.
The year kicks off with the Quadrantid Meteor Shower, with the peak happening on 3 – 4 January but lasting fully until 12 January. Find a Dark Skies Discovery Site to see the best place to watch them.
Later in the month is the return of the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch, running from 27 – 29 January. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can look out from your balcony or head out to a local park to record the number of birds you see.
February
Are you ready to #EmbraceTheDarkness?
Our Dark Skies Festival returns on Saturday 4 February and runs through until Friday 17 February. Join us for one of our many events or take part from home using our Dark Skies Discovery Pack.
Starting straight after the festival, is CPRE’s Star Count. Taking part is really easy. Simply look up, count the stars you see and report back to CPRE. This is a really great way to help monitor light pollution and bring dark night skies closer to everyone.
In nature, snowdrops should be fully visible, heralding the arrival of warmer, longer days.
On the Downs and in fields, the first newborn lambs will be taking their first steps before frolicking, playing and bounding around.
March
Spring will be in full swing! With the changing of the clocks, we officially enter British Summer Time (BST) on Sunday 26 March.
Throughout the month, look out for events celebrating International Women’s Day (8 March), International Day of Happiness (20 March) and International Day of Forests (21 March).
March is also the start of the groundnesting bird season. Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and woodlarks are just some of the birds beginning to nest on the heathlands, along with skylarks on the chalk grassland. If walking with your dog, remember to #TakeTheLead by keeping dogs on the lead to avoid disturbing nests.
The first of our native bluebells will also be appearing. Check out our list of some of the best places to watch the spectacle in the South Downs.
April
Discover National Parks Fortnight will begin on Monday 3 April and run through until Friday 14 April. Details of activities and how to get involved will be published closer to the time.
April also sees the postponed Secrets of the Heath event taking place on Saturday 15 April at Hogmoor Inclosure in Hampshire. On the day, you can join a Saxon shield battle, come face-to-face with the Bronze Age and, meet the snakes and lizards who call the heath their home.
The second of the major meteor showers takes place. The Lyrid meteor shower will reach its maximum on 22 and 23 April. Not one to be missed.
May
May is National Walking Month! Find some of our recommended walks near you or take on an epic hiking challenge, like walking the 100 mile-long South Downs Way!
Beltain, the traditional Celtic May Day celebration, will be taking place at Butser Ancient Farm, with the burning of their 40ft Wickerman. It promises to be quite the welcoming of summer. (This year’s Beltain celebration will be happening on Saturday 29 April).
Put the lawnmower away for the month to participate in Plantlife’s #NoMowMay. Let your garden grow messy for the month and see what wildflowers, bees, butterflies and birds you find in your green patch.
June
Every county has its day and Sussex is no exception. Celebrated on 16 June each year, Sussex Day honours the county’s past and rejoices in the best the county has to offer. Events will likely be announced closer to the time. Check out the events page on West Sussex County Council’s website to see what is happening.
June is also the month for The Wildlife Trust’s 30 Days Wild challenge. From listening to the dawn chorus, to creating new homes for nature, participants can share their ‘random acts of wildness’ over the course of the month.
July
Our #ReNature Festival is back for its second year. Running from Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 July, the festival celebrates the amazing, biodiverse-rich habitats of the South Downs and the inspiring projects creating new homes for nature in the National Park. Details of the Festival will be posted on this page closer to the time.
The Big Butterfly Count begins on Friday 14 July and will run until Saturday 6 August. It’s an easy and fun way to help Butterfly Conservation monitor and record the health of Britain’s butterfly species and to support their efforts to save our endangered pollinators.
Hampshire Day falls on 15 July. There will be events to celebrate Hampshire’s history and present, including their internationally-recognised vineyards. Go to Visit Hampshire to see all the events taking place in the county throughout the year.
August
The peak of the school summer holidays sees thousands of people flock to the Sussex Heritage Coast, especially Seven Sisters Country Park to see the ancient, internationally-famous white cliffs. With excellent public transport links, visiting Seven Sisters makes for the perfect car-free day out. Remember, cliff falls can happen at random. Enjoy the view well away from the cliff edge and base.
Also look out for our rangers around the National Park with our summer pop-up events. The South Downs National Park visitor information van will be at busy areas throughout the summer. Come say ‘hi’ and get top tips on nature spots, breezy summer walks and where to find the best tipple!
August is also the best month to see the Perseids meteor shower. Peak viewing will be on 12 – 13 August. Make sure to visit a Dark Skies Discovery Site to have the best chance of viewing the shower at its best.
September
Back to school month. But don’t be deterred. September is a month for exploring woodlands. Here’s a few of our favourite Autumn walks to try.
17 September is also World Cycling Day. There’s plenty of routes across the National Park for those looking to travel on two wheels instead of two legs.
September also sees England’s ‘largest festival of history and culture’ through Heritage Open Days. Running from 8 – 17 September, make a plan to visit an historical landmark.
October
Things will get a little bit spooky in October.
Look out on social media for the return of our #SpookySouthDowns series. We’ll be sharing the many folk tales and ghost stories from the landscape in the lead up to Halloween.
There’s also the chance to see the Orionid meteor shower, with the best viewing on the night of 21-22 October.
Throughout October we will be celebrating Black History Month and the connection Black voices have to the landscape.
November
Sussex locals will know 5 November is a big deal.
From September through to November, Bonfire Societies will each host their own celebration, culminating in the big event in Lewes with the burning of the effigies.
However, there are also plenty of other, less-crowded celebrations out there so avoid cramming into Lewes, if you can.
November is also the start of National Tree Week, celebrating the treescape of the nation. Volunteers and groups come together to plant thousands of trees, restoring our lost canopy.
December
Photograph by Christopher Ison
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
There will be plenty of markets, festivals and fairs to look forward to. Following the success of their first market in 2022, look out for the Seven Sisters Christmas Market returning in 2023.