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Late lingering days of summer herald a super September filled with food festivals, music, art, and culture in the county. Here are our top picks of what’s on and things to do in Hampshire this September.
See Winchester Cathedral in floral splendour
A spectacular floral event will be taking over Winchester Cathedral from 15 to 19 September 2026 with Wild! Festival of flowers and nature.
A vibrant celebration of flowers and nature, inspired by the beauty and diversity of our natural surroundings, hundreds of local floral artists will transform Winchester Cathedral into an immersive experience of large-scale botanical installations.
There will also be hands-on workshops, live art, and quirky performance elements – a blooming beautiful event of floral fabulousness that you won’t want to miss!
Head out on a Heritage Open Day
From 11 to 20 September 2026, Heritage Open Days enable a special chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences for free.
In Hampshire, participating places include: Hurst Castle on 19 September, The Great Hall on 12 September, Steamship Shieldhall on 13 September, Gilbert White’s House on 17 September, The Brickworks Museum on 16 September, and National Trust’s The Vyne on 12 and 13 September.
Go treasure hunting at Beaulieu’s International Autojumble
Find yourself some motoring treasures at the iconic International Autojumble at Beaulieu from 12 to 13 September 2026, renowned as the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic, with hundreds of stands in this huge weekend of buying and selling action.
Other Beaulieu events this September include Simply BMW on 20 September and Simply Italian on 27 September.
Cruise down to the Southampton International Boat Show
The UK’s flagship boating and watersports festival, Southampton International Boat Show, returns to Southampton from 18 to 27 September 2026.
Showcasing everything from stand-up paddleboards to superyachts, the show is a great day out for the whole family with attractions including Europe's largest, temporary, purpose-build show marina with more than 350 boats on display; the Watersports Zone where visitors can try a massive range of activities from kayaking to diving; and the Shipyard with headline music sets from the Blue Water Giants and The Gloria Estefan Experience.
Fly into September at the Hawk Conservancy Trust
As well as all of the brilliant birds to visit and see, The Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover has an action-packed events calendar for September.
The Trust celebrates International Vulture Awareness Day on 5 September 2026 with a day dedicated to the giant birds with flying demonstrations and vulture-themed activities.
Find local makers selling handmade treasures in stalls dotted throughout the attraction at the Wings and Woodlands Artisan Market on 20 September 2026.
And as the evenings start to draw in, Owls by Moonlight returns on 26 September 2026 for it’s special after-hours event when the Trust’s owls take to the skies in nighttime flying displays.
Take part in the British Science Festival in Southampton
Celebrating its 195th anniversary, the British Science Festival is coming to Hampshire from 16 to 20 September 2026 as it returns to Southampton for the first time since 1992.
Hosted by the University of Southampton, the festival will feature free events, talks, exhibitions, performances, and workshops at venues across the city and university campuses with themes including the natural world, oceans exploration, health sciences, and AI.
Celebrate a classic with the Persuasion Festival at Jane Austen's House
Themed around Jane Austen’s last completed novel, the Persuasion Festival at Jane Austen's House from 17 to 20 September 2026 will mark the gentle change of season in September with events, talks, workshops and music to celebrate Jane Austen’s most poignant novel.
There will also be a new Persuasion trail for children to spot items relating to scenes or characters in the novel from 15 September to 15 November 2026.
Hop aboard for an Engineering Weekend at The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line’s Engineering Open Weekend from 12 to 13 September 2026 will offer a rare chance to explore the fascinating world of heritage railway engineering.
Discover the working engineering hub at Ropley Station, where you can follow a Behind the Scenes tour (free as part of Heritage Open Days) and meet the staff and volunteers who keep the railway running.
Visitors can also enjoy unlimited travel on steam and diesel services through the stunning Hampshire countryside, including the impressive Merchant Navy Class 35005 Canadian Pacific in action following its major overhaul in 2025.
Have a Hampshire Countryside Day
Bereleigh Estate near Petersfield will host the Hampshire Countryside Day on 13 September 2026, celebrating rural life with activities, competitions, demonstrations, and a wide range of shopping options all in support of the Countryside Alliance and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
See the action of in the main arena including dog demonstrations and a hound parade, and have a go at archery or clay pigeon shooting.
Catch an England match at the Utilita Bowl
Utilita Bowl is set to welcome international cricket back to the South Coast this September with two exciting IT20 fixtures in 2026, featuring England. Catch the action with England vs India, Vitality IT20 at Utilita Bowl on 11 September 2026 and England vs Sri Lanka, Vitality IT20 at Utilita Bowl on 15 September 2026.
Listen to James Bond classics in the cosmos at Winchester Science Centre
Classical music and the cosmos will combine at Winchester Science Centre on 26 September 2026 with a concert featuring the music from James Bond at Winchester Science Centre. cinematic journey through space
Set beneath the vast dome of the planetarium, this immersive live event transports audiences through breathtaking galaxies and shimmering constellations – all to the evocative soundtrack of a live quartet.
Make your way to the Mucky Weekender
Top off the summer with the small but mighty Mucky Weekender from 10 to 12 September 2026, a boutique festival curated by Dub Pistols frontman Barry Ashworth, taking place at Vicarage Farm in Woodmancott near Winchester.
The festival will feature five music stages from Dub, Ska, Reggae, Jungle, to House, Disco, Funk, Breakbeat and everything in-between.
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Look up at the Portsmouth International Kite Festival
The Portsmouth International Kite Festival returns to decorate the skies above Southsea Common from 12 to 13 September 2026 with a myriad of colourful kite-flying festivities.
Marking the centenary of Portsmouth getting city status, the 2026 event will have the theme of 100 Kites to celebrate 100 years.
Expect magnificent displays of flying skills by some of the world’s most internationally renowned flyers, demonstrations showcasing the art of kite flying and making, activities, and stalls.
Tuck into the Taste of Wickham Festival
A free day of fun for everyone, the Taste of Wickham Festival returns on 13 September 2026, packed with mouth-watering food producers, talks, demonstrations, all-ages entertainment and plenty more besides.
Learn from talented chefs and local artisans; try amazing food and drink; shop 'til you drop at over 80 artisan food, drink, gift and garden stalls; enjoy non-stop live performances across two stages; and let the little ones go wild in the children's zone.
Go on a country day out at The Romsey Show
One of the largest one-day country shows in the South, The Romsey Show takes place on 13 September 2026 at the Broadlands Estate in Romsey. Attractions include a main ring programme, the grand parade of livestock, the popular countryside area, equine classes, live music, the family dog show, art, and horticulture, all washed down with a fine selection of local food and drink.
Search for more events in Hampshire
50 things to do this summer in Hampshire
Fancy a September break? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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Related
Step into a world where nature takes over- Wild! Set to be one of the most spectacular floral events in the UK calendar. Nestled inside the magnificent Cathedral, in the heart of the city of Winchester, Wild! is a vibrant celebration of flowers and nature inspired by the beauty and diversity of our natural surroundings. Hundreds of local floral artists will transform this spectacular building creating an immersive experience inviting visitors to wander through breathtaking, large scale floral installations, feel enveloped by uninhibited facets of nature and be absorbed by sensory exhibits that engage sight, scent and sound.
The iconic International Autojumble will return on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2026. Thousands of motoring enthusiasts will join us for the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic. This long-awaited weekend of automotive enjoyment brings together all manner of motoring spares, automobilia and historic vehicles for sale, with hundreds of stands to browse in the busy event fields. As the old saying goes, "If you can't find it at Beaulieu it doesn't exist!"
Southampton International Boat Show, Britain's largest marine festival, is returning to Mayflower Park, Southampton. The show will be open from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 September 2026, and promises to have something for everyone to enjoy.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a full day out for the whole family. Come see our brilliant birds at some of the most spectacular flying displays in the UK, changing with the seasons so you’ll experience something new every time you visit! See up to 20 birds flying at once, dramatic effects and music during the shows.
Join Jane Austen's House for a full day of Persuasion Festival events on Saturday 19 September! This ticket includes four special events on Saturday 19 September and House entry for the day, as well as a virtual event in the evening (recorded so you can watch again later if you like).
A rare chance to step behind the scenes at The Watercress Line and explore the fascinating world of heritage railway engineering.
Journey beyond the stars in an extraordinary experience that combines classical music and the cosmos. Set beneath the vast dome of a planetarium, this immersive live event transports audiences through breathtaking galaxies and shimmering constellations – all to the evocative soundtrack of a live quartet.
