Sussex Day 2027 – 1550 years
2027 marks 1550 years since Sussex was founded as an independent Kingdom in 477 AD by King Ælle and his three sons, who landed at Cymenshore according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. It’s a milestone worth celebrating in style, with a full week of events honouring the county’s history, customs and communities.
Our celebrations run from Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th June 2027, built around Sussex Day itself on Wednesday 16th June.
The centrepiece: a coordinated county-wide Beacon and Bonfire Lighting at 9pm on the 16th, uniting every corner of Sussex at the same moment.
Street Parties: close your road and celebrate with neighbours. Village Fetes: traditional summer fetes with a Sussex 1550 twist. Plus any other Sussex related events and activities you fancy putting on.
Download Our Free Resources
Want to hold your own street party, fete or event? Download our full info pack, posters, colouring sheets and logo guidelines below, or get in touch if you would like to be involved.
How well do you know Sussex?
Test yourself with our Sussex 1550 quiz. The questions cover old Sussex dialect words, the county flag, Sussex Day and the founding of the Kingdom of the South Saxons. Do you know what a twitten is, or what a Sussex countryman meant by a dumbledore?
Try it with family and friends and see who knows Sussex best. We’re adding new questions all the time in the run-up to Sussex Day 2027.
The History of Sussex Day: Why We Celebrate on 16 June
‘Sussex Day’ is held each year on 16th June to celebrate the county’s rich heritage, history, unique culture, and traditions.
The date aligns with Saint Richard’s Day, honouring Saint Richard of Chichester, the county’s patron saint.
The concept of a dedicated county day was proposed by the late lan Steedman of Worthing. Inspired by the way patron saints’ feast days serve as national celebrations in Britain and Ireland, he suggested in 2006 that Sussex should adopt the 16th June – already marked by churches across the county – as its own day of recognition.
The idea quickly gained support, and by 2007 the 16th June was officially recognised as Sussex Day.
Today, it is widely marked by local authorities across Sussex, with residents celebrating their shared identity and pride in the county with great enthusiasm
each year.
SUSSEX 1550 – BEACONS & BONFIRES
Given Sussex’s deep-rooted bonfire traditions and its position along the South Coast, there’s no more fitting way to observe its 1550th anniversary than the co-ordinated Lighting of beacons and bonfires, together on Sussex Day.
WEDNESDAY 16TH JUNE 2027 @ 9PM
A unifying simultaneous
symbol – marking this
milestone year in Sussex’s rich and illustrious history!
To register your beacon or bonfire, please contact
Organising a Street Party: 5 Things You Need to Know
01. Get your street on board first. Talk to neighbours before contacting the council.
02. Contact your council early. Most Sussex councils need 8 to 12 weeks notice.
03. Apply for the road closure through your district or borough council.
04. Sort insurance and safety basics if your event needs them.
05. Notify your street officially, in writing, before the day.
What’s On
County-wide Beacon and Bonfire Lighting
Wednesday 16 June 2027, 9:00pm – 9:30pm
The centrepiece of Sussex Day 2027. Beacons and bonfires will be lit across every corner of Sussex at the same moment, uniting the whole county in celebration of 1550 years since Sussex was founded.
Supporters
Sussex 1550 is brought to you with thanks to the support of the organisations below, covering everything from website design to historical research and county promotion.
