With a four-day bank holiday weekend coming up there's plenty of time to enjoy yourself and plenty of things to do this Easter in and around Sussex. Sureka Fernando put on her bunny costume and hunted down the most egg-citing events on offer

Handel's Messiah, Assembly Hall, Worthing, March 21
Worthing Philharmonic Choir teams up with the Sinfonia of Arun to perform one of the Christian world's most popular musical works.

The 18th Century oratorio celebrates the life of Jesus through spiritual texts, virtuoso arias and rousing choruses, including the famous Hallelujah.

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets £10/£12. Call 01903 206206.


  • St John Passion, Chichester Cathedral, March 21
    Bach's dramatic musical setting of the Easter story will be performed by the internationally renowned Hanover Band.

Hailed as one of the finest early music orchestras in the world, the ensemble will be recreating the authentic sound of Bach's masterpiece on period instruments.

Joined by award-winning soloists including Thomas Guthrie taking the role of Christ, the orchestra will be directed from the organ by Andrew Arthur.

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets £12-£30. Call 01243 813599.


  • Prom-Style Easter Concert, Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, March 22
    If you miss Hanover Band's performance of St John Passion in Chichester, you have another chance to hear it prom-style in a concert by the Brighton Festival Chorus.

Bach's rousing masterpiece will be performed in and among the audience in an intimate setting.

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets £14-£24, prom standing £7.50 (prom standing). Call 01273 709709.


  • Wagner's Tristan Und Isolde, Duke of York's, Brighton, March 22
    The Metropolitan Opera presents this eagerly-anticipated revival of Wagner's romantic work under the direction of Met director and Wagnerian scholar James Levine, which will be broadcast live into the cinema.

Deborah Voigt, one of the world's most celebrated Wagnerian sopranos, undertakes the iconic role of Isolde for the first time at the Met.

The leading Tristan of our time, Ben Heppner, portrays the other half of the archetypal couple on their mystical journey of love, sex and death.

  • Starts 4.30pm (running time 5 hours 35 minutes, 2 intermissions), tickets £5-£7. Call 0871 7042056.


  • Joseph...., Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, March 17-22
    Following rave reviews, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's ever popular family musical comes to Worthing for Easter.

Starring BBC's Any Dream Will Do Craig Chalmers, Keith Jack and Chris Barton, this fun-filled production is packed with unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Ev'ry Door To Me and One More Angel.

  • Starts 8pm, tickets £19-£25. Call 01903 206206.


  • Kronenbourg Krater Comedy Club, Komedia, Brighton, March 21-23
    Brighton's stand-up comedy club returns to tickle your funny bone throughout the Easter weekend with a series of Eggcellent gigs (sorry).

Award-winning funnyman Rob Deering brings his naff singing voice and clownish persona to the club. He will be joined by George Egg, hailed as "a Tommy Copper for the 21st century", Simon Evans famed for his spleen-venting sets, and Stephen Grant, regarded as one of the best comperes on the UK circuit.

  • Times and prices vary. Call 01273 647100.


  • Luke Wright & Poet And Man, Komedia, Brighton, March 22
    Following the success of his 2006 Edinburgh show, the baby-faced performance poet returns with a new wife, a cat and a more considerate bathroom approach.

In this coming of age show, the Essex boy pursues his quest for truth, honour and a marketable way of summing it all up in rhyme.

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets £8/5. Call 01273 647100.


  • The Easter Trail, various venues and times
    Enjoy a fun day out for all the family in the grounds of one of Sussex's National Trust sites.

Cadbury has teamed up with The National Trust to offer an Easter Egg Trail, face painting, children's entertainment and an Easter-themed play area in venues across Sussex.

Egg hunters of all ages can follow a trail map around the national park, and each child will receive a free Cadbury Egghead Easter egg.

National Trust sites taking part include Petworth House, West Sussex; Bateman's, East Sussex; Alfriston Clergy House, Polegate, East Sussex; East Head, Slindon, West Sussex; Nymans Garden, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex; Sheffield Park Garden, Sheffield Park, East Sussex; Standen, East Grinstead, West Sussex; and Uppark, Petersfield, West Sussex.

  • Times and prices vary. For more information, call 01214 514444 or visit www.eastereggtrail.com


  • Easter Eggscavation, Drusilla's Park, Alfriston, March 21-24
    Have a wild time at Drusilla's park this Easter. Experience the walk-through lemur enclosure, explore the jungle-themed adventure play area and unearth as many eggs as possible to claim a chocolatey prize.

But beware, Moregg the giant egg-laying chicken will also be at the park to ensure there is no "fowl" play.

  • Open 10am to 6pm, tickets £13.45/£12.45. Call 01323 874100.


  • Hangleton Manor Easter Egg Hunt, March 21
    Whether you're sporty, arty or just plain lucky, you could win a chocolatey prize at this Easter eggstravaganza featuring an egg and spoon race, a decorated egg competition and an Easter egg hunt. A bouncy castle, lucky dip and homemade refreshments will also add to the fun - all in aid of the NSPCC.

Don't forget to wear your best Easter bonnet for the parade judged by the city mayor.

  • Starts 11am (until 1pm), tickets £2 on the door. Call 01273 326122.


  • Vavavavoom, Brighton Coalition, March 21
    Celebrating ten years of Burlesque Cabaret entertainment, Vavavoom have a special Easter night of fun and frolics planned for all you saucy bunnies.

There will be a sexy new take on the classic WI Village Fete as a double act starring Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit.

Dress to impress and get those Easter bonnets on - the most exotic male and female headgear will win prizes from Brighton-based chocolatiers Choccywoccydoodah and a free ticket to the international gala night of the London Burlesque Festival on Saturday, April 5.

Compered by the gorgeous Dolly Rocket, the night will also feature the Dimestore Jive Revue, playing a swinging set of tunes to shake your tail feather to.

  • Starts 8.30pm, tickets £10/8 concessions. Call 07989 393891


  • Stick It On, King & Queen, Brighton, March 23
    This all day Easter extravaganza offers the chance to make your first foray into the world of DJing as well as enjoying a host of live acts.

Special guests for the day include the energetic DJ collective, Men In Masks, who have played at Glastonbury, Bestival and Brighton's very own festival, The Great Escape.

Appearing alongside them, El Mysterio mix up every musical variety that you can think of - from electro to samba, old skool rave and breaks to indie - while dressed up as masked Mexican wrestlers. And the genre-defying Django Spears promise covers of iconic pop songs that are "unlike anything you have heard before".

If this were not enough, Jamaica's finest, Reggae, Steady, Cook, is offering free lunches to early birds, trained masseurs will be on hand to sooth your aching feet and the Wig On Casino will be making a welcome return - but remember the rules: no wig, no play.

  • Starts 3pm (until 12am), tickets £14. Call Rounder Records on 01273 325440.


  • Suzette Dorsey's Tina Turner Show, Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, March 23
    Re-live the greatest hits of the queen of raunch with this recreation of her live shows.

Having appeared across Europe, the Middle East, Japan and the USA, Suzette Dorsey recreates the look and sound of Tina's greatest hits from River Deep to What's Love Got To Do With It, Simply The Best and Private Dancer.

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets £14/£16. Call 01903 206206.


  • Ghost Frequency, Audio, Brighton, March 21
    Recently signed to independent label City Rockers, this five-piece band from London promise a screamingly spooky night of ghetto-blasting genre-mixing, from post-hardcore to dancehall. Support comes from punk trio Bangbangbang.
  • Starts 8pm, tickets £6. Call 01273 606906.


  • We Luv Pop, Audio, Brighton, March 23
    A resurrection of a different kind takes place under the roof of Audio with a night of all-time favourite pop legends.

We Luv Pop brings back all your favourite pop tunes of yesteryear as well as bringing some new pop offerings to strut your stuff to.

  • Starts 10.30pm (until 3am). £6/£5. Call 01273 606906.


  • Club Chat Noir, Hanbury Club, Brighton, March 21
    Kick your heels up to gipsy beats and Twenties and Thirties hot swing at the club that has been voted Guardian Guide pick of the week and The Times' top five clubs.
  • Starts 7pm until 2am, tickets £10/£8 on the door, £5/£4 in advance. Call Rounder Records on 01273 325440.


  • Yesterday's World At Easter, High Street, Battle, March 21-April 20
    Time travel through a bygone era to experience an olde worlde Easter.

Yesterday's World features lovingly recreated shops and scenes from the late 18th century to the Seventies. The attraction contains more than 100,000 items of memorabilia used to create authentic sets, down to old-fashioned newspapers on newspaper racks and the smell of eau de cologne in the chemist.

The venue's Easter attraction includes an Easter egg hunt and a free Easter egg for each child.

  • Open 9.30am-5,30pm, tickets £7.50 (adults), children £5, family ticket £20. Call 01424 893938.


  • Free Bookers Vineyard Tour & Tasting, Bolney Wine Eastate, West Sussex, March 22
    Wine is a central part of Easter traditions and this Bank Holiday weekend, you can discover more about the nectar of the gods.

The award-winning Sussex-based vineyard will lead visitors through their picturesque vineyard and state of the art winery.

Find out how wine is made and then try the finished product.

Tours take place on the hour every hour between 11am and 4pm.

  • Booking is not necessary and entry is free. Call 01444 881575 for more information.


  • Open House, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, March 21-24
    This award-winning open air museum presents a programme of seasonal fun throughout the Easter weekend.

Children can enjoy a variety of activities from candle rolling to egg painting and face painting to a countryside quiz.

On Monday, there will be Easter bonnet-making culminating in an Easter bonnet parade.

  • Open 10.30am to 4pm, tickets £8.50 (adults), £4.50 (children), £23.30 (family ticket). Call 01243 811348


  • A Day With The Sun, Foredown Tower, Portslade, March 23
    With the days getting longer, we're starting to catch a glimpse of sunshine through the clouds. And what better way to welcome the spring than to bask in our biggest source of light, energy and life.

Budding astronomers of all ages can find out more about the sun by joining members of the Foredown Tower Astronomy Group in this day-long event for children.

  • Open 10am until 5pm, tickets £1.60-£2.60. Call 01273 292092.