Brighton has no shortage of entertainment for residents and tourists. It offers events that captivate, entertain, and delight in various formats, including concerts and music festivals, comedy shows, drag performances, art shows, and dance and theatre performances. Some events are stand-alone, while others are part of major festivals that have earned a reputation for being the best in the country.
Here is a list of some of the most exciting up-and-coming events and festivals you’ll find in Brighton.
Land Beyond Festival (May 3rd-5th)
This electronic music festival will take over the Waterhall football and rugby pitches the first weekend of May. You can even turn it into a camping (or glamping) experience that lets you take a weekend-long escape. Headliners include Craig David and Hybrid Minds.
Brighton Fringe (May 3rd-June 2nd)
Brighton Fringe brings performers from around the world to entertain and delight audiences. It’s an open-access event that anyone who appreciates the performance arts can check out. With performances and workshops for the festival taking place at venues all over the Brighton and Hove area, you’ll have plenty of opportunities and sites to visit throughout the month-long festival.
Brighton Festival (May 4th-26th)
The Brighton Festival, which began in 1967, has become the largest multi-arts annual festival in the country. It offers a range of events in many different art scenes, like music, dance, theatre, and film, to entertain and delight festivalgoers. Its vast range of activities makes it appealing to people of all ages and interests. The events occur all around Brighton over a span of three weeks, turning the whole region into a festival space.
Artists Open Houses (Weekends, May 4th-27th)
Get to know the artists from across the Brighton region with weekly open houses. You’ll have the opportunity to see their work, ranging from painting and printmaking to jewellery crafting, pottery, and glass work, up close and learn about their creative process.
Foodies Festival (May 4th-6th)
Music and food come together at this three-day-long festival featuring celebrity chefs, masterclasses, and cook-offs. You can expect to see names from MasterChef and the Great British Bake Off. It’s a family-friendly event that will have you drooling and taking notes for your own culinary adventures.
Elbow (May 7th)
This concert at the Brighton Centre is part of the award-winning band’s exciting return to touring after a six-year hiatus. The tour celebrating and promoting the release of their tenth rock album is an event fans won’t want to miss!
Tenacious D (May 13th)
Tenacious D, the band formed by Jack Black and Kyle Gass, will be rocking the Brighton Centre stage this May, giving fans of the actor a chance to see the comedic persona live. The last time this band hit the stage in Brighton was over a decade ago, so you’ll want to make this show a priority because who knows how long the wait will be for the next one.
The Great Escape (May 15th-18th)
This festival at Brighton Beach will showcase 500 up-and-coming artists from around the world. It’s the chance to discover new music and escape into the exciting atmosphere of a beach festival.
Goodwoof (May 18th-19th)
Dog lovers unite at this festival centred around humankind’s best friend. It offers displays of agility by top canine competitors, information from canine behavioural experts, and plenty of entertaining activities for your pup and the whole family.
Brighton Valley Concert Series (May 24th & 26th)
Hip-hop and pop-punk artists The Streets and Busted are hitting the stage (alongside a few other exciting performing guests like Kojey Radical and Billy Nomates) to offer their fans a night of fun and music at East Brighton Park.
Urban Moves Festival (June 8th)
Taking place in Kemptown, this festival includes Frankie Jean, Yazmyn Hendrix, and Nozzi of Twerk4Fitness Africa — making it an ideal line-up for R&B, soul, and jazz lovers. You’ll get the chance to dance and sing the night away.
Ibiza Proms in the Park (June 29th)
At Brighton’s Black Rock, a 50-piece orchestra will set up and play Ibiza dance hits from the ‘90s to now. Attendees will not only hear covers that we’ll have them dancing but will also enjoy special effects, street food, and an on-site bar, which certainly sounds like a recipe for an amazing time.
Brighton Comedy Garden (July 3rd-7th)
This comedy festival features a list of hilarious stand-up comics who will deliver laughs and a good time at Preston Park this July. One of the festival’s producers, Will Briggs, shares that “this line-up is the best we’ve brought to Brighton so far, and the last few years have been a truckload of fun, so the bar is high!” The festival started for the first time in 2019 and encompasses food and drinks to add to the experience.
On the Beach Festival (July 19th-21st & 26th-28th)
Two weekends of concerts at Brighton Beach will bring names like The Kooks, Kate Nach, The Libertines, The Charlatans, and Alan Fitzpatrick to the stage. This hugely popular festival brings thousands of concertgoers to the beach each year.
Brighton Pride (August 2nd-5th)
August will see the arrival of Brighton Pride, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and is the largest and most popular Pride event in the country. With parades, concerts, parties, and more, there’s no shortage of festivities in and around Brighton.
Squeeze (November 2nd)
In November, you’ll find the band Squeeze performing for one night at the Brighton Centre. The show is part of the 50th-anniversary tour, and you can safely bet they’ll be playing old hits and fan favourites in celebration.
Can’t Make It to an Event?
While Brighton offers tons of events, even if you can’t make it to them, you’ll still find plenty of entertaining things to do in the area. Whether heading over to one of the area’s restaurants or art galleries or getting delivery from one of the best takeout spots to enjoy a night in with delicious food and a memorable slots machine experience on mobile, you’ll find many ways to be entertained.
