Brighton is heading into one of those weekends when there is almost too much going on. From stand-up and live music to football, rugby, the Brighton Cocktail Festival and a major new music festival at Stanmer Park, there is plenty to keep locals busy from Friday night through Sunday.
Friday: comedy, cabaret and a night out
Friday gets things moving at Komedia Brighton, where the regular Komedia Comedy Club takes over at 8pm. Earlier in the day there are family-friendly Story Magic sessions, while New Wave Breakers is on at 7.30pm.
For something rather more glamorous, Dawn the Drag Queen brings cabaret, comedy and live vocals to The Birdcage in Kemptown from the evening onwards, with free entry.
And, of course, Friday is also a good excuse to start exploring the Brighton Cocktail Festival, which runs across the city until Sunday. More than 50 bars are involved, with festival cocktails, trails and special offers.
Saturday: Brighton really comes alive
Saturday is the big one.
Music fans have a huge choice. The Afghan Whigs, with Ed Harcourt, play Chalk Brighton, while The Big Indie Fest takes over Concorde 2. There is also 234 Fest at the Green Door Store and a packed programme of smaller gigs around the city.
Comedy-wise, Jason Byrne: 30 Years Byrning arrives at The Old Market at 7.30pm. The anniversary show promises Byrne’s trademark high-energy storytelling, audience interaction and surreal improvisation.
There is also Funny Women Live at Komedia, while the Folklore Rooms hosts This Machine Kills Wasps with Joz Norris and Laura Fell.
For something different, Saturday sees the Beyond Boundaries Festival at Stanmer Park, bringing drum and bass, house, grime, UK garage and tech house to the city, with a line-up including Hybrid Minds, JME, MK and Wilkinson.
Sport has its own attractions. Brighton Rugby Club plays Old Elthamians at Waterhall at 3pm in the first home game of the season, while Brighton & Hove Hockey Club also has fixtures in Hove. Brighton & Hove Albion Women travel to London City Lionesses for a 5pm WSL kick-off.
Sunday: music, culture and something slower
Sunday brings a slightly more relaxed pace. At Brighton Dome, Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra opens its new season with Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, featuring music from Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, Piazzolla and Janáček.
Over at the Brighton Centre, Anastacia performs on Sunday evening, while Feng brings his experimental hip-hop and indie-pop sound to Concorde 2.
Meanwhile, Hove’s Old Market hosts Dominic Miller, the guitarist widely known for his work with Sting, in an intimate Sunday evening performance blending jazz, Latin, folk and classical influences.
For families and culture lovers, the Amaze Story Trail, featuring BookBench sculptures across Brighton & Hove and Portslade, continues through November.
So whether your idea of a Brighton weekend involves a pint and a punchline, a major gig, live sport, cocktails, culture or simply wandering around the city and seeing where the day takes you, Brighton & Hove has plenty happening this weekend.
