Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026 mark one of the most comprehensive cultural calendar in the city’s history. From public restaurant votes and Michelin announcements to major film festivals, music weekends, women’s awards and the UK’s largest Pride celebration, this is your complete guide to every major festival, award and public vote taking place in Brighton and Hove from March 2026 onwards.
Food & Drink Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026
BRAVO Restaurant Awards 2026
Public vote: 10 Feb – 10 March | Winners announced: 31 March 2026
The BRAVO Restaurant Awards – Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online – is the city’s largest public food and drink vote, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. Residents and visitors vote for their favourite restaurants, cafés, pubs and hospitality venues across Brighton, Hove and Sussex. This year’s theme is ‘Choose Local’, with over 70,000 votes expected across 18 categories including Best Restaurant, Best Café, Best Pub, Best Brunch, Best Sunday Roast and a brand new category: Best Sweets and Treats.
Brighton Journal is a proud media partner of the BRAVO Awards 2026.
Michelin Guide UK & Ireland 2026 – Brighton’s Historic WinAnnounced: 9 February 2026
In a landmark moment for the city, Maré by Rafael Cagali on Church Road in Hove was awarded a Michelin Star at the 2026 UK & Ireland ceremony – Brighton and Hove’s first Michelin-starred restaurant in over 40 years. The guide praised the restaurant’s sharing-style menu blending Brazilian, Mediterranean, Mexican and Japanese influences. A significant milestone for Brighton’s food scene and for food tourism in Sussex.
Foodies Festival Brighton 2–4 May 2026 | Preston Park
A large-scale outdoor food and drink festival held over the early May Bank Holiday weekend at Preston Park. Featuring chef demonstrations from MasterChef champions and Michelin-starred cooks, a Cake & Bake Theatre with Great British Bake Off stars, street food from around the world, a Drinks Theatre and live music throughout.
Official website: https://foodiesfestival.com
Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival Autumn 2026 | City-wide
Brighton’s annual celebration of local food and drink, run by BITE Sussex. A month-long programme of chef events, tastings, markets and producer showcases – culminating in the Sussex and the World Market on Hove Lawns.
See also: Food & Drinks in Brighton 2026.
Arts, Culture and Theatre Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026
1–25 May 2026
Now in its 60th edition, Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026 is England’s largest curated multi-arts festival. The 2026 programme features over 100 events across theatre, dance, music, literature and visual art – including five world premieres. This is the first festival under new chief executive Lucy Davies, who is producing original work for the first time in the festival’s history. Highlights include Patti Smith performing with her quartet, Akram Khan Company’s final touring production, and a large-scale land art commission on Hove Promenade. Over 25 free events are available, including two weekends of outdoor performances.
Official website: https://brightonfestival.org
Brighton Fringe 2026
1–31 May 2026 (continuing into June)
England’s largest arts festival and the third largest fringe festival in the world. Brighton Fringe is an open-access festival featuring hundreds of independent productions spanning comedy, theatre, cabaret, spoken word, circus, music and more. Competitive awards are presented at the end of the festival. Shows from Brighton Fringe are also nominated for the national OffFest/OffWestEnd Awards, which recognise outstanding theatre produced in UK festival contexts.
Official website: https://brightonfringe.org
Artists Open Houses May 2026
Each May, hundreds of artists across Brighton and Hove open their homes, studios and pop-up spaces to the public. One of the most intimate ways to experience the city’s creative community – and to buy original art, ceramics, jewellery and prints directly from the makers.
Official website: https://aoh.org.uk
Brighton Photo Biennial October – November 2026
2026 is an edition year for Brighton Photo Biennial – one of the UK’s most significant photography festivals. Major exhibitions, installations and events take place across venues in Brighton and Hove, with an international programme of artists and curators.
Burning the Clocks
December 2026 (winter solstice) | City-wide
Brighton’s beloved annual solstice celebration, in which thousands of lantern-carrying participants parade through the city streets before the lanterns are ceremonially burned on the beach. One of Brighton’s most distinctive and atmospheric community events. The 2026 theme is Magicada.
Film Festivals and Cinema Awards in Brighton 2026
Oska Bright Film Festival 2026
28 March – 2 April 2026 | Brighton Dome, Dukes at Komedia & city venues
The world’s leading film festival for films made by or featuring people with learning disabilities or autism. Now in its 12th edition, Oska Bright screens over 120 films chosen from more than 400 international entries across six days and five Brighton venues. The festival ends with a full awards ceremony. Oska Bright is a BAFTA-qualifying festival for both the British Short Film and British Short Animation Awards – one of only a handful of festivals outside London to hold this status.
Official website: https://oskabright.org
Brighton International Animation Festival (BIAF)
24 April – 6 May 2026 | Brighton Dome and city venues
The 2026 edition of BIAF is primarily based at Brighton Dome, with additional screenings at partner venues across the city. The festival welcomes animated films from around the world across all genres – from documentary and experimental to music video and narrative – with award categories for Best International, Best UK, Best Student and Best AR film. Selected films are also broadcast on Latest TV, reaching over 350,000 households.
Official website: https://brightonanimation.com
Brighton Rocks International Film Festival (BRIFF)
15–21 June 2026 | Dukes at Komedia, Daltons and The Actors, Kemptown
Now in its 9th year, BRIFF is a BIFA-qualifying (British Independent Film Awards) festival celebrating diverse, original and boundary-pushing independent cinema. The week-long programme features over 200 films and 15+ award categories including Best Drama, Best Documentary, Best Comedy, Best Director, Spirit of Brighton Award, Women Rock Award and the Young Ace Filmmaker Award for promising Brighton-based filmmakers under 30. BFI-funded and community-rooted.
Official website: https://brightonrocks.org
CINECITY: The Brighton Film Festival
November 2026 (24th annual edition)
Brighton’s established and BIFA-qualifying film festival, bringing world cinema premieres and previews, live soundtrack events, archive screenings, industry talks and Q&A sessions to venues across Brighton and Lewes each November. An Audience Award is presented each year. CINECITY also runs a 36-Hour Film Challenge in partnership with University of Sussex.
Official website: https://cine-city.co.uk
Music Festivals in Brighton 2026
The Great Escape
13–16 May 2026 | 35+ venues across Brighton
Europe’s leading festival for new and emerging music. The Great Escape brings over 450 artists from around the world to more than 35 walkable Brighton venues each May, alongside a dedicated music industry conference. It is widely regarded as the first place to discover artists before they headline major stages. The 2026 edition includes Spotlight Shows and a pop-up stage on Brighton Beach.
Official website: https://greatescapefestival.com
On The Beach – Big Beach Boutique 7
17–19 July 2026 | Brighton Beach
Fatboy Slim headlines three massive all-day outdoor events on Brighton Beach, continuing the Big Beach Boutique tradition that has become one of the most iconic live events on the UK summer calendar.
Love Supreme Jazz Festival
3–5 July 2026 | Glynde Place, East Sussex
One of the UK’s most celebrated jazz festivals, held just outside Brighton in the grounds of Glynde Place. The 2026 edition features its biggest programme to date, with headliners Ezra Collective and Loyle Carner confirmed in the first wave.
Official website: https://lovesupremefestival.com
Plumpton Revival 2026 – The Birthplace of Reading Festival Returns
One of the most unmissable festivals and awards events near Brighton & Hove in 2026, Plumpton Revival takes place on 8–9 August 2026 at Plumpton Racecourse.
In 1969 and 1970, this Sussex site hosted Pink Floyd, The Who, Black Sabbath and Peter Green — a legendary festival that eventually became the Reading Festival. Now, more than 50 years later, it’s coming home.
The 2026 lineup includes tribute acts Think Floyd, Who’s Next and Dreams of Fleetwood Mac, plus blues artists Aynsley Lister, The Milk Men (2026 UK Blues Awards Best Band nominees) and comedy from Chas & Dave. General Admission, VIP, Camping and Accessibility tickets are on sale now.
Official website: https://plumptonrevival.uk/tickets/
Brighton Pride 2026
August 2026 | City-wide and Preston Park
The UK’s largest LGBTQ+ festival and one of the world’s most celebrated Pride events. Brighton Pride draws over 300,000 people to the city for a weekend of events including the iconic parade from Hove Lawns through the city centre, the main festival in Preston Park and Pride On The Park fundraiser events. Brighton Pride Awards are also presented during the celebrations.
Official website: https://brighton-pride.org
Women’s Awards in Brighton 2026
Brighton Girl Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026
Finalists announced: 8 March 2026 (International Women’s Day) | Ceremony: 19 March 2026 | The Old Market
Run by City Girl Network, the Brighton Girl Awards celebrate inspiring women, entrepreneurs and community leaders across Brighton and Hove. The 2026 edition features over 20 categories including Brighton Girl of the Year, Charity of the Year, Community of the Year, Employer of the Year and new additions including Green Business, Health and Beauty Space and Experience of the Year. The judging panel is moderated by Edge of Difference. Past winners include Kaia Allen-Bevan (Brighton Girl of the Year 2025) and Brighton Women’s Centre (Charity of the Year 2025).
Women’s Football Awards 2026
7 May 2026 | London
Europe’s biggest women’s football awards ceremony, hosted by Gabby Logan. Brighton and Hove Albion FC has been nominated in five categories for 2026, including the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Community Impact Award, and individual nominations for Fran Kirby, Zoe Johnson and Rose Read.
Sport Awards in Brighton 2026
Brighton & Hove Albion Players’ Awards
19 May 2026 | Amex Stadium
Part of the club’s landmark 125th anniversary celebrations, the 2026 Players’ Awards evening will feature a stage and screen production set in front of the players’ tunnel at the Amex. The event welcomes special guests from the club’s history alongside celebrations for today’s squad. Ticketed event open to fans.
Official website: https://brightonandhovealbion.com
Brighton & Hove 2026 Events Calendar – Month by Month
| Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026 | |
| February | BRAVO voting opens (10 Feb) • Michelin Guide 2026 announced (9 Feb) • Football v Homophobia Awards (6 Feb) |
| March | BRAVO voting closes (10 Mar) • Brighton Girl Awards finalists (8 Mar) • Brighton Girl Awards ceremony (19 Mar) • Oska Bright Film Festival (28 Mar) |
| April | Oska Bright Film Festival ends (2 Apr) • BRAVO winners announced (31 Mar) • Brighton International Animation Festival opens (24 Apr) |
| May | BIAF (to 6 May) • Foodies Festival (2–4 May) • Brighton Festival (1–25 May) • Brighton Fringe (all month) • Great Escape (13–16 May) • Women’s Football Awards (7 May) • Albion Players’ Awards (19 May) • Artists Open Houses |
| June | Brighton Fringe Awards • Brighton Rocks / BRIFF (15–21 Jun) |
| July | Love Supreme Jazz Festival (3–5 Jul) • On The Beach / Big Beach Boutique 7 (17–19 Jul) |
| August | Brighton Pride • Brighton Pride Awards • Mod Weekender (Aug BH) • Plumpton Revival |
| September | Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival begins |
| Oct–Nov | Brighton Photo Biennial • CINECITY Brighton Film Festival (Nov, 24th edition) • Brighton & Hove Business Awards |
| December | Burning the Clocks (solstice lantern parade) |
Frequently Asked Questions Brighton Awards & Festivals 2026
What festivals are happening in Brighton and Hove in 2026?
Brighton and Hove hosts over 60 festivals in 2026. The biggest include Brighton Festival (1–25 May, 60th edition), Brighton Fringe (May–June), The Great Escape new music festival (13–16 May), Brighton Pride (August), the Foodies Festival (2–4 May), Oska Bright Film Festival (28 March–2 April), Brighton Rocks International Film Festival (15–21 June) and CINECITY film festival (November).
When is Brighton Festival 2026?
Brighton Festival 2026 runs from 1 to 25 May. This is the 60th edition of England’s largest curated multi-arts festival, featuring over 100 events including five world premieres, concerts by Patti Smith, dance by Akram Khan Company, and more than 25 free events.
What is the BRAVO Award in Brighton?
The BRAVO Award stands for Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online. It is Brighton’s largest public-voted food and drink awards, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. The public votes across 18 categories including Best Restaurant, Best Café, Best Pub and Best Sunday Roast. Voting ran from 10 February to 10 March 2026, with winners announced on 31 March.
Has Brighton got a Michelin star in 2026?
Yes. Maré by Rafael Cagali on Church Road in Hove was awarded a Michelin Star in February 2026 – Brighton and Hove’s first Michelin-starred restaurant in over 40 years. The restaurant is known for its sharing menu blending Brazilian, Mediterranean, Mexican and Japanese influences.
When is Brighton Pride 2026?
Brighton Pride 2026 takes place in August 2026. It is the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ festival, with over 300,000 people attending the parade through the city and the main concert festival at Preston Park. Brighton Pride Awards are also presented during the celebrations.
What film festivals are in Brighton in 2026?
Brighton hosts four major film festivals in 2026: Oska Bright Film Festival (28 March–2 April, BAFTA-qualifying), the Brighton International Animation Festival or BIAF (24 April–6 May, Brighton Dome), Brighton Rocks International Film Festival or BRIFF (15–21 June, BIFA-qualifying), and CINECITY: The Brighton Film Festival (November, BIFA-qualifying).
What are the Brighton Girl Awards 2026?
The Brighton Girl Awards, run by City Girl Network, celebrate inspiring women, businesses and community leaders in Brighton and Hove. In 2026, finalists are announced on 8 March (International Women’s Day) and the winners ceremony takes place on 19 March at The Old Market. There are over 20 award categories including the headline Brighton Girl of the Year.
Are there any public votes in Brighton in 2026?
Yes. The main public vote event in Brighton in 2026 is the BRAVO Restaurant Awards, where residents and visitors vote for their favourite restaurants, cafés and hospitality venues across 18 categories. Voting ran from 10 February to 10 March 2026. Brighton Fringe audiences also vote for their favourite shows as part of the festival’s awards programme.
Brighton and Hove hosts more than 60 annual cultural festivals, making it one of the most culturally active cities in the United Kingdom. In 2026, landmark anniversaries- including 60 years of Brighton Festival, 125 years of Brighton and Hove Albion and 10 years of the BRAVO Awards – sit alongside a historic Michelin Star win and major national award ceremony.
