Festival Season in Brighton 2016: What to Know, Where to Go

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Now that the dust has settled on Wild Life 2016, the festival season in Brighton has truly begun. From now until deep into September, artists of all kinds will flock from the furthest reaches of the UK and beyond to showcase their talent in Brighton. However, it’s not just music – as you’ll soon find out, there’s more to Brighton’s festival season than meets the eye (or should that be ear?)

TAKEPART 2016: 10th June – 10th July

We begin with an ongoing festival designed to celebrate dance, sport and fitness. TAKEPART 2016 runs for a month with activities every day with something for everyone, regardless of age, ability or interest. Parents and children alike can take part in Active Families events, adults can unwind with their colleagues at Active After Work and a campaign known as #ThisGirlCan is designed to celebrate women who lead active lifestyles. So if you’re in the area and feel the need to stay active, TAKEPART could be just the thing for you!

TAKEPART 2016 is ongoing for a month - Photo: Brighton and Hove City Council
TAKEPART 2016 is ongoing for a month – Photo: Brighton and Hove City Council

Love Supreme 2016: 1st – 3rd July

The next big musical event in Brighton will be Love Supreme, the UK’s largest Jazz, Funk and Soul weekend. Over the course of three days, artists such as Grace Jones, Burt Bacharach, Kelis and Lianne La Havas will be taking to the stage. But that’s not all — Love Supreme will feature experiential additions to make the weekend truly special, such as the brand new Lazy Bird Banqueting Kitchen, Love Supremium luxury treatment, the Food Village and much, much more. What’s not to love?

Love Supreme in the sunshine - Photo: Love Supreme
Love Supreme in the sunshine – Photo: Love Supreme

PatchFest 2016: 16th July

Self-proclaimed as a free volunteer-run community festival, PatchFest takes place in William Clarke Park, which is colloquially known as ‘The Patch’. The festival promises two live music stages, DJs, a beer tent, BBQ food, a marketplace and much more. Tucked away near Picton Street and Hartington Road, there’s surely very little better that you can find for free in Brighton.

William Clarke Park, or 'The Patch', is where PatchFest 2016 will take place - Photo: Paul Gillett
William Clarke Park, or ‘The Patch’, is where PatchFest 2016 will take place – Photo: Paul Gillett

Brighton Pride 2016: 5th – 7th August

This is the big one. As the UK’s unofficial LGBT capital, Brighton’s Pride festival probably couldn’t be more of a big deal, and there’s no shortage of events to keep both locals and out-of-town festival goers entertained. The Community Parade is the main attraction, however it will be ably supported by the Pride Village Party, the Pleasure Gardens, the Arts and Film Festival and even the Pride Dog Show. Arguably the biggest three days in Brighton’s calendar, Pride rarely disappoints and showcases the best of what the Brighton community has to offer.

Pride is Brighton's keystone summer event - Photo: Vicki Burton via Flickr
Pride is Brighton’s keystone summer event – Photo: Vicki Burton via Flickr

The Big Kahuna Festival 2016: 26th – 28th August

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The Big Kahuna, held slightly out of the way in Horsham, is held in a picturesque pine forest and offers up some stellar musical talent to compliment the beautiful natural surroundings.  As well as headliners such as the Happy Mondays, The Skints, Boney M and Toploader, the Big Kahuna promises convenience with its small and compact site and also value for money, with fair food prices, topped off with walkways to prevent muddy pits so you can leave your wellies at home for this one!

The picturesque scenery of the Big Kahuna Festival - Photo: Big Kahuna
The picturesque scenery of the Big Kahuna Festival – Photo: Big Kahuna

Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival: 27th – 29th August

This is a staple for Brighton’s foodies. A year-round festival, the latest edition offers around 350 food, drink and hospitality businesses the chance to exhibit the best of what they have to offer. What’s more, the organisers ensure that the festival is free-entry, meaning that truly anybody can marvel at the culinary delights which the city, and Sussex in general, has to offer. With a live food show, a children’s food festival and lots more, keep an open mind and an empty stomach for this Brighton classic.

Visitors enjoying the sun at the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival - Photo: Julia Claxton
Visitors enjoying the sun at the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival – Photo: Julia Claxton

Together the People: 3rd – 4th September

Together the People is just another example of a Brighton festival which transcends musical interest. This independent, greenfield showcase has the tagline “Music, Food, Community, Film, Arts” and prides itself on being family friendly, so yet again there will be something for everyone. The likes of Suede, Gaz Coombes and The Horrors will provide musical entertainment, while children’s favourites Lazytown also perform live to keep the little ones happy; the perfect treat to end the summer holidays.

Together the People has fun for all the family
Together the People has fun for all the family

Boundary Brighton: 17th September

Finally we have Boundary Brighton. As a replacement for Shakedown in previous years, Boundary will help university students kick off their year in style with the likes of Craig David, Groove Armada and Bondax strutting their stuff across four stages which mimic venues in Brighton. Patterns, Concorde 2 and The Arch are all heavily represented and Boundary will offer students a chance to cut loose before the hard graft of university begins in earnest.

The poster for the brand new Boundary Brighton - Photo: Boundary Brighton
The poster for the brand new Boundary Brighton – Photo: Boundary Brighton

Which of these are you most looking forward to? We’d love to hear!

 

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