What's On in Brighton
Things to do in and around Brighton: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Brighton Cafes and Coffee Shops: Where to Go
Starfish & Coffee won Brighton's public vote for best cafe again in 2026. 13 Brighton and Hove cafes with hours and hygiene ratings, checked October 2026.
Dates for the diary
- Mon 26 Oct Lenny Henry: Still At Large
- On now to 1 Nov Drusillas Shriek Week
- Tue 27 Oct Elif Shafak: In One Brief Moment All Eternity
- Tue 27 Oct Pepita Coffee x Fatboy Slim signing
- Wed 28 Oct Once Upon a Trail
- Wed 28 Oct Ms. Ezra Furman: Doing what she wants
- 28 Oct to 8 Nov The Signalman
- 28 Oct to 1 Nov Your Toys
- Thu 29 Oct Alice in FUNderland
- Thu 29 Oct Crafty Kids: Halloween crafts
- 29 to 31 Oct Horrible Histories
- Fri 30 Oct Haunted Happenings: a ghost tour for young people
More stories
Walks
Walks Near Brighton: Circular Routes, Downs and Seafront
The Undercliff Walk runs 3 miles under the cliffs, the Chattri loop 5.3 miles. 12 walks near Brighton with distances, buses, parking, dogs and toilets.
Food & Drink
Sunday Roast in Brighton: Where to Book
Embers won Brighton's public vote for best roast again in 2026. Twelve Brighton and Hove roasts with prices, serving times and booking, checked October 2026.
Food & Drink
Brighton Pubs: The Best Pubs and Where to Drink
Watchmaker's Arms and Haus on the Hill took CAMRA's 2026 awards; the Prince Albert has a 3-star interior. 14 Brighton and Hove pubs, hours checked Oct 2026.
Food & Drink
Brighton Restaurants: The Best Places to Eat
Maré in Hove has Brighton's only Michelin star and four more hold Bib Gourmands: 17 restaurants with prices, hours and hygiene ratings, checked October 2026.
Christmas
Brighton Christmas Day Swim 2026: Not an Organised Event
There is no organised Christmas Day swim in Brighton: the council says the dip is not its event and only the very experienced should try it. Here is its advice.
Charity
Hove Fire Engine Pull: 16 Recruits, 5km, Tuesday 20 Oct
Sixteen firefighter recruits will pull a fire engine 5km along Hove seafront at 11am on Tuesday 20 October for The Fire Fighters Charity. How to watch or give.
Charity
Christian Aid Roadshow Brighton: South Sudan Talk, 13 Oct
Two speakers from South Sudan are at Lewes Road URC, Brighton, on Tuesday 13 October, 7pm to 9.30pm, with the former Bishop of Salisbury. Register online.
Exhibitions
The Biba Look at Brighton Museum: Open Now Until 21 March
Brighton Museum's Biba show is open to 21 March: 32 catalogue photographs, some never shown before, and six outfits. Free with entry; residents pay £8 a year.
Halloween
Brighton Halloween: Ghost Tours Sold Out, Pumpkins to 31 Oct
Preston Manor's October ghost nights are sold out; extra nights are 6 and 13 November, and the teen ghost tour adds a 2pm slot. Pumpkins and film night, priced.
Christmas
Brighton Ice Rink 2026: None This Winter, Old Steine in 2027
No Brighton ice rink this winter: the council and operator confirmed it on 15 October. The rink moves to the Old Steine from 2027. Last season ran 25 Oct to 4 Jan.
Running
Brighton 10K 2026: Sunday 15 November, 9.30am Start
The Brighton 10K is on Sunday 15 November from Hove Promenade: Junior Mile 8.45am, 10K 9.30am. Entry is £36, rising to £38 on 2 November. Route and parking.
Music
Craig David Brighton Centre 2027: Sunday 9 May, On Sale Now
Craig David plays Born To Do It in full at the Brighton Centre on Sunday 9 May 2027 at 7pm. Tickets went on sale on 2 October and MyTicket is still selling.
Events
What's On in Brighton: Half Term, Veteran Cars, Fireworks
Comedy Festival to 25 October, then half term, Halloween, the Veteran Car Run on 1 November, Hove fireworks on 7 November and Russell Howard: 68 listings.
Music
Brighton Weekend 25-27 Sept: Saint Etienne, Marina Hyde
Saint Etienne at the Dome tonight, Marina Hyde and free Slow Fashion Week on Saturday, the Brighton Phil on Sunday, and Coastway West buses all weekend.
Christmas
Royal Pavilion Christmas 2026: Father Christmas From 4 Dec
Father Christmas at the Royal Pavilion is on sale: 4 to 24 December, £21 a child, adults £7. Frost and Fire season 21 Nov to 10 Jan; carols 16 Dec.
Arts
Photoworks Festival 2026: 13 Brighton Shows On to 1 Nov
Photoworks Festival runs to 1 November across Brighton & Hove: 13 exhibitions, a family day and library session on 24 October, and POST workshops to 31 October.
Family
Brighton Story Trail: 74 Free BookBenches Out to 8 November
Amaze's free BookBench trail runs to 8 November: 74 sculptures, a paint-your-own BookBench night in Hove on 22 October and Once Upon a Trail on 28 October.
Remembrance
Brighton Remembrance Sunday 2026: 8 November, Old Steine
Remembrance Sunday falls on 8 November 2026. The council names its services in late October, so here is the timetable it repeats and what has changed
Christmas
Brighton Pantomime 2026: Only One, and It Is a Hotel
The Theatre Royal Christmas slot goes to Legally Blonde, not a panto. Brighton's only pantomime this year is Aladdin at the Metropole, 22 to 30 December.
Christmas
Santa in Brighton 2026: Royal Pavilion Grotto From 4 Dec
The Royal Pavilion grotto is on sale: 4 to 24 December, £21 a child. Out of town, Bluebell Santa Specials run from 28 Nov and Drusillas from 21 Nov.
Bonfire Night
Preston Park Fireworks 2026: Not Listed; Hove Is Sat 7 Nov
No Preston Park fireworks are on the council's 2026 list. Hove county ground is Sat 7 November, fireworks 7pm, standing £15; Eaton Road shuts 5pm to 8pm.
Madeira Drive
Veteran Car Run 2026: Brighton Finish Sun 1 Nov From 10am
Free to watch on Madeira Drive, Sunday 1 November, 10am to 4.30pm. Clayton Hill and an A23 slip at Pyecombe close for the cars; no Brighton to Lewes trains.
Madeira Drive
Burning the Clocks Is Back: Monday 21 December on the Beach
After a fallow year in 2025, Same Sky says the solstice parade returns in full on 21 December 2026 with the Magicada effigy. Free to watch, but walking in it needs a wristband.
Christmas
Brighton Christmas Market 2026: None Yet, New Lights Due
Still no Brighton Christmas market for 2026. The BID says a new Christmas lighting scheme is coming, date unannounced. Free fairs: Wagner Hall 12-13 Dec, Dome 5 Dec.
Hove
Hove Speakers Festival Was 11 October: Corbyn, Hunt, Chang
The first Brighton & Hove Speakers Festival ran at The Old Market on Sunday 11 October: seven talks, from Jeremy Corbyn to Jung Chang. The running order.
What's On
Things to Do in Brighton: 10 Days Out Checked, With Prices
Ten Brighton days out checked against their own sites this week: the £1 pier, Royal Pavilion at £21.50 (£16.50 residents), free Devil's Dyke and more.