Brighton's Most Unusual Experiences This Season

Brighton and Hove are hosting a range of unusual and immersive experiences this season, spanning from cutting-edge virtual reality to traditional circus arts and creative crafts. If you are looking for something different to do, the city has several unique options running throughout February.

Hove Museum of Creativity is currently hosting Double Act, a free immersive Virtual Reality experience that runs on February 16 and from February 19 to 22, 2026. Created by artist Jess Starns and creative technologists Thomas Buckley and Tom Ward, this 20-minute journey explores the lives of early film pioneers George Albert Smith and Laura Eugenia Bayley. You are guided by their voices through a recreation of the UK’s second-ever film studio at St Ann’s Well Gardens. It is a detailed look at the birth of British cinema, highlighting Bayley’s role as a groundbreaking filmmaker. Alongside this, the museum features Play Back Forward, a free interactive exhibition with archival footage and contemporary art commissions that runs until April 12, 2026. Trained staff are available to help those who haven't used VR headsets before.

For those who prefer physical activities, multiple providers in the city offer immersive circus training. Brighton Aerial Arts in Hove provides Low Flow Aerial Hoop sessions starting from £15. These classes focus on learning flowing sequences on the hoop and are designed to be accessible for beginners. If you are interested in ground-based skills, Circus Brighton offers structured workshops in juggling, tightrope walking, unicycling, and acrobatics. They accommodate groups of up to 30 participants per instructor and provide skill-based learning for various ages. Another local option is Hoops & Dreams Circus, run by Laura Davis, which specializes in hula hoop workshops. These sessions include fire and LED hoop options and are available for private parties, schools, and corporate events, focusing on coordination and teamwork.

Creative workshops are also available across the city to promote mental wellbeing. Through platforms like ClassBento, you can find sessions for Pottery Wheel Throwing, Picasso-style pot painting, and silver jewellery making. One of the more unique offerings is Modern Kintsugi, where participants learn the traditional art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Additionally, One Garden Brighton in Stanmer Park is hosting a series of events for the February half-term from February 14 to 22, 2026. This includes nature-inspired crafts and storytelling sessions designed for families. The garden itself is free to enter and offers a space to explore themed urban garden designs and local produce.