Ageing Well Festival

The Ageing Well Festival returns to Brighton and Hove from 25 September to 9 October 2026, a two-week programme for people aged 50 and over. It's a big one this year: more than 130 events run by over 100 partner organisations across more than 60 venues throughout the city. The dates span the end of September and the first nine days of October, so there's plenty to pick from across the full fortnight.

The line-up is broad enough that you can build your own version of the festival. There are creative workshops and live music, cultural events, wellbeing activities, sports and exercise classes, learning opportunities and social gatherings. If you're into the active side, the exercise classes and sports cover that; if you're more in the mood for something quieter, the wellbeing activities and social gatherings fit the bill. The workshops and learning opportunities give you something to actually make or pick up, and the live music and cultural events handle the entertainment.

Some of the old favourites are back, too. The Routemaster returns, and this time it also offers an open-top bus trip around the city. Alongside that, there are new additions to the mix, like a mindful pinch potting workshop. Between the returning staples and the new ideas, the programme changes depending on what you're after.

Because it's spread across so many venues, you'll find things happening all over Brighton and Hove rather than in one single spot. The festival runs from 25 September to 9 October, with the first half falling between 25 and 30 September and the second from 1 to 9 October.